Start at the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes when it opens—typically around 8:00 or 8:30 in May, but check the current schedule before you go. Allow about 1½ hours for the courtyards, grand halls and mosaics; admission is usually around €10. The cobbled lanes are uneven, so wear your walking shoes. From the palace, it’s only a few minutes on foot to the Street of the Knights. Take your time along this atmospheric stone lane, once lined with the inns of the Knights’ different “tongues”; 30 minutes is plenty, with room for a few photos.
Continue to the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes, housed in the former Knights’ Hospital, for about an hour among its sculptures, pottery and mosaics. It’s a short walk from the Street of the Knights, though the Old Town’s lanes can be confusing—follow signs toward the hospital rather than trying to navigate by the map alone. Museum hours and combined-ticket options can change seasonally, so check at the palace ticket desk or online that morning.
For lunch, head to Nireas in the Old Town and settle into its leafy courtyard for seafood; budget roughly €20–35 per person. May is warm enough for outdoor dining, but take a light layer if the shade or breeze feels cool. After lunch, walk out toward Mandraki Harbour—allow around 15–20 minutes from the Old Town gate, depending on your route. Finish with an easy 45-minute waterfront stroll, looking out toward the windmills and the harbor entrance. If you’ve had enough walking, there are cafés along the New Town waterfront for a relaxed drink before heading back.
Start at Rhodes Aquarium at the island’s northern tip. This compact aquarium and historic marine station takes about an hour; allow roughly €6–8 for admission and check the day’s opening time before setting out. Afterwards, stroll a few minutes south along the waterfront to Elli Beach. Give yourself an unhurried hour or two for a swim if the sea is calm, or just settle in with a drink. May water can still feel brisk, so bring your towel and cover-up and check the wind before getting in.
Take a taxi from Elli Beach to Kallithea Springs—typically around 20–30 minutes, with the fare usually agreed or metered at roughly €20–30. Wander through the restored Italian-era rotunda and down to the sheltered cove; allow about 1½ hours, and expect an entrance fee of around €5–6. For lunch, choose a seaside taverna near Kallithea Springs and linger over grilled fish or a few shared meze dishes; budget about €20–35 per person. If you’re swimming, water shoes are handy on the rocky edges, and a light layer is useful if the coastal breeze picks up.
Set off early for Anthony Quinn Bay; arriving around 9:00 gives you a better chance of enjoying the small cove before it gets busy. The bay is free to access, but loungers and umbrellas may have a charge when operating in May. The shoreline is rocky, so wear water shoes, and bring your snorkel mask, water and sunscreen—there’s little shade once the beach fills up. Allow about two hours for a swim and a relaxed look beneath the clear water.
A short walk brings you to neighboring Ladiko Beach, a more sheltered spot for an hour of swimming or simply drying off in the sun. Then take a taxi into Faliraki for lunch at Manolis Taverna; allow a little extra time for the ride rather than counting on a direct beach-to-beach walk. Expect Greek classics such as grilled dishes and meze, with lunch around €15–25 per person. May opening days and hours can vary, so check ahead or ask locally before heading over.
Spend the rest of the afternoon at Faliraki Beach, where the long sandy shoreline makes a comfortable contrast to the rocky coves. Give yourself around two hours for a swim and an easy stroll; beach facilities and sunbed rentals may be limited early in May, so keep your towel handy. If you’re staying toward the northern end, a taxi back is the simplest option after a full day in the sun.
Aim to be in Lindos around opening time, usually 8:00 or 8:30 in May; check the Acropolis of Lindos’ current hours and admission before you set out (allow roughly €12–15 and about two hours). The climb is steep and exposed, so wear your walking shoes, bring water and a hat, and save your swimwear for later. The payoff is a close look at the ancient sanctuary and sweeping views over the village and bays. If the bus timetable from Faliraki doesn’t get you there early enough, a pre-booked taxi is the practical fallback.
Walk back down into Lindos village for an unhurried hour among whitewashed lanes and traditional courtyards. The alleys are easy to lose yourself in, but the stone can be slick underfoot; keep your shoes on until you reach the beach. For lunch, settle in at Mavrikos, a long-established village restaurant known for Greek cooking. Budget about €20–35 per person; in May, it’s sensible to check opening hours or reserve if you have your heart set on a particular table.
After lunch, walk downhill to St Paul’s Bay—allow around 10–15 minutes, with a steeper return climb later. Spend a couple of hours swimming or relaxing in the sheltered water; rocky patches make water shoes useful, and beach facilities may be limited or not yet fully open in May, so bring a towel, sunscreen and water. Leave enough time to walk back up to the village and catch your return transport without rushing.
Drive south from Kiotari to Glystra Beach for a quieter start; it’s a small sandy cove, usually an easy 5–10-minute hop by car. Set aside about 1½ hours for a swim and a slow start. May water can still feel brisk, and beach services may not yet be running, so bring water, sunscreen and your towel. Parking is generally available near the beach, but arrive earlier for the easiest spot.
Continue north to Kiotari Beach for a couple of hours on the broad shoreline. The water is clear, but some stretches are pebbly, so water shoes are handy; check whether loungers and umbrellas are operating before counting on them. For lunch, settle in at Mourella Restaurant, a beachfront choice for Greek dishes and seafood. Allow around €20–35 per person for a leisurely meal, depending on drinks and what you order.
After lunch, drive inland to Asklipio Castle—roughly 10–15 minutes from the coast—and allow about an hour to wander the hilltop ruins and take in the views. The final approach is uphill, so wear your walking shoes and bring water; the ruins are typically free to visit, but there may be little shade and no staffed facilities. Check locally for access conditions, then return to Kiotari at an unhurried pace.
Leave Kiotari early enough to reach Monolithos Castle around 9:00–9:30; allow roughly 1½–1¾ hours for the cross-island drive. Park near the foot of the rock and take the steep, uneven path up to the ruins—sturdy shoes, a hat and water are worth having, as there’s little shade. The castle grounds are generally free to visit and take about 1½ hours to explore, with far-reaching views over the west coast.
Drive down to Fourni Beach, just below the castle, and give yourself around 1½ hours to relax or swim if the sea is calm. It’s a rocky, relatively undeveloped shore, so bring water shoes, a towel and drinking water; don’t count on beach services being open in May. Then head inland to Siana for lunch and a browse through the village shops selling local honey and souma. A village taverna such as Olympos Taverna is a good place to settle in for a leisurely meal; budget about €15–25 per person.
From Siana, continue south toward Apolakkia Dam and spend about an hour walking quietly by the reservoir and watching for birds. There are few facilities around the water, so keep some water in the car and stick to accessible paths rather than venturing onto rough ground. It’s a peaceful final stop; allow about 1½–1¾ hours for the drive back to Kiotari, and avoid leaving the return until dusk if you’re unfamiliar with the inland roads.
Leave Monolithos early so you reach Ancient Kamiros while it’s still cool; allow roughly 1½ hours to wander the quiet streets, temple remains and hillside views. In May, the archaeological site generally opens in the morning, but hours can change—check before setting out. Budget around €6–10 for admission, and bring water and a hat: shade is limited.
Drive about 25–30 minutes north to Kritinia Castle. The approach is short but steep and uneven, so wear your walking shoes; allow about an hour for the fortress and its broad views over the islands. Then continue inland to Embonas for an unhurried lunch and a taste of local wine. Taverna Savvas is a good village option; expect roughly €15–30 per person, and ask about wine by the glass or a small tasting.
From Embonas, allow around 45–55 minutes to reach Filerimos Monastery in Ialysos. Spend about 1½ hours among the monastery grounds and cypress-lined paths; opening times and any entrance charge can vary, so check locally before you go. The hilltop can be breezy, and the drive back to Rhodes Town takes about 20–30 minutes—leave a little daylight for the return and arrange your rental-car drop-off in town or at the airport.
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