Best Time to Visit Rhodes

Spring: green hills and quiet streets

March to May is when Rhodes feels easiest. March is mild and still has some rain, but the sun is out often enough for walking the walls of the Old Town, a UNESCO-listed medieval quarter. April is calm, with 19°C highs and only a few wet days. By May it's warm enough for the beach, and the sea is still cool.

This is the best time for hikers. Try the trails around Petaloudes (the Valley of the Butterflies) or the climb to the ruins at Filerimos. Orthodox Easter is the big local event. It falls in April or May, and it's worth planning around. Families gather, and there are midnight church services and lamb roasts. Some places book up, so check the date before you choose.

Summer: hot, dry and busy

June is a sweet spot. It's 28°C with almost no rain, and the beaches at Faliraki and Tsambika are lively but not yet packed. July and August are the hottest months, both with highs of 32°C and nights that stay warm. They're also the busiest, with school holidays bringing families from across Europe.

Midday in the Old Town can feel like an oven, and the stone streets hold the heat. Spend those hours on the water instead. Then wander the lanes after dark when it cools. If you hate crowds, skip these two months. Lindos is lovely but gets very full, and the climb up to its acropolis (the hilltop ruins) is best done late in the day.

Autumn: warm sea, fewer people

September is our favourite. It's still 29°C, the sea has soaked up the summer heat, and the crowds thin out. October stays pleasantly warm, with a few showers starting. Travelling with kids outside school holidays? This is your window.

November is milder than you'd expect, with highs of 21°C, but it's wetter and the days are shorter. Many beach bars and seasonal hotels close by then. City breaks still work well, since the Old Town and its museums stay open.

Winter: wet and very quiet

December to February is the low season. January is the wettest month, with 162 mm of rain, tied with December at the same total. Expect grey spells, some closed hotels and fewer ferries. It's not beach weather. But if you want the Old Town to yourself, with cosy tavernas serving hot soup, it can be a calm escape.