From Rhodes, you can easily get to nearby islands or even to the Turkish side.
The best Day Trips in Rhodes
Whether you were vacationing in Rhodes for a whole week or headed for island hopping in the Greek archipelago, Rhodes is a good starting point for many trips.
You can go on day trips either with private tour operators or on your own by purchasing ferry tickets online, from local travel agencies or from the port.
You should remember that ferry trips in Greece can be surprisingly expensive – for example, when traveling to Turkey, an hour’s trip easily costs 50 euros. It is good to compare the prices between guided and self-guided tours.
Read three tips for day trips from Rhodes!
1. Symi of postcard landscapes
Symi is suitable as a day trip for travelers looking for picturesque landscapes. The island is located about an hour and a half by ferry from Rhodes.
Symi is considered one of the most beautiful islands in Greece, and it is no exaggeration to say that everyone vacationing in Rhodes should at least take a day trip to Symi.
When you arrive at the island from the sea, you are greeted by the colorful buildings of the harbor and the easy way of life on the small island.
In addition to the capital, it’s also worth stopping in the sympathetic hillside village of Chorio or the Panormitis monastery. Chorio forms the second center of Symi, with restaurants and bars. Climbing to the top of the slope in the summer heat requires determination, but the stairs are mostly gentle and the scenery is rewarding at the top.
Sym’s beaches are mostly narrow and pebbly. From the port, boat trips are made to the spectacular beach of Saint George, which can only be reached by water.
Self-employed travelers should split their vacation in such a way that they stay part of the time in Rhodes and part of the time in Symi. You can spend more time on the pretty little island than a day trip. After the last ferries of the evening leave, peace descends on the island.
Symi has quite a good selection of accommodation, but during the busiest tourist season, reservations should be made well in advance. The most convenient place to stay is the harbor area in the capital – then you don’t have to drag your luggage along the slopes.
Ferry tickets to Symi can be found inexpensively. One-way tickets cost 10–20 euros on average, depending on the speed of the trip.
>> Read more: Beach ball travel guide for Symi
2. Enchanting Rift
Halki is located less than an hour by ferry from Rhodes, and is one of the smallest islands in the Dodecanese group of islands. The name can also be written as Chalki.
Halki is known for its monasteries, so on a day trip you should stop at a local monastery. For example, St. John’s Monastery can be reached by local bus connection, but it is good to check the timetables before the trip.
Ferry tickets to the island are inexpensive compared to other destinations: you can get a one-way ticket for around 5–10 euros at the cheapest price. There are several operators on the route.
In the capital of Halki, the atmosphere is completely different from the city of Rhodes. The island’s beautiful architecture and beaches that are away from the biggest crowds of tourists make Halki an ideal day trip for those looking for peace during their vacation.
For those interested in abandoned places, there is a deserted village with medieval castles on the island. The village was abandoned when piracy became more common and the inhabitants of the island thought it best to move to the vicinity of the port.
3. Castle and beach Marmaris
Many tourists end up visiting Rhodes during their vacation as well Turkey side, because the neighboring country is attractively close. The destination of day trips from Rhodes is Marmaris.
Marmaris is known for its castle, which was built before the beginning of time and got its current form in the 16th century. There is an archaeological museum connected to the castle.
When visiting the castle, you should also visit the old town of Marmaris at the same time.
For many, wandering around the local bazaars and lounging on the beach is enough on the Turkish side. Marmaris beach stretches all the way to the neighboring town.
The boat trip from Rhodes to Marmaris takes only about an hour at its fastest, depending on the ship. Generally, you should ask for travel tickets about a day before the trip. You must bring your passport.
Self-employed travelers to Turkey can buy ferry tickets online. Tickets cost around 50 euros each way.
>> Read more tips for Rhodes from Rantapallo’s travel guide!
Source: www.rantapallo.fi
