Things To Do in Ialyssos

If you need some serious retail therapy, then take your wallet to Rhodes Town. The place is packed with designer boutiques and big-name brands like H&M and Marks & Spencer. And you won’t be short of souvenirs here, either. Retail hotspots include Sokratous Street in the Turkish quarter and the area west of Mandraki Harbour.

Rhodes Town is the oldest inhabited Medieval town in Europe. The place is ringed by fortress walls and inside them it’s like taking a trip back in time. You can spend hours wandering the narrow cobbled streets here. For a real hit of historic buildings, find your way to the famous Street of Knights – you’ve got the archaeological museum here, too.

You’ll find some of the cheapest – and most truly Greek – restaurants up in the old village. It’ll probably take about 5 to 10 minutes to get there, depending on where you’re staying. Here, the friendly restaurant owners will happily guide you through the menu. Souvlaki – a kebab on a stick – is always popular, or you might want to try the tuna or seabass.

Over in Rhodes Town, they like to celebrate their Medieval roots with a bit of a party – so the locals break out the chain mail and parade through the streets as knights. Fire-jugglers and jesters also do their thing, and when you’re hungry you’ve got stalls serving up banquet-style food.

This popular place serves up plenty of local classics along with its international dishes. Grilled halloumi gets things off to a good start, and the slow-cooked lamb kleftiko and beef stifado keep up the Greek theme for the mains. The locals rather like it here, so try to turn up before 7.30pm if you want an al fresco table.

The warm, gentle breeze here really hits the spot for windsurfers. You’ve got centres on the beach that will sort you out for kit and lessons. If it’s your first time on a board, book a morning session when the wind is calmer – you can hit the breezier slot between 3pm and 6pm when you’re feeling more confident.

You’ll find this friendly hideaway right at the western end of Ialyssos Beach. You can lounge inside on comfy sofas or sit on the terrace and take in the view of Turkey across the water. Patty will sort you out with cocktails while you relax to the chilled-out soundtrack. And if you need the loo – they’re spotless.