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| The UNESCO World Heritage town of Rhodes can be divided into two sections - the medieval Old Town and the cosmopolitan New Town, within easy walking distance of each other.The Old Town is steeped in history, as it has been occupied since 408bc. It features a spectacular walled medieval castle, alongside minarets and mosques from Turkish influences, and a knights quarter, with influences from the 14th century while the Knights of St John took residence there.The Palace of the Grand Masters is well worth a visit, a colossal museum containing exhibitions about the history of Rhodes, as is the town's well-stocked Archaeological museum.
Within the quaint, narrow streets of the Old Town are a wide range of shops and tavernas serving a good mixture of traditional Greek food and modern dishes. For those with a more British palate, there is a wonderful English cafe in the centre of Old Rhodes town, serving Pukka pies and cream teas. Within the Turkish quarter you will find some excellent Turkish architecture, and of course the grand Turkish baths, originally built in 1558, are well worth a visit. The New Town is a haven for serious shoppers, and contains many chain store shops and boutiques. While a siesta period means most shops close for a couple of hours, often they reopen until past midnight. Rhodes aquarium claims to be the largest in Europe, and contains many fascinating exhibits, including green turtles, and enormous groupers. The building is of art-deco design, and is a great family outing, either on a cloudy day, or to escape the heat at the height of summer. On the outskirts of Rhodes stands the hill of Monte Smith, where the best preserved stadium in Greece can be seen, along with a theatre and the remains of a temple of Apollo. From here, amazing views of Rhodes town, the neighbouring island of Symi, and the Western shores of Turkey can be clearly seen, a real spectacle at sunset. Rodhini park, also on the outskirts of Rhodes Town towards Lindos, provides welcome relief from summer heat for tourists and locals alike. Many families congregate in the shaded woodland, enjoying picnics by the ancient aqueduct from natural springs, and watch the many ducks and peacocks in the park. Outside the imposing walls of the Old Town is a cosmopolitan and popular harbour, where boats to nearby islands such as Symi can be caught, and the remains of the Colossus of Rhodes - one of the original seven Wonders of the World can be seen. Spend a tranquil afternoon enjoying slow drinks and Greek meze in one of the many portside tavernas while watching the yachts come and go.From the harbour, many tourists choose to catch one of several daily ferries to nearby Symi island, or to Marmaris in Turkey for day trips. | |
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