The island of Rhodes was voted as the best island in Greece for solo travellers, based on a report by the Hungarian air carrier Wizz Air. Using data from TripAdvisor reviews, Wizz Air released a list with cities that have the most 5-star reviews by anyone listed as a solo traveller. Rhodes was ranked in first place, with 76 percent rating the island at 5 stars. Rhodes was first in the list, then followed by Split, Croatia, Faro in Portugal, and Istanbul in Turkey.
Solo Travel in Rhodes
The highest praise from reviews went to “Rhodes attractions” as well as to its restaurants. Rhodes is praised by solo travellers because it has such a wealth of activities and great weather. Andras Rado, the Wizz Air Corporate Communications Manager, noted that the growth of the trend of solo travelling is a result of “the freedom of choices and cheaper travel expenses.” Other factors in solo travelling that impact the ranking are the best location, things to do alone, safety, and adventure.
Wizz Air Solo Travel Ranking
For Wizz Air’s report, their experts brought together a list of European cities from Euromonitor’s “top 100 cities” list, as well as Holidu magazine’s list of European cities with the most tourism. They then analyzed each of these cities based on TripAdvisor reviews to see which were most suitable for solo travellers.
About Rhodes
With a colourful history dating back some 2,400 years, Rhodes (or Rodos in Greek) is the largest of the Dodecanese islands and caters to all lifestyles.
All the different races and peoples who passed through Rhodes have left their mark on its culture – in art, language, architecture – creating a captivating modern-day island.
What To Do in Rhodes
Rhodes Old Town is a Unesco World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, attracting millions of visitors every year. Stone-paved alleys and elegant mansions create a sense of having gone back in time, while the renowned Street of the Knights has been restored to the exact shape and size it had in the Middle Ages.
Visits to the imposing Acropolis of Lindos, the Valley of Butterflies, the Kallithea Springs and the monastery of Filerimos rank among the must-do activities on the island that is shaped like an ancient spearhead. The main town is located in the island’s north, next to ancient and modern commercial harbors that face Turkey.
Rhodes Architecture
Rhodes’s architecture is a combination of Byzantine, Venetian, Renaissance, and Ottoman styles. In 1522, the Ottomans took control of the island and would control the area for 400 years. They converted the churches into mosques and the major houses into private mansions. The most well-known building, the Suleiman Mosque, was built on the site which was previously the Church of the Apostles, and it was made in honour of the Sultan in 1522. It is characteristic for its bright pink colour, and its minaret has a distinct presence in the town.
Italian Architecture
Italy occupied the islands after 400 years of Ottoman control and created a colony that they made known as “The Italian Islands of the Aegean.” Outside of the medieval walls, you will find Italian-constructed buildings like the National Theater and the Town Hall. Public spaces like these, and also bridges, schools, and sports areas, were often used during the Italian reign to promote fascism and a sense of nationality. Foro Italico Administrative center in the Mandraki area, and the Italian Club, an area exclusive for Italian officers.
Captain’s Houses
The village of Lindos is also known for its so-called “captain’s houses”, which were homes of wealthy Lindian seafarers from the 16th and 17th century. They were often decorated with Gothic, Byzantine, or Arab architectural features, and had a special room called the “captain’s room”. The courtyards were often rich with flowers and special black and white pebble mosaics. They are called “chochlakia” and sometimes showed how many ships the captain owned.
Weather in Rhodes
When it comes to soaking in the sun, Rhodes is one of the hottest islands in Greece. The island has typically a Mediterranean climate, featuring warm to hot summers and mild, tolerable, and mildly frosty winters. Rainfall in Rhodes is moderate and occurs mostly during the winters, rarely in summer when days providing 12 hours of sunshine are common. The sea is warm enough for swimming from May to October, reaching 26 °C in August.
