Yachtcharter Rhodos

Once the imposing Colossus of Rhodes is said to have welcomed sailors from afar at the port of Mandraki. Today, this no longer exists, but many other historic sights and places, which has earned the island a place among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
On one of the sunniest islands in Europe, with over 3000 hours of sunshine per year, beach and bathing fans in particular will find their fulfillment and on the west side the stronger wind attracts surfers.

The island is a good starting point für a Törn into the Dodecanese group of islands. Navigation is not difficult even for beginners, as the coast slopes steeply and there are few shallows. However, one should keep in mind the Meltemi. So it can come here in the summer months also sometimes to strong winds. Nevertheless, the sailing area is also suitable for beginners and families.

Climate: Mediterranean with temperatures between 24 and 33 degrees
. Winds: Meltemi
Sailing season: June to September

Yacht charter Rhodes

Rhodes is one of the islands of the Dodecanese. In total, almost 160 islands belong to this archipelago, which partly overlap with the southern Sporades. Rhodes is the largest of the islands and also the most densely populated. It is only about 30 kilometers away from the Turkish mainland. Thus, destinations in Turkey such as Fethiye or Marmaris can also be approached from Rhodes, but here you have to consider the clearing out and in, which is necessary with every change of country. Start from Rhodes town, in the very north of the island on your personal dream vacation on the sailing yacht, or even a catamaran around the islands in the Aegean Sea. But not without having a look around the town first.

Rhodes town - vacation mood before the first sailing hoist

The historic city center is enclosed by an imposing city wall. In total, the wall, which dates back to the 14th century and was built by the Knights of St. John for defense against the Turks, is almost 5 kilometers long. There is the option to explore the city from the wall, a great opportunity to get an overview before fully immersing yourself in the old town.

The central square in the medieval old town is Hippocrates Square with the Owl Fountain in its center. Along the square, which is exceedingly popular in the summer months, are rows of cafes and restaurants. With a little luck, you can get one of the popular tables and watch the hustle and bustle from a distance. Especially when it gets hot from noon on, a stroll through the narrow, branched and shady alleys of the old town is worthwhile. Along the cobblestones are rows of houses made of old stone, which have become somewhat crooked over the years. Some of the rows of houses are connected by archways.
Again and again, in the narrow house entrances, small quaint cafes and fancy souvenir stores can be found away from the large crowds. For those interested in the most important monuments of the city, one of the guided tours is certainly worthwhile; for those who like it a bit more adventurous, also by Segway or electric Trikke.

There are two marinas directly in Rhodes City in the north of the island, from which you can start your sailing vacation. Marina Mandraki was the city's war port in ancient times. Here the Colossus of Rhodes is said to have guarded the entrance, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, which has not been found to this day. The three windmills on the pier date from the medieval period. Here the grain was ground immediately after delivery. Since the time of the Crusaders, the port has been guarded by the fortress of Agios Nikolaos. Today the fortress offers a beautiful panoramic view over the city and the sea to the Turkish coast.

While strolling through Rhodes Town, just turn into one of the small alleys and let yourself be surprised. © daliu/AdobeStock

Discover your personal favorite island among the many pearls of the Dodecanese.

1 week: Rhodes - Symi - Kos - Kalymnos - Kefalos - Nisyros - Chalki - Rhodes
Alternative: Rhodes town - Lindos (Rhodes) - Tilos - Nisyros - Levitha - Kalymnos - Kos - Rhodes
2 weeks or more: extend your cruise towards the northern islands of the Dodecanese, such as Patmos, Arki and Pserimos.

Rhodes and the Dodecanese are one of the most popular sailing areas in Greece. The wind conditions are stable, in the summer months the Meltemi offers partly wind forces up to 8 Beauforts. In addition, the average water temperature is 26 degrees and there is plenty of sunshine. Excellent conditions for a relaxing sailing vacation.
The island world of the Dodecanese with its more than 100 inhabited and uninhabited islands offers a variety of sailing opportunities. Even if the area around Rhodes, Kos and Patmos enjoys great popularity among sailors, the islands offer countless bays and smaller islets, so that it is not too crowded even in the high season.

Also around Rhodes itself there are places worth seeing. The former capital of the island, Lindos, for example. With its narrow, car-free streets at the foot of the Acropolis, it is a picturesque sight even on approach. The beaches around the town are very popular, take advantage of the freedom offered by your yacht and find a quieter spot in one of the bays. For example in the very south of the island at Prasonisi beach. For the sporty vacationers you will find a kite and windsurfing rental and also for the physical well-being is provided.

Those who would like to visit an island close to the original Greece should make a stop in Chalki. The only 24 km2 large island west of Rhodes, which used to be an island of sponge divers, is only sparsely populated. Today Emporio in the east of the island is the only populated place. If you like hiking, you can explore the island on foot. For example to the former main village of the island, Chorio, which is abandoned today. Or to the monastery of Agios Ioánnis, in whose church medieval frescoes have been preserved. The beach in the bay of Pondamos is especially popular with families: the fine-grained sandy beach slopes gently and offers even the little ones a carefree day in the water.

Again and again, along the coasts of the islands, there are smaller bays with beaches for undisturbed afternoons of swimming - here Psili Ammos on Patmos. © Thomas Jastram/AdobeStock

Volcanic islands, history and tourist attractions on Kos

The island of Tilos is popular with hikers and also with birdwatchers. Since the early 2000s, the island has been promoting ecotourism and bird species conservation. Not only native bird species such as the Eleonora's falcon or the Mediterranean cormorant benefit from the hunting ban on the island, but migratory birds from Germany also stop over on the Greek island.

If you are interested in the ecclesiastical history on the islands of the Dodecanese, make a stop on Symi. The monastery of Archangel Michael in Panormitis in a small bay in the southwest of the island was established in the 18th century. Even today monks live here and pursue their monastic life. It is one of the largest monasteries in the Dodecanese and an important Orthodox place of pilgrimage.

A special feature of the island of Nisyros is that it is an active volcano, after Santorini even the most important volcano in the Aegean. This makes the island particularly fertile and offers a nice contrast to the otherwise rather barren islands of the Dodecanese. In the small village Nikia at the southeastern edge of the crater there is a volcano observatory with an attached museum. Here you can learn all kinds of interesting things about the volcano on the island and volcanism in general.

The third largest island of the Dodecanese Kos offers a wide range of experiences. The long sandy beaches in the west of the island offer sun worshippers and beach vacationers everything their heart desires. Adventures such as the Aquatic Water Park in the south of the island or the Lido Water Park in the north of the island offer families action-packed diversions from the tranquility on board. The Asklepieion of Kos, not far from the capital, is the most important historical site on the island. It is considered the birthplace of Hippocrates.

It's almost impossible not to stumble across relics of times past, like here on Kos Island. © sborisov/AdobeStock

Hiking destinations and climbing routes - islands for active people

Among active vacationers, the island of Kalymnos is a popular vacation destination. The mountainous island, interspersed with fertile plains that shine in lush green, offers many caves and rocky coasts that drop steeply to the sea, providing attractive spots for hikers and climbing enthusiasts. Not far from Masouri there are about 4000 routes of all levels of difficulty in the limestone. The routes are well maintained and between many single pitches there are even a few multi-pitches. With a view of the sea and the neighboring island of Telendos, climbing under the Greek sun is excellent. After exhausting adventures on the wall, Telendos offers quiet bays to relax and for those who like diving, there are many spots to explore around the island.

Well-known clatter spot "Grande Grotta" on Kalymnos island with a view of Telendos island © Andrey Bandurenko/AdobeStock

Protected nature and sacred places

Agathonisi is the northernmost of the Dodecanese islands. It lies south of Samos and is largely untouched by tourism. During Meltemi, the bay Ormos Agios Georgios in the very south of the island offers excellent protection. Agathonisi, like its neighboring islands of Arki and Lipsi, is classified as a European bird sanctuary. They are even among the 10 most important bird sanctuaries in Greece. Nature and bird lovers can enjoy the Eleonora's falcon and coral gulls that return here every year to breed, and the eagle buzzard even lives on the island all year round.

Patmos belongs politically to the Dodecanese and geographically already to the southern Sporades. Among Orthodox Christians Patmos is considered a holy island, since it is presumably the place of creation of the Apocalypse from the New Testament. But Patmos has a lot to offer not only to Christian pilgrims. In the south of the island there are several sandy beaches, such as Psili Ammos beach. Many of the beaches around the island also offer a taverna with catering facilities and there are also smaller bays where you can enjoy a little peace and quiet, depending on what you feel like.

Maybe you will spot one of the Eleonora's falcons around the protected islands © Andreas/AdobeStock

Secluded bays for those seeking peace and quiet

In the west of the island of Leros, the long indented bay, at the end of which lies the village of Lakki, forms one of the largest natural harbors in Greece. Free anchoring is prohibited in the bay, but the place has a small, well-maintained marina where it is easy to moor. The place is suitable for a relaxing afternoon ashore. A few souvenir stores invite you to browse and for the physical well-being there are several restaurants. There is also a supermarket in town, so that you can get food for your onward journey.

Pserimos is one of the smaller islands of the Dodecanese. There is one village on the island, which has only about 40 inhabitants. But therein lies the charm. Moor in one of the bays around the island, such as the bay Marathonda in the north of the island. The beach is pebbly, but the bay offers good conditions for snorkeling. In the bay of Vathy in the east of the island there is a beautiful sandy beach, with crystal clear water.

If you have more than a week from Rhodes, you can find a nice extension of your sailing trip in the Southern Sporades. In general, the islands of the Dodecanese are an excellent sailing area for sailors of all experience levels. Greece has its own charm, which few can escape. If you already know the country and would like to try something new, you should take a look at Croatia. Here, too, there is a wide range of sailing areas with good sailing conditions for sailors of all passions.

Find your own dream sailing spot while island hopping from Rhodes, like here at the island of Pserimos © nejdetduzen/AdobeStock

Yacht charter Rhodes - set sail with 1a Yachtcharter!