Rhodes (Rhodos or Rodos in Greek), lies between Crete and the near East in the Aegean ocean. Rhodes is famous as the island of sun, sea and sand, the ideal place for vacations. It is the third largest Greek island, the biggest of the Dodecanese islands, and officially, the sunniest place in the Europe. The City is among the finest, not only in Greece but in the whole of the Mediterranean.
There are many reasons why Rhodes is one of the most popular resorts in the Mediterranean: the natural surroundings (crystal clear seas, many parks and recreational facilities), the bright sun and the warm hospitality of the islanders themselves. The city has an excellent tourist infrastructure and offers a wide variety of entertainment : night-life, sports, cultural events, and day trips to wonderful Lindos and the neighboring islands like Symi, Chalki, Patmos, Karpathos, Tilos, Leros. It is situated at the island’s most northerly point and ringed by sea on the east and west.
Rhodes (Rodos in Greek) combines the cosmopolitan character of a contemporary city with the picturesque of the medieval town, which gives the impression of having been untouched by the passage of time.Rich with myths and restless history is surrounded by small islands and rocky un-inhabited islands that are shyly trying to steal from her beauty.Rhodes is also well known for the famous Colossus of Rhodes, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.This island is the largest island in the Dodecanese Island group of Greece, both in land area and in population.
Rhodes offers the visitor a plethora of all year round leisure alternatives, covering all types of tourist activity. Visitors have the opportunity to learn something of the eventful history of the city, visit the museums or go sightseeing and the sport lovers will find here a paradise on earth for activities such as swimming, fishing, water skiing, windsurfing and sailing.
Rhodes was inhabited at the Neolithic era. In 322BC, Rhodes was joined with the empire of Alexander the Great. After his death , Rhodes maintained in close trade with the kingdom of Ptolemy's in Egypt. In 164BC, Rhodes signed a treaty with Rome. At the first century of our era,St Paul visited the island. Between 1307 and 1522, the island was the seat of the order of Knights of St John of Jerusalem. The Knights occupied Rhodes in 1307 and completed the conquest in 1310 . They strengthened the city, leaving the Great current walls. In the low part of Rhodes, they built the palace of the Great Master . The island was a first seat in 1480, before falling to the hands from the Turks from Soleiman the Magnificent in 1522, after a five month siege. In 1912, Italy seized the island which belonged to the Turks then. The island reunited with Greece in 1948.The Colossus of Rhodes
After defeating Demetrius Poliorcetes in 305 BC, the citizens of Rhodes used their booty to erect a thank offering to their divine patron Helios. Chares of Lindos, a pupil of Lysippus, built (292-280 BC) a bronze statue of the nude young god wearing a sun-ray crown and looking out to sea. Many stories exaggerate the size of the statue; it must, however, have been approximately 36 m (120 ft) high on a base of white marble 6-7.5 m (20-25 ft) high and thus larger than any other statue. It stood beside, not over, the harbor. Although reinforced with stone and iron, the Colossus broke at the knees and fell in an earthquake 60 years later. It remained a wonder until the Arab invasion (AD 653), when it was broken up and sold for scrap metal. Nothing of it remains except very dubious copie.
Rhodes nightlife
Night outings on Rhodes, particularly during the summer months, begin early in the evening and last until dawn. There are countless choices and all musical tastes are catered for. Rhodes by night competes with many other tourist areas of Greece like the nightlife in Mykonos, Kos, Santorini or Athens
Coffee shops with well-made aromatic coffee, fresh sweets and snacks, bars with a warm atmosphere and suitable lighting with Greek or foreign music covering jazz to ethnic and rock and bars with calmer music for the romantic at heart are all available.
There are clubs with loud music for dancing the night away and nightclubs with love popular and traditional performances. Of course there is no shortage of places with rembetiko music.
New Town nightlife: Casino: The casino is located in the famed Rhodes Hotel at G.Papanikolaou street, right on the beach front. One can play roulette, black jack and casino poker while 300 slot machines are available. Entry to the gambling area is only permitted to persons aged over 23. Around the same area you will find all kinds of restaurants and bars, some of the bars and restaurants along the street are made especially for several nationalities from Scandinavia like Norway, Finland, Denmark et.c ,with their signs written in Norwegian, Finish and Danish.
Another jolly mile bursting of restaurants, pubs, and cafes packed from the package tourism masses located in the triangle between Griva, Mandilara and Iroon Polytehneiou streets. Do not expect to enjoy a Greek island's atmosphere there, alternatively you can enjoy Greek cuisine in the grill restaurants and the taverns inside the Mandraki market. Next to Mandraki right behind the taxi station inside the old market place are a couple of taverns with live Greek music. Another place with live Greek "tourist music" is at Neorion restaurant bar at the main entrance to the Marina towards the windmills before the main gate to the Old town.
For coffees, snacks ice creams and drinks the Aktaion one of the oldest cafes of Rhodes town is one of the the most recommended and popular among the locals place. Aktaion witch is run by the Rhodes municipality has kept its style for decades and its clientele are mostly Greeks, in its huge verandas you can enjoy the deep shadow of large trees and the fresh breeze from the marina of Rhodes with the wonderful views to the windmills and the yachts. Ideal for families with a children playground Aktaion is the jewel of Mandraki. Walking down the seafront towards the beach is located the Music club Elli one of the oldest music clubs of Rhodes with live program including Greek and international music.
One of the most popular Disco in Rhodes town is the Disco Babylon on the port area of Kova, the music includes mostly great sounds from the 70's and 80's.
Old town: In the Old town of of Rhodes you will find numerous Cafeterias, fast food, souvlaki and Gyros shops, Greek taverns and restaurants. Around Evdimou square and along the Socratous street are most of them. In Ipokratous (Hippocrates) square the Taverna Plaka offers live Greek music while in the bar Panorama you can enjoy cocktails, view and music from the bar on the second floor. The steps of the Kasteloni the old Venetian building just behind the fountain of Hippocrates square is probably the best place to enjoy a take away souvlaki with a can of beer (that you can buy from a souvlaki shop near by) hearing the music from the surroundings and watching the tourist crowds passing by, and all that for free (except the souvlaki and the beer).
Finally if you want to enjoy the best home made Mousaka in Rhodes you must take a taxi and go to Jordan's bar next to Kalithea beach and Spa, one of the best places for a day outing. http://234561.edicypages.com/
Rhodes shopping
The colourful folklore bazaar in the Old Town, stylish brand name outlets in the New Market, silver jewellery, leatherwear, furs, crystals, various souvenirs, tourist items, umbrellas, a large range of wines, ouzo, liqueurs, sweets, diary products, handmade pottery, rugs, embroidery and textiles from the villages are just some of what is available locally.
No matter what category of shopper you belong to shopping on Rhodes will surely have some for you.