Rhodes is wonderful for family holidays – it has a little bit of everything: sunshine, shimmering seas, welcoming people and great, child-friendly food. It’s the largest of the Dodecanese islands with a superb climate and a brilliant choice of beaches. It’s one of those places that balances storybook history (think knights and castles) with easy, modern holiday fun. Pine-scented hills roll down to sandy bays, medieval lanes open on to sunlit squares, and you can choose between buzzy resorts or sleepy villages. There’s genuinely something for everyone, with plenty of experiences to keep every family happy. I hope our ultimate guide to Rhodes with kids helps you plan your perfect holiday there. It’s somewhere we love and have been lucky enough to have visited with our children a number of times. Read through the whole of our Rhodes with kids guide or jump to the sections you are interested in using the index below.
👩💻 About the author – Nichola is a family travel expert and has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, Lonely Planet Magazine and Wanderlust, amongst many others. She’s spent over a decade travelling the world with her children, finding the best places for you to explore too.
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Table of Contents
Our guide to Rhodes with kids: Inspiration
Read all about our family trip to Levante Resort in Rhodes and our ultimate guide to Greece with kids. Rhodes is made for exploring: castle walls to climb (safely), calm bays for paddling, boat trips to pastel-coloured harbours, and villages filled with friendly tavernas. Knights, myths and sea adventures – it’s a lovely recipe for a family holiday.
Rhodes’ best sites & experiences
Rhodes has some wonderful things to do as a family; some of our favourites are –
- Wander the medieval streets of Rhodes Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Walk the Street of the Knights and visit the Palace of the Grand Master
- Splash and snorkel at Anthony Quinn Bay and Ladiko Beach
- Spend a day in gorgeous Lindos and climb to the Acropolis for the views
- Paddle in St Paul’s Bay (calm, shallow and stunning)
- Explore ancient ruins at Kamiros (bring the myths to life)
- Drift along the wooden walkways at Valley of the Butterflies (summer)
- Bathe at Kallithea Springs – art-deco glamour by the sea
- Take the boat to Symi for a pastel-painted harbour day out
- Hit a waterpark day at Faliraki
- Try family water sports at Tsambika or Prasonisi (older kids love windsurfing)
- Sample sesame-honey melekouni and Rhodes pastries in village bakeries
Where to go in Rhodes for kids
Rhodes is a medium-sized island with plenty of variety. The east coast is known for calm, sandy beaches and resort areas; the west is breezier and great for ruins and sunsets; the interior hides pretty villages under pine and cypress. Everything is day-trippable by car, so a central base works well if you plan to explore. If you’re in pool-and-beach mode, an east-coast resort keeps things easy.
Rhodes Town & the Old Town
Rhodes Town is the island’s capital and a brilliant mix of medieval and modern. The fortified Old Town is encircled by massive walls and dotted with cobbled lanes, shady courtyards and tiny shops selling ceramics and olive-wood trinkets. It’s atmospheric but very walkable for families.
Top sites in Rhodes Town
- Palace of the Grand Master (armour, mosaics and ramparts to fire young imaginations)
- Street of the Knights (perfect for a gentle history scavenger hunt)
- Archaeological Museum (look for the deer statues and ancient toys)
- Mandraki Harbour (spot the deer columns where the Colossus is said to have stood)
- Elli Beach for a splash after sightseeing
- Acropolis of Rhodes (Monte Smith) for sunset views and space to run around
East Coast: Kallithea, Faliraki, Afandou & Lindos
The east coast is beach heaven and generally more sheltered, which is ideal with little ones. Kallithea Springs offers elegant colonnades, shallow swimming and great photo spots. Faliraki has a huge waterpark and family facilities. Further south, Afandou and Kolymbia are good for quieter bases, while Lindos is the island’s postcard star: a white-washed village tumbling down to turquoise bays.
Top sites on the East Coast
- Kallithea Springs and beach platforms
- Faliraki Waterpark for slides and lazy rivers
- Tsambika Beach (long, sandy, shallow; a family favourite)
- Lindos village and Acropolis
- St Paul’s Bay (beautiful, calm cove behind Lindos)
- Anthony Quinn Bay & Ladiko (fab snorkelling for confident swimmers)
West Coast: Ixia, Ialysos & Ancient Kamiros
The west is breezier (great for kites and windsurfers) and less developed. Sunsets are superb and the vibe is more low-key. It’s also where you’ll find atmospheric ancient sites.
Top sites on the West Coast
- Ancient Kamiros (walk a whole classical city on a hillside)
- Filerimos Hill (monastery, giant cross, resident peacocks)
- Ixia & Ialysos for windsurfing and evenings by the sea
Southern Rhodes & Prasonisi
Head south for big-sky beaches and wild headlands. Prasonisi is where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean; in summer a sand spit appears, drawing windsurfers like bees to honey. It’s dramatic and fun to explore with older kids.
Top sites in the South
- Prasonisi beach and viewpoint
- Glystra and Gennadi beaches for a quieter day by the sea
- Medieval castles at Monolithos and Asklipio for mini adventurers
Inland villages & the Valley of the Butterflies
The island’s green interior is dotted with vineyards, olive groves and small villages with traditional bakeries. Between June and September, the Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes) is a cool, shady escape with wooden bridges and streams – magical for children.
Top sites inland
- Valley of the Butterflies (go early or late)
- Embonas (wine village) and Siana (thyme honey)
- Seven Springs (Epta Piges) – short woodland walks and a paddling stream
Day trips to Symi & nearby islets
Symi is the classic Rhodes day trip: a boat ride to a gorgeous harbour of pastel neoclassical houses, with time for lunch and a swim in a hidden bay. Families love the colourful setting and the gentle pace.
Top ideas
- Symi harbour wander + beach stop by boat
- Shorter boat trips to Anthony Quinn Bay or Ladiko for swimming and snorkelling
Best beaches in Rhodes for families
There are so many great beaches in Rhodes. The east coast tends to be calmer (better for younger children); the west can be windier (great for older kids and water sports).
- Tsambika Beach – long, sandy, shallow entry; excellent for sandcastles and splashy days.
- St Paul’s Bay (Lindos) – sheltered, scenic and usually very calm.
- Anthony Quinn Bay & Ladiko – rocky coves with clear water; fab snorkelling for confident swimmers.
- Kallithea – platforms and little coves with steps; great for a dip between Old Town visits.
- Agathi – golden sand, gentle slope, simple beach cafés.
- Glystra – smaller sandy cove near Kiotari; relaxed and family-friendly.
- Elli Beach – in Rhodes Town; handy when you want a quick swim after sightseeing.
The best places to stay in Rhodes with kids
There are some great options on Rhodes depending on the type of holiday you’re after.
- Beach-loving families might prefer the east coast (Kallithea, Faliraki, Kolymbia, Lindos) for calm seas, sandy beaches and lots of amenities.
- History fans may enjoy staying near Rhodes Town for easy Old Town wanders and evening strolls on the walls.
- Quieter getaways are easy to find in the south (Gennadi, Kiotari, Lardos) or in inland villages with a private pool.
- Apartments and villas work brilliantly with kids, giving you space and a kitchen while still being close to tavernas and beaches.
- Resorts with kids’ clubs and splash pools are plentiful around Faliraki, Kallithea and Kiotari if you like everything on hand.
Wherever you stay, check how close you are to a sheltered beach and whether there’s shade or parasols available.
Read more –
Levante Beach Resort, Rhodes – a review
The best Rhodes family holidays
Where and what to eat in Rhodes with children
Greek food is brilliant for children, with lots of sharing dishes and mild flavours.
- Must-try snacks: koulouri (sesame bread rings), cheese pies, spinach pies and honey-soaked loukoumades.
- Kid-pleasing plates: gemista (baked stuffed tomatoes/peppers), baked pasta bakes, grilled halloumi, chips with oregano.
- Rhodes specialities: melekouni (sesame and honey bars – a great pocket snack), pitaroudia (chickpea fritters), local thyme honey and island cheeses.
- Vegetarian-friendly: briam (roasted vegetables), gigantes (butter beans), fava (creamy yellow split peas), dolmades and plenty of salads.
Tip: order a mix of meze so everyone can try a little of everything; ask for half portions for children – most places are very accommodating.
Read more: Our recipe for Meliasti
Getting around Rhodes with kids
Rhodes is easy to navigate and you can be as relaxed or adventurous as you like.
- Buses: there’s a decent bus network linking Rhodes Town with resort areas and main villages. Timetables thin out late evening. We managed to catch the bus to Lindos Acropolis which was very straightforward.
- Hire car: the simplest way to explore with children. Roads are good, and it’s lovely to stop at beaches and villages on a whim.
- Taxis: plentiful on the east coast and in Rhodes Town; useful for short hops.
- Boats: regular day boats to Symi and local cruises to swim spots like Anthony Quinn Bay.
- Cycling/buggies: seaside promenades around Faliraki and Ixia are good for a family stroll with a pushchair; the Old Town is cobbled but manageable.
Our guide to Rhodes for kids: What to buy
There are lots of great souvenirs to remember your trip:
- Olive-wood bowls and spoons (practical and beautiful)
- Local olive oil and thyme honey
- Melekouni (sesame-honey bars) for the journey home
- Ceramics – blue-and-white plates and hand-painted tiles
- Natural sea sponges and handmade soaps
- Slippers in traditional designs made from local wool.
- Herbs (oregano, mountain tea) and spice blends
The Old Town has artisan shops, while Lindos and Afandou have smaller boutiques and craft stores.
Our guide to Rhodes for kids: Top tips
- Pack for the heat – lightweight clothes, sun hats, UV swimsuits and high-factor sunscreen. We visited in October and even then it was very hot.
- Plan downtime – mix big sightseeing mornings with lazy beach afternoons.
- Hydration – keep refillable bottles with you; avoid drinking tap water if you’re unsure and opt for bottled/filtered water.
- Footwear – cobbles and castles mean comfy shoes for everyone. Water shoes are handy for pebbly coves.
- Shade strategy – beaches on the east coast are great, but the midday sun is strong. Aim for early/late beach time.
- Pushchair-friendly – the Old Town has cobbles and steps; a sling or robust buggy helps with little legs.
- History scavenger hunts – turn Old Town and Lindos into a game (spot a knight’s emblem, a cannonball, a deer statue) to keep children engaged.
The best Rhodes excursions and day trips
Rhodes is fantastic for day trips. Here are some tried-and-tested ideas to build into your week.
All the history and the capital city (Rhodes Town focus) – Rhodes with kids
Start early inside Rhodes Old Town before it gets busy. Walk the Street of the Knights and visit the Palace of the Grand Master (armour and mosaics make it a natural hit with kids) and the Knight’s Hospital. Pop into the Archaeological Museum to see ancient finds, then meander to Mandraki Harbour to spot the deer columns and yachts. Break for lunch in a shady square (Old Town has plenty of slow-food tavernas). In the afternoon, wander up to the Acropolis of Rhodes (Monte Smith) for space to run about and panoramic views, or head to Elli Beach for a cooling swim.
Head down the coast to Lindos – Rhodes with kids
Drive or take a boat to Lindos. Explore the white-washed lanes, climb to the Acropolis for sweeping views, then reward everyone with a swim at St Paul’s Bay. Linger in the village for an early supper on a rooftop terrace as the sun dips over the headland.
Kallithea Springs & east-coast beach-hop
Begin at Kallithea Springs for a gentle paddle and photographs among the art-deco arches. Move on to Anthony Quinn Bay and Ladiko for snorkelling (older children) or continue to Tsambika for sandcastle perfection. This makes a very easy, very happy family day.
Ancient Rhodes: Kamiros & Filerimos
Take your budding archaeologists to Ancient Kamiros on the west coast – it’s wonderfully evocative, with streets, cisterns and temples laid out on the hillside. Then head to Filerimos Hill for a picnic under the pines, a look at the small monastery, and to meet the resident peacocks. Round off with a sunset stop in Ialyssos or Ixia.
Valley of the Butterflies & Seven Springs
On a warm day, escape to Petaloudes (Valley of the Butterflies). Follow the wooden walkways over streams and through shady glades; it’s short and sweet for younger children. Combine with Seven Springs (Epta Piges) for a gentle woodland wander and a long lunch in a rustic taverna.
Boat day to Symi – Rhodes with kids
Sail to Symi for a pastel-painted harbour that feels like a film set. Have a leisurely lunch, browse for sponges and soaps, and, if your boat includes it, swim in a hidden cove on the way back. It’s a relaxed adventure that works well for all ages.
Winds and waves at Prasonisi (older kids & teens)
Head south to Prasonisi, where two seas meet. On windy days, watch (or try) windsurfing and kitesurfing; on calmer days, paddle the shallows and climb the headland for views. Pair with a swim at Glystra or Gennadi on the way back.
What we thought of Rhodes with kids
Rhodes is a magical mix of relaxation, adventure and cultural discovery. For children, it’s like stepping into a storybook of knights, sea caves and sun-bleached ruins. For parents, it’s a chance to slow down, enjoy beautiful surroundings and create family memories that will last for years. From sandy beaches to medieval lanes, from boat days to castle climbs, Rhodes with kids is an unforgettable experience. As big fans of Crete with kids we loved exploring this island that feels so different.
Read our full guide to Greece with kids.
Hello, very nice page with a lot of ideas for Rhodes with kids. Lots of inspiration here.
Thank you and good luck with your page.
Thank you so much, I’m pleased it was useful! We love Rhodes