10 Things to Do with Your Family in Rhodes

Monolithos Castle is a 15th-century fortress built on a 100-metre cliff in Rhodes. One of the oldest sites in Greece, it towers above the sea on the west coast of the island. As it has never been sieged, the structure remains relatively well-preserved.

The hike to the top isn’t exactly leisurely, even though there’s a purpose-built walking trail to take you there, so be sure to bring some water and snacks to keep you going. However, your efforts will be rewarded with panoramas of the rugged coastline and the Aegean Sea. You can also visit the 2 white-plastered chapel ruins, which give you a nice view of the surrounding landscapes.

Rhodes Toy Museum has plenty of miniature cars on display, along with old-school games dating back to the 20th century. You can play with pinball machines, vintage arcade games and board games in the cosy lounge area. Children can create their own toys and enjoy entertaining events, including puppet shows.

The toy museum occupies a charming stone house in central Rhodes. This is also a nice place for adults as they can reminisce about their childhood by playing with their favourite discontinued toys.

Faliraki Water Park, located 10 km south of Rhodes Town, offers families a refreshing day away from the beach. It covers around 100,000 sq m, with numerous slides, rides and pools for kids of all ages.

There are small slides, shallow pools and a pirate ship for toddlers, while older kids can enjoy fast and twisting waterslides, a wave pool, and a lazy river for tube rides. Throughout the day, you can refuel at Faliraki Water Park’s onsite hotdog stand, barbecue restaurant, and bar.

The Valley of the Butterflies offers a unique natural phenomenon in August – millions of Jersey tiger butterflies landing on the valley to find shelter from the summer heat. The sight of these colourful critters covering the valley’s vegetation makes for impressive photos.

You can visit the park any time of the year – pedestrian bridges overlook several waterfalls and small rivers that flow through the valley. It’s an excellent location to unwind and enjoy the gorgeous scenery. The Valley of the Butterflies is near the municipality of Theologos, around 33 km southwest of Rhodes Town.

The Stamatiadis Mineralogy and Paleontology Museum displays fossils, minerals, and crystals from around the world. Located in Ialysos, it’s the only museum that specialises in mineralogy in Rhodes. Most of the artefacts were collected by its founder.

You don’t have to pay an entrance fee to explore the exhibits, but a donation is highly appreciated. Profits go towards setting up and maintaining this interesting museum.

Rodini Park makes for an excellent escape from the midday heat in Rhodes. It has all the amenities you’d find in most parks, including benches under the shade of trees and fountains, but also a forest and ancient ruins.

A must-see is a large tomb that dates back to the 2nd century BC. For young travellers, there’s a playground and a mini-zoo within the area. Rodini Park is around 3 km south of Rhodes’ town centre.

Asklipio (Asklepieion) is an authentic community with well-preserved Byzantine architecture and art on the south-eastern hills of Rhodes. A not-to-be-missed spot when visiting with children is the medieval castle, a 13th-century defence built by the Knights of Saint John. You can explore the elevated ruins of this once mighty stronghold before descending to the local village.

The centrepiece of Asklipio is the Church of the Dormition, a stone cathedral dating back to 1060. Right next to the church, you’ll find a modest folklore museum with information about the village and its past.

The Acropolis of Rhodes dominates the skyline of Rhodes’s western district. Recognised for its historical significance, the complex has several remnants from the 3rd century BC to explore, including an old marketplace, temple columns, and a stadium. Formerly used for athletics, the impressive area hosts concerts and dance performances from time to time.

With its 14th-century arches and towers, the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes is one of the town’s oldest structures. Explore the courtyard, a scenic spot with many arches and statues built during the Roman and ancient Greek eras. You can navigate through the castle’s interiors and onsite museum, where age-old artefacts and relics of the knights showcase Rhodes’ unique history.

The Windmills of Mandraki are located close to a jetty in the northwestern part of Rhodes Town. There were over a dozen windmills that were used to grind grain from ships that docked at the harbour. Only 3 of the mills have been preserved and beautifully renovated to their original state. At the end of the pier, the Fort of Saint Nicholas is a gorgeous medieval bastille that’s worth checking out, too.