Rhodes Travel Tips: The Most Beautiful Places, Activities and Best Stays

When you think of Rhodes, you might picture crowded beaches and rows of souvenir shops. But the island has so much more to offer if you venture a little off the usual tourist paths. It’s the perfect place to discover charming villages, swim in hidden bays, and stay in small, lovingly designed accommodations with real island character.

We’ll take you to some of the quieter areas but won’t leave out a few of the well-known highlights either. That way you get the perfect mix of relaxed island vibes, sunshine, sea, a bit of sightseeing and fun activities.

Rhodes East Coast: Stegna Beach and Our Favorite Stays

If you’re coming to Rhodes and prefer to stay away from the big hotel complexes and luxury resorts but still want to be close enough to some life, Stegna might be the perfect choice for you.

This small coastal village on the east coast of the island has kept its original charm to this day. The beach is easy to reach and slopes gently into the sea, perfect for swimming or a laid-back day by the water.

What makes Stegna so special is its simplicity. There are no huge hotels or loud party spots. Just sea views, friendly people, and a relaxed atmosphere where you can truly unwind. Still, Stegna offers everything you need: a wide selection of great restaurants along the promenade, lovely accommodations, small supermarkets, and some water sports options.

Favorite spots in Stegna:

Our go-to place in Stegna was the To Kyma restaurant, located right on the beachfront promenade. The food was absolutely delicious, the service is incredibly friendly, and the boho-style beachfront setting simply stunning. You almost feel like you’re in Bali as you sit among the banana palm trees and gaze out at the sea.

Another culinary highlight is Kozas Fish Restaurant, which is also located right by the water. The Gorgona Fish Taverna also won us over. Along the entire beachfront promenade, you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas at reasonable prices. We liked the sunbeds right next to To Kyma, by the cute little boho beach bar, the most. They’re comfortably padded with thick mats and set right by the sea. On weekends and during peak season, it is advisable to make a reservation in advance.

We spent almost two weeks in Stegna and felt completely at home there. The location was also perfect for us, as it’s a great base for trips both north and south without having to spend too long in the car.

Our tips for accommodations in Stegna

We tested several accommodations in Stegna Beach and would like to present our favorites, so that you too may have an equally wonderful time there someday, just as we did.

Aegean Serenity – Sea View Retreat

Aegean Serenity – Sea View Retreat Not located directly in the village, but a short drive into the mountainous hinterland, lies the stunning holiday home Aegean Serenity* with the most pristine, unobstructed view of the sea. The accommodation, designed in the local style and paired with lovingly crafted Boho details, enchanted us instantly. From the first minute, we felt right at home.

The generous garden invites relaxation, and you can harvest what grows there, e.g., limes, cucumbers, and tomatoes. If you don’t feel like cooking, just a 3-minute walk to the nearby tavern is all you need. There you can indulge in culinary delights or pick up dishes to take away.
We found it incredibly yuuuum!

Delfini Beach Hotel & Suites

The Delfini Beach Hotel & Suites* is located directly at Stegna Bay and offers beautiful sea views. We had a junior suite with a plunge pool, perfect for cooling off or enjoying a coffee with a view. The room was comfortably furnished in a boho style, just the way we like it.

For breakfast you can sit in the hotel’s own restaurant by the sea and start the day relaxed with a coffee and a great view. A calm, stylish place to simply unwind.

Grande Blue Suites

The Grande Blue Suites* is quietly located on a cliff, just a few minutes’ walk from the beach promenade in Stegna. From here, you have a fantastic view of Grande Blue Bay and direct access to a small, private bay, which can also be used by visitors who are not staying at the hotel.

The hotel itself is small and personal. There are only a handful of lovingly furnished rooms, some with spectacular sea views, others with views of the pool. In the hotel’s own restaurant you can eat very well with a beautiful view of the private Bay. Every morning, you also get a lovingly prepared breakfast.

The path to the beach leads up via a steep staircase, but the descent is worth it. The water is crystal clear, the cove is relatively calm and simply perfect for unwinding. A little corner of paradise.

Rita’s Apartment Stegna

Rita’s Apartment* is a cozy little vacation home—you couldn’t find a more central place to stay in Stegna. The sea is right on your doorstep, even if this section is a little rocky and not ideal for swimming. However, the beautiful sandy beaches are only a few minutes away.

The apartment itself is lovingly decorated in Boho style, offers everything you need, and has a dreamlike view of the water. Perfect for anyone who wants to stay in the heart of the village and still enjoy peace and sea view. We felt very comfortable there.

Kozas Superior Apartments

Stegna Beach consists of two sections. The main beach is sandy, with a promenade full of restaurants and small shops. Further north lies a quieter section with a pebble beach, where holiday accommodations line a small beach promenade.

This is where you can find Kozas Superior Apartments*. They are only a few minutes’ walk from the main beach, and the pebble beach just in front of the accommodation offers sun loungers as well, and it’s a bit quieter. The apartments are budget-friendly, simply furnished, with a small kitchenette, right by the sea, and with a great view. Everything we needed for a relaxing stay was provided. We felt very comfortable and particularly enjoyed the location by the sea and the peaceful atmosphere.

Porto Angeli Resort

If you’re looking for the full all-inclusive service, Stegna also has a five-star resort. This includes spa, wellness, numerous sports options, a kids’ club, and everything you’d expect from a luxury vacation.

Important to know: Porto Angeli* is not an ugly, large hotel block, but a lovingly designed complex in the typical local style that blends in well with the townscape. We didn’t stay there ourselves, but we’ve heard a lot of positive things about it. For anyone looking for a more of the fill package and is not interested in small, individual accommodations, this is definitely an option worth considering.

Things you shouldn’t miss on the island

After showing you some of the most beautiful places to stay in Stegna, we move on to the island’s highlights.
From the white alleys of Lindos, boat tours, to the turquoise Anthony Quinn Bay, we’ll show you what you must experience on Rhodes.

Lindos – the white picture-book village by the sea

The former island capital Lindos is considered one of the most beautiful places on Rhodes.
It is best known for its dreamy setting in the traditional style, located on the hillside of the historic Acropolis of Lindos. Since Lindos is famous for its beauty and charm, it is also very touristy. We therefore recommend a visit in the earlier morning hours or at least before lunch time. Because, as with most sights, it becomes very crowded later in the day.

We really enjoyed strolling through the small town. Lindos is mostly accessible only on foot or by donkey. We arrived early in the morning and could leisurely wander through the narrow lanes before it got incredibly crowded. We loved the small boutiques, cafés and other shops as well as the view from the top of the hill.
If you’re there, it’s also worth visiting the beautiful beaches and beach clubs in St. Paul’s Bay: Tambakio and St. Paul Beach Restaurant.

Dolphin Adventure on the West Coast

An absolute highlight of our Rhodes trip was the dolphin tour*, which we had booked in advance.

Early in the morning, the boat departs from Kamiros Skala to Makri Island, where you might see dolphins while a marine biologist shares fascinating information about the sea and animals. Then it continues to Stroggyli Island for snorkeling among colorful fish, sea urchins, and perhaps even tuna. The guides take underwater photos.

On the uninhabited island of Alimia there is plenty of time to swim, relax, or explore. Lunch features a barbecue with fresh fish, salads, fruit, and drinks included. On the way back, you pass Makri Island again for one last chance to spot dolphins, then return to the harbor. At the end, we even saw a sea turtle in the harbor basin. The boat tour is perfect for you if you’re into the sea, nature, and a little adventure. Snorkeling experience is not required.

A Culinary Stop on the West Coast

On the way back, we paused for another spontaneous stop on the West Coast. Not far from the dolphin boat’s departure harbor in Kamiros Skala, there are two nice restaurants along the coastal road heading north, both with sea views and a cozy terrace.
First, you pass Porto Antico at Kamiros Beach. Just about 2 minutes further by car along the road, you reach another simple tavern (Akrogiali Oi Didymoi) with a sea view. There we stopped finally, simply because it looked so inviting. The view of the sea, the scent of grilled fish, and the relaxed sound of the waves were exactly what was missing after the boat tour. So if you don’t want to head straight back to the East Coast, this stop is definitely worthwhile. We really enjoyed it there, and the food was delicious.

Antony Quinn Bay mit Boho-Restaurant

About 15 kilometers south of Rhodes Town and around 20 kilometers north of Stegna lies the beautiful Antony Quinn Bay, a small cove with crystal-clear water. It was named after actor Anthony Quinn, who filmed a Hollywood movie on Rhodes in the 1960s. The best way to get there is by rental car, but there are also several boat tours from the popular tourist spots if you prefer to travel by sea.

We recommend arriving early in the morning when it’s still quiet and pleasant. In the afternoon it often gets crowded and parking can be tricky. Definitely worth a stop is the Kounna Beach & Resto Bar, a small boho-style spot with a stunning view of the bay and serious Instagram potential.

Since Antony Quinn Bay is quite rocky and pebbly, it’s not the most child-friendly beach. There are better options for families, but for us, this little trip was still a real highlight.

Lachania – The Hidden Gem in the South of Rhodes

Our little hidden gem besides Stegna was the village of Lachania in the south of the island. The place charms with its authentic Greek style: small whitewashed houses, plenty of flowers, just three tavernas and relatively little tourism.

Especially lovely is the Taverna Platanos right by the church, where you can sit outside under a big plane tree and enjoy delicious Greek food.


Right next to it, a small local gift shop is worth a visit, and wandering through the narrow alleys of the old village center is absolutely rewarding. Lachania is the kind of place where time just seems to slow down while you stroll around. The atmosphere is cozy and relaxed, and life moves at an easy pace here.

A trip to the south of Rhodes is perfect to combine with a visit to the Mojito Beach Bar or the famous Prasonisi Beach at the very tip of the island. The beach is known for being the spot where two seas meet: the Aegean on the west side and the Mediterranean on the east. A narrow strip of sand connects the mainland with the small peninsula, and the strong wind makes it a paradise for kite and windsurfers.

Rhodes Town

A visit to Rhodes Town is definitely worth it. The old town, with its winding alleys, historic buildings and little shops, is an absolute highlight.
Walking through it feels a bit like traveling back in time, just with more ice cream parlors. Between cobblestones, old walls and small boutiques you’ll find cute little cafés and hidden courtyards that are easy to miss if you walk too fast. Of course, there are also plenty of souvenir shops and tourist traps.
Still, we really enjoyed our stroll through the old town, though it got quite crowded in the afternoon and evening. All the more reason we were happy to return to peaceful Stegna afterward, far away from the big tourist crowds.

If you love boho vibes and stylish beach bars, you shouldn’t miss Ronda Beach, Playa de Azul (formerly Baia Seaside), and Ellie Beach. These three beach clubs and restaurants sit side by side at the northern tip of the island. Located in Rhodes Town, they’re perfect for anyone who enjoys larger beach venues with a laid-back atmosphere and great energy. And once the sun sets, you can round off the day with cool DJ tunes, cocktails and plenty of good vibes on the dance floor.

Our ten days on Rhodes were absolutely fantastic and at the same time far too short. We didn’t get to see everything we had planned, and some of the lovely places to stay that were on our list are still waiting patiently for us. There are also quite a few spots and activities we still want to explore. A perfect reason to come back soon! And of course, next time we’ll take you along again because there’s still plenty left to discover together.