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If you're planning a trip to Rhodes and wondering where to stay, you're in the right place. Whether you want to experience lively nightlife, picturesque medieval streets, or a quiet place to unwind, Rhodes has it all.

In this guide, I’ll break down the best areas to stay in Rhodes based on what kind of trip you’re after, and top hotel recommendations in each area.

An Overview of Rhodes

Rhodes isn’t a huge island, it stretches about 80 kilometers from top to bottom, and driving from one end to the other takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. So no matter where you stay, you’ll still be within easy reach of the main sights.

That said, the best base really depends on the vibe you’re after, whether you want lively towns full of history and great food, peaceful villages, or stunning beaches.

Best For Sightseeing & History - Rhodes Old Town & New Town

Rhodes Town is the island’s lively capital and a great choice if it’s your first time visiting. The town is split into two distinct areas: the Old Town and the New Town.

blue sea water with boats and acient castles in the background in rhodes, greece

Rhodes Town is incredibly walkable, so it's easy to explore without a car. It's well connected to the rest of the island, so you can easily take day trips to spots like Lindos and Symi Island.

You’ll find endless restaurants, bars, and shops right on your doorstep, plus easy access to the main attractions and beaches.

Rhodes Old Town

Staying in the Old Town is perfect if you want to be right in the centre of it all, surrounded by history, cobblestone streets and centuries-old architecture.

Staying here means you can explore on foot, wander charming squares, visit museums and enjoy plenty of traditional tavernas nearby. It’s lively during the day but tends to quiet down at night once the day-trippers leave.

rhodes old town

Accommodation in the Old Town mostly consists of hotel rooms and apartments, often without pools or outdoor spaces. That’s actually why we chose to stay in the New Town, we wanted somewhere with a pool where we could relax.

Hotel recommendations in the Old Town:

Rhodes New Town

Just outside the Old Town walls, Rhodes New Town has a more modern vibe with wider streets, cafes and shops. It’s perfect if you want to be close to the action but not right in the Old Town, and if you want to be close to the beach.

aerial view of rhodes town next to beach

We stayed at Blue Sky City Beach Hotel, which is in the New Town right by the beach, it was roughly a 15 minute walk to the Old Town. It was a lovely hotel and area, although it was by a rather busy road, so it was loud and disruptive at night!

the front of blue sky city beach hotel in rhodes
Blue Sky City Beach Hotel

The New Town has quite a few big hotels that have outdoor spaces and pools, so this is ideal if you want a resort feel while being in the city centre.

Hotel recommendations in the New Town:

  • 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.
  • Grande Albergo Delle Rose (Mid-Range) – Beachfront hotel with elegant rooms, private beach and seasonal swimming pool.
  • Blue Jasmine Suites (Budget) – Bright, comfortable suites with a modern feel and easy access to shops and restaurants.

Best for a Quaint Village Feel & Beach Access - Lindos

Lindos is one of the most picturesque spots on the island, with its whitewashed houses, narrow winding streets and the dramatic Acropolis sitting above the town. It feels more like a traditional Greek village than a resort town.

view of lindos white village and acropolis on the hill
Photo edited with our Adventure Collection Presets ✨

It’s a great choice if you want to stay somewhere beautiful and walkable, with a mix of history, boutique shopping and rooftop restaurants with amazing views. The beaches here are also stunning, with calm, clear water perfect for swimming.

Lindos beach with boats and white village in background
Photo by Dimitris Kiriakakis

Lindos is roughly 1 hour from Rhodes Town, but it's very easy to get between them by bus, taxi or car. It can get quite busy from day-trippers, but it will be quieter in the evenings and mornings.

Hotel recommendations in Lindos:

  • Lindos Aqua Terra (Luxury) – A stylish beachfront boutique hotel with modern rooms and stunning sea views.
  • F Charm Hotel (Mid-range) – A modern and peaceful escape just outside the main village.
  • Lindos Del Mar Suites (Budget) – Affordable, modern suites with great amenities and a short walk to Lindos’ main attractions.

Best For Nightlife & Young Travellers - Faliraki

Faliraki is known as the party hub of Rhodes, so it's ideal if you're looking for lively nights, beach bars and buzzing energy. It’s especially popular with younger travellers and groups of friends, with plenty of clubs, pubs and a long sandy beach lined with loungers and watersports.

greek flag at sandy beach in rhodes

While it has a bit of a party-town reputation, there are also quieter spots, especially toward the edges of town, so it can still suit couples or families looking for a beach holiday with plenty of dining options and a waterpark. It’s a convenient base too, just a 20-minute drive from Rhodes Town.

Hotel recommendations in Falariki:

Best for a resort feel near the coast - Ixia, Lalysos & Kalithea

If you're after a more chilled-out stay with a resort feel, Ixia, Lalysos and Kalithea are great options. All three are close to Rhodes Town (just a 10–15 minute drive) but offer a quieter, more laid-back coastal atmosphere. Think beachfront resorts, big pools and stunning sunset views.

aerial view of rhodes beach, sea and land

There are less shops and restaurants in all three areas, but it's much more common to stay in an all inclusive or half-board resort here, or you can easily visit busier areas.

Ixia & Lalysos

Ixia and Lalysos are both on the northern coast of Rhodes, and are known for their beachfront promenade and all-inclusive resorts. These spots are ideal if you want to relax by the pool during the day and have easy access to the city in the evening.

We considered staying in this area but decided we wanted to be able to walk into the Old Town. However, getting into the Old Town from here is easy, just a 15 minute bus, taxi or car ride!

Hotel recommendations in Ixia & Lalysos

  • Cook’s Club Ialysos Rhodes (Luxury) – Trendy, adults-only hotel with a laid-back atmosphere, stylish rooms and a great pool.
  • GOJI Vegan Hotel (Mid-Range) – A unique, fully plant-based hotel with a cosy feel and a peaceful location in Ixia.
  • Akalli Luxury Studios (Budget) – Affordable and modern studios with everything you need for a self-catered stay near the beach.

Kalithea

Slightly further down on the east coast is Kalithea, which has a more luxury feel with elegant resorts and beautiful rocky coves. Kalithea Springs is one of the highlights of the area, a spa complex with beautiful architecture and a small beach.

woman standing under archway at Kalithea Springs
Kalithea Springs

Kalithea is roughly half way between Rhodes Town and Falariki, so it's easy to reach busier areas for restaurants and shops. We got a bus from Rhodes Town to Kalithea Springs, which was super easy, it only took around 20 minutes and cost just €2.50.

Hotel recommendations in Kalithea:

Best For a Quiet & Local Feel - Kolymbia, Stegna & Charaki

If you're looking to escape the crowds and enjoy a slower, more authentic side of Rhodes, these three coastal villages are perfect. Tucked away from the busier tourist hubs, Kolymbia, Stegna and Charaki offer a more relaxed vibe, beautiful beaches, and a great taste of local life.

a couple of people standing next to each other near a body of water
Photo by Yianni Mathioudakis

Kolymbia

Kolymbia has a peaceful resort feel, with a tree-lined main road, a lovely beach, and a few all-inclusive hotels, ideal if you want a quiet base that still has some facilities around. It's roughly half way between Rhodes and Lindos, so it's still a great spot for exploring Rhodes.

Stegna & Charaki

Stegna is a small fishing village with a long, sandy beach and family-run tavernas right on the seafront. It's perfect for laid-back days and quiet evenings.

Charaki is even smaller and more charming, with a curved bay, clear water and a handful of cafes and restaurants along the waterfront.

A view of the ocean from the top of a mountain
Photo by Gary Parfoot

These areas are best for couples, older travellers, or anyone just wanting to chill out and enjoy the local feel, as there's limited nightlife and things to do.

  • Néreya luxury rooms (Luxury) – Modern and beautiful rooms right by the beach in Stegna.
  • Stegna Akti Luxury Suites (Mid-Range) – Spacious, beachfront suites with stylish interiors and incredible sea views in Stegna.
  • Haraki Sea & Sun (Budget) – Cosy, beachfront studios in Haraki with everything you need for a relaxing stay.

Where to stay in Rhodes without a car?

If you're not planning to rent a car, Rhodes Town (Old or New Town) is your best option. This is the option we chose as it's walkable, well connected with public transport and there's loads to see and do.

rhodes old town pier next to ocean

Faliraki is another good option if you want a lively and beachy vibe with good bus links to other parts of the island.

What’s the best area for beach access?

Rhodes has no shortage of amazing beaches, but if you want sandy and lively beach areas, places like Lindos, Faliraki and Kolymbia are ideal. These areas have beautiful beaches right on your doorstep, with plenty of sunbeds, tavernas and swimming spots.

Final Thoughts

As it was our first time visiting Rhodes, we chose to stay in Rhodes New Town as it was within walking distance to the old town, restuarants and the beach. We didn't rent a car so it was perfect for transport links to the rest of the island and day trips.

However, if I we're to return, i'd definitly go for a resort style location like Kolymbia or Kalithea, and rent a car to explore the island at my own pace! This is what we usually do when visiting new places.

👋 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.