There are stories to hear everywhere on Rhodes family holidays, but the best myths and legends are the ones you can still touch today. Here’s where to find them all over the island.
The sun-drenched west coast of Rhodes
Why the sun always shines on Rhodes family holidays
It’s not just amazing weather that links Rhodes to the sun. According to legend, long before beach days were a thing, Helios the Ancient Greek Sun God missed out when the world was being divided up by Zeus: Helios, the sun god, was travelling round earth at the time.
Understandably, he was pretty furious at missing out on the land grab, but Helios didn’t take Zeus up on his offer to re-draw the divisions. Instead he demanded ownership of a new island he’d seen rising from the sea, pristine and shimmering. You guessed it, that island was Rhodes and the Helios’ myth is one reason sun worship abounded here for millennia, and why Helios is considered to be the island’s protector to this day.
Need proof of the sun god’s blessings on Rhodes family holidays? Try about 3,000 hours of sunshine each year, and average temperatures of 20° to 30° between April and November.
Rodos Princess Beach Resort & Spa
Not only does all-inclusive Rodos Princess Beach Resort & Spa sit on the sunny southwest coast of Rhodes, it gives you the choice of five different restaurants, a kids’ club for under-12s , and plenty of water sports on its private beach to keep older kids happy.
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Sunny St. Paul’s Bay, Rhodes
The legend of how the island of Rhodes got its name
Sticking with Helios, he’s also the source of Rhodes name.
Apparently he fell madly in love with a sea nymph called Rhodos, who also happened to be Poseidon’s daughter, and as a token of his devotion he dedicated the most beautiful island in the world to her. Clearly impressed, she and Helios when on to have several children, known as Heliadae: mythology claims they’re the founders of Rhodian civilisation.
Of course, there are many other reasons why Rhodes is thought to be one of the most romantic Greek islands – see you and raise you Santorini – but nothing beats its origin story.
Save on romantic breaks at Mayia Exclusive Resort & Spa
Adult-only Mayia Exclusive Resort & Spa is a dream retreat for romantics. Spread across 15-acres on the tranquil southwest coast of Rhodes, it gives you so much choice when it comes to rooms and suites, restaurants and experiences, you may have to make a just-parents’ getaway here a regular thing.
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Harbour, Rhodes Town
Separate the Colossus of Rhodes’ fact from fiction
The legend of the Colossus of Rhodes is probably the best known Greek myth associated with the island.
The fictional tale has the mighty statue straddling Rhodes Harbour for centuries, guarding against seafaring enemies.
The facts are a little less dramatic. The statue of Helios was truly enormous (30m tall) and built about 280BCE. But it didn’t guard the harbour, and it was destroyed by an earthquake only 50 years after it was first erected.
Here, legend jumps in again, as it’s said an oracle warned the islanders not to rebuild the statue or Rhodes would fall. But, if you want to do some treasure hunting, it’s also claimed the bronze remains of the statue hold mystical powers, and they’ve never been fully recovered.
Rhodes family holidays for all ages at Amus Hotel & Spa
Five-star Amus Hotel & Spa is just 10 minutes’ drive from Rhodes Town and also right on the beach. When you’re in the mood to just enjoy the resort itself, it also features a fully supervised kids’ club and children’s playground, as well as lovely gardens, several restaurants and a very soothing spa.
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Don’t miss Lindos Acropolis on Rhodes family holidays
Where to go treasure hunting on Rhodes family holidays
In 1522 the Ottoman laid siege to Rhodes overthrowing the Knights Templar and forcing them to flee the island. But, before their hasty retreat, the story goes that they hid their enormous treasure trove of gold and relics in secret caves. To further amplify the aura of intrigue that surrounds this mysterious Order, only a few Knights knew the hiding places, and the secret is supposedly passed down through generations, to this day.
Believe this, or not, it’s a great excuse to do some sailing on Rhodes family holidays. If you’re inspired, some of the easiest caves to see are the ones around Lindos Acropolis, where they indent the cliffs for miles along the coastline. It takes quite a keen eye to spot them, as they’re known for their narrow entrances leading to deep chambers. Perfect for stowing your loot some would say.
Lindos Princess Beach Resort & Spa is perfect for active kids
Four-star Lindos Princess Beach Resort & Spa combines an incredible family-friendly atmosphere with its generous all-inclusive, and sits beachfront on its own private stretch of the Mediterranean, just a short drive from the Acropolis of Lindos.
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The Valley of the Butterflies in September, Rhodes family holidays
Do not disturb the butterflies
Every year, between June and September, the Valley of the Butterflies in northeast Rhodes fills with 1000’s of Panaxia butterflies (hence the name). This is the only place in the world where you can experience the phenomenon and it’s as captivating as it sounds.
No surprise that it is also a source of a few folk tales, chief amongst them tells of the spirits of ancient warriors returning to the island of their birth each year in butterfly form. The spirits are also said to be angered by loud noise and prone to disrupting the weather if disturbed. A fun mythical add-on that ties in neatly with the request for quiet in the Valley, which persists to this day.
Protect your own peace at Boutique 5 Hotel & Spa
Boutique 5 Hotel & Spa takes peace and quiet seriously too. All rooms and suites are designed to create a sense of your own, personal world: even the views feel exclusive. Private terraces and balconies let you linger over breakfast or sunsets. And for the ultimate in luxury, there are beautiful suites with private pools overlooking the Aegean.
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Visit Kallithea Springs on Rhodes family holidays
Why visit Kallithea Springs on Rhodes family holidays
You don’t need a reason to visit pretty Kallithea beach on Rhodes family holidays, but if you did, the story of the Kallithea Springs is a good one.
The little domed building surrounded by mosaics is lovely and relatively new (20th century), but the real mythical beauty here lies in the legendary powers of the waters themselves. Since ancient times it was believed that the springs were a sacred link between the people of the island and the earth, and could cure a multitude of ailments – right down to just feeling a bit worn out.
Though you can’t ‘take the waters’ today, the sea round the springs is famously clear and sheltered for swimming, there are also regular art exhibitions in the gallery and, if you just want to add yet another great beach to your holiday, this is the place for that too.
Ultra all-inclusive Rhodes family holidays at Princess Andriana Resort & Spa
For waters you can take, Princess Andriana Resort & Spa has a superb spa, several gorgeous pools and it sits on one of Rhode’s lovely Blue Flag beaches. If all that isn’t tempting enough, it’s also ultra all-inclusive, and the only resort on the island with a full-scale waterpark on-site.
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Monastery, Filerimos, Rhodes
Where to find a Titan on Rhodes family holidays
When you feel like a little climbing in Rhodes, you can mix your myths with some legwork on Filerimos Hill in the northeast.
But, to get the full mythical drama before you head up, take a look at the hill from a distance. It’s said to resemble a sleeping giant which the ancients believed was a Titan charged with the task of protecting Rhodes, and who would only awaken if the island was in grave danger.
Apart from the prospect of getting up close to a Titan, a climb up Filerimos also rewards you with ancient ruins and a monastery at the top, as well as some spectacular views.
The best of all worlds at Princess Sun Hotel & Spa
Between coast and countryside, Princess Sun Hotel & Spa is a great choice for Rhodes family holidays with younger kids who will love its Mini-Club. Another of H Hotels Collection’s all-inclusive resorts, it also offers you a choice of five different types of family rooms and suites.
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