With kids · Rhodes · Greece
Rhodes with kids
Family-tested sights, a calm base and the practical details that make travelling with children easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: sailko, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Rhodes works well for families: the east coast has long sandy beaches with gently shelving, calm water, resorts such as Faliraki and Kolymbia have water parks and kids' clubs, and the Old Town's walls and palace feel like a real castle. Heat is the main issue in July and August, so plan sightseeing for early morning. Top picks: Palace of the Grand Master, Old Town walls and moat and Rhodes Aquarium. Families usually base themselves in Faliraki.
Key facts
- Family picks
- 6
- Best area for families
- Faliraki
- Rainy-day options
- 1
- Busiest months
- July–August
Best things to do with kids
Palace · Rhodes Old Town
1.Palace of the Grand Master
The fortress-palace of the Knights' Grand Masters stands at the top of the Street of the Knights. It was wrecked by an explosion in 1856 and rebuilt by the Italians in the 1930s, who furnished it with Roman and early Christian mosaic floors brought from Kos. The ground floor holds exhibitions on ancient and medieval Rhodes.
Visit early in the morning before cruise-ship groups arrive, then walk down the Street of the Knights while it is still quiet.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Historic site · Rhodes Old Town
2.Old Town walls and moat
The Knights' fortifications run for about 4 km around the Old Town, with massive gates such as the d'Amboise Gate and the Marine Gate. The wide, grassy dry moat between the inner and outer walls makes a shaded walk that shows the scale of the defences that held off the Ottomans until 1522.
Enter the moat near the d'Amboise Gate by the Palace of the Grand Master and follow it south; go in the morning or late afternoon in summer.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Aquarium · Rhodes New Town
3.Rhodes Aquarium
The island's hydrobiological station occupies an Italian art deco building on the northern tip of Rhodes Town, next to Elli Beach. Its underground tanks show Mediterranean fish, moray eels, octopus and sea turtles under rescue care, and an upper floor displays preserved marine animals.
It takes under an hour, so combine it with a swim at Elli Beach next door.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Nature · Kolymbia
4.Seven Springs (Epta Piges)
Inland from Kolymbia, springs feed a stream through a shaded plane-tree valley where peacocks wander. A narrow, dark tunnel built by the Italians to carry water to Kolymbia's farms can be waded through, ankle-deep, to emerge at a small reservoir lake; a footpath above offers a dry alternative.
Bring shoes that can get wet and a phone light if you plan to walk the tunnel; it is not suitable for anyone uneasy in tight, dark spaces.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
Nature · Petaloudes
5.Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes)
A wooded gorge about 25 km south-west of Rhodes Town, with wooden bridges, small waterfalls and a stream shaded by oriental sweetgum trees. In summer, mainly July and August, thousands of Jersey tiger moths gather on the trunks, attracted by the resin's scent. Outside that season it is simply a cool, green walk.
Do not clap or shake branches to make the moths fly; disturbing them drains the energy they need to breed.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
Waterfront · Rhodes New Town
6.Mandraki Harbour
Rhodes Town's old harbour is guarded by bronze statues of a stag and a doe on columns at its entrance, where legend places the Colossus. Three medieval windmills stand on the mole, which leads to the Fort of St Nicholas, and excursion boats for Lindos and Symi line the quay opposite the New Market.
Walk the mole to the windmills and the fort at sunset, then eat souvlaki at the New Market stalls.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- After dark
- Kids
Rainy-day ideas
- Rhodes Aquarium — It takes under an hour, so combine it with a swim at Elli Beach next door.
Where families should stay
$$ · Best for families, nightlife, budget and beach
Faliraki
About 15 km south of Rhodes Town on the east coast, Faliraki has a wide sandy beach with water sports, a large water park and a pedestrian centre of bars and restaurants. Its party reputation has calmed, and today many hotels cater to families. Anthony Quinn Bay and Ladiko Bay are small rocky coves just to the south.
- Good
- Sandy beach with calm water; Frequent buses to Rhodes Town; Plenty for children
- Watch out
- Built-up, package-resort feel; Late-night noise near the bar area in summer
- Nearby
- Anthony Quinn Bay, Kallithea Springs, Faliraki Water Park
Family travel tips
- Choose the east coast for calmer seas; the west coast around Ixia is windy and better for older children who windsurf.
- Do the Lindos acropolis climb early in the day with water and hats, and skip it with toddlers in midsummer.
- Strollers are hard work on the Old Town cobbles; a baby carrier is easier.
- Children under a certain age often get free or reduced entry at state sites; carry passports as proof of age.
- Greek tavernas welcome children late into the evening, and most will cook simple dishes on request.
When to go with children
The best months overall are May–June and September–October. July–August are the busiest, so book the big sights early. Weather by month.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Rhodes good for kids?
Rhodes works well for families: the east coast has long sandy beaches with gently shelving, calm water, resorts such as Faliraki and Kolymbia have water parks and kids' clubs, and the Old Town's walls and palace feel like a real castle. Heat is the main issue in July and August, so plan sightseeing for early morning.
+What can kids do in Rhodes?
Palace of the Grand Master, Old Town walls and moat, Rhodes Aquarium, Seven Springs (Epta Piges) and Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes).
+Where should families stay in Rhodes?
Faliraki: Long sandy beach, water park and a busy summer resort strip.