Rhodes is one of Greece's most celebrated islands — and rightly so. The medieval Old Town, the ancient acropolis at Lindos, the turquoise beaches: they draw millions of visitors every year for good reason. But for those willing to venture a little further, to wander down unmarked lanes and follow local advice, Rhodes rewards the curious with experiences that never make the brochures.
At Olympus Hospitality, nestled in the tranquil village of Marathonas just minutes from the sea and ten minutes from Rhodes Town, we are passionate about sharing the real Rhodes with our guests. Here are the hidden gems we tell every visitor about.
Monolithos: A Clifftop Castle at the End of the World
Most visitors to Rhodes spend their days on the island's eastern coast. But drive west towards the village of Monolithos, and you will find one of the most dramatic medieval ruins in the Aegean. The 15th-century Castle of Monolithos perches on a sheer volcanic rock 236 metres above the sea — a solitary sentinel above the deep blue expanse of the Mediterranean.
The climb is short but steep, rewarded by panoramic views that stretch to the island of Halki on clear days. Below the castle, a hidden chapel of Agios Panteleimon nestles within the rock walls. Visit at sunset when the stone turns molten gold and the sea below fades to violet. You will almost certainly have the place to yourself.
Embona: Where the Real Rhodes Lives in a Glass
The village of Embona, cradled in the foothills of Mount Attavyros — Rhodes' highest peak at 1,215 metres — is the heartland of Rhodian wine. The local winery and cooperative have been producing wine here since ancient times, and the villagers will tell you that the gods themselves have always preferred the local Athiri white.
Stop at one of the kafeneions where old men play backgammon over tiny cups of thick Greek coffee. Order a carafe of chilled Muscat and a plate of local mezes — olives from the hillside groves above the village, sun-dried tomatoes, and soft white cheese. Tourism has not reached Embona in any meaningful way. It feels like Greece circa 1975, and that is entirely the point.
The Valley of the Butterflies: A Summer Secret
The Petaloudes Valley, known as the Valley of the Butterflies, is hardly unknown — but most visitors rush through in peak season when enormous clouds of Panaxia Quadripunctaria moths cling to the plane trees in their thousands. Arrive instead in early June or late September, walk slowly, and you will find a cool, shaded paradise of rushing streams and ancient trees that feels nothing like the island outside.
Follow the wooden walkways deep into the valley where the tourist footfall thins. The sound of water, birdsong, and wind in the canopy makes it feel genuinely otherworldly — a sacred grove where Pan himself might still linger in the shadows.
Profitis Ilias: A Forest You Did Not Know Existed
Rhodes is not an island you associate with forests, but the pine-covered slopes of Profitis Ilias mountain, in the centre of the island, will surprise you. At nearly 800 metres elevation, the pine trees are tall and ancient, the air cool and resinous even in August. Two Italian-built hunting lodges — Elafos and Elafina — stand among the trees like something from a fairy tale, constructed during the Italian occupation of the Dodecanese in the 1930s.
There is a small chapel at the summit and, on clear days, views over the whole island. Pack a picnic and come in the morning. In the early hours the forest feels like the top of the world.
Archangelos: Ceramics, Folk Art and Genuine Village Life
The large village of Archangelos, halfway down the eastern coast, is one of Rhodes' most authentically populated communities — home to over 3,000 residents who largely ignore the tourist economy and get on with village life. The streets are lined with whitewashed houses decorated with hand-painted ceramic plates, a tradition here that dates back centuries.
Village potters and folk weavers still work from small workshops off the main square. Browse without obligation, chat if your Greek stretches that far, and pick up a piece of hand-thrown pottery made with genuine craft. The nearby Byzantine and Crusader fortress of Faraklos is a bonus — a little-visited castle commanding the coastline below.
Kritinia Castle: Views Without the Coach Parties
While most visitors queue to see the Knights' castles in Rhodes Town, Kritinia's medieval fortress on the northwest coast stands largely forgotten. Perched on a cliff above the fishing village of the same name, Kritinia Castle dates from the 16th century and commanded the sea lanes against Ottoman advance from the east.
The ruins are freely accessible and the views north towards the islands of Halki and Alimia are among the finest in the Aegean. Come in the late afternoon when the light is golden and the coach parties have long since departed. Afterwards, walk down to the harbour at Kamiros Skala for grilled octopus and cold beer as the fishing boats come in.
Your Base for Exploring the Real Rhodes
These hidden corners of the island are best experienced from a base that allows you to move freely, return at your own pace, and feel genuinely at home. That is exactly what we offer at Olympus Hospitality in Marathonas — three beautifully designed suites, the Zeus, the Poseidon, and the Ares, each with a fully equipped kitchen, a garden terrace, and the kind of insider knowledge that no guidebook can provide.
We are five minutes from the beach, ten minutes from Rhodes Town, and eight minutes from the harbour — perfectly positioned to reach every hidden corner of this extraordinary island. The mythic Rhodes that most visitors never find is waiting for you, and we would love to help you discover it. Book your stay at www.olympushospitality.eu and let the real island begin.