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Buy a handmade carpet from a local weaver
Afandou is renowned for its carpet-making. The village has a folklore exhibition showcasing what it does best, and you can buy the carpets from workshops in the surrounding area. When you’re done scoping them out, you can turn your attention to the souvenir shops and street markets around and about. There are no large chains, just small outlets selling linens stitched with traditional needlework and embroidery, and hand-decorated ceramics. Plates painted with images of deers – the symbol of Rhodes – are commonplace.Afandou Golf Course overlooks the Mediterranean Sea on the road to Lindos, a 5-minute drive from the village centre. It’s an 18-hole, 72-par course, which is open to the public. Just turn up on the day to play a round. The fairways and greens are laid with different grasses to keep them fresh throughout the year, so it’s easy to tee off if you come when the weather’s cooler.
Read MoreIf your idea of nightlife is relaxing with a beer or a cocktail and watching the world go by, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Afandou. The bars in the main square opposite the church welcome young families with open arms. Later on, it gets a little noisier with live music, and sometimes there’s karaoke but, on the whole, the scene is really laid-back. For something a bit more upbeat, your best bet is Faliraki, 5 kilometres away.
Read MoreStep away from the snack bars and fish tavernas backing Afandou’s beach, and you’ll unearth a great mix of restaurants circling the village centre. The home-grown cuisine has always been a strong point here, and chefs put their own spin on old favourites like meze, meatballs, and slow-roasted lamb kleftiko. Service comes with a family touch and a glass or 2 of the locally produced sweet red wine.
Read MoreIf you’re not keen on crowds, this one’s for you. The beach at Afandou, pebbly in parts, is really leggy, so it’s easy to find a stretch you can call your own. The clean, clear water makes it a great spot for swimming, watersports are easy to come by, and there are heaps of sunbeds when you’re ready to lounge. For snacks, vendors do the rounds with fruit, drinks and doughnuts, while a smattering of tavernas offer light bites, often accompanied by blues and reggae music.
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