Rhodes is the largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands and it is also a popular island to visit. The island is known for its ancient ruins, beach resorts, and attractions. There is no shortage of things to experience when on Rhodes. Here are just five things you won’t want to miss while visiting the island.

Palace of the Grandmaster

The Palace of the Grandmaster is located in the Old Town of Rhodes. The palace was constructed in the 14^thcentury by the Knights of Saint John and built on the Temple of the Sun God (Helios). It consisted of 158 rooms, but today only 24 rooms are open to the public. The rooms contain furniture from the 16^thand 17^thcenturies.

Thepalace boasts multi-colored marble, Oriental vases, and manysculptures. Sadly, much of the original palace was destroyed when explosives went off in 1856. The palace was restored in the beginning of the 20^thcentury by the Italians. There are a couple ofdifferent tours you can take of the palace that include a Segway tour and a private walkingtour.Visitors may also explore the palace on their own.

Acropolis of Lindos

The Acropolis of Lindos is located 45 km south of Rhodes Town. The ancient town of Lindos was founded in the 10^thcentury by the Dorians. Thanks to its location between Greece and the Middle East, it became a major trading center. When the city of Rhodes was founded, the use of Lindos declined.

There is much to see at the Acropolis of Lindos. There is a 4^thcentury Doric temple that was dedicated to the Athena Lindia, an ancient warship that sits at the foot of the staircase, a Roman temple dedicated to Emperor Diocletian, and the Hellenistic wall that surrounds the acropolis.

Archaeological Museum

In the Old Town of Rhodes, you will find the Archaeological Museum. The museum is located in the Palace of the Grandmaster in the Hospital of the Knights. In the museum you will get to see items found during excavations from around the island. There are statues and a number of epitaph plaques from various periods. There is also a collection of pots and earthenware urns.

Butterfly Valley

Butterfly Valley is a beautiful attraction to take in when visiting Rhodes island. It is located on the western side of the island about five kilometers south east of Theologos. Butterfly Valley is a natural reserve and has become a popular tourist attraction. Butterflies come to this valley to reproduce because of its ideal climate.

It’s important, for this reason, to not disturb the butterflies by being loud in any way. Think of the area as a quiet sanctuary to relax and enjoy the beauty. When visiting Butterfly Valley, you can also take an uphill path to the Monastery of Panagia Kalopetra. There are also places nearby to eat with spectacular views of the waterfalls.

The Aquarium of Rhodes

The aquarium is located in the city of Rhodes in the Hydrobiological Station. The building was built between 1934 and 1936 during the Italian occupation. It originally house the Institute of Biological Research. When the Dodecanese islands were liberated, the building was renamed the Hydrobiological Institute and would include a museum and aquarium.

The aquarium consists of 15 small tanks and 13 large tanks. The aim of the aquarium is to preserve and share the species of the Mediterranean Sea. You will see creatures including: dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, lobsters, bivalves and many types of fish. The aquarium is designed to look like an underwater cave.

When visiting the island of Rhodes, you should check out a few of these attractions. Whether you’re into nature or history, there is something here for you.