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If you’re flying to Europe this winter, drawn by all those ancient sights and incredible culture, you may have already made peace with the fact that it’s probably not the best season to visit weather-wise, due to the gloomy skies and freezing temperatures.
But then again, what’s a little rain when you’ve got that Old cities ready for postcards that almost seem straight out of a storybook scene? As magical as Prague, Amsterdam and London may be in the quiet season, that doesn’t mean a little sunshine isn’t welcome.
Luckily for you, this unusual island in Greece has many options fairly mild winterswith temperatures of 68 degrees most days, affordable hotels steps away from pristine Mediterranean beaches, and even better: no summer and fall crowds!
The hidden gem of Greece that Americans sleep on
Located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, just 50 nautical miles from the Turkish coast, Rhodes is the largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands. the fourth largest island in the country on the whole, and despite its relative anonymity in American circles, something of a cultural hotspot.
It is shaped like a spearhead, is 79.5 kilometers long and 40 kilometers at its widest point. It’s a fairly sizable landmass, packed not only with the usual resorts and modern developments, but also with a host of historical monuments dating back thousands of years. countless natural wonders.
In summer and autumn, Rhodes is one of the busiest destinations in Greece, ranking only behind Santorini, Mykonos and Corfu in terms of visitor numbers. Needless to say, all the mass tourism, combined with the scorching heat, does not necessarily make for a pleasant experiencece.
It’s one of the few destinations best experienced when the seasonal crowds fade and temperatures drop a pleasant 60-68 degrees during the day––and only a moderately cold 50°F at night––and the downward trend in prices reflects the precipitous drop in demand.
Rhodes is more than just beaches
Rhodes is more than just beaches, and that’s why it is the ideal destination all year round: the capital, Rhodes Town, a harborside settlement famous for its fortified walls and breadth of architecture, from Byzantine to Ottoman to French, is one of the best preserved medieval citadels in Europe.
Get lost in the maze of cobbled streets, explore all the hidden courtyards and Gothic palaces (a rare sight in an Orthodox dominated country), or taste Greek food at Ellis Beach: the tourist offer in Rhodes Town is truly limitless.
We know you love hidden gems as much as we do, so if you happen to be strolling the vibrant Street of the Knights, make sure you pass by the historic Inn of France for unobstructed views of the most photographed thoroughfare in the world. city. free!
Countless ancient Acropolises!
Rhodes is synonymous with historic ruins, some of which you may have seen before in travel brochures, and others that remain virtually hidden from the irritating eyes of tourists, but perhaps the most iconic ancient site is the Lindos Acropolis:
Perched on a hill – and so are all the acropolises – this one rivals even the Athenian one in beauty, with a picturesque Temple of Athena overlooking an azure Mediterranean Sea, and a typically Greek, whitewashed town at its foot with streets lined with narrow cars be able to. don’t come in.
Near the capital, the Acropolis of Rhodes is just as beautiful, with a well-preserved Olympic stadium and a monumental temple of Apollo, and at Kameiros you’ll find a vast Greek settlement dotted with temples, built as early as the 9th century BC––that’s almost 3000 years ago!
Greek village hopping
No visit to a Greek island is complete without some village visits, and luckily for Instagrammers, Rhodes has its fair share of picture-perfect townships that have barely passed the time, such as Asklipio:
A typical hinterland village, it is centered around a centuries-old stone Orthodox church, and an imposing fortress stands behind it; near the city of Rhodes has Koskinou alleys with bougainvilleas and colorful housesand if you like wine, make sure Embonas is on your list:
Nestled in the green Rhodian hills, this relaxed community exports velvety red wine to the entire island, and is home to a number of world-class restaurants: fresh Mediterranean dishesfriendly, chatty staff and no frills at all, Taverna Ilias is the place to go.
Beautiful sun-drenched beaches
As sunny as Rhodes may be out of season, the seas off the coast can be (for some) a little too cold to swim in – unless of course you’re used to swimming in cold water, and there is no doubt it still is warmer than the English or Belgian beaches in summer.
In that case there are beautiful stretches of golden sand near Faliraki – where a secluded Mandomatas beach attracts nudists – Tsambika, a wide beach stretching for 800 meters near a medieval monastery, and our personal favorite, Prasonisi:
A narrow strip of sand connecting the mainland of Rhodes to an unspoilt islet when the tides are low. It is the only place in Greece where you can swim in both the Aegean Sea, in the north, and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, in the south.
Nature trails, thermal baths and more
In addition to sunbathing, Rhodes is ideal for nature activities and relaxation: a legendary spa complex located in a sheltered bay, Kallithea Springs costs only 5 eurosor $5.27 to enter, and it’s the perfect day trip from Rhodes Town if you’re looking for some thermal relaxation.
Are there any hiking enthusiasts there? The Valley of the Butterflies is a natural oasis and tourist-friendly trail that runs along a crystal clear creek and is best visited in the summer when thousands of colorful butterflies flutter about, but equally peaceful in winter.
The 5.2 kilometer Jacob’s Canyon route, located in the south, is equally popular and starts at the foot of Mount Attaviros and climbs the neighboring Ploumades Hill for stunning panoramic views of the mountain-crossed landscape and the Aegean Sea.
This is how cheap Rhodes actually is
Last but certainly not least, Rhodes is an incredibly affordable winter stay for Europeans and Americans too: admittedly, it’s trickier to get to as there are no direct flights from the United States, but nothing that a single stopover in Athens can’t solve.
Once you get to Rhodes, expect an average payment $13 to $16 in meals––and if you know anything about Greek food, you know the portions are huge––$3 for a pint of beer, and you might pay as cheaply as $276 for a one week stay in a hotel on the beach.
That’s exactly how much a 7 night stay bee Atlantis boutique city hotel will cost you, and if you don’t like luxury and are just looking for a place comfortable enough to sleep, it’s even cheaper at the two-star hotel Hotel Parthenon Rhodes Townor Zefyros Hotelboth priced at $190.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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