Best Beaches in Rhodes | Greece Beach Guide

Rhodes: Knights, Antiquity, and the Aegean's Clearest Waters

Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese islands, positioned at the southeastern corner of the Aegean Sea just 18 kilometres from the Turkish coast. It is one of the most historically layered places in the Mediterranean: a walled medieval city built by the Knights of Saint John (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), ancient Hellenistic ruins at Kamiros and Lindos, and 300 days of sunshine per year that have made it Greece's most popular island for beach holidays. Rhodes's coastline alternates between sheltered sandy bays on the eastern side and windswept coves on the windier western shore — perfect for water sports — making it a complete beach destination for every type of traveller.

Top Beaches in Rhodes

Lindos Beach and St Paul's Bay

Below the ancient Acropolis of Lindos, two beaches offer contrasting experiences. The main Lindos Beach is a long sandy arc facing the open sea, popular and busy in summer. St Paul's Bay, entered through a narrow rocky channel, is a small, sheltered lagoon of brilliant turquoise water where St Paul reputedly landed in 51 CE. St Paul's Bay is calmer, shallower, and has one of the most dramatic natural settings of any beach in Greece.

Tsambika Beach

A wide, sweeping bay of fine golden sand in the middle of Rhodes's eastern coast, Tsambika is consistently rated among Greece's best beaches. The sand is unusually soft, the water graduates from pale turquoise to deep blue, and the beach is backed by a single rocky promontory topped with a chapel. It's well-organised with sunbeds, tavernas, and water sports but retains a beautiful natural setting.

Anthony Quinn Bay (Vagies)

Named after the actor who fell in love with it during the filming of The Guns of Navarone, Anthony Quinn Bay is a small, rocky cove with crystal-clear water ideal for snorkelling among sea urchins, damselfish, and octopus. The road down is steep but the dramatic setting — volcanic rocks and turquoise water — is worth it. Swimming is possible from the rocks in all but the strongest winds.

Prasonisi Beach

At the southernmost tip of Rhodes, Prasonisi is a unique double beach where the Aegean and the Mediterranean meet either side of a sandy spit. The eastern (Aegean) side provides calm, warm, shallow water ideal for families. The western side has strong, consistent winds, making it one of Greece's top windsurfing and kitesurfing destinations. A sand bridge connects the island to the mainland for most of the year.

Best Time to Visit Rhodes

Rhodes has the longest beach season in Greece — swimming is possible from late April through November. Peak season is July and August (30–35°C), which is hot, busy, and expensive. May, June, and September offer warm weather (24–28°C), clear water, and far fewer crowds — the ideal time for beach holidays. October is still warm enough for swimming and excellent for sightseeing. The western coast is windy year-round; water sports enthusiasts prefer May–October.

Getting There and Where to Stay

Rhodes International Airport (RHO) receives direct charter and scheduled flights from most European cities from April through October. Rhodes Town is 15 minutes from the airport by bus or taxi. Browse hotels in Rhodes and discover more beaches in Greece to plan your Dodecanese island hopping.