10 Things to do in Rhodes With Children – The Ultimate Guide

Rhodes Blog › 10 Things to do in Rhodes With Children – The Ultimate Guide

Rhodes is a great destination for a family vacation. From medieval castles to bubbling springs and adventure parks, there’s plenty to discover even outside the hotel. With our tips, your family vacation in Rhodes will be a real highlight for young and old alike.

In my travel blog, you’ll first find our favorite things to do and the best beaches on Rhodes for your family vacation, as well as details about our stay at an all-inclusive family hotel on Rhodes. I’ll also share practical information on how to prepare for your trip and tips for a road trip on Rhodes.

Table of Contents

Our Top 5 Things to Do in Rhodes with Kids

Sightseeing in Rhodes Town

Rhodes Town is a fascinating blend of ancient and medieval history, with an authentic, very charming Old Town. One of the most remarkable historical facts is that the city was once home to the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 226 B.C. The exact location of this bronze statue, which stood over 30 meters tall, is still unknown.

You can park your rental car right at Mandraki Harbor. From there, you can easily explore the many sights in Rhodes Town on foot.

You’ll already be at the first sightseeing spot in Rhodes Town: Stroll along the harbor, admire the yachts, and take a look at the entrance to Mandraki Harbor: The stag Elfos and the doe Elafina are the heraldic animals of Rhodes. Popular photo spots while sightseeing in Rhodes include the Saint Nicholas Fortress and the windmills at the harbor.

Hotel Tip: I stayed at Mandorla Apartments – nice, spacious and stylish. Very convient the location, right in the heart of the old town but in a side street, so without the noise. The property is clean and the host Johnny was exceptional.

The medieval Old Town of Rhodes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is surrounded by impressive city walls built by the Knights of St. John in the 14th century. You can reach the bustling city center through one of the many entrances.

If you’ve had enough of the hustle and bustle, you can turn into one of the smaller alleys of the Old Town. A maze of winding alleys that branch off into others and lead to dreamy taverns. The whole thing resembles a magical maze. Just go with the flow! Even if you tend to lose your bearings easily, nothing can go wrong: As soon as you reach the city wall, just turn around.

Among the main attractions in Rhodes Town is the Grand Master’s Palace, located on Knights’ Street, which was once the residence of the leadership of the Knights of Rhodes. Another highlight is the cobblestone Knights’ Alley, lined with medieval hostels where the knights lived grouped by their countries of origin. It is one of the few surviving residential streets from the 16th century. If you’re coming from the harbor, Knights’ Alley ends at the Grand Master’s Palace. A stroll through Rhodes Town is an absolute highlight of your Rhodes vacation!

👉 Tip: Don’t try to do too much—just go with the flow. With kids, it’s better to take it easy than to try to see everything

If you’d also like to explore the island from the sea or set out on exciting day trips from here, you should check out the numerous Boat Tour offers departing from Rhodes Town. Many boat tours depart from the harbor. A trip to Symi was recommended to me by the locals and I can absolutely recommend that.

Rhodes Water Park

The stunning beaches of Rhodes are ideal for a relaxing beach vacation, but what keeps the little ones entertained for hours can be a bit of a drag for older kids and teens—especially when there’s not much to do besides building sandcastles and splashing around in the sea.

The Rhodes WaterPark (also known as WaterPark Faliraki) is located on the coastal road, about 2 km south of the Kallithea Springs, and offers a lot more here to keep everyone entertained.

The park offers numerous child-friendly water slides, several water play areas, pools, wave pools, and lazy rivers.

• Rhodes Water Park Hours: in summer 10 a.m.–7 p.m., in Spring/Autumn 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Rhodes Water Park Admission: Adults starting at 25 €, children up to 12 years from 16 €, free for children under 3

Seven Springs on Rhodes (Epta Piges)

The Seven Springs, known as “Epta Piges” in Greek, are a picturesque natural area on the Greek island. The springs are located in the eastern part of the island, about 30 minutes from Faliraki, surrounded by lush greenery.

• Epta Piges Rhodes Opening Hours: Open 365 days a year, free admission
• You’ll find beautiful hiking trails through the forest, quiet picnic spots by the river, and a small tavern.
• Several small streams converge here; there is a small lake—and the famous tunnel. It’s 200 meters long, narrow, and dark—and you walk barefoot through the water.

We walked barefoot through the ankle-deep, cold water of one of the springs through the really narrow tunnel. It was pitch black. There’s a shaft in the middle that lets in a brief flash of light, but otherwise you wade through complete darkness. Of course, you can use your cell phone as a flashlight, but for us, walking through that absolute darkness was a real thrill.

We walked in a single file—you can’t walk side by side—and hunched over, even though I could have easily stood up straight. I kept feeling like it was getting narrower, and, slightly panicked, I’d call out every now and then, “Is everyone still there?”

At the end, we emerged at a small reservoir. A few steps further on, it cascades into an artificial waterfall. The perfect way to cool off on a hot day! Our top recommendation in the category Rhodes Excursions with Kids if you’re in the mood for a little adventure.

👉 Perfect for kids who love being outdoors, climbing, exploring, and getting active.

The Valley of the Butterflies – a popular destination in Rhodes for families with children

The Valley of the Butterflies is a unique natural wonder and ranks among Rhodes’ most popular attractions. This picturesque valley is characterized by dense vegetation, small waterfalls, and tranquil ponds, which provide an idyllic setting for the butterflies that gather here in large numbers every year.

The Russian Bear butterfly feeds on the sap of amber trees. Some of the trees are already completely hollow, and in the summer, their entire surface is covered with butterflies, making it impossible to see the bark at all. If you look closely into the water while walking through the Valley of the Butterflies, you’ll occasionally spot small crayfish.

Tips for your visit to the Valley of the Butterflies: This attraction on Rhodes is served by many tour operators and sightseeing trains. There are plenty of parking spaces for those driving themselves. As always, it’s naturally less crowded early in the morning. However, when we finally headed back, we didn’t find it uncomfortably crowded yet. The butterflies can only be seen during the summer months (June through September). The paths aren’t paved, but they’re still easy to walk on—though you can’t take a stroller inside.

There’s a great atmosphere in the Valley of the Butterflies: I felt a bit like I was in a small, enchanted place. A must-see for a summer vacation in Rhodes with kids! Out of respect for the butterflies and nature, we kept quiet and stayed on the paths.

The last stretch of the walk through the Valley of the Butterflies to the Kalopetra Monastery gets a bit more challenging, as you’ll be leaving the forest and walking in the sun. Luckily, there’s a small kiosk selling cold ice cream and delicious frappé. Those who brave the climb will be rewarded with a fantastic view!

👉 My opinion: The “butterfly magic,” is a lovely nature getaway, however rather laid-back than spectacular.

Day Trip to Lindos

Well, why doesn’t Lindos make it into our top 5 sights on Rhodes? I’m actually a big fan of old stones, castles of all kinds, historic streets, and of course, the sun! But Lindos—maybe we did something wrong—it just didn’t blow me away.

You should definitely arrive in Lindos early in the morning so you don’t get jostled through the narrow alleys. We’d decided to go in the afternoon, when the crowds had already thinned out. That part worked out. There were hardly any other people around. We didn’t even see the donkeys that often haul tourists up to the castle. Still, we didn’t hike up to the castle to see the Acropolis. It was just too hot for us.

If you’re planning to visit the Acropolis of Lindos during peak season, you can also book tickets in advance for a specific time slot. Tickets cost €20 for adults and are free for children under 18 years.

The most beautiful beaches on Rhodes

Rhodes has countless beaches and coves that are perfect for swimming. Most beaches have a bar or restaurant that rents out lounge chairs and umbrellas and serves food and drinks. In the eastern part of the island, several sandy beaches offer a shallow entry into the sea. I’ve put together a selection of child-friendly beaches on Rhodes for you here.

Tsambika Beach – Sandy Beach on Rhodes

We hadn’t expected to find any really great sandy beaches on Rhodes, but Tsambika Beach offers fine sand, gently sloping water, nearby restrooms, several beach bars, and—the absolute highlight for the kids—an inflatable water castle (for a fee!). At the end of Tsambika Beach is a rock painted with the Greek flag—a beautiful spot for photos.

• Location: Tsambika Beach

Tsambika Beach is therefore the perfect beach for a family vacation on Rhodes. Our kids had a blast on the inflatable water castle, and we were able to relax wonderfully! For anyone looking for more action: Tsambikos Watersports also offers parasailing and Crazy Sofa!

Anthony Quinn Bay

Anthony Quinn Bay gained fame after serving as the filming location for the 1961 movie The Guns of Navarone. Enchanted by the area’s natural beauty, Quinn purchased a piece of land near the bay, which is how the place came to be named after him.

The parking lots are located above the bay, and you can immediately enjoy the view of the small, cove sheltered by rocks. The beach chairs on the pebble beach can be rented for a fee—we actually arrived so early that not even the rental staff were there yet.

• Location: Anthony Quinn Bay

The water at Anthony Quinn Bay was crystal clear. Since the water slopes gently into the sea, this beach on Rhodes is also ideal for children who love to splash around and play with the many little stones. While snorkeling, we spotted lots of fish. Around noon during peak season, Anthony Quinn Bay gets extremely crowded. This is the perfect time to drive to the next beach in your rental car.

Our tip for your visit to this dream beach on Rhodes: We set out for Anthony Quinn Bay very early in the morning. We’d already packed our bag the night before, and then headed straight to the beach with a packed lunch from the hotel.

As much as I love sleeping in on family vacations, getting up early was really worth it for this beach on Rhodes! We were the first ones in the parking lot—not a soul in sight. Just us—and this incredibly beautiful bay!

Kallithea Thermal Springs – Snorkeling in Rhodes

The Kallithea Thermal Springs were already known in ancient times for their healing springs—though the sulfur springs have since dried up, this Rhodes attraction now captivates visitors with its unique architecture featuring Oriental motifs and Greek elements.

There’s an admission fee for the thermal baths, and renting lounge chairs costs extra. While we weren’t entirely convinced by the cleanliness of the facility, the trip to this beach on Rhodes was still worth it for us: there were many small nooks in the rock walls where we could spot sea urchins and lots of fish while snorkeling.

My verdict for the Kallithea Thermal Baths: Great for snorkeling, but not a must-see if you’re visiting Rhodes with young children.

Road Trip along the west coast of Rhodes with kids

Although we were traveling in the middle of summer, the roads did not feel busyon our road trip along the west coast of Rhodes. Charming little villages dot the arid landscape, with waves and roaring surf on the other side.

The destination was Prasonisi in the very south of the island. In the summer, the small peninsula is connected by a strip of sand; the rest of the time, it’s probably submerged by water.

The water sports enthusiasts were a sight to behold—there were lots of kiteboarders and windsurfers out there. It was way too windy for us, so after a quick stop, we drove on to Lindos.

Our accommodation recommendation for a vacation in Rhodes with kids:

The all-inclusive resort Rhodos Princess Beach Hotel located at the unspoilt Kiotari Beach near Lindos was built in an olive grove. There are still about 300 shady olive trees—this gives the hotel a special charm.

The staff deserves special mention. Everyone in the restaurant, in particular, is very attentive. The hotel was built for families and offers a children-only restaurant with entertainment programs.

Our kids enjoyed their time in the pool with the slides, and we were generally pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food in the all-inclusive restaurant. The pizza from the wood-fired oven in the main restaurant is very tasty. On some evenings, there’s a barbecue on the beach at sunset. You have to sign up in advance for this—be sure to do it! Dining on the beach at sunset is a wonderful vacation experience.

If the hotel’s private beach isn’t a top priority for you, or if you’re also renting a car and planning excursions around the island, then I highly recommend the Rhodos Princess Beach Hotel for your family vacation in Rhodes.

Travel Tips for Your Rhodes Family Vacation

Are you looking for practical information for a vacation in Rhodes with kids? We’ve put together some useful tips for you.

The Greek island of Rhodes is located in the southern Aegean Sea. Rhodes is one of the larger Greek islands, yet small enough that you can discover a great deal with a rental car: It takes about two hours by car to travel from the north of the island (Rhodes Town) to the south (Prasonisi). Road conditions range from “decent” to “gravel paths.”

• The flight from Central Europe to Rhodes takes about 3 hours.
• No vaccinations are required for Greece. So no annoying shots for your little ones!
• You can’t drink the tap water in Greece. We therefore recommend buying bottled water—especially if you have a baby who’s still bottle-fed.
• Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen. Rhodes is closer to the equator, and the sun is much stronger than in Germany—especially during the summer months! Apply sunscreen with a high SPF to yourself and your children to prevent sunburn.

There’s an excellent selection of all-inclusive hotels on Rhodes, and almost all attractions are accessible by bus tour. Whether you choose to travel independently or opt for a package vacation on Rhodes, relaxing hours on the beach and a variety of attractions await you!

Best Time to Visit Rhodes with kids

The best time to visit Rhodes is from June to October.

• During the summer months of July and August, it gets really hot on Rhodes (over 30 degrees) and can be scorching. You should therefore plan your excursions for the morning and always keep your swimsuits in the car.
• If you’re flying to Rhodes with your children during the May or fall breaks, be sure to pack long pants and sweaters as well. It can get noticeably cooler in the evenings.
• I visited Rhodes during summer and found this time of year to be ideal for our beach holiday in Greece.

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