Back in May 2011, my Mom and I returned to one of our favorite countries in the world — Greece. This time, our destination was the beautiful island of Rhodes. I had booked the holiday package through Finnmatkat, so our journey began and ended in Helsinki. There was something exciting about starting the trip in the fresh Nordic spring weather and then a few hours later stepping into warm Mediterranean sunshine, surrounded by palm trees, white buildings, and that unmistakable Greek holiday feeling.
We stayed at the lovely Dionysos Hotel, which turned out to be one of those hotels that becomes part of the memories themselves. Mornings started slowly there — with the door opening to warm air, birds singing nearby, and the promise of another lazy day in the Greek sun.
Rhodes Old Town
On our very first day in Rhodes Old Town, we wandered through the maze-like cobblestone streets, soaking in the atmosphere of one of the most beautiful old towns we had ever seen. Around every corner, there were stone archways, tiny shops, hidden courtyards, and cats sleeping peacefully in the warm sun.
One of the highlights of the day was visiting the historic Gate of Saint Paul and the nearby De Naillac Tower, where the medieval stone walls stretched out toward the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, creating one of those views that instantly makes you stop and take it all in.
Next, we climbed up the famous Clock Tower to enjoy some of the best panoramic views over Rhodes Old Town. From the top, we could see the maze of medieval streets, ancient stone walls, church domes, and the sparkling blue Mediterranean stretching beyond the town — one of those views that makes you pause for a moment and simply admire where you are.
As we continued exploring Rhodes Old Town, we came across the impressive Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, surrounded by towering medieval walls, stone towers, and peaceful gardens filled with cypress trees. Walking through the area felt like stepping straight into another era of knights, castles, and ancient history hidden in the middle of the sunny Mediterranean island.
One day, we escaped the busy streets of Rhodes Town and spent the afternoon relaxing at beautiful Ladiko Beach. The scenery there felt completely different from the medieval old town — rugged rocky cliffs, crystal-clear Mediterranean water, tiny hidden coves, and sailboats quietly floating in the distance. It was one of those peaceful places where time seemed to slow down completely and the only thing that mattered was enjoying the warm Greek sunshine and the sound of the sea.
Ladiko Beach
Symi Island
The next morning, we boarded the huge Anez catamaran for a full-day cruise to the colorful island of Symi, that is located about 15 miles (24 km) north of Rhodes. There was something exciting about setting off early across the sparkling Aegean Sea, feeling the warm breeze on deck while watching the coastline of Rhodes slowly disappear in the distance.
Our first stop on the island was the peaceful Panormitis Monastery, tucked into a quiet bay surrounded by hills and deep blue water. As the catamaran slowly approached the harbor, the monastery’s bell tower and pale buildings appeared almost like a postcard scene against the calm Mediterranean backdrop. After the busy streets and beaches of Rhodes, Panormitis felt like stepping into a completely different side of Greece — calm, spiritual, and timeless.
Arriving at the town of Symi felt like stepping into a painting. Colorful neoclassical houses climbed up the hills above the harbor, fishing boats floated gently in the sparkling water, and every little corner seemed more beautiful than the last. I honestly could not stop taking photos the entire time we were there. After wandering through the picturesque waterfront streets, we sat down for a delicious seafood lunch at one of the seaside tavernas, watching the boats come and go while enjoying the warm Mediterranean sunshine. It was one of those simple travel moments that somehow becomes unforgettable.
Marmaris
The next day brought a completely different adventure as we boarded a speedboat for the short journey across the Mediterranean Sea from Rhodes to Marmaris, only about 45 kilometers (28 miles) away — my first and, so far, only visit to Turkey. There was something exciting about leaving Greece behind for the day and suddenly arriving in a place that felt so different in atmosphere, architecture, and culture, even though it was just across the water. The busy marina, colorful bazaars, Turkish flags waving in the warm breeze, and the scent of spices drifting through the streets made the whole experience feel wonderfully exotic and unforgettable.
Our day trip to Marmaris also included several of those classic organized-tour shopping stops — a rug store, a Turkish sweets shop, and a large leather apparel factory store. Some of them definitely felt a little obligatory, but I actually really enjoyed the leather store visit. It was fun trying on beautifully made leather jackets that looked far more glamorous than anything I would normally wear back home.
Hotel Dionysos
After our day trip to Marmaris, it felt wonderful to return to the familiar surroundings of Dionysos Hotel. That evening, we enjoyed a delicious dinner followed by an irresistible selection of desserts before settling in for one of the hotel’s Greek dance shows. The lively music, colorful costumes, and energetic performances were a fun introduction to Greek culture, and after a long day of sightseeing and crossing between two countries, it was the perfect way to spend a warm Mediterranean evening. 🇬🇷💃
Road trip
The next day, we rented a cute little blue Fiat and set off on our own road trip around Rhodes. After several days of organized tours and beaches, it felt amazing to have the freedom to simply drive wherever we wanted, stopping at scenic viewpoints, tiny villages, hidden beaches, and roadside tavernas along the way. First stop, visiting the hilltop area near Tsambika Monastery, where a giant white cross rises above the landscape. Surrounded by pine trees and stone pathways, the peaceful setting offered incredible panoramic views over the coastline and the bright blue Mediterranean below.
Our little Rhodes road trip continued with a stop at the peaceful Valley of the Butterflies, one of the island’s most famous nature spots. Unfortunately, we visited a little too early in the season and there were hardly any butterflies around, but the place was still beautiful to explore. Shaded walking paths, little wooden bridges, flowing streams, and lush greenery made it feel cool and refreshing after the hot coastal roads. And with my green skirt, I felt like I blended right into the scenery myself.
During our island road trip, we stopped for lunch in the charming village of Archangelos, nestled beneath the rocky mountains in the heart of Rhodes. The town felt wonderfully local and authentic, with whitewashed churches, sleepy streets, little family tavernas, and cats casually wandering absolutely everywhere. While we enjoyed our lunch in the warm afternoon sunshine, curious cats strolled between tables like they completely owned the village — which, honestly, they probably did.
Our final stop of the day was the dramatic ruins of Monolithos Castle, perched high above the rugged western coastline of Rhodes. The crumbling stone walls and wild landscape gave the place a mysterious atmosphere, almost like discovering the remains of a forgotten fortress hidden at the edge of the island. Even though much of the castle lies in ruins today, the views from the area were absolutely unforgettable.
On our drive back across Rhodes, the sun slowly began setting over the coastline, painting the sea and rocky hills in soft golden light. We didn’t even stop the car — we just kept taking photos through the windows, trying to capture the beautiful ending to such a perfect day on the island.
Lindos
Our last day in Rhodes certainly didn’t disappoint. We headed to the stunning hilltop town of Lindos, where whitewashed houses spill down the hillside toward the turquoise sea and narrow winding streets invite you to get happily lost.
Towering above the town are the ancient ruins of the Acropolis of Lindos, including the famous Temple of Athena Lindia. Climbing up to the ruins under the warm Greek sun was well worth the effort, rewarding us with spectacular views over the coastline and one of the most unforgettable scenes of our entire Rhodes adventure.
The ancient ruins of the Temple of Athena Lindia were absolutely worth the climb. Walking among the weathered stone columns and remnants of a sanctuary that has stood for centuries, it was easy to imagine how important this hilltop acropolis once was to the people of ancient Rhodes. From the top, we were rewarded with breathtaking views of the turquoise bays below, the whitewashed houses of Lindos, and the endless Mediterranean Sea stretching toward the horizon.
On our way back to Rhodes Town from Lindos, we made one final stop at beautiful Tsambika Beach. After spending the morning exploring ancient ruins and wandering through the whitewashed streets of Lindos, it was the best place to relax and soak up a few last hours of Greek sunshine. Lying on the warm sand with the mountains towering above us and the Mediterranean stretching out before us, neither of us was quite ready for the trip to end. It was the perfect ending to a week filled with history, adventure, beautiful scenery, and memories that have stayed with us ever since. 🇬🇷☀️🌊
