Rhodes

Rhodes, the largest island in the Dodecanese chain, combines three of Greece's most compelling tourism qualities: one of the finest medieval cities in Europe, an excellent range of beaches and an island landscape of agricultural villages, Byzantine churches and Crusader castles. The Old Town of Rhodes, enclosed within 4 kilometres of Crusader walls, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary preservation. The Palace of the Grand Masters, built by the Knights Hospitaller (Knights of Rhodes) in the 14th century, is the dominant monument — a massive fortified palace reconstructed under Mussolini that gives a vivid impression of Crusader power. The Street of the Knights (Odos Ippoton), lined with the inns of the different national orders of Knights, is one of the most intact medieval streets in Europe. The commercial harbour, the Archaeological Museum in the Hospital of the Knights, and the Turkish quarter with its minarets add further layers. Lindos, a whitewashed hilltop village 50km south, has an Acropolis with ancient temples above dramatic cliff views — one of the most spectacular sites in the Aegean. The beaches of Faliraki, Anthony Quinn Bay and Tsambika are excellent. The Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes), carpeted with tiger moths in summer, is enchanting. The island's interior — Embonas wine village, Byzantine Monolithos Castle — rewards exploration. Visit May–June or September–October for the best conditions.