Rhodes has one of the longest coastlines of any Greek island, which means you’re never far from a beach. The question is just which one. From party-ready stretches with every water sport imaginable to quiet coves where you can hear the waves, the island covers every base.

Here’s where to start.

Faliraki Beach

The most developed beach on the island and the one that gets the most attention — for better and worse. Located 14 km from Rhodes Town on the northeastern coast, Faliraki is big, well-organized, and built for a full beach day. Sun beds and umbrellas line the golden sand, water sports are everywhere, and the stretch of restaurants, bars, and beach clubs means you won’t go hungry or thirsty. It’s also just been named Europe’s most affordable beach destination for 2026, which should tell you something about the value on offer here. Busy? Yes. But it earns its reputation.

Tsambika Beach

About 26 km southeast of Rhodes Town, Tsambika is one of the island’s most beautiful beaches — fine golden sand, shallow turquoise water, and a monastery perched dramatically on the hill above. The combination of the beach, the water sports, and that monastery backdrop makes it one of those spots that photographs well and delivers in person. It gets busy in high season but the setting carries it.

Prassonissi Beach

As far south as you can go — 92 km from Rhodes Town and 40 km from Lindos — Prassonissi sits at the very tip of the island where the Aegean and the Mediterranean meet. The result is two beaches in one: calm water on one side, rough water on the other, with a narrow sandy strip connecting the peninsula to the mainland. The rough side is a windsurfer and kitesurfer paradise, particularly in July and August when the Meltemi wind really gets going. If you’re not into water sports, the calm side is perfectly lovely. There’s a taverna nearby and some accommodation for those who want to make a proper trip of it.

Kallithea Beach

After a comprehensive restoration completed in 2007, Kallithea Springs became a popular destination for visitors, events, and even film production. The complex — designed by Italian architect Pietro Lombardi as a fusion of early 20th-century Italian and Moorish styles, with elegant arches, ornate fountains, and pebble-stone mosaics — sits right on the bay, just 9 km from Rhodes Town. The thermal springs themselves are no longer functional, but you can explore the ancient bathing areas, sunbathe and swim in the bay, and there’s a bar on site. Admission is €5. Go in the morning before the tour buses arrive.

Traganou Beach

Just 15 km southeast of Rhodes Town and a short distance from Faliraki, Traganou is a pebble beach rather than a sandy one. What makes it special is the sea cave at one end, carved into the rocks, which gives the whole place an atmosphere the sandier beaches nearby can’t match. The fish taverna here is the reason locals keep coming back. Order whatever they tell you is fresh.

Kalathos Beach

A long, wide stretch of sand-and-pebble mix about 50 km southeast of the capital, near Lindos. It’s quieter than the northern beaches, the water is clean, and wooden sun beds with bamboo umbrellas are available for rent. A good option if you’re spending a day in the Lindos area and want to combine some beach time with the acropolis.

Afandou Beach

The largest beach on the island and one of the least developed can be either a pain or a delight – depending on what you prefer. The sand-and-pebble mix isn’t the island’s finest, but the beach stretches for kilometers and rarely feels crowded even in August. The golf course nearby is the only 18-hole course in the Dodecanese, if that’s relevant to your plans. A handful of tavernas are close by.

Best time to visit

June and September are the sweet spots. The sea is warm, the weather is reliable, and the beaches are busy without being unbearable. July and August are peak season — Faliraki and Tsambika in particular get very crowded, and prices go up accordingly. If you’re after the windsurfing conditions at Prassonissi, July and August are exactly when you want to go. October is increasingly popular for a quieter, warmer-than-you’d-expect late season visit.

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Getting to Rhodes

By air

Rhodes International Airport Diagoras (RHO) is the third largest airport in Greece and one of the best-connected in the eastern Mediterranean. Ryanair, easyJet, and Jet2 operate most flights to Rhodes, with direct services from across the UK, mainland Europe, and Scandinavia. From London, the flight takes around four hours and fifteen minutes — short enough to make it an easy holiday destination even for a week. From the US there are no direct flights; the standard routing is via Athens or another European hub. The airport is about 14 km southwest of Rhodes Town, and taxis into the center take around 20 minutes.

By ferry

If you’re already island-hopping or coming from Athens , the ferry is a greate option — just go in with realistic expectations on journey time. The fastest conventional crossings take around 15 hours, though many routes take closer to 18 hours depending on island stops, with Blue Star Ferries operating the route year-round. Ticket prices for foot passengers start at around €59, with cabin options available on top — worth booking if you’re on an overnight sailing. In summer there are around 10 crossings per week; outside peak season expect around six. The ferry docks right in Rhodes Town, within walking distance of the Old Town, which is a very civilized way to arrive.

>> Read more about Ferries from Athens to Rhodes (and return)

Rhodes is also well connected to neighboring Dodecanese islands — Kos , Symi, Patmos, and others — making it an easy addition to a wider island-hopping itinerary.

Getting around the island

Rhodes Town is the main hub and most beaches on the eastern coast are reachable by local bus — the network is decent and cheap, with buses running regularly to Faliraki, Kallithea, and further south in summer. For more flexibility, renting a car or scooter is the practical option, especially if you want to reach Prassonissi or explore the quieter southern and western coastline. Taxis are plentiful but agree on the fare before you get in.

Where to stay

Rhodes Town is the best all-round base — central, walkable, and with the UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town on your doorstep. For beach-focused holidays, the resorts around Faliraki put you right on the water with everything on your doorstep, though the atmosphere is unambiguously package-holiday territory. For something more upscale and quieter, the area around Lindos on the eastern coast offers boutique hotels, a beautiful village, and easy access to Kalathos and the southern beaches.

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