Greece › Rhodes Family Hotels
By Santorini Dave
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The 10 Best Kid Friendly Hotels in Rhodes, Greece
1. Lindian Pearl – Lindos
A short walk from the mini markets, restaurants & shops in Lindos village, St. Paul’s bay and the beach, this boutique establishment offers tastefully decorated, airconditioned, 2-bedroom apartments (family of 5) with lovely four-poster beds, washing machines (some), kitchenettes with cooking hobs and large, furnished balconies with sea and Acropolis views. Hotel Phone: +30 693 232 8891.
2. Delfinia Resort – Kolymbia
Set in Kolymbia, a few minutes walk from the beach, this all inclusive hotel offers basic, spotless, large family rooms (up to 5 people) with sofa beds & bunk beds, kettles, refrigerators and big balconies with mountain/garden views. Has a kids’ club, playground, games room, multiple pools, restaurant & bar, activities (table tennis, volley ball, mini golf) and an on-site mini market. Hotel Phone: +30 2241056601.
3. Johnhara Studios & Apartments – Ialyssos
Enjoying a fantastic location a 5 minute walk from the beach and steps away from tavernas, bars and cafes, this family run hotel offers airy 2-bedroom apartments (up to 5 people) with full kitchenettes (stoves & fridges) and balconies with garden views. No on-site restaurant/bar/pool. Hotel Phone: +30 6942409130.
4. Evdokia Hotel – Old Town
Set in the heart of the old town, this lovely boutique hotel (restored 13th century building) with a home-like ambience features quaint family rooms (up to 4 people) with wrought-iron beds, wooden/til ed floors and mini-bars. Has an arcade/game room, no elevator and serves a very popular home-cooked breakfast (fee). Minutes away from the Medieval Castle and the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes. Hotel Phone: +302241077077.
5. Helea Family Beach Resort – Kalithea
The best kid-friendly resort on the west coast of Rhodes (the more appealing side for wind and beaches). Superb suites have swim-up access, sea views, or both, and sleep families of four to seven.
6. Zoes Hotel – Faliraki
Located a five minute drive from Faliraki town center, this affordable family-run hotel has simple, clean rooms (up to family of 4) with fridges, tea/coffee facilities, and furnished balconies with garden/sea & pool views. Has a pool with a sun terrace & snack bar and is within walking distance of the Ladiko Beach and Anthony Quinn Bay. Hotel Phone: +30 22410 85140.
7. Lefka Hotel & Apartments – Rhodes Town
Very friendly, family-run hotel in a quiet location, having good value, spacious 3-bedroom family apartments (up to 6 people) with kitchenettes (cooking hob, fridge, washing machines etc.) and balconies. Has a small kids’ playground, but there’s no lift. There’s a supermarket close by and the old town is a short walk. Hotel Phone: +30 2241 034959.
8. Athena Hotel – Rhodes Town
Unpretentious hotel offering clean 1-bedroom apartments (up to 4 people) with kitchenettes (cooking ring, coffee machine, fridge), sofa beds and balconies. Hotel has a small pool and is a short walk from the beach and the nightlife on Orfanidou Bar Street. Hotel Phone: +30 2241 022631.
9. Daniel Luxury Apartments – Kalathos
Excellent aparthotel having large, modern, fresh 2-bedroom apartments (up to 6 people) with full kitchens (cooktops, ovens, dishwashers, washing machines etc.), living rooms with sofa beds and balconies with sea/side views. Has a good-sized swimming pool with a barbecue area. Surrounding area has a supermarket, bakery and restuarants. Close to the Kalathos Beach and a short drive away from Lindos. Hotel Phone: +30 22440 33103.
10. Angela Downtown Hotel – Rhodes Town
Great value for money hotel offering nice family suites (up to 5 people) with bathtubs, living & dining areas and kitchenettes. Central location within easy walking distance of the beach, Old Town, shops, pubs & restaurants. Hotel Phone: +30 22410 78906.
Why is Rhodes great for families?
Steeped in history and blessed with some of Greece’s best beaches (and hotels and restaurants), Rhodes is almost the perfect destination for a family holiday. The high number of tourists can overwhelm some of the most popular attractions but Rhodes is one of the larger Greek islands and finding a tranquil beach or sleepy village town is always a day trip away. The beaches are wonderful and most are very kid-friendly.
What are the best attractions for families in Crete?
Rhodes (Rhodos) Town
The Old Town of Rhodes is one of the best preserved Medieval towns in the Mediterranean and most kids will love wandering its cobblestone streets and alleys. The town beach, while not one of the islands best, makes for a nice swim after exploring the tourist attractions. The Jewish Quarter is dotted with enchanting and atmospheric hotels that most children will find exhilarating. A fun energetic excursion is a walk along the sand to Ixia beach, about 3 or 4 miles down the coast, and then taxi back.Faliraki WaterPark
Awesome waterpark with some crazy slides (and some tamer ones). Free bus from Mandraki Harbor in Rhodes Town. 20 euros for adults, 15 euros for 3 to 12 year olds, free for under 3. Decent restaurant on site.Marine Aquarium, Rhodes Town
This fun yet simple aquarium is located a short distance from the old town. If you’re looking for an activity that’s a break from the sun this should keep the children entertained for an afternoon.Lindos
The pedestrian-only village of Lindos with the Acropolis perched over top is a magical destination for kids. Arrive early to avoid the crowds and the mid-day heat. The climb from the village to the Acropolis is not an easy one. A shallow protected beach lies at the base of the Acropolis.Petaloudes, the valley of the butterflies.
From June to September the valley is swarmed with butterflies (in truth they’re Jersey Tiger Moths) and makes for an enchanting reprieve from the heat of the coasts. Get here early as it is very popular with tour groups – especially in the high season of July and August.
What are the best beaches for families in Rhodes?
The best beaches are along the east coast of Rhodes from Rhodes Town south until just past Lindos.
Rhodes Town has several nearby beaches the best of which is Elli beach just north of Mandraki Harbor. South from Rhodes Town the best beaches are Ialissos, Kathara, Faliraki, Kalathos, Lindos, Katsouni, Kiotari, Glystra, Genadi. After Genadi comes Prasonisi beach which is famed for its surfing.
The west coast grows progressively barren and windswept as you move south, although the beach at Ixia (5km southwest of Rhodes Town) is nice and is the center for wind sports on the island (several businesses rent windsurfing equipment).
St. Paul’s Bay
Awesome swim spot with two beaches each with its own small restaurant. Protected cove is great for kids.Vlicha Beach
If the town beaches of Rhodes and Lindos are too crowded this makes a good option. A slowly sloping beach makes for a good destination for children pining for some water fun.Faliraki
This popular holiday destination has mellowed over the years making it’s beautiful shallow and calm beach a good choice for families with small kids. The nearby water park and in-town bowling alley add to the appeal.Tsambika Beach
A quiet resort with a few restaurants and a mini market. If Faliraki is too busy for you the calm shallow waters of this beach, situated in a protected cove, might make an appealing destination.
How Do I Get to Rhodes?
Flying is the easiest, quickest, and often cheapest way to get between to Rhodes. Both Olympic and Aegean Airlines have daily flights from Athens to Rhodes. Book early for the best fares and choice of flights.
Rhodes is in the far southeast corner of the Greek Islands so it’s quite a trek by ferry to get there. There is at least one ferry a day from Piraeus (Athens’ port) to Rhodes. The boat ride takes 13 hours and costs €59.
Ferry To Rhodes
Situated at the farthest corner of the Greek island constellation, Rhodes can take anywhere from 17-24 hours to get to by ferry. If your time is limited flying will make more sense. If you do take the ferry to or from Athens you’ll have almost all the islands laid out before you like a Greek feast. A well-planned trip can easily take in a half dozen other islands, all without ever feeling like you’re going much out of your way.
Ferries between Santorini and Rhodes run 2 or 3 times per week, take 7 to 15 hours and often travel overnight. Kos has the best connections with Rhodes and is on most ferry routes back to Athens.
There are also ferries between Turkey and Rhodes with the boat from Rhodes Town to Marmaris being the shortest and most consistent. It usually runs every day from May until October. There are also day trips between Rhodes and Fethiye.
Flights to Rhodes
There are flights from Athens to Rhodes with Olympic Air, and flights with Aegean Airlines from Thessaloniki and Athens to Rhodes. The following budget airlines have flights from the main hubs in Europe to Rhodes:
When’s the best time to visit Rhodes?
June and September are the best months for a beach and sun vacation. The weather is great, the water is warm (September more so than June, but both months are fine for swimming), the crowds are thinner than the summer months, and the hotels are a little cheaper.
July and August have great weather, warm seas, and lots of tourists. Prices are higher than any other time of year and hotels should be booked well in advance. That said, if you can only go in July or August don’t let the crowds dissuade you – yes, the top attractions will be busy but a quiet beach is always there if you’re willing to put in some effort.
April, May, October, and early November are great if you’re willing to deal with some cloudy days, a little rain, and cool evenings. The spring is particularly good for hiking and cycling while May and October can still see fine beach weather. There are fewer tourists during this time of year and you can almost have top sights all to yourself. Hotels are much cheaper too but many establishments close down from November until Easter.
What Hospitals are in Rhodes?
The Rhodes Medical Care is well regarded, well staffed, and centrally located in Rhodes Town. Any cab driver will know where it’s located. Phone number: (+30) 22410 38008. Email: info@krito.gr
A few miles outside of Rhodes Town is the Rhodes General Hospital which is a full service hospital. Phone number: (+30) 22410 80100
There is also the Euromedica Private Hospital (+30) 22410 45000
Hi David,
I’ve enjoyed reading your advise to other travellers. My question is regarding coming to Rhodes end of June for 2 weeks for my fathers 70th. We are a group of 12, 7 adults, 2 teenagers and 3 younger kids. We were thinking of staying at the SunBeach resort complex near lalyssos but I’m not sure about the beach on this coast. I’ve heard it can get windy at times and I wonder if we’re better off on the east coast? I likes the location of the resort because it was not too far from Rhodes town but if it’s too windy I’m happy to keep looking elsewhere.
Thanks in advance for your opinion.
Esta Campbell
The Ialyssos coast can be fine, depending as you suggest on the prevailing wind. In June, it is not as pronounced as it is in say, August when it can really howl through the Central Aegean affecting Rhodes, though not as severely as say, Mykonos. The beaches all along the coast from Rhodes to as far as the airport are generally good … but not the best in Rhodes. They range from pebbly to sandy, but in general are noted for being unshaded (by trees and natural vegetation) so beach umbrella and loungers abound.
The East coast has generally better beaches and it might be worth pointing out less crowded resorts and bays. With the exception of the very busy and touristy Faliraki, this coast is the domain of large, yet well-spaced luxury hotels, small cosy bays, wider sandy bays and a generally more protected coastline. If it’s a resort you are after and one that is reasonably close to Rhodes Town then the stretch running down to Faliraki village is possibly your best choice. There’s a rich selection of mainly upper-end hotels along here – including a couple of Rhodes’ best – and the beaches enjoyed by the hotels are a notch up from the ones along the Ialyssos coast. It’s not far from here to Rhodes Town (13kms) and regular buses ply the route.
If you are planning to stay in a resort, then there is a lot on offer to suit all the ages in your group including a Water Park for the younger kids. The area is not totally immune to winds, it must be said, but the likelihood of winds spoiling your fun in June is lesser than on the north-west coast.
Hi! What a superb site!
Our family, my wife and I plus 2 lads aged 8 & 4, are heading to Rhodes May 30-June 6. We have booked the Grand Hotel in Rhodes Town, which looks lovely. My question is this, would we be better in another resort or is the Old Town ok? Whilst we would love to take in a day in the Old Town, the main aim is to relax and enjoy the pool and beaches. Would we be better amending our trip to a place in Faliraki perhaps?
Your advice is much appreciated.
Paul
The Mitsis Grand Hotel is a good and grand enough hotel indeed and you should be fine there. The Mitsis hotel chain, however, doesn’t have the best reputation within the hotel industry in the way it looks after guests, but you probably won’t notice it if you are not comparing it with other establishments or staying too long. The location is good, though the beaches on this side of Rhodes Town are more exposed to the winds and you will probably spend equal time in the pool as on the beach. Note that the Grand is not in the Old Town, but on the west side of the New Town. The Old Town does not have resort hotels, but rather subtle and often very luxurious boutique hotels in traditional stone architecture. The hotels in the Old Town don’t have pools as a rule and it is a totally different experience to stay here.
As for an alternative location, I would not go so far as to suggest Faliraki itself. It is a tacky touristy village gone mad. It is generally cluttered, busy and bereft of any taste or sense. It is very popular with holidaymakers who don’t really care whether they are in Greece or Spain.
Alternatively, there is a similar (to the Grand’s locale) and better spaced-out string of resort hotels along a stretch of coastline on the island’s more protected east side running from about 11.2 kms from the Grand, just past Kallithea, to Faliraki itself that is home to a cluster of large resort hotels.
Among these are the Elysium Resort and Spa, Mitsis Allia Exclusive Resort and Spa, the Rodos Palladium, the Louis Colossos Beach, the Esperos Mare and Esperos Palace the Esperides Beach Family Resort and the Grecotel Rhodos Royal (all listed in no order of preference or recommendations implied). These are all in the Grand style of hotel, have a decent beach scene and all the facilities of a large resort hotel. The Rhodes Water Park is close by and that would appeal to your children.
Other less-considered though equally well-appointed options might include the Lyndian Village a very hip hotel with private beach yet some 53 kms from Rhodes Town, or a couple of places in Lindos itself, the Lindos Village or the Aqua Grand. This area is less ‘busy’ or ‘touristy’ and has a slight more exclusive air to it – maybe because guests make a conscious choice to move away from the northern tourism strips in search of greater serenity.
Finally, and on the topic of the Old Town: you will inevitably be drawn to it and it is magical, if you like the idea of being within a castle community. Few living communities in Europe reside and live within fortress walls. Carcassonne in France is the only other place that comes to mind. It is worth a day – or even a night – spent in it.
Hi David,
Your site is wonderful – it has so much useful information!
We are a couple with a one year old planning to visit Greece in early June – probably 4 days in Athens and then we were considering a couple of nights in Rhodes. Do you have any recommendations on what area to stay in Rhodes (our kid may or may not be walking by then, so would think a place close to Old Town would be good)? My husband and I are history buffs, so would like to see as much as we can keeping in mind limited mobility due to the child.
Any help much appreciated in advance, thanks!!
Since you are history buffs, then staying in the Old Town should be high on your list of priorities. The Old Town is full of Mediaeval history – ramparts, moats, winding cobbled streets and an impressive Palace of the Grand Masters to enjoy. You child’s transport might be the key, but if you work out a way to transport him/her around without the need for a stroller, then you have it sorted.
The cobbled streets of the Old Town or not so conducive to strollers – nor suitcases with wheels it might be added – but staying in the atmosphere of the Old Town is a highlight to any visit to Rhodes and it should be worth the extra effort.
There are a few great atmospheric old places to stay in Rhodes Old Town. Favourites are Kokkini Porta Rossa, Spirit of the Knights, or the The Avalon – all in the top category range. With only two full days at your disposal, use them to soak up the Old Town by staying there. You will feel it, breathe it and live it a lot better than staying in a ‘standard’ hotel in the New Town.
Hi David,
Love your site – first one I’ve found that actually helps make a decision!
So… we are family of five: mum, dad, kids (7,5 and 9 months).
We mainly want to spend our days on beautiful beaches, eating local food and enjoy strolling around – ideally all within walking distance of a villa. I guess we after the ‘charm’ of a Greek village holiday and trying to avoid masses of crowds.
Where would you suggest is the best location / area that is fairly self contained and would deliver on the above?
Thank you!
Assuming here that you wish to visit during the high season (July/August), your very reasonable wish list needs a little bit of research and planning. Rhodes the Island is a very popular holiday destination so crowds there will be aplenty during this period. A growing number of them, like you, prefer the ‘Greek holiday village’ scene without the crowds and that’s not too easy to achieve.
The main tourist ‘strip’ of Rhodes – for want of a better word – runs essentially north of the airport to Rhodes town then back down the east coast as far as Pefki (just beyond Lindos). Along this coastal strip you will find the best beaches and the bulk of the tourism infrastructure – hotels, restaurants, shops, rental outfits etc. Wherever you go here in Summer you will find people – lots of them!
Outside of this arc you will find less cluttered places and villages that still go about their island life unperturbed. The first place that comes to mind is Gennadi on the south-east coast. It is a small self-contained village that supports a more low-key tourism clientele. Use Google maps to take a walk around the village area and even to have a look at the beach, which is a pebbled beach as opposed to more desirable (for most) sandy strand. It’s not flash, but it is still more Greek and bereft of some of the excesses further north. You can always hire a car and drive to the fast, fun beaches like Tsambika and retire to the comfort of your rented villa or apartment in Gennadi.
An even more genuine village is the village of Lachania a little further south: not a beach village as such just a quiet rural retreat where discerning foreigners have bought and restored houses. You could perhaps rent the House on the Square and really feel that you are part of the local scene. Then there is the rather posher The Four Elements that sports a handy pool. For a relaxing Greek menu the Taverna Platanos in the village is a really nice spot even to make an out-of-the-way trip to get to.
The West coast is even more lower-key with little mountain villages like Monolithos or Siana offering real get-away-from-the-crowds experiences. Skala Kamirou is primarily the little port for the daily ferry to Chalki (another great visiting option), but is another possibility if you were really keen to avoid the throngs of summer holidaymakers.
Hi David
We’ve booked to fly into Rhodes for 7 nights in mid August with our 5 and almost 3 year old. I was looking at booking into an Airbnb so we’d have more space and they seem to generally be cheaper. Just wondering if you would agree with this and where in Rhodes you’d recommend staying- I’m thinking Rhodes town? Also would you bother hiring a car or is it easy to get around walking and with public transport and taxis?
Thanks so much
Kim
AirBnb rentals typically don’t have good locations in Rhodes (though there are exceptions). If you rent a car you’ll see more but it is fun getting around by bus and a bit more of an experience. Bus connections from Rhodes Town are good. Personally, I like staying in Rhodes Town and commuting to the beaches through the day (then dinner and explore the Old Town in the evening).
Hi. We are planning to have a holiday in Rhodes summer this year. My question is for a family with kids age 13-15 which place is the best (beaches, location, things to do)? Also we would like to be near the big market bazaar. And can I be sure there is a fruit fig in August?
Ali
First up, August is peak season for holiday in Greece – assuming that is when you plan to go – so be aware that everything will be in peak demand (book early). Yes, you will find figs in August. By market bazaar do you mean the trinket market in the Old Town, or are you referring to some food and vegetable market? Of the latter there are several dotted around the island, but no particularly spectacular one to shout out about in Rhodes Town (Old or New). If you mean the street upon street of small shops selling everything from copper pots to clogs then you will find that in the narrow winding street of the Old Town – the part of Rhodes Town that is enclosed within the fortress walls.
If you want to be near that, then your only real option is to either stay in the Old Town itself and there are some spectacular boutique hotels on offer, or stay near the town beach in the New Town itself. The area close to the Casino is a good spot to look for accommodation. The beach itself on this side is pretty good, though in August it will be crowded. There is another Rhodes Town beach scene on the western side of the pointy peninsula upon which Rhodes Town is situated, though it’s a little more exposed to the sometimes windy weather, but there are plenty of hotels here stretching more or less all the way to the airport (13kms). This is a popular tourist strip and is close enough to the market bazaar of the Old Town.
For other best beaches in Rhodes the formula is pretty simple: all the decent beaches are on the East side of the island. The west side tends to be straggly and exposed and while great for touring – a popular day-trip excursion is to drive down one side of the island and back up the other – places to stay and things to do down here are few and far between.
Heading south down the east coast – and bear in mind that it is 90kms from tip to toe – your coastal community is general made up of two parts: Rhodes Town to Lindos and Lindos onwards to Prasonisi. Rhodes to Lindos is the most popular and Lindos itself is another pleasant residential accommodation alternative to Rhodes Town and it has a large street-based bazaar. Between the two is the highly touristed and commercialised centre of Faliraki – lots to do and see but frankly, not very Greek. Your kids may enjoy its noise and confusion, but would you? Rhodes is the kind of island where you are better served with a rental car as the distances are considerable in comparison to other islands. Base yourself somewhere that has enough of what you like and drive to your beach or bazaars daily. Tips for a couple of nice beaches along the east coast: Tsambika Beach (28kms from Rhodes Town) with its relaxed beach bars and restaurants or, for a quick ride from town, the Kallithea Springs beach resort just 10kms away.
There are plenty of things to do in Rhodes apart from shop and swim. In addition to swimming there are loads of water-based sports rides to buy in to and there is at least one public water park. There is scuba diving on offer and plenty of boat excursions – the most popular being the Rhodes to Lindos service. You can easily visit other islands from Rhodes – Symi is the easiest for a day trip, while Tilos and Halki are both worth at least a couple of full days. Touted as an attraction, Rhodes’ butterflies are best left alone. The poor things try to rest and breed in a pleasant valley yet thousands of tourist disturb them and worse still clap their hands to make them fly and show their wings … Leave it.
Rhodes is a well-packaged and popular destination, but once again, it will be very busy for the first three weeks of August. Plan well ahead and book hotels as soon as feasible. Happy holidays!
Hi David,
I love your site!
I’m planning a vacation with my son. I was thinking about the beginning of June, just because August will probably be crowded and expensive. He’ll be 1.5. I really wanted to go to Naxos, but it’s too much of a hassle to get there, so I’m rethinking and am looking for a location that would require only one short flight. Where would you recommend that would have a similar low key feel? I prefer peaceful and not overcrowded.
Thanks!
Jona
Rhodes is a good alternative to Naxos, as it has a good infrastructure and many places to choose from. Rhodes also has direct flights from western Europe – unlike Naxos. The beginning of June is a wise decision because the crowds will not be so in your face and you will have some breathing space to enjoy what is a large and beautiful island.
OK, low-key and a place that would suit a young child. Presumably you want water, beach toddler facilities? Look at hotels on the Ammoudes strip. That is about 20kms from the airport and is on the East side of Rhodes. There are many hotels here and the scene is rather resort-based. Nearer the airport the resort hotel strip between the airport and the main town is pretty popular and has a wide array of hotel options. Both would suit a mother with a young child.
If you are looking for the ‘Naxos feel’ you will need to go farther afield and maybe the Pefki area (just south of Lindos) might be what you are after. More countrified, more out of the resort zone and a bit more like a smaller Greek island.
If you’re interested in other islands the quiet friendly resort town of Agios Nikolaos on Crete has a very relaxed family-friendly vibe. It’s a 90 minute drive (bus or taxi) from Heraklion which has plenty of direct flights from western Europe.
Hi, we are family with 2 children ages 11 and 13. We have booked flights from Australia to Athens for June (19th) and thinking of going straight to Rhodes. There is no short connection flight on the day we arrive, being a Friday, as Aegean airways leaves late afternoon for Rhodes. Do you suggest we wait around at the airport for our flight or is there any other way to get to Rhodes flying, via another island? This is our 3rd time in Athens so probably were going to leave the Athens stay until the end of our trip. After Rhodes we were thinking of flying back to Athens then driving to Lefkada. Whilst in Rhodes we were thinking Faliraki, either one of the resorts near the beach or villa apartment with pool, but near beach, with separate bedroom. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Mack
In Athens I would spend the night at the excellent Sofitel Airport Hotel (steps from the terminal and nice indoor pool).
Good hotels in Rhodes near Faliraki and the beach:
– Anelia Boutique Studios & Apartments (inexpensive and close to town, large apartments for family of 4)
– Esperos Mare (moderately priced, on the beach with large family suites)
– La Marquise (on the beach with family suites or 2-story villas with private pool)
– Elysium Resort & Spa (on the beach with luxurious 5-star suites)
Hi,
We just booked a flight to visit Rhodos Island end of October with our 14 months old daughter! A getaway before the Winter season kicks in. We were wondering if you have any recommendations on small & cozy hotels with a big (private) terrace for our daughter to play safely and potentially an outdoor private jaccuzi for us to relax when she is in bed (not at ground level to avoid our daughter can fall into it). We were spoiled last time when we were in Santorini with a big private terrace and an outdoor jaccuzi … so we are looking for something similar in Rhodos this time. All recommendations are welcome!
Have a lovely evening!
Charlotte
I would recommend staying in Rhodes Town (more going on at the end of October when the beach towns can be very quiet, yet beaches nearby should you get some hot weather). Hotels in Rhodes Town are quirky (typically lots of character but can be a bit challenging for parents with young kids looking for predictability). Have a look at the In Camera Art Boutique Hotel.