Ialyssos Holidays

Life in Ialyssos is centred on the long, long beach. There are loads of facilities here, including plenty of water sports, particularly windsurfing and kite-surfing. The town dates back thousands of years and you can wander around the atmospheric ruins of ancient Ialyssos on the top of Mount Filerimos, or linger over coffee in one of the cafés in the traditional village. Culture buffs will enjoy a visit to nearby Rhodes Town, which UNESCO has designated a World Heritage Site for its perfectly preserved historic centre. Inland, you can visit the enchanting Butterfly Valley or hike and bike across mountain peaks.

The town’s 3-kilometre-long beach is a gorgeous stretch of sand and shingle, which extends into the neighbouring resort of Kremasti and beyond for several kilometres. Some of the hotels have private beaches, but there are plenty of public stretches too. It’s got all the amenities you could ever need, from lounger rental to life guard posts. The northern coast of Rhodes is known for its fantastic windsurfing and kite-surfing, and there are lots of places to rent equipment or even take a course. The wind tends to pick up in the late afternoon, when the water can get choppy, but the beach remains a hugely popular family-favourite.

Ialyssos has a wide range of restaurants offering all the usual international favourites, from pizza to pub lunches, as well as a good selection of traditional Greek tavernas where you can tuck into local cuisine. Greek food is fresh and delicious, and, as you might expect on an island, in Ialyssos there’s lots of seafood. Often the fish is served simply grilled to make the most of its freshness, or you could try makaronia me Thalasina (pasta with squid and shellfish), or gemisti supia (stuffed squid). Greek salads, prepared with ripe tomatoes, plump olives and feta cheese, are the perfect dish on a hot summer’s day. Begin your meal with some mezethes, a selection of starters that might include vine leaves with all kinds of stuffings (dolmades), or meliasti (filo pastry parcels with feta cheese and honey). Finish up with loukoumades, fried dough-balls drizzled with honey. To drink, have some of the local wine, which has been produced on Rhodes for two thousand years.

There are plenty of bars, pubs, sports bars and a few clubs to keep you well entertained in the evenings. Additionally, many of the all-inclusive hotels offer a full programme of entertainment during the summer season. If you’re looking for a wild night out, hop in a taxi to Faliraki (about 15 minutes away), one of the biggest party hot-spots on the Med, for some fantastic clubs and bars that keep going all night out. Alternatively, you could head to Rhodes Town, just 10 minutes away by taxi, where there are lots of bars and clubs to be found along lively Miltiadou Street and Orfanidou Street.

Ialyssos is a resort that appeals to all kinds of visitors, but it is particularly popular with families. The beach is the main attraction, long enough to never get too crowded, but well equipped with amenities like sun lounger and parasol rental, life guard posts and play areas. The water is shallow, but the wind can pick up in the late afternoon, bringing some waves. Behind the beach is a huge choice of family-friendly restaurants and bars, and the Greeks adore kids. There’s a water park in nearby Faliraki, which has slides and wave pools as well as shallow pools for the youngest visitors. Your kids might also enjoy a visit to Butterfly Valley, a beautiful nature reserve where thousands of butterflies gather in the summer months.

Ialyssos is perfect if you’re looking for a relaxed holiday in the sun with your loved one. You can enjoy the beach, some delicious Greek food, and kick back over cocktails in the evenings. If you’re looking for some adventure, you could go wind-surfing or kite-surfing, or just chill on the deck of boat and make a tour of the coastline. The town is famous for its gorgeous sunsets, which you soak up from the beach or perhaps from the top of Mount Filerimos located just behind the town. Rhodes Town, 8 kilometres away, is an enchanting medieval city, which is a delight to explore hand-in-hand, and has lots of romantic tavernas and candle-lit bars where you can cosy up together.

Ialyssos is one of the biggest wind-surfing and kite-surfing destinations in Rhodes, and has lots of places offering equipment rental and courses to suit all levels. You could also go horse-riding along the beach, or head over to the action-packed resort of Faliraki (15 minutes away by taxi) to try your hand at sea kayaking, wakeboarding, or even bungee jumping. Inland, you’ll find plenty of fabulous hiking routes (including a stiff but very rewarding hike up Attavyros, which is the highest peak in Rhodes at 1250 metres), as well as mountain-biking trails and opportunities for off-road tours in jeeps or quad bikes.

Ialyssos is one of the oldest cities in Rhodes. You can visit the remains of the ancient settlement, which dates back to 1500 BC, on Mount Filerimos, which rises behind the town. These are some of the most important archaeological remains on the island, and you can pick your way around the evocative ruins of temples to Zeus and Athena. There is also a 14th-century church established by the Knights of St John, and a Calvary – a flight of steps that symbolise Christ’s route to the cross – which you can climb to reach a magnificent vantage point crowned with a cross. Nearby Rhodes Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, shouldn’t be missed. Its narrow streets are lined with handsome mansions, including the spectacular palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, and there are lots of fascinating museums.