Rhodes – A Greek Island, A World-Class Experience

Esimfly · 11 June 2025

From the moment I arrived in Rhodes, before I had even opened my suitcase, I knew I had made the right call. Something about this island wraps itself around you – whether it is the summer sun that warms your face even in spring, or the easy calm you find on every corner – Rhodes is one of those places you do not simply visit, you live them.

I set off after a long search for a destination that combined beautiful beaches, great food and things to do – without spending a fortune. After friends came home from Rhodes with enormous smiles, I booked the flights, locked in a hotel, and for the first time ever – I did not go hunting for a SIM card shop. I installed an eSIM for Greece before I left, and by the time I reached the airport I already had internet. No delays, no complications. Just connect, and start experiencing.

This trip felt different. Easier, calmer, and above all – connected. And not only to the network, but to myself.

Rhodes Town – a walk through the centuries

The Old Town of Rhodes is like a film set. You wander between walls, stones, gateways and signs that date back to the age of the Knights. The streets are cobbled, the shops sell tourist trinkets right next to genuine antiques, and there is something to discover around every corner.

Whether you stop for a frappé (the classic Greek iced coffee) or step inside the Palace of the Grand Master, you feel like you are walking through a living museum. I could not stop taking photos, and the internet worked every second, with no hunting for Wi-Fi like in the old days – thanks to the international eSIM plan I sorted out in advance.

Lindos – a paradise straight out of a fairy tale

After a few days in town, I hopped on a bus to Lindos – one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. A whitewashed village clinging to a cliff, with narrow lanes that climb to the ancient Temple of Athena, looking out over a turquoise sea.

I sat in a restaurant with a postcard view, ate a Greek salad with fresh feta and local olive oil, and sent photos to the family WhatsApp group while I was at it. It is so convenient to have an international SIM that does not require swapping cards or fiddling with settings.

Plaki – an off-the-radar corner, quiet and serene

If you are looking for somewhere calmer, far from the crowds, Plaki is your spot. A stretch of coast with crystal-clear water, family-run tavernas and beaches that are almost empty. It is perfect for anyone who wants to read a book facing the sea or fall asleep to the sound of the waves.

This is where I really understood the value of an eSIM abroad – when you have continuous data, you let yourself travel further, knowing you have a map and a connection even when it feels like the end of the world.

(More coming right up, as always)

Greek food – simple, fresh and unforgettable

Rhodes was a culinary celebration for me too. Every bite was an experience. Not just the Greek salad everyone talks about, but juicy kebabs, fish straight out of the sea, and local dishes like moussaka, gyros and souvlaki that taste best eaten on the street.

At places like Kalderimi in Lindos or Tamam in Rhodes Town, I had the best meals of the whole trip. There is something about Greek food – it is fresh, unfussy and tastes like home, even when you are very much a tourist.

And most importantly – everywhere, in every restaurant, even in the smallest villages, the signal was excellent. My eSIM for Greece worked without a hitch there too. I never had to depend on the hotel Wi-Fi.

What is the best way to get around?

Getting around Rhodes is easy – public transport is cheap and convenient, but I chose to rent a car. That gave me the freedom to move between towns and beaches without a second thought. Driving is comfortable, the roads are well signposted, and thanks to a virtual SIM for travel I had navigation at every moment – whether I was in a mountain village or on a dirt track to a hidden cove.

No need to hunt for a shop to buy a SIM, no getting stranded without maps – everything is simple.

Beaches you will never forget

Rhodes is full of beaches, and each one is different:

Tsambika – golden sand and clear water.
Anthony Quinn Bay – a small, wonderful cove with rocks and green water.
Agathi – a quiet beach for families.
Prasonisi – for kitesurfers and windsurfers.

I reached every one of them by car, music in my ears, without giving my connection a thought. One international data plan, and I felt right at home.

Where to stay?

There is a huge range of places to stay in Rhodes – from luxury hotels to family-run guesthouses. I picked a small hotel in the Old Town, but a night in Lindos gave me a completely different experience – sleeping facing the sea, with a home-cooked breakfast and a balcony overlooking the turquoise.

If you ask me – mix it up. A little town, a little village, a little beach. That is how you really feel Rhodes.

Recommended itineraries – how to build the perfect Rhodes trip

I put together a two-week route for myself and it worked brilliantly. Here is my experience-based recommendation:

Week one – beaches and food

Days 1–2: Land in Rhodes, settle into the Old Town, walking tour plus an authentic Greek meal. Overnight in town.
Day 3: Tsambika beach, swimming and sunbathing, dinner by the sea.
Day 4: Drive to Lindos, visit the Temple of Athena and head down to the nearby beach. Overnight in Lindos.
Day 5: Plaki – a day of quiet and calm water.
Day 6: Anthony Quinn Bay and Ladiko Bay, perfect for snorkelling.
Day 7: Back to Rhodes Town, shopping, a food tour and closing the loop.

Week two – local depth, landscapes and nature

Day 8: Visit the Valley of the Butterflies – mesmerisingly beautiful.
Days 9–10: Secluded beaches in the south of the island – Glystra or Fourni Beach.
Day 11: Traditional villages like Embonas or Siana, wine and cheese tastings.
Days 12–13: Prasonisi – where two seas meet, with amazing water sports.
Day 14: One last wander through town, the local market, and goodbye to the island.

At every point, on every day – an eSIM abroad helped me navigate, share, ask around and book, without depending on local networks.

Weather – when is the best time to go?

The best season in my view is April–June or September–October. Less crowded, still warm, the sea is pleasant, and the prices are far more sensible. In summer (July–August) it is very hot and very busy. In winter it is extremely quiet, but most places are closed.

I went in mid-May – 28 degrees by day, 19 at night, a perfect sea – and no overtourism at all.

What is the easiest way to stay connected?

If there is one thing this trip taught me, it is that an international eSIM plan saves you time, money and stress.

I did not look for a SIM shop, I never got stuck without signal, and I did not pay a fortune for data from my home carrier. Everything connected in a second. And it is not just convenient – it is safe. When you are connected, you are relaxed.

I recommend installing an eSIM for Greece before you leave home. There are services that make it easy – and at a far better price than what you will pay once you are at the airport.

Shopping in Rhodes – gifts, souvenirs and whatever takes your fancy

One of my favourite things on any trip is browsing local markets. In Rhodes it is a pure pleasure. There is something magical about wandering the narrow lanes of the Old Town and stumbling on tiny shops selling embroidered rugs, ceramics, local spices, quality olive oil and regional wine.

Tips for shopping well:

In the Old Town market, do not be shy about haggling, especially at the stalls.
Buy olive oil soap, fresh oregano and hand-painted ceramic magnets – excellent souvenirs.
In the shops along the main streets of Lindos you will find handmade jewellery in traditional Greek designs.

Here too, an international SIM helped me check prices online, compare, and order special items I could not find locally.

Culture and events – the Rhodes you did not know

Rhodes is not just sun and sand – it has soul.

The wine festival in Embonas – held in August, packed with locals who pour you wine on the spot, with a smile.
The spring festival in the Old Town – a real celebration of live Greek music, stalls, street performances and torches at sunset.
Greek dance performances – especially in Lindos and at Kallithea Springs, with traditional dances and colourful costumes.

If you are visiting in summer, it is worth checking in advance which events are on. And of course – an international data plan helps you find that information on the go.

Where to sleep in Rhodes

My recommendation: split your stay between Rhodes Town, Lindos and the south of the island. That way you get it all – city, culture, sea and open space.

Accommodation picks:

Rodos Park – a luxury hotel in the town centre with a stunning pool and views of the Old Town.
Melenos Lindos – a magical hotel with panoramic views in Lindos.
Casa Cook Rhodes – an adults-only boutique hotel near Kolymbia, perfect for a quiet couples' retreat.

I searched, compared and booked – all thanks to a flawless internet connection through the eSIM for Greece I had installed in advance.

Local food – full stomach, happy heart

Let us talk for a minute about the food in Rhodes – because wow.

Real moussaka – nothing like what gets served back home. Perfect layers, seasoned aubergine, a light béchamel and a hint of cinnamon.
Souvlaki in seafront tavernas – with cold tzatziki and Greek fries on the side.
Catch of the day, pulled from the sea in front of you and grilled with olive oil and lemon.
Desserts – loukoumades (honey-soaked dough balls) and baklava that will take your breath away.

I highly recommend tavernas like To Steno, Kerasma and Mavrikos in Lindos.

And of course – here too, an eSIM abroad was the difference between picking a random spot and reading real Google reviews to choose well.

Rhodes beaches you should not miss

Beyond the famous beaches like Faliraki or Tsambika, Rhodes hides gems that can turn a holiday into something else entirely. For example:

Anthony Quinn Bay – a small, picturesque cove named after the Hollywood actor who fell in love with it. Turquoise water, surrounded by cliffs, and the feeling that you have stepped into a film. It is the perfect place for snorkelling, or simply lying in the shade and soaking up the atmosphere.

Agathi Beach – a strip of soft sand, shallow water, perfect quiet, and even a few local tavernas serving fresh fish. This was the beach where I found the deepest peace of the whole trip.

Glyfada Beach – on the western side of the island, wilder, with waves and a real sense of connection to nature. Far less touristy, which is exactly the appeal.

If you plan to hop between several beaches, rent a car or a scooter. Once you have an international SIM or an eSIM for Greece, you can navigate easily with Waze or Google Maps, and look up lesser-known beaches as you go.

Squares, and the real life of Rhodes

Although tourists gravitate to the beaches, the part I enjoyed most was simply wandering the squares of the town. These are the places where you feel the real Rhodes:

Hippocrates Square in the Old Town – one of the loveliest squares in Greece. Restaurants, small cafés, live music in the evenings, all inside ancient buildings with a charm you will not find anywhere else.

Evangelismos Square – at the entrance to Mandraki Harbour, next to the municipal market. A great spot to stop for an iced coffee, watch people go by and take in local life.

Acropolis Square in the new town – less well known, and well worth exploring in the evening when locals start filling the restaurants.

Do not forget: as you move around town with an international data plan you can order a taxi, check restaurant recommendations and even pay through apps. No need to risk dodgy public Wi-Fi or waste time on a local SIM.

A personal wrap-up – Rhodes as you have never known it

I arrived in Rhodes with plenty of expectations – beaches, sun, good food. But what I found surprised me: a rare blend of calm, history, human warmth, and an island that somehow feels like it belongs to you alone.

From the moment I landed to the moment I boarded the plane home, I was connected through an eSIM for Greece, with no need to swap SIM cards, no hunting for a telecom shop, no headaches. The connection worked everywhere: in the Old Town, up in the mountains, even in the tiniest villages.

Whether you are after quiet or nightlife, culture or lazy days on the sand, Rhodes gives you everything – and it makes it easy. All you need to do is plan smart, sort out an eSIM plan in advance, download maps, maybe add a few YouTube recommendations – and just go with the flow.

And that is exactly what I would recommend to anyone heading to Greece this summer: do not travel disconnected. A virtual SIM for travel will save you time, money and hassle. It simply works.

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