AEGLOS VILLAS

BLOGS
Blog

What makes Rhodes unique

If you ask Google or ChatGPT what is so unique about Rhodes, you will get a list of the standard things you find on every travel provider’s website. The old walled city of Rhodes, the Acropolis of Lindos, the variety of beaches, the delicious food, the blue sea, the hospitality of the people, and so on. And, of course, Rhodes Town is beautiful, Lindos perhaps even more so, Faliraki is vibrant, the food is delicious, and the weather is fantastic. Certainly, no argument there. But Rhodes is so much more than the things that every website mentions. LARGE AND VERY DIVERSE Due to its size, 80 kilometres from north to south and thus the fourth largest island in Greece, Rhodes almost feels like a separate country, with an enormous variety of landscapes and atmospheres. Thanks to Rhodes’ size, even in the busiest months of the year there are still large areas that are very quiet, with virtually deserted beaches, beautiful hiking trails and small, quiet coastal or mountain villages such as Gennadi, Mesanagros or Agios Isidoros.The highest mountain on Rhodes, Attaviros (1,215 metres), is high enough to be covered in snow in many winters, and the north coast has deep cut gorges that are ideal for challenging hikes. 38 BLUE FLAG BEACHES There are certainly other islands in the Mediterranean with beautiful beaches in small, rocky coves. However, Rhodes offers a particularly wide variety. The fashionable seaside resorts of Faliraki, Kalithea and Llalysos are off set by family-friendly beaches such as Kolymbia and Afantou. Anthony Quin’s Bay and Traounou Bay are nothing short of spectacular, and after a visit, everyone understands why the beaches of Archangelos and Tsambika are so popular. Prasonisi is world-famous for its spectacular kite-surfing opportunities, and on the very quiet north-west coast, you often have miles of beach to yourself, even in summer. No less than thirty-eight beaches on Rhodes had Blue Flag status in 2025, and hard work is being done to exceed 40 in the coming season. THE GREEN ISLAND If you fly to Rhodes during the day, you will see a large number of islands passing by below you. What is particularly striking is the lack of colour. Almost all the islands are brown/beige in a beautiful blue sea. Rhodes is called the green island, and for good reason. Even at the end of the season, when it has hardly rained for months, the green of trees and bushes continues to dominate the landscape. Thanks to the often abundant rainfall in winter and the underground natural reservoirs, the forests can easily maintain themselves and even expand. CLASSICAL PAST VISIBLE EVERYWHERE Lindos is, quite rightly so, a much-praised and popular tourist hotspot. Lindos gives visitors that ultimate Mediterranean feeling with its white houses, winding streets, excellent restaurants (including 2-star restaurants), the largest Acropolis in Greece after Athens and beautiful beaches in what are perhaps the most beautiful bays on the island. But, for lovers of classical archaeological sites, there are many more sights to see on Rhodes. A few examples:Ancient Kameiros, west of Rhodes town, was one of the three cities that founded the city of Rhodes. The enormous ruins are still clearly visible in a spectacular location by the sea, overlooking the Turkish coast.Further to the southwest, Monolithos Castle is situated in a special place. The road to it alone is worth the effort. Have your cameras ready! MONOLITHOS AND SURROUNDINGS Kallithéa, southeast of Rhodes Town, is best known for its magnificent springs and fountains, which the Italians turned into a splendid spa resort at the beginning of the 20th century. The architecture is dominated by marble and mosaics that follow the natural shapes of the surrounding rocks. Don’t forget to visit the beach clubs here. WHEN GREEKS ARE HAVING FUN … Greeks are a proud but extremely hospitable people, and the inhabitants of Rhodes are the epitome of this. Family and friends are important to them, and they love to chat. Don’t be surprised if, after an evening in a taverna, the owner comes and sits with you at your table. Often, a glass of ouzo is served and stories are told about a family member who lives or has lived in your country. By the way, it is a myth that every evening in a Greek taverna ends with the smashing of plates and dancing the sirtaki. But when Greeks are having a good time, there is often a band with at least one bouzouki. Want to experience Villa Aeglos yourself? BOOK NOW

Lees verder »
Peter Veer 9 November 2025
Places to see

Tour of southern Rhodes

Most people who visit Rhodes do not venture further south than Lindos. Here you will find the famous Acropolis, the picturesque white village with its winding, usually very crowded streets and stunning views of the bays and beaches. Even for many native residents of the island, the south is a place they rarely visit. As a Greek acquaintance of ours says, “the south is empty and hot”.However, for lovers of beautiful nature, peace and space, tranquil village squares, small tavernas and fantastic views, the south of Rhodes is an absolute paradise. Surfers will find wind and waves here (Prasonisi) that are rarely found elsewhere in the Mediterranean. In the mountains you will find small monasteries and even smaller chapels, most of which are open and free to visit. SPECTACULAR VIEWS We actually made this tour by accident the first time. Because we took a few wrong turns, we ended up in places we would otherwise have avoided. From our accommodation in Gennadi, we took the coastal road south. We wanted to take a look at Lachania and then thought we could drive to Prasonisi via the back roads. Lachania is a small village that is completely set up to cater for tourists. The sandy beach is a little further away from the centre of the village, which means that there are actually two Lachanias: Lachania by the Sea and Lachania Inland. At a T-junction in the village, we took the wrong turn, which turned out to be towards the village of Mesanagros. The road climbed noticeably and wound its way past rocks, valleys and olive groves. In Mesanagros, you can have a drink in the local pub (Kafeinion) and on good days, food is also served. If you continue to follow the main road from Mesanagros, a majestic landscape unfolds with olive and pine forrests, jagged rocky hills, deep valleys and even a petrified waterfall (see pictures). All roads are easy to drive, even with a small hire car. We are always struck by how good the roads are on Rhodes, with a few exceptions of course, and this winding road is proof of that statement. We were here in early spring, so there was still some mud on the road surface here and there. However, the asphalt was of excellent quality and you definitely don’t need an off-road vehicle or a 4×4 SUV here. Nice pictures THE MOST REMOTE BEACH ON RHODES, WHAT PEACE AND QUIET! About 10 kilometers after the Skiadi monastery, you reach the coast. This is the most remote beach on Rhodes and there is absolutely nothing there. Remarkably so because, the views, especially to the north are breathtaking. For enthusiasts who want to experience a day at the beach where the entire beach, as far as the eye can see, is yours, this is a dream come true. It is a pity, however, that previous visitors to this beautiful place felt the need to leave rubbish behind. A clean-up campaign would improve things considerably here. SOUTHWESTERN BEACH, THE GREAT EMPTINESS Follow the coastal road south. After about 15 kilometres, you will reach the village of Kattavia. If you are looking for authentic Greek village life, Rhodes is the place to be, and Kattavia fits that ideal picture perfectly. Too far from the sea to benefit fully from the large influx of tourists and their euros, Kattavia mainly relies on passers-by for lunch and dinner. There are a few surf schools, Prasonisi is not too far away, and there are some simple hotels and campsites. GOOD FOOD AT MAMA’S IN KATTAVIA! On the square near the post office, you will find two tavernas with excellent food and almost pre-war prices. The whole family helps to keep the business running, and the dish of the day is made that same morning by ‘Mama’.Otherwise, it is quiet and peaceful. Although a tractor passes by regularly and sometimes a delivery van. If you want to relax… well… From Kattania, it is another 8 kilometres to Prasonisi. Described as a surfer’s paradise, follow the road to the southernmost tip of Rhodes. Prasonisi is actually a peninsula connected to Rhodes by a wide beach. It is always very windy here. To the east of this beach lies the Aegean Sea, where there are hardly any waves, making it ideal for windsurfers. To the west lies the Mediterranean Sea. Because the wind almost always comes from the west, there are often large waves here. This makes it an ideal spot for kite surfers. When the wind is too strong, the beach temporarily disappears under the waves. A special place indeed. View of the beach separating the Prasonisi peninsula from Rhodes. From PrasonisI, you have to take the same road back to the main road. It’s not the most beautiful part of Rhodes. However, we saw lots of deer, which made it a special experience. Rhodes has its own breed of deer. It is a type of fallow deer (“Dama Dama”) that is only found on the island. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, but it is said that somewhere in the Middle Ages, a number of deer were released for hunting. This said though, there are indications that deer have been present on the island, that was once called “Elafioussa”, for much longer. This means “with many deer”. ROE DEER WITH BIG ANTLERS Estimates of their numbers vary from 6,500 according to the government to more than 12,000 according to the farmers who are greatly affected by them. The deer are protected, and wild life reserves are being considered because of the nuisance they cause. You see them everywhere in large numbers and in our village, Gennadi, the roam freely even between the houses. YOU CAN SPEND A FEW HOURS OR A WHOLE DAY The vegetation here is clearly different from further north, which is probably due to the summer drought and heat. As mentioned earlier this last bit of landscape is not the most spectacular. We were amazed that, in

Lees verder »
Peter Veer 9 November 2025
Food & Drinks

Way too much meat!

Greek taverns serve larger portions than most people are used to. That takes some getting used to and can sometimes even be a bit of a shock… For years now, the Royal Christmas Fair has been held in The Hague. It’s one of the largest and most beautiful Christmas markets in the Netherlands, with a wide range of Christmas items, clothing, drinks and food. A few years ago, at one of the food stalls, you could only order one dish. It was a kind of mixed grill, but in four sizes, tailored to the size of the group of diners. The menu was written on a blackboard: 2 people: MEAT3 to 4 people: A LOT OF MEAT5 to 6 people: LOTS and LOTS OF MEAT7 to 8 people: WAY TOO MUCH MEAT The grill on which everything was prepared was outside, and the smell of roasted meat attracted many people to the stall. It was busy, and groups of carnivores were feasting on the delicacies, which were served on large platters on the tables and benches. WHEN GREEKS HAVE FUN, THEY GRILL Visitors to Greece know that Greeks also love a piece of meat from time to time. I always thought that, given the proximity of the sea and the many islands, fish would be the main component of the menu. And there are certainly excellent fish restaurants to be found on almost all the islands. However, when it comes to socializing over a meal, Greeks slaughter and barbecue. Greeks are meat eaters. Anyone who eats at one of the many tavernas will quickly discover this. ZORBA’S TAVERNA The first time we were confronted with the Greek concept of “Way too much meat” was at our local taverna called Zorba’s. There are many restaurants on Rhodes that refer to the famous film adaptation of the book of that same name from the 1950s, which was partly filmed on Rhodes. There is even an Anthony Quinn Bay, named after the film star who played the lead role. Unfortunately, according to our Greek neighbor, Quinn only visited once, sixty-five years ago. He says that he prefers the book (written by Nikos Kazantzakis) anyway. Zorba’s menu features the standard list of items served in most taverns, supplemented with a number of ‘house specialities’ and daily specials. During a late lunch in April, we had a special experience. We ordered a Greek salad to share, as it was too much for one person, followed by what we thought were two smaller dishes: a farmer’s sausage for me and, what was simply described as, a “pork chop” for my girlfriend. A NICE LITTLE CHOP The salad arrived first. This was followed some five minutes later by my “local sausage”. At first, we thought we wouldn’t be able to eat at the same time, but that turned out to be a too hasty conclusion. The waiter returned a minute later with a large platter that he had to carry with both hands. On it was the largest pork chop we had ever seen. I come from a family of butchers and had to take a closer look at how this monstrous piece of meat was put together. For those interested, it comes down to a rib chop being cut while the complete belly is still attached. Including the bones, of course. This colossus was some 1.5 to 2 centimeters thick and must have weighed at least one and a half pounds. My girlfriend started eating, bravely, in the knowledge that she would never finish it.Like everything else you eat in Greece, this lunch tasted fantastic. It was just a tiny bit too much. At least 700 grams of pork MEAT PER KILO… We asked the waiter why this dish was so enormous. At first he looked a little surprised, then explained that all Greeks eat their pork chops this way and that he didn’t quite understand my question. In fact, he thought our question was strange and looked at us incredulously when I told him that we preferred pork chops in a different, much smaller size. On the table next to us the waiter had left a menu which I grabbed and looked at again to see if there was any indication of the size. I didn’t find any indication but suddenly I saw a section at the bottom of the page with main courses with the unambiguous heading: “Meat per kilo”. It was possible to order lamb chops, pork chops, beefsteak and calamari by the kilo; the prices per kilo were listed. All very normal, then, for Greeks. Of course, we couldn’t finish everything, and on the way home we made many stray cats happy with our pieces of meat. The cats had no problem with being fed from a ‘doggy bag’. Want to experience Villa Aeglos yourself? BOOK NOW

Lees verder »
Peter Veer 23 May 2025