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Rhodes is a Greek island that perfectly blends history, culture, and beach life. From its medieval Old Town and ancient ruins to turquoise bays and whitewashed villages, it’s the ideal destination for a short island escape.
In this blog post, I’m sharing a 4-day itinerary that covers the best of Rhodes, to help you make the most of your time on the island. If you're travelling to Rhodes for a week (like we did), this itinerary fits perfectly within a week to combine exploration with relaxing at your hotel or resort.
Day 1: Explore Rhodes Old Town
Start this 4-day Rhodes itinerary by exploring the histroic Rhodes Old Town, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. This area is full of ancient architecture, cobbled lanes, gift shops and restaurants, making it a must-see for any first-time visitors.
Morning: Discover the Medieval City
Spend the morning wondering around the old town and spotting acient buildings and castles. You'll come across the Palace of the Grand Master, an impressive 14th-century fortress, Street of the Knights, where medieval inns once accommodated knights from different European regions, and some other beautiful spots like Apostle Peter's Tower and Hippocrates Square.
You can actually do an Old Town Walking Tour with a guide if you want to learn about the history of the acient buildings and streets, we saw plenty of people on walking tours but didn't do one ourselves.
Afternoon: Lunch & shopping
For lunch, head to one of the many traditional tavernas in the Old Town to try some classic Greek dishes like moussaka, souvlaki or gyros. We didn't go to any great restaurants here, but a highly rated one is IL Borgo.
Watch out for tourist trap restaurants advertising cheap meals. We were lured in by €3 gyros, but then charged €7 each for a huge boot glass of Coke we didn’t expect. Always check the full menu, especially drink prices, before ordering.
After, explore some of the shops and boutiques scattered around Sokratous Street, where you can find everything from handmade ceramics to local olive oil. If you’re after a more relaxed afternoon, grab an ice cream or coffee in a shaded square and admire the stunning old town.
Evening: Sunset & Dinner in the Old Town
As golden hour approaches, head to the harbour just beside the Old Town, it's especially beautiful at sunset. For dinner, there are plenty of options around the Old Town in hidden courtyards and on the rooftops, we didn't go to any here but a well-rated one is Romeo Restaurant.
Day 2: Day Trip to Lindos
On day two, head south to Lindos, one of the most picturesque villages in Greece. Lindos is a must-visit on any Rhodes itinerary, it's known for it's white streets and winding alleys, rooftop restaurants and ancient Acropolis.
We joined this bus transfer from Rhodes Old Town, as it was the most convenient way to travel. It saved us worrying about local buses and was around the same price!
However, i would recommend joining a bus tour that has longer than 3 hours free time, as we found this wasn't quite enough time to explore all of Lindos. This other bus tour has 5 hours of free time, so i'd choose this one!
Morning: Explore the Village & Acropolis
Get an early start and drive (or take a bus or tour) to Lindos, around 1 hour from Rhodes Town. Start by exploring the maze of white alleyways, lined with boutique shops and traditional houses. Then make your way up to the Acropolis of Lindos, one of the island’s most iconic archaeological sites.
I'd recommend heading here as early as possible if you want to climb up - we got there at around 12pm and it was extremely busy and hot, so we decided not to climb all the way up.
However, if you arrive earlier, i'd highly recommend it as the view from the top does look breathtaking (it costs €20 to enter).
Afternoon: Lunch & Beach Time
After your visit to the Acropolis, head back down to the white-washed village and explore some more of the photogenic streets and shops. There were so many picturesque streets and alleys, I could've spent the whole day taking photos!
There's plenty of rooftop cafes and restaurants for lunch. We didn't eat at a great restaurant, but both Dionysos Restaurant or Village Cafe Lindos look like great options.
After lunch, head down to Lindos Beach or the quieter St. Paul’s Bay nearby, both have soft sand and turquoise water perfect for an hour of relaxing or swimming. Unfortunatly, we didn't have time to explore the beach, which is why i definitely recommend a longer tour or driving so you have plenty of time.
Evening: Return to Rhodes Town or your accomodation
Head back to Rhodes Town in the late afternoon or early evening. If you’re not too tired, take a sunset walk along Mandraki Harbour or enjoy a dinner in the New Town. This is a great night to keep things relaxed after a day in the sun, maybe relax with a sunset drink before getting ready for another day.
Top Rated Tours to Lindos
Day 3: Kalithea Springs and the New Town
After two days of exploring, it’s time to soak in the sun and explore the picturesque Kalithea Springs. Just a short drive or bus ride from Rhodes Town, this historic spa is known for its thermal spring architecture, calm beach and peaceful atmosphere, perfect for a chilled-out day.
We got the bus from Mandraki Station, which cost €2.50 for an adult and took 20 minutes.
Morning: Explore Kalithea Springs
I'd recommend arriving fairly early to make the most of the beautiful springs before it gets busy, especially if you want to take photos (we visited at 12pm and it was starting to get busy). There is a small entrance fee of €5, but it's well worth it.
The beautiful spa buildings and archways are perfect for photography, there's so many unique angles, mosaic floors and greenery.
Afternoon: Swim, Sunbathe & Lunch by the Sea
Spend the afternoon swimming and relaxing on the small rocky beach or sun beds dotted around the bay (extra charge for the sunbeds). The water is incredibly clear and looks amazing for snorkelling, don't be like me and forget a swimsuit and towel!
For lunch, grab a table at the Kalithea Springs café which is right next to the water. Unfortunatly, we couldn't eat or drink when we visited as there was a problem, but it looked incredible! You can also bring your own snacks and have a picnic in one of the shaded areas.
Evening: Sunset & Dinner in the New Town
In the evening, head to Elli Beach or Akti Miaouli on the west coast of Rhodes New Town to catch the sunset over the sea, it’s the perfect way to end a day of exploring.
After, head to Nikiforou Mandilara, a lively street full of restaurants and bars. We ate at Burattino, a delicious italian, and Thassos Greek Cuisine, an authentic Greek restaurant. Both had delicious food and a lively atmosphere with outdoor seating, so we highly recommend either.
End your night with a scoop (or two) of handmade gelato from Fellini Gelato Artigianale, just across from Burattino. They are very generous with their scoops of Gelato and there's so many flavours to choose from!
Day 4: Boat Trip to Symi Island
On the final day of this Rhodes itinerary, take a boat trip to Symi Island, a beautiful island known for its colourful hillside houses. It’s an easy and memorable day trip from Rhodes that offers a completely different vibe.
Morning: Ferry to Symi & Explore the Harbour
Catch a morning ferry from Mandraki Harbour in Rhodes Town (the journey takes around 80 minutes). We booked this boat trip, which is actually cheaper than booking directly, and you get plenty of free time to explore (we had 4.5 hours).
As you arrive at Symi, you’ll be greeted by one of the most beautiful harbours in Greece, with pastel-coloured buildings covering the hillside.We started our day with a wander around the waterfront, browsing local shops selling sponges and handmade crafts, and grabbing a coffee at a waterfront cafe.
Afternoon: Explore the streets & have lunch
We spent nearly all of our free time exploring and photographing the pictursque streets and colourful alleys, before stopping at a cafe for some lunch. Theres plenty of local tavernas selling greek dishes, and a few cafes serving sandwiches and baguettes.
After lunch, we continued to explore and wander the streets. Make sure to climb up the white staircase next to the World War II Memorial, for incredible views of the harbour from above.
We also grabbed some delicious gelato from Nikolas Patisserie, but there are gelato shops dotted all over so it's not difficult to find any.
Evening: Return to Rhodes & Final Dinner
Take the ferry back to Rhodes Town in the late afternoon (our ferry left at 4:15pm). Once back, it's time to go for one last dinner in Rhodes.
I'd highly recommend trying Traverso, an italian restaurant on the west coast of Rhodes New Town. We tried it as it was right next to our hotel and it was one of the best italians we've ever had, the Cioccolato desert was insane!
Finish with an evening walk through the Old Town or along the harbour, it's the perfect way to end your trip.
Top Rated Symi Island Tours
Where to Stay for 4 Days in Rhodes?
For a 4-day trip to Rhodes, i'd recommend basing yourself in Rhodes Town, especially if it’s your first time visiting the island. Staying in either the Old Town or New Town puts you within walking distance of historic sites, restaurants, shops and the harbour (perfect for day trips to Symi or Lindos).
We stayed in the New Town at Blue Sky City Beach Hotel, which was a great mid-range option next to the sea, and roughly a 10-15 minute walk from the Old Town. Some other great options include:
- More Meni City Beach Rhodes (Luxury) – A boutique hotel just steps from the beach, offering stylish rooms and a rooftop pool in Rhodes New Town.
- Ancient Knights Luxury Suites (Mid-range) – Charming suites in the Old Town, combining traditional stone architecture with modern comforts.
- Lefka Hotel & Apartments (Budget) – Modern and cosy rooms that are affordable and within walking distance of both the Old Town and the beach.
Is 4 Days in Rhodes Enough?
Yes, 4 days is a great amount of time to explore some of the best highlights that Rhodes has to offer.
You’ll have time to see Rhodes Medieval Old Town, take a day trip to Lindos, relax at Kalithea Springs, and even fit in a boat trip to Symi Island.
While you could easily spend a week or more discovering the island’s beaches and hidden gems, 4 days gives you a well-rounded experience with a mix of culture, history and relaxation.
Do You Need a Car for 4 Days in Rhodes?
You don’t need a car for this itinerary, especially if you’re staying in Rhodes Town. The Old Town and New Town are both very walkable, and there are plenty of public buses and organised tours that can take you to places like Lindos and Kalithea Springs.
If you prefer total flexibility or want to explore more remote parts of the island, you could rent a car for a day or two, but it’s not essential for this 4-day trip.
👋 We hope that you found this guide helpful! Before you go - don't forget to read our other Greece travel guides for more tips, suggestions & advice.
