What to do in Rhodes: the best family-friendly attractions and activities

There's lots to love about Rhodes, not least its weather. As the sunniest island in Greece, it sees an enviable 300 days of sunshine a year. Located in the southeastern Aegean Sea, the "Island of the Sun" is an easy bucket-and-spade destination with dozens of family-friendly hotels and resorts lining its golden coast. 

But there's more to Rhodes than sunny days and ice cream. This island, the largest of the Dodecanese group, enjoys stunning beaches, a mesmerising medieval town, tasty cuisine and archaeological sites that even the most sceptical of kids will love.

Highlights for families include Rhodes Old Town, one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe, home the dazzling Palace of the Grand Master. Standing on a clifftop on the southeastern coast is the Acropolis of Lindos, with its temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. 

To the north is Butterfly Valley, a 600-acre nature reserve known for its kaleidoscope of colourful butterflies. More family fun can be found in Faliraki, home to one of the largest waterparks in Greece. 

-Mumsnet user, Spacemoon

If you’re planning a trip to this sunny Greek island, then here are the best places in Rhodes for families. 

Best things to do with kids in Rhodes at a glance

• Rhodes Old Town

• The Valley of the Butterflies

• The Acropolis of Lindos

• Symi day trip

• Faliraki Waterpark

• Boat trips around the island

• Haraki and Tsambika Beaches

• Throne of Helios: The History of Rhodes 9D Experience

• Rhodes Aquarium

Rhodes Old Town

Rhodes is gorgeous and different to many Greek islands. Rhodes town is one of the most preserved medieval towns in the world. There's wonderful history and culture. Hobbesmanc

One of the best things to do in Rhodes with kids is to visit the Old Town. Sure, they might whinge about leaving the beach behind for an afternoon, but this medieval walled town is spectacular. Constructed between 1309 and 1523, the city is extraordinarily well preserved. Don't miss the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, a magnificent Byzantine castle that today houses two museums. 

This is an easy place to simply wander with grand piazzas, ancient temples, a centuries-old synagogue and winding streets that ooze history. You can even climb part of the city walls and walk along the ramparts. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants and souvenirs shops too, as well as lots of options for ice cream. 

The Valley of the Butterflies

Definitely go to the Butterfly Valley - the drive alone is stunning. katie20202

Butterfly Valley is lovely for a walk, even without butterflies. Make sure you get a Mountain Tea from the kiosk. Worldgonecrazy

Located to the north of the island, 15 miles from the capital, is the beautiful Valley of the Butterflies. From June to September each year, this 600-acre nature park, known as “Petaloudes Valley” in Greek, is home to thousands of red and brown butterflies. 

Drawn by the resin emitted from the Oriental Sweetgum trees - this is the only natural forest of Oriental Sweetgum trees in Europe - for four months each year, the skies come alive with countless butterflies fluttering gently among the trees. 

The park itself is beautiful, a narrow verdant cleft in the mountains crisscrossed by paved paths and wooden bridges and peppered with small lakes and waterfalls. It makes a welcome - and cooling - change from the coast and is a great day trip to enjoy with kids. Not surprisingly, this is a popular family-friendly activity in Rhodes so it’s worth arriving early to beat the crowds. 

The Acropolis of Lindos

Lindos is incredible. I loved it so much I went back. It's truly exceptionally beautiful and the sea in Rhodes is incredibly clear. It's mine and my teenager's favourite holiday destination. XelaM

The fishing village of Lindos sits on a hilltop along the southeast coast. It’s a pretty town but the real reason to visit is the Acropolis. This is Rhodes' most significant archaeological site, a 10th-century BC structure that sits atop a 116-metre-tall cliff overlooking the sea. Originally built when the Dorians founded the city, the Acropolis was an important centre of community and place of worship, and remained so over the centuries when it was occupied by the Romans, Byzantines, Knights of St John and the Ottomans.

The remains of a remarkable number of buildings can still be seen today including the impressive Doric Temple of Athena Lindia, which dates to 300 BC. Inside is a table of offerings, where sacrifices were offered up to the goddess Athena. This is undoubtedly the best thing to do in Lindos with kids, but make sure you arrive when the gates open at 8am or face long queues and big crowds. Make sure to pre-book your tickets too. 

Take a day trip to Symi

Symi is beautiful. Its an hour from Rhodes Town by boat. Small water taxis leave Symi port and take you to beautiful beaches that can only be reached by boat. My favourite was St. George's Bay which has a little church and is surrounded by cliffs. PizzaPastaWine

There are more than enough things to do in Rhodes with kids to last a holiday but if you’re keen to get out and explore, then a day trip to the pretty island of Symi is a good option. Less than 90 minutes away by ferry, Symi is best known for its pastel-hued mansions built by wealthy merchants that sit stacked along the mountainside overlooking the bustling harbour. 

Island highlights include the 6th-century Monastery of the Archangel Michael, positioned along the seafront, that is famous for its ornate interior. Also dotted along the harbour are souvenir stalls selling natural sea sponges. The island was once the heart of the sponge diving industry, a trade that made Symi very wealthy. 

Kids will more likely be interested in the island's beaches and swimming in the crystal-clear waters. Try St. George's, set at the foot of 300-metre-high cliffs, or  Nanou, widely considered to be the island's best beach (access is by boat only). Don't leave without trying the Symi shrimp, or "Simiako garidaki" in Greek. These tiny red shrimps are served pan-fried and are delicious. 

Faliraki Waterpark 

The waterpark is a great day. katie20202

The waterpark is great, the teenagers would love it. aus12

One of the best things to do in Rhodes with kids is a trip to the Faliraki Waterpark. The former fishing village of Faliraki is today best known for its lively nightlife but it’s also a great spot for families thanks to its waterpark, the largest in Greece. 

This gargantuan water world is one of the best kid-friendly attractions in Rhodes. There are rides for all ages, from toddlers to teens, with family slides, extreme slides, a lazy river, a tipping bucket, a wave pool and more. The park gets very busy during peak season so you may have to queue for some slides. If you're visiting Rhodes with toddlers, then do bring your pushchair to the park as the rides are spread out. 

Enjoy a boat trip 

We also loved the boat trips you can take from the harbour - sailing along the coast and stopping for snorkelling, swimming etc. DPotter

One of the best ways to enjoy Rhodes is from the water and there are dozens of fun boat trips - ranging from a couple of hours to full-day adventures - that you can take to explore the island. Most boat trips set sail from Rhodes Town, Faliraki and Lindos. 

Itineraries typically include a mixture of historical sights and swimming in turquoise waters such as St Paul’s Bay, a sheltered bay overlooked by the Lindos Acropolis that enjoys some excellent snorkelling. Anthony Quinn Bay, named after the American actor who fell in love with the location while filming The Guns of Navarone (1961), is another popular stopping point. Other itineraries include Kallithea Springs, known for its therapeutic waters, and the dreamy Afandou sea caves where you can snorkel in impossibly clear waters. 

Head to the beach

The best beach is Tsambika beach which is half way between Rhodes town and Lindos. alypaly

Haraki in Rhodes is AMAZING. Lots of traditional tavernas and friendly bars. Even has it's own Medieval castle on top of the hill. SassJ

Of all the family-friendly activities in Rhodes, the island’s beaches are an undeniable favourite. There are dozens of beautiful beaches to choose from where you can spend the day lounging on the soft sand and swimming in cobalt blue waters. 

Families should head to Haraki Beach, a pretty crescent of sand located 15 minutes north of Lindos. The calm waters are particularly well suited to novice swimmers and there are loungers and parasols, plus tavernas for when hunger strikes. 

Faliraki Beach is one of the island’s most popular beaches, a three-mile strip of sand that offers both shallow waters for little kids and watersports for teens in need of distractions. It does get busy during peak months so arrive early if you want to nab a good sun lounger. 

One of the best family-friendly beaches on Rhodes is Tsambika Beach, a serene stretch of sand with water sports, tavernas and postcard-worthy views. Be aware that one corner of the beach is reserved for nudists. 

Other beaches worth a visit are picturesque Anthony Quinn Bay, Agathi Beach and Lindos Beach. 

Rhodes Aquarium 

Designed to look like an underwater sea cave with rock walls and a black and white pebbled floor, this small but perfectly formed aquarium is one of the best kid-friendly attractions in Rhodes. The lemon-yellow building - a mixture of Art Deco and local design - was originally built in 1936 and is today designated as a Protected Monument and a Historical Landmark owing to its unique architecture. 

The aquarium is home to 13 big tanks and 15 smaller ones, linked by tunnels and filled with water filtered directly from the sea. Lionfish, puffer fish and red striped squirrel fish are just some of the colourful Mediterranean species that you can find swimming in the aquarium's waters. One of the most unique exhibits is the 2,000-year-old skeleton of a monk seal, which was found in an archaeological dig in the port of Rhodes. 

Throne of Helios: The History of Rhodes 9D Experience

Even the most culture-weary of kids will love the Throne of Helios, a 30-minute 9D experience that time travels through the history of Rhodes. Located in the historic St. George cinema, the first moving picture theatre to be built in Rhodes in 1927, the multi-sensory Throne of Helios combines two movies alongside lots of rain, wind, snow, fire and even smell. 

The first film, the 20-minute-long Throne of Helios, travels at lightning speed through the island’s history, myths and legends, covering everything from the Colossus of Rhodes to the invasion of Suleiman the Magnificent. The second film is the six-minute-long Rhodes Race, a thrilling high-speed chariot race between the 12 gods of Olympus. 

Is Rhodes a good destination for families?

Rhodes is a wonderful destination for families. This sunny island combines the perfect ingredients for a fun-filled holiday: beautiful beaches, a fascinating history, the largest waterpark in Greece and dozens of family-friendly hotels. It’s easy to reach, with direct flights from the UK arriving in Rhodes in a flight time of 4 to 4.5 hours. 

What are the best beaches in Rhodes for kids?

With dozens of beaches to choose from it’s hard to go wrong when picking the best beaches in Rhodes for kids. Among our favourites are Faliraki Beach, thanks to its warm, shallow waters and plethora of watersports. Haraki beach is a pretty spot with toddler-friendly shallow waters and Tsambika beach is another firm favourite thanks to its picture-perfect location. 

What historical sites in Rhodes are interesting for children?

Like all the Greek islands, Rhodes enjoys a fascinating history and there are some excellent historical sites worth exploring. Taking top billing is Rhodes Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. It’s easy to spend half a day wandering its labyrinth streets, longer if you take time to visit the museums housed within the magnificent Palace of the Grand Master. 

The Lindos Acropolis is another must-see sight. Dating back to the 10th century BC, this is Rhodes' most significant archaeological site and, unsurprisingly, very popular - make sure to get there when the gates open if you want to avoid the crowds. 

What activities in Rhodes are best for toddlers?

Toddlers can be tricky travel companions but Rhodes is well equipped for younger visitors. The beach is always a good idea with this age group and this Greek island has a number to choose from. Haraki Beach and Tsambika Beach are particularly good options thanks to calm, shallow waters ideal for splashing. 

The Faliraki Waterpark has splash parks and slides for this age group but be aware that it's a huge space and you will want a pushchair to navigate the grounds (and for naps!). The Valley of the Butterflies is magical for younger children and the Rhodes Aquarium is the perfect place to dive in and escape the sunshine for an hour or two.

About the author

Katja Gaskell writes family travel content for Mumsnet. She is a freelance journalist and blogger with over 20 years of experience producing travel content including guidebooks for Lonely Planet, hotel reviews for Mr & Mrs Smith and feature articles for a range of publications including The Telegraph, Wanderlust Magazine and the Mail on Sunday. She's passionate about family travel and loves to explore new places with her husband and three kids, documenting the good, the bad and the tantrums on her blog, globetotting.com.