Rhodes Beaches: Faliraki, Tsambika, Gennadi & Prasonisi

Rhodes has sandy beaches down its east coast and pebble beaches on its greener, windier west coast. This guide runs from the resort beaches near the capital, Faliraki and Kallithea, through Tsambika and Afandou to the beaches around Lindos and the quiet southern strands at Gennadi, Plimmiri and Prasonisi. Hire a car to explore Rhodes at your own pace, covered in our Rhodes car hire guide.

Sandy coast

East

Pebble coast

West

Busiest resort

Faliraki

Windsurf beach

Prasonisi

Faliraki

Faliraki is the largest organised beach resort on Rhodes, on a wide sandy bay just south of Kallithea. The village is an international resort with a broad choice of watersports by day and busy nightlife after dark. Big hotels line the front, and the beach runs long and open. Faliraki suits travellers who want a lively base with plenty to do.

Kallithea

Kallithea sits on the east coast of Rhodes just south of Rhodes Town. Its centrepiece is a restored Italian spa from the 1920s, a set of Moorish-style buildings and small parks set among the rocks by the sea. Several coves with small beaches lie around the spa. You reach Kallithea by bus or by excursion boat from Rhodes Town.

Tsambika & Kolimbia

Tsambika is one of the prettiest beaches on Rhodes, a broad sandy bay 26 km south of Rhodes Town, just before the village of Archangelos. It is nicknamed the gold coast, and it is one of the busier beaches on the island. The Tsambika monastery stands on the hill above the bay. Just north lies Kolimbia beach, which has more accommodation, tavernas, a mini market by the bus station and watersports.

Afandou

Afandou is a long, quiet sand-and-pebble beach 22 km from Rhodes Town on the east coast. The shore shelves gently, so it is easy to get into the water, and a few tavernas and hotels sit behind it. Watersports are on offer. The name means invisible and refers to the inland village of Afandou, which was hidden from the sea as protection against pirates.

Kalathos

Kalathos is an east-coast beach 50 km from Rhodes Town and about 7 km from Lindos. A handful of hotels and apartments stand behind it, with restaurants, bars and shops nearby. Watersports are available. It makes an easy beach day for visitors based around Lindos.

Lindos beaches

Lindos has two sheltered beaches, one on each side of the village below the acropolis. The main bay is a curve of sand with shallow, calm water, popular with families. A smaller beach lies on the far side of the headland. Both sit within a short walk of the village and its tavernas.

Pefkos

Pefkos is a sandy beach in a bay just south of Lindos, named for the pine trees that give it shade. The village of Pefkos, sometimes written Pefki, is a lively small resort with hotels, apartments, restaurants and bars. Umbrellas and sunbeds are for rent on the beach. It is an easy alternative to staying in Lindos itself.

Lardos

Lardos is a sandy beach 65 km from Rhodes Town, a short way south of Lindos. It has grown into a base for larger, sometimes all-inclusive hotels, with private villas for rent as well. Watersports run in season and sunbeds and umbrellas are for hire. Pefki beach lies just to the east, and the village of Lindos is within easy reach.

Gennadi

Gennadi has a kilometres-long beach of sand and pebbles in the quiet south-east of Rhodes. The village sits back from the shore across the main road, so the beach stays calm, and much of it is unspoiled and clean. Part of the beach has sunbeds and umbrellas, and three tavernas stand on the sand. The village keeps an easy, authentic feel about 65 km from Rhodes Town.

Plimmiri

Plimmiri is a 4 km beach in the south of Rhodes, about 90 km from Rhodes Town. It lies not far north of Prasonisi and draws windsurfers in high season. The Zoodochos Pigi church stands here, built on the remains of an ancient temple whose columns were reused in its walls. A fishing pier and a single taverna sit beside the beach, and there is little other development.

Prasonisi

Prasonisi is a sand spit that joins a small islet to the south tip of Rhodes. It is one of the island's most beautiful and relatively quiet beaches, and it is popular with windsurfers because wind meets from two sides across the sand bar. Tavernas and rooms stand near the beach. The track in is rough, so a jeep or a sturdy car is the safest way to reach it.

Ixia & Trianda

The west coast of Rhodes is greener, quieter and windier than the east. Its beaches are narrower and more often pebble than sand, which the constant breeze suits for windsurfing. Ixia and Trianda, west of the capital, hold long stretches of beach lined with the island's larger hotels. The wind here is stronger than on the sheltered east coast.

Glyfada

Glyfada is a little-known beach in the west of Rhodes, 72 km from Rhodes Town and about 6 km before the village of Siana. Trees ring the shore and the water carries a green tint. The beach is mostly large pebbles, and the wind can wash seaweed ashore. Two small tavernas serve it. Follow the sign to Kritinia village, then take the road down to the beach.