Things to do in Rhodes
I’m in Rhodes today for a couple of appointments. I know that sometimes, on your way to Symi, you find yourself with time in Rhodes, waiting for the afternoon boat. I thought I’d suggest a few things to do, a couple of tips, or at least, what I do when I’m hanging around for a day. Let’s imagine that you land at the airport in the morning but too late for the early boat, and there’s a Blue Star crossing later that day (Wednesday/Friday). What do you do?
It depends on how much time you actually have, of course, but one tip we often suggest to people is to head to the Plaza Hotel. You can do that from the airport by taxi or bus. This hotel will let you leave your luggage while you go wandering, or you can sit by the pool, use the pool even, have lunch or chill in the bar with their free wifi and friendly staff. It’s not far from the shops and other New Town attractions either, so, dump your luggage and take a walk.
There are plenty of places for lunch nearby. We recently discovered the Lebanese restaurant (out of the Plaza, turn left, cross the road, down the shopping precinct, turn left before the trendy clothes shop opposite what was the China Kitchen) and it’s down there. There are also to barbers down there should you need a haircut, and a cool jazz bar. If you continue along the precinct rather than turn left and then cross the road and head diagonally right, you will eventually come to the sea. It’s a pleasant walk around the headland and back to Mandraki if you turn right, and there’s also coastal path at the end of the beach on the left which takes you beneath the cliffs for a while.
There’s the Old Town moat which is a very nice walk especially early in the season when it’s not too hot, and the flowers are out. That’s free, and there’s an entrance near the taxi rank at Mandraki. Then there’s the old Town itself with its collection of bars, cafes, tavernas and shops. Head into the back streets to see a more authentic old town, ruins, sites and eateries, but don’t get lost and miss your boat.
Another place to go to, depending on time, is the Nimos Taverna just inside Akandia gate. A taxi will drop you at the gate, which is actually a tunnel under the old wall. The restaurant is just at the end of it. This is run by two Symi guys and has the standard Greek fare but at fair prices and it’s off the main drag so not too noisy. Also, it’s only a short walk along the road to the Blue Star when it’s time to go. Leave enough time though, as the boat might be out at the end of the quay, so I’d leave at least 20 minutes from taverna to tailgate.
Those are the kind of things I do when hanging around in Rhodes. I also go to the old fish market at Mandraki where there’s the Symi Café, run by the lovely Irini and her family; everyone welcome. There are public toilets there too (50c) which are well looked after, and in the gents (don’t know about the ladies) you can watch ‘fail’ videos where people fall off things and have skateboarding accidents. Don’t know why, but it’s wonderfully quirky.
I can’t list everything that’s available on one post of course, but knowing where to leave your luggage is probably the most important thing. If you’re with a holiday company like Olympic, that will be taken care of for you, but if you’re independent, then it could be a handy tip. Whatever you do, make sure you check the departure time of your boat, so you don’t miss it. If you do, then it’s a night in Rhodes, and that’s a whole new ball game for another post.
