The tranquil village of Pilona offers a warm welcome to visitors, and is easily within walking distance of the villa.
Three tavernas serving excellent, traditional Greek food can be found on the main street. Ordering meals from these local eateries is a wonderfully different experience, no menus are available, instead the cook will tell you what is available, or may even take you into the kitchen to show you what is in the oven! The food (in our opinion) is far better than many of the more commercial restaurants in neighbouring villages, and is also much cheaper. Try out the village meatballs or the kalimari, these are the best we have had anywhere in Greece. Many locals eat and drink here, so there are ample opportunities to try out or brush up on Greek conversations!
There are several well-stocked village shops carrying the majority of essential goods, including fresh locally-baked bread, cold drinks, ice-creams and household items.
Also in the village is a telephone booth and children's playground.
The Pilona Arms, an English-owned bar will soon be opening in the village, along with a new restaurant.
The Church of the Virgin Mary is one of the finest buildings to be found on the island of Rhodes, and is often photographed by visitors to the village. This church is used by many locals for services and traditional Greek Orthodox weddings.
A large, well stocked supermarket is less than a mile away, next door to a fabulous patisserie (try the cheese pie!) and the nearest petrol station is a couple of miles away in Kalathos or Lardos.
In 1993, a Mycenaean cemetary was discovered near Pilona, an important find in the archaeological world. Tombs used between the 14th and 12th centuries BC were found, along with pottery, coins and other artefacts.
A small number of new build properties have been purchased by ex-pats to fulfil their dreams of a peaceful life in a beautiful and traditional setting, therefore the village has an unimposing English edge.