Key Takeaways
- Rhodes offers a wide variety of beaches, from sandy beaches and secluded coves to beaches for water sports enthusiasts.
- The island has 24 organized beaches that have been awarded the Blue Flag, catering to both families and adventure seekers.
- Popular beaches in Rhodes include Lindos, Elli, Kolympia, Glyfada, and Faliraki, each with its own unique features and attractions.
- For sophisticated travelers, there are more secluded and off-the-beaten-path beaches like Agios Georgios, Fourni, Apatites, Kallithea, and Kiotari, which offer a quieter and more serene beach experience.
Sandy beaches, as far as the eye can see, secluded coves with crystal clear waters, and youthful hangouts for water sports.
Rhodes offers you some of the best beaches in Greece and invites you for endless summer dives and precious moments of relaxation and fun.
With 24 of its organized beaches having been awarded the Blue Flag, the island of the Knights is full of options for both families and adventure seekers.
We present to you the best and most popular beaches on Rhodes Island, so you have the knowledge you need in order to choose the one that best suits your tastes and needs.
For your convenience, we have divided them into categories based on your liking. Enjoy a dive into the waters of Greece and a taste of an authentic Greek summer!
For Lovers of Organized Beaches
Lindos
Lindos beach is the one you go to if you are in the mood for socializing and mingling with the crowds.
Below the beautiful settlement of Lindos are two beaches with quiet, crystal-clear waters protected by the picturesque bay, and visiting them is one of the most fun things to do in Rhodes!
One of the most famous Rhodes beaches, the sandy beach of Lindos, is located below the homonymous settlement in the southern part of Rhodes, at a distance of 48 km from Rhodes Town and the center of the Medieval City of Rhodes.
Lindos has golden sand and clear blue waters, and it is organized with umbrellas, sunbeds, taverns, and mini markets.
To enjoy it to its best, do it like the locals: come late in the afternoon following a stroll in Rhodes Town, taking with you the necessities of an overnight stay, on the sun lounger, of course.
Swim on the organized beaches, admiring the white settlement and the castle, which dominates the hill.
Elli
The beautiful sandy beach of Elli has been described as one of the best beaches in Rhodes and the Mediterranean and welcomes a large number of visitors every year.
Elli is the busiest and most popular of Rhodes beaches and has umbrellas, sun beds, and beach bars.
It is located in Rhodes Town and is a favorite choice for both locals and visitors to the Greek island of the Knights.
What makes it special is the fact that it has managed to retain some of the glamor and cosmopolitan essence that made it famous in the 1970s.
Described as ‘the most perfect beach on the Mediterranean sea’ by English author Lawrence Durell, it is organized with umbrellas and sunbeds, while along its length, you will discover several Rhodes restaurants and taverns offering delectable local dishes of Rhodes that represent Greek food in the best way possible!.
A reference point of the coast is the famous trampoline, from which you can dive and feel like a child again.
Kolympia
Kolympia beach is easily accessible, located 26 km east of Rhodes Town, at the end of Eucalyptus Street.
It is one of the most popular Rhodes beaches due to the hotel complexes that surround it. It also boasts a number of delectable restaurants and taverns for all tastes and budgets.
Moreover, it is famous due to the beautiful route that begins from Efta Piges, which translates to ‘Seven Wells’ in English.
So for those who want to experience hiking in Greece when visiting the best beaches in Rhodes, Kolympia beach offers the perfect opportunity!
The sandy beach of Kolympia boasts turquoise waters, umbrellas, and pedal boats. It gives off a much more laid-back vibe than the neighboring Faliraki beach, having not departed far from the picturesque fishing village that gained popularity in the '70s.
Glyfada
Pines that reach the sea, emerald waters, strong winds, and rocks make it somewhat difficult to access the water.
The beach of Glyfada remains the joy of the explorer, who knows how to appreciate the virgin wildness of nature.
Glyfada beach is located 65 km from Rhodes Town on the southwest coast of the island. It consists of large pebbles and is partly organized.
Around the beach, there are mountains full of pines, and this adds extra beauty to Glyfada.
It is exposed to the north winds, which bring algae, but in conditions of apnea, it transforms into a peaceful place for complete relaxation, with crystal clear and deep blue waters.
You can bring a mask and flippers with you to explore the seabed. While sunbathing, you will have the opportunity to admire the tiny island of Halki in front of you.
If you get hungry, there are two taverns on the beach you can choose from, both of which are equally great.
Faliraki
Faliraki beach has been for years and remains one of the most developed tourist areas of Rhodes, only thanks to its huge beach.
It is a lovely sandy beach and has a length of over 4 km. The big beach in Faliraki starts on the left from where the beaches of Kallithea end, continues where the huge hotel units of the area stand, and reaches the settlement.
You will also find beaches on the east coast of Faliraki in small coves and small dolly beaches such as the famous Anthony Quinn beach, but the beach in Faliraki will never lose its popularity because it is really wonderful.
Faliraki is an excellent choice for accommodation in Rhodes if one wants to be close to the beautiful beaches on the east side of the island.
For the Sophisticated Travelers
Agios Georgios
The beach of Agios Georgios is a great discovery that manages to steal the breath even of the locals of the island. It lies 88 km from the port of Rhodes.
The lonely cove with the wonderful beach that is framed by cedars fully justifies the special route through a dirt road that must be followed by those who want to visit it.
The secluded beaches in Rhodes, such as this one, are more than worth the effort!
Fourni
You can reach the quiet beach of Fourni from the dirt road that connects Monolithos with Kattavia.
It is a magical beach, ideal for private relaxation. The privileged position under the rock has shade.
However, in order to get a chance to sit under it, you must visit the beach at the earliest possible. Otherwise, you can bring your own umbrella with you, as the beach is not organized.
Fourni lies 78 km from Rhodes Town. One side of the beach is much quieter than the other, with the sound of the waves crashing being the only music you can enjoy under the few pines and next to the rocks.
Opposite the ship-shaped rock that dominates the middle of the sea, you will find even wilder creeks with sand and thick pebbles.
Please keep in mind that when it gets windy, the beach of Fourni tends to raise waves and be less welcoming to visitors who don't want to partake in extreme sports.
Apatites
‘Apatites’ in Greece means ‘those that have not been stepped upon.’ And that’s the perfect way to describe these beaches in Rhodes.
From Genadi to Prasonisi, you will come upon deserted tropical beaches, with vegetation and cedars that reach the water, turquoise crystal clear sea, and fine sand.
From Prasonisi to Mandriko, the west coast boasts a powerful raw charm and overlooks the island of Halki.
There, you will find experience the other, less-touristy side of Rhodes. You will catch a glimpse of the island’s authentic identity and marvel at how bushes and wild waves.
Kallithea
Kallithea beach is located next to the homonymous area with the famous hot springs, about 11 km south of Rhodes Town.
Awarded with a blue flag, Kallithea beach has fine pebbles and rocks. It is organized with umbrellas and sunbeds, and it is famous for its crystal-clear waters.
The idyllic landscape is complemented by pines and palm trees that surround the bay. On the east coast, there is a cafe where you can relax, drink your coffee and have a snack.
The famous springs of Kallithea are one of the must-visit spots during your trip to Rhodes. They have been the setting of some of the most famous Greek films and still fascinate both locals and tourists alike. It is truly a sight to behold!
Kiotari
Around 60 km from Rhodes Old Town, you will find the stunning beach of Kiotari.
While one side of the beach has the traditional organized character of typical Rhodes beaches, the other side maintains a pure, unspoiled nature that waits to be discovered by the adventurous explorers of the island.
You will come upon the beach of Kiotari if you continue further south from the beach of Ialysos.
Enjoy the sea and water sports and choose for your meal one of the traditional taverns, which you will find along the coastal road.
Haraki
Haraki beach is a haven away from the curious eyes of the hustle and bustle of tourism.
It is some 35 km from Rhodes’ town, and it is the place where you go to clear your mind and enjoy a refreshing dive, rid of the stress of everyday life.
This attractive bay offers an undeniably serene atmosphere. The main visitors to this beach are tourists who rent rooms near the beach, but also local families who bring their umbrellas and prefer the central part of the beach where there is no charge.
The right part of the peaceful beach has large pebbles, while the left has sand. If you choose to swim at the end of the right side of the pebble beach, you will enjoy the view of Faraklos Medieval castle, one of the many striking castles in Greece.
This imposing, unobstructed view, after all, is the trump card of Haraki. Along the street with the rooms for rent, you will find grocery stores, cafes, and a foreign press agency within walking distance.
From Rhodes Town, you can reach Haraki in about forty minutes. However, make sure not to forget to visit the beach of Agathi just before Haraki.
For the Hopeless Romantics
Agios Pavlos
If you’ve been dreaming about visiting a place that resembles the ‘Blue Lake’ during your Greek romantic vacations, you’ve found your destination!
Agios Pavlos beach owes its name to the small church located on a hill at one end. Agios Pavlos beach is located just after Lindos and is about 50 km from the city center of Rhodes.
The coast is small but popular, so be sure to arrive relatively early in the morning—the blue-green, crystal clear waters star in a beautiful environment with golden sand and fine pebbles.
After enjoying your dip in the turquoise waters of the lovely bay, you can also visit the tavern located on the sand for a meal with delicious Greek food right next to the point where the wave breaks.
There is nothing more quintessentially Greek than that!
Kremasti
Kremasti is a village in Greece very close to the airport of Rhodes and has a large section of coastline.
The beach of Kremasti is actually the continuation of the beach of Ialyssos, as these two settlements are neighboring.
On the beach of Kremasti, there is a section where there are hotel units, and it is more organized, but also a very large part that is more natural.
Diverse, beautiful, and serene, the beach of Kremasti is a solid, convenient choice that will make you appreciate the Greek islands and the moments of pure repose they offer.
Glystra
Although tiny, at only 200 m long, Glystra beach is a sight for sore eyes. It is an organized beach with fine sand, which combines vegetation and sparkling waters.
3 km from the village of Lardos, it has an unmatched laid-back style and a pristine, irresistible beauty.
At Glystra beach, you will enjoy serenity in all its glory; no building spoils your aesthetics in the back.
Just tamarisk trees and low vegetation that reaches the water, clear blue waters and fine sand, sunbeds in not an overwhelming density, a single canteen, and pedal boats.
It is the ideal beach to choose if you want to dedicate yourself to reading your book and getting lost in the blue sea when you stay in Lindos and the surrounding area.
Anthony Quinn
At a distance of 17 km south of the center of the Medieval City of Rhodes, between the coasts of Ladiko and Faliraki, you will find a very famous beach.
It is named after the great protagonist of American cinema, which became particularly known to the general public from the movie 'The Canons of Navarone.'
Anthony Quinn Beach is surrounded by cliffs, which create an image of striking beauty.
It has crystal clear, green waters, golden sand, and pebbles and is awarded a blue flag. The adjacent beach of Ladiko has the same pattern.
Please keep in mind that the beach will only provide you with umbrellas and sunbeds. Therefore, before your visit, make sure you have the necessary supplies and, of course, plenty of water.
Agia Agathi
One of the best well-kept secrets of the island of Rhodes, Agia Agathi beach is dreamy, and you can’t help but fall in love with it.
Agia Agathi beach lies around 36 km from Rhodes’ town. The shallow, deep blue waters and the camping near the wild nature next to the sea and the caves are the main reasons why Agia Agathi is considered a seaside sanctuary.
It is perfect for those trying to escape the anxiety of big city life and enjoy their honeymoon in Greece!
Stegna beach
The beach of Stegna is almost monopolized by the inhabitants of Archangelos since it lies only half a kilometer away from the village.
Despite being a beach beloved by the tourists of the island, the beach manages to maintain a traditional, rustic character and gives off a family-friendly vibe that creates a cozy atmosphere.
A variety of accommodation options, taverns, smooth sand, and tiny pebbles take over the scenery.
Additionally, some water sports, a kiosk for the sunscreen that you forgot to bring, and, most importantly, a lot of quiet, intimate moments will be offered to you on Stegna.
Rhodes Beaches for the Sports Enthusiasts
Prasonisi
In the southern part of the island and at a distance of 92 km from the center of the Medieval City of Rhodes is one of the richest in nature beaches on the island, Prasonisi.
It is essentially a rocky islet connected to the rest of the island of Rhodes by a narrow strip of sand about one kilometer long.
The two beaches that are formed due to the winds merge and cover the mainland, creating an image of unique beauty.
This particular coast is especially popular with windsurfing and kitesurfing enthusiasts, as the area has westerly winds, which are ideal for these water sports.
The peculiarity and advantage of this beach is the fact that, when it blows on one side, the sea on the other is calm.
Ialyssos
Ialyssos is a highly touristy beach, as it stretches along Iraklides Avenue 8km from Rhodes, where some of the largest hotel units on the island operate. This is also a beach that favors surfing, and its waters deepen sharply.
It is considered by some the ‘Miami’ of Rhodes in all its seventies splendor. Frenzied windsurfing and the trademark, beautiful playground in the center of the beach, you won’t experience a dull moment while on the beach of Ialyssos.
There, you will also find cafes, restaurants, kiosks, mini markets, fast food, and everything else the consumer soul demands on the main boulevard.
Ixia
It may not be the most famous and busy, but it is always full, with the guests of the big hotel units but also with the windsurfers who take care to take advantage of its strong winds!
At Ixia beach, you can enjoy windsurfing and jet skiing. What’s more, if you’re eager to be taught how to enjoy watersports, you will also have the opportunity to follow courses that are organized for beginners.
Gennadi
Gennadi is a beach for all tastes. It has pebbles in some parts of it but also sand in other parts. There, you can enjoy a calm atmosphere but also a vibrant lifestyle.
It has a beach bar and taverns but also has areas without a trace of human activity, which makes it one of the most popular beaches in Rhodes.
How does Gennadi beach combine all this? The "key" is the length of the beach, as it extends as far as the eye can see.
For the most part, Gennadi is not organized, and you will definitely find a secluded place to spread your towel.
If isolation is not what you want, then choose one of the beach bars that operate in various parts of the beach, which attracts a lot of visitors and especially young crowds. You can access Genadi beach by car.
It is located on the southeast coast of the island, after Lindos, and about 63 km from Rhodes Town.
Rhodes Beaches for the Family Guys
Tsambika
At a distance of 26 km south of Rhodes Town, you will find Tsambika beach, under the rock which dominates the famous monastery of Panagia Tsambika of Psili.
The beach is famous for its fine, golden sand and lush waters. On the beach, you will find umbrellas and sunbeds, as well as a canteen to get the essentials.
If you visit the beach, do not forget also to visit the monastery of Panagia Tsambika of Psili, where the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary is addressed to childless couples who want to have a child. To reach the chapel, you have to climb 300 stairs.
Afandou
Afandou beach has the most family-friendly profile of all Rhodes beaches. You will find it shortly after the homonymous village on the island's east coast.
Its long length allows for many options since only in some places is it organized, and you will easily find a more lonely place just for you. Lie down on its pebbly shore and enjoy diving in clear waters, which deepen abruptly.
For sports lovers, in Afandou, there are facilities for beach volley and beach soccer, next to the famous golf court of Afandou.
The beach of Afandou is located at a distance of about 22 km from Rhodes Town. It has been awarded a blue flag.
Lardos
The spectacular beaches of Lardos are one of the best beaches in Rhodes.
The shimmering waters and the gentle waves that burst on the beach provoke the mood for games in the sun or for moments of relaxation on the sun loungers in the shade of the umbrella.
There are also many taverns along the beach from where you can order a cool drink or a snack while enjoying the view.
An alternative to entertainment is the wide variety of water sports and even a safe go-kart track for the whole family.
Vlycha
Vlycha beach lies 47k from Rhodes Town. It is preferred by families with children due to its shallow water and the convenience of the surrounding hotels.
It is a huge beach with thick pebbles that never gets overcrowded, not even during the month of August.
There, you will find canteens serving sandwiches, crepes, and coffee, while the beach will leave you in awe due to its incredible peace and silence that dominate the far right side of the beach. It's the perfect spot for visiting Greece with kids!
Kalathos
Kalathos beach is a personal favorite. Its sand and fine pebbles are beloved by the locals of the surrounding area.
The beach stretches across 4 km, where even on the 15th of August, you will find space to lay your towel away from the crowds.
The only disadvantage of Kalathos is that it gets insanely hot during the summer, raising crazy temperatures. The sea is amazing and incredibly refreshing, however, and it is located 45 km from Rhodes Town.
Ladiko
Soft sand, emerald waters, and trees down that extend to the surrounding hills. Ladiko’s small squares can accommodate three taverns, sunbeds up to the rocks, showers, and umbrellas.
Ladiko Beach is loved by Italians, who visit it mainly during the month of August, but also by local families.
In general, Ladiko is the next solution when Anthony Quinn Bay gets overcrowded and unbearable, while it is only 15 km from Rhodes Town.
Final Thoughts
The beaches in Rhodes are one of the many elements that make it stand out. Kilometers of turquoise waters and fine sand, busy beaches that offer intense fun, and secluded coves for those looking for a quiet dip.
Whatever your preferences, it is certain that on the island of the Knights, you will find a beach that will fit perfectly into your own Greek summer vacation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any sandy beaches in Rhodes?
Which side of Rhodes has the best beaches?
