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Best Rhodes Itinerary For Solo Females
Solo travel to Greece has been some of the best travel of my life. I have traveled to Corfu, Symi, Santorini, Athens, Mykonos, Milos, Sifnos, Serifos, and Rhodes solo.
The island of Rhodes is the capital and the largest of the Dodecanese islands. In terms of size, it is approximately 1,400 square kilometers (541 sq mi). In this Rhodes itinerary for solo females, I’m sharing my advice for getting the most out of your trip.
There are two main destinations that most travelers stay in, Rhodes and Lindos. I choose to stay in Rhodes because it’s more lively than Lindos. When traveling alone, I prefer to stay wherever is most happening. Read on for a Rhodes itinerary for solo females.
Quick Rhodes & Symi Itinerary Guide
❤︎ Join a small group tour for city highlights Medieval Rhodes
🍇 Drink wine at the best wineries on the island of Rhodes
❤︎ Book a boutique hotel with a rooftop pool and a view of the ocean
⛴️ Take the fast boat to Symi Island
❤︎ Make friends on a catamaran cruise of Rhodes that includes lunch and drinks
🚗 Rent a car and visit the secluded beaches on the island
Arriving in Rhodes
Any complete Rhodes itinerary starts with how to travel to Rhodes and information for flying into Rhodes. When you arrive at Rhodes airport, you have a couple of options to get to the old town. By taxi, by bus or one of the best ways to get around is by renting a car.
The bus is really cheap. It cost 2.20 euros each way. A taxi to the old town will run you approximately 30 euros. Consider how many bags you have and if you have the patience to sit on a crowded bus for 40 minutes *traffic pending.
If you are visiting Rhodes, Greece, and arriving by Ferry, it is an easy walk to the gates of the old town!
Best Time to Visit Rhodes Greece
The best time to visit Rhodes depends on the type of experience you are looking for. If you want to enjoy warm weather and plenty of beach activities, the best times to visit are between May and October.
And as someone who lives in Greece, I can tell you that I would personally aim to visit the last week of May or the start of June.
This period sees temperatures ranging from mild to hot and long days with plenty of sunshine. During this period, you will have far fewer tourists crowding the beaches and streets of the old town.
If you’re looking for a quieter atmosphere and more affordable prices, plan to visit during the shoulder seasons from November to April. The temperatures range from mild to cool and there will be fewer crowds and lower accommodation costs.
Not all the Greek Islands are open year-round, but Rhodes is one of them, fortunately. This is the perfect time to explore Rhodes’s stunning natural scenery and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and bird-watching.
Where to Stay in Rhodes
If you choose to say within the old town’s city walls, be advised, the taxi will only take you to the gates. The rest of the way, you will need to walk to your accommodations. It should only be a few minutes to walk, but something you should know if you have a lot of luggage.
Staying on the beach in Rhodes is a bit further from the old town itself. I would recommend taking a bus to visit the old town, Rhodes. Unless you choose a couple of hotels on the beach that are only within a 20-minute walk to the old town’s gates.
❤︎ Beach Hotel: My favorite boutique hotel in Rhodes has a ROOFTOP POOL: Cook’s Beach Club Rhodes
❤︎ Old Town Rhodes Hotel: The best boutique hotel is located within the Old Town Rhodes walls: 10GR Hotel & Wine Bar This hotel also has wine tasting available!
📲 Downloadable Map of Rhodes
📍 Download my pre-pinned Google map of all the best locations in this post!
My favorite restaurants, bars, hotels and top sights are all saved and ready to use!
What To Do in Rhodes
Visit Rhodes Beach (Near Old Town)
If you are going to Rhodes solo to spend some much-needed time in the sun, there is something to know about the beaches.
For one, the beaches are so beautiful, and two, they are not super close to the Old Town of Rhodes. I booked two hotels on this trip so I could experience staying at the beach and staying in the old town.
I spent as much time as I could in the water and on this beach. If you opt to hang out at one of these beach clubs, then check out Ronda. It was my favorite spot!
At Ronda, you can get beach lounge chairs with a towel and umbrella for only 5 euros! The food is a little pricey if you go for sushi, but some of the snacks are pretty cheap.
It’s worth the perk of just having your food and drinks delivered to you while you watch the kids jump off the high dive into the crystal blue Aegean Sea.
*It is worth noting that this beach is the best location if you are staying the Old Town Rhodes.
Visit the Windmills and Fortress of St. Nicholas
Admittingly, I didn’t have time to explore the fortress, but I did get some pictures at the windmills! The fortress located at the end of the pier was built in 1465.
Several times throughout history, the fort was under seizure. What remains today is still pretty impressive.
Getting some pictures at these historic windmills is a must on this Rhodes To Symi Greece travel guide. I took these pictures just after sunrise. If you go early, you will have the entire place to yourself!
Visit Old Town Rhodes
I think solo exploring old towns can be the best part of visiting these ancient cities! The Old Town of Rhodes is one of the most impressive fortified cities I have ever seen. There is a lot to see here, you can plan to spend a couple of days really walking every inch of it.
Some of the highlights for me were the castle gates. These grand entryways are still fully intact and most impressive.
Visit Rhodes City Wall Gates
Visit the Palace of the Grandmaster
Visit this 14th-century palace yourself or with a guide. The magnificent palace has 158 rooms, but only 24 are open to tourists.
Check out the antique furniture of the 16th and the 17th century, and other exquisite artifacts.
The interior grounds are lined with statues and mosaic tiles. A visit to the Palace of the Grandmaster is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon in Rhodes.
A little tip if you are traveling solo and are thinking of setting up a tripod to take pictures here… Think again, as this is not allowed.
Just after I got this shot I was asked to put my tripod away!
I have no idea why you are not allowed to take pictures with a tripod. Seems a silly rule.
Visit The Clock Tower
If you are looking to get a nice panoramic view of the island of Rhodes, check out the Clock Tower.
Your small entrance fee also includes a one-drink ticket that can be used for soft drinks, beer, wine, or hard alcoholic drinks.
I would recommend visiting at sunset. It was fairly empty when I visited, but I won’t plan on that being the norm.
Parko Therme
Located next to the Gate of Amboise, just one of the many gates into the old town of Rhodes is Parko Therme. Many go to this park to get the most Instagramable pictures in Rhodes.
Along this wall concrete wall, you can find many picture-perfect photo opportunities. Just be aware of your surrounding. Rhodes is a safe place, but petty theft can happen anywhere. Don’t leave your items exposed for too long.
I did notice there were a few of what are called “gypsies” circling the park and the entrance to the park.
Wine Tasting Tours
A great way to see all of Old Town Rhodes and Lindos is by joining a wine tour! There are a lot of tasting tours to choose from with varying durations and costs.
If you only have a short time to visit Rhodes I highly recommend a tour. It is the best way to maximize what you can see on the island.
Best Travel-Sized Greek Skincare Products
Rhodes To Symi | Overnight in Symi
After a couple of nights exploring exciting Rhodes, I wanted to relax in a quiet and picturesque Greek village. Symi, Greece, is the perfect Greek island getaway. I was curious about how many days were enough, and after visiting, I would say 1 night is sufficient.
5 Reasons To Go From Rhodes Island to Symi Island
- You can book independently by using travel guides
- You don’t need to go to Rhodes Airport
- Symi has a completely different aesthetic than Rhodes
- The island is small enough for a full-day trip
- The ferry journey is only 90 minutes
How To Get To Symi
This Rhodes To Symi Greece travel guide starts with transportation. Depending on the ferry service provider you choose, you will be limited to visiting the island. With these small islands, there is a small set of daily trips.
When deciding on a ferry company, I went with Dodekanisos Seaways and used Ferry Hopper to book it and was very happy. When selecting a Symi ferry, my main concern was the timetable. Dodekanisos Seaways offered a morning drop-off to Symi from Rhodes’ Island. The return was the following day late afternoon.
Another ferry company to consider is Blue Star Ferries. Both companies have comfortable and reliable ferry services when making this short trip. It will come down to price and ferry company schedule.
For the best ferry services price & schedule comparison, I use Ferry Hopper because I love their app. I have linked this to you in the paragraphs above. Booking your trip is made easy with their online service!
⛴️ BOOK FULL DAY TOUR FROM RHODES TO SYMI
Final Thoughts on Solo Travel to Rhodes & Symi
Rhodes is one of the best destinations for solo female travel! The island is packed with possibilities for anyone who wants to explore or relax!
With Symi Island so close, it is the perfect island companion for your solo trip!
Your pictures are amazing! I had never heard of these two islands before but may have to add it to a future Greece trip 🙂
I absolutely love Greece but have never visited Rhodes or Symi! This definitely has made me out it in my bucket list.
Wow! I went to some of the Greek islands last summer, but I had no idea that there were actually over 200 to choose from! Rhodes was on my list, but we weren’t able to make it during our trip. Next time I am definitely visiting, and also adding in a wonderful day trip to Symi for the beach and that yummy food!
Old Town Symi looks incredible! I love the older parts of any area of Europe best. I can’t believe I haven’t heard of this place before. Seeing as I haven’t made it to Greece yet, I’ll need to remember this for the future!
Greece is a DREAM destination for me! It just might be my first European destination after the pandemic. These tips will be great for that trip – thank you for sharing!
Thanks for such a great guide. Who knew all the islands that existed!? Such a great place for photos as well, would need to take someone with me just to take photos
WoW! I love how detailed this guide is, and thank goodness because 227 islands to choose from?! Definitely saving this for future travel. Those windmills look incredible.
Beautiful! I’ve been to Greece but not to the islands. This one looks especially gorgeous and love those windmills.
I’ve only been to Crete and a few places on the mainland, but I really want to explore more islands! Your guide is super helpful and your photos are beautiful.
Crete is on my list for April 2021!! I love Greece so much!!
What an absolutely perfect trip! It’s almost as though it’s right out of a fairy tale! Greece has been on my list for a while – but with what’s happening we’ll have to push our plans back. This looks like the best itinerary!
Wow your photos are stunning! I have been to mainland Greece and some of the Islands but for some reason I didn’t know Symi but it did become one of my summer destinations instantly!
Everything looks so beautiful. Loved the windmills part and the old town. Would love to visit one day. Thank you for all the details
Wow, never heard of Symi, but I’m adding it to my Greece bucket list right now. Sounds so lovely being a bit calmer and all.
I love Greece and have visited on a number if occasions. I particularly enjoy exploring old towns. A great itinerary.
I went to Athens and Santorini about 10 years ago and have wanted to go back to Greece and explore more ever since. Rhodes looks absolutely beautiful! I’ll definitely add it to my list for when I finally get back to Greece!
I love the Greek islands, but I have never been to Rhodes or Symi, but this definitely put them on my list. I would love to visit the Rhodes city walls and explore the old part of the town. Symi looks like the perfect place to relax and end this dreamy Greek trip!
I had no idea Rhodes had those windmills too! I’d love to go! Amazing tips!
This is such a helpful guide! your photos are incredible!
I am a local from Rhodes!! Your blog is amazing!! I wish I had met you and show you more of the hidden gems of my beautiful island!!! <3
Thank you!!! I am actually moving to Athens in May, so I will be back to Rhodes this summer!! I’d love a tour!