Embonas, Rhodes (Greece): The Wine Village on Mount Attavyros
Embonas is a traditional mountain village in the west of Rhodes and the wine capital of the island, with just over 1,000 inhabitants and few tourists. Embonas sits at 850 metres on the slopes of Mount Attavyros, close to Kritinia and its castle and just north of Siana, surrounded by the vineyards, olive trees and pear trees that supply its wineries.
- Island
- Rhodes
- Population
- ~1,000
- Altitude
- 850 m
- Mt Attavyros
- 1,215 m
The village of Embonas
Embonas is a small mountain village in the west of Rhodes, close to Kritinia and the castle of Kritinia and just north of the village of Siana. It has a little over a thousand inhabitants and sees few tourists. This is a traditional village, with pots of plants and flowers set in the streets in front of the old white houses and a couple of squares with terraces where you can have a drink or something to eat.
Wine in Embonas
Embonas is regarded as the wine capital of Rhodes. Many grapes are grown around the village for wine production, and several factories in Embonas make the wine. Fields of olive trees and pear trees also surround the village.
The village and its views
Embonas has a handful of good tavernas and kafenions and a fine view of the sea and of islands such as Alimnia and Chalki. A good-sized supermarket stands at the entrance of the village. The village has a large white church with a bell tower and a Folklore Museum. During a meal here we were suddenly surprised by a group of musicians who struck up live Cretan music, complete with a singer.
Mount Attavyros
Embonas lies halfway up Mount Attavyros, which at 1,215 metres is the highest mountain on Rhodes. The village stands at 850 metres, making it the highest village on the island. On top of the mountain the first king of Crete built a temple dedicated to Zeus, and remnants of the Minoan period survive there.
