Your Complete Car Rental Guide for Exploring Rhodes with Ease
Rhodes is the fourth largest among the two thousand islands of Greece. The feeling that you are on an island does not arise here - its territory is so large. It is separated from Athens by 350 km to the southeast. Rhodes is washed by two seas: from the west by the Aegean, from the east by the Mediterranean. The Aegean Sea is very often stormy, but the Mediterranean Sea at the opposite end of the island is calm. The water temperature in summer is quite comfortable - 22-24 °C. It is worth mentioning the strong wind that constantly blows on the west coast.
The road to Rhodes is not burdensome. The flight from Moscow airport lasts 3 hours 40 minutes. The only Diagoras Island Airport is located 16 km from the capital. The island has a well-developed internal transport network: buses run, you can rent a car.
What to see in Rhodes
On the website of the Municipality of Rhodes www.rhodes.gr the announcement of a free tour to the best sights of Rhodes has been posted, including:
Have you ever imagined yourself as the hero of a chivalric romance? When you get to the Rhodes castle, you seem to be transported by a time machine to the era of tournaments and beautiful ladies. The well-preserved fortress is a whole mini-city behind a majestic wall surrounded by a double line of moats.
In the 14th century, the Rhodes castle was the residence of the masters of the knightly order of the Hospitallers, as well as the last refuge of the Rhodians during the siege. The fortress withstood earthquakes and enemy raids, but was badly damaged in the middle of the 19th century from an accidental explosion. The castle was restored in the 1930s for the Italian leader Mussolini.
Inside you will find an extensive network of medieval streets. The central ones are filled with restaurants and shops with local souvenirs, the rest are deserted. Be sure to walk along the Hippoton - the street of the Knights. Everything here breathes history. It's easy to imagine horses clattering over the cobblestones as their armored riders enter massive doors.
Through the fortress gate you can get to the embankment where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood - one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. The 33-meter statue of the god Helios was created at the beginning of the 3rd century BC. e. and after 65 years it was destroyed by an earthquake. Today, the places where the legs of the Colossus were located indicate towers with deer figures.
All ships entering the port of Mandraki pass between these turrets, as once the ships of antiquity sailed under a giant statue. Information appears in the press from time to time that the Greeks decided to restore the ancient Kolos, but so far the project has not been implemented.
Another unique monument of the island is the Rhodes windmills. They were built during the time of the Knights Hospitaller and served to grind grain unloaded from merchant ships. 3 out of 14 mills are well preserved.
Where to go in the vicinity
After admiring the old town of Rhodes, we rented a car on the Bookingautos website and set off on a trip around the island.
Butterfly Valley. Just half an hour from the center of Rhodes is a truly heavenly place. From May to September, all Rhodes bear butterflies flock here. They are attracted to vanilla scents, which are spread by trees of the genus Styrax. The reserve is a path leading along the gorge to the top of the hill. It is noteworthy that butterflies do not flutter in the air, but sit motionless on their favorite trees, practically merging with them. The trail is very picturesque: along the way there are small waterfalls, stone boulders and other inhabitants: lizards and rare birds. An unexpected surprise awaits the most enduring tourists who have climbed to the top - the ancient temple of the Virgin Mary Cleopatra.
Symi Island. A picturesque island with colorful, like toy houses, is located just 23 km from Rhodes. You can get to it from the already familiar Mandraki harbor on a high-speed or regular catamaran for 23-25 euros. On the way, all boats make a half-hour stop in a small bay to inspect the monastery of St. Michael. In addition to the colorful architecture, on Symi you will find the news that you have sailed to the island of sponge catchers. The main souvenir of the island is sea sponges, which are sold here at a high tourist price. Local traders say that the sponges of Symi Island are of the highest quality in Greece, because they are mined at great depths. However, all this is nothing more than a marketing ploy. You can buy exactly the same sponges in Rhodes shops for an order of magnitude cheaper. In addition to sponges, Greek cosmetics, textiles, porcelain dishes and local wines are of interest in Rhodes.
Archaeological Museum of Rhodes. The largest Rhodes museum is located in the medieval building of the Hospital of the Knights, in the Palace of the Grand Master. The construction of this building began in 1440 by Grand Master de Lastic and was completed in 1948 by Grand Master d'Aubusson. The building was restored at the beginning of the 20th century by the Italians, like the entire medieval city of Rhodes. Today, Archaeological Museum contains finds from excavations throughout the island and some small islets of the Dodecanese. Visitors can see a collection of vases, figurines, tombs found in Ancient Ialyssos and Ancient Kameiros. Also on display are mosaic floors from Hellenistic times and tombstones of knights.
The best restaurants of Rhodes
Traditional Greek cuisine is widely represented in the restaurants of Rhodes. Turkey, located just 25 km by sea, has some influence on the list of dishes. Fresh ingredients, local wines and beers, secret recipes will make your trip to Rhodes unforgettable!
Masasoura,. +30 697 239 2548, view on map. One of the most famous taverns on the island, Masasoura, attracts both locals and tourists with its delicious dishes. This tavern is located in the village of Maritsa, 19 km from the Old Town of Rhodes, in a building built in 1932. Masasura is known for its delicious Greek and Mediterranean dishes such as stuffed potatoes, feta cheese with honey and ouzo, homemade pies and desserts.
Stegna Kozas +30 2244 022632. This restaurant has a beautiful ocean-inspired décor, with shell-covered walls, clay cooking pots, and decorations hanging from the roof. Despite being overcrowded, the owner and staff of this restaurant are very friendly! Stegna Kozas is one of the best fish and seafood taverns on the island. Here you can taste fresh fish and local delicacies overlooking the sea. Don't miss the fish soup, octopus and fish of the day.
Marco Polo, Rhodes Old Town +30 2241 025562, The restaurant is located in a beautiful Venetian building with a picturesque courtyard. Its atmosphere will take you to Tuscany. And this, of course, is far from a coincidence, as the dishes of this colorful restaurant are inspired by the famous region of central Italy, as well as Andalusia and Southern France. Be sure to try Marco Polo seafood (octopus, monkfish and shrimp) and meat dishes such as lamb and pork.
Apollo's hut tel. +30 22460 912-47. This is the best place to try original local recipes. The hut has a cozy and nostalgic setting, with food served in pottery and traditional wood-burning ovens for baking. The products come directly from Rhodes. Paraga serves authentic local dishes such as goat stew, lamb stuffed with rice, freshly baked homemade bread and delicious local cheeses.
Parking in Rhodes
On the island of Rhodes, parking is mostly free. Paid parking spaces are found only in large villages and in the city of Rhodes itself. They can be identified by the blue markings on the pavement. If you park in paid parking, look for a parking meter to pay. The price of parking in Rhodes is approximately 1.5 euros per hour. To pay, drop coins into the parking meter (paper notes are not accepted) and press the button with the desired parking time on the scoreboard. Put the issued ticket under the windshield of your car. There are few parking lots in Rhodes, here are some of them:
* The average cost of renting a car in Rhodes for seven days. The data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
The best month to rent a car in Rhodes is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €16. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in Rhodes is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €16, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
Convertible cars in Rhodes are in high demand during the summer. This is not surprising. After all, a trip on such a car gives a feeling of freedom and independence, allows you to relax and forget about the problems of the world around you. Although you should be prepared for an increase in rental prices and possible problems with the range of available cars. If we talk about the price Ford Mustang - it will be from €76 per 1 day.
In Rhodes you can choose from over 40 models of different car classes and for any budget. We provide only new cars with low mileage. You can easily choose a familiar car, and we guarantee its safety and perfect technical condition.
The cost of renting a car in Rhodes depends on the car class, rental period, as well as the season of the year. For long-term rentals, rental companies provide good discounts. During the high season, in the summer months, the rental price is much higher than in winter. For example, a daily rental of VW Polo or another budget car in the spring will cost about €16 per day. If you decide to rent this car for a week, then for each day you will have to pay about €14. The daily rental of middle-class cars, Toyota Camry, Audi A4 Estate, Toyota Rav-4 will be on average €38-€39. In Rhodes convertible rental price starts from €76. Luxury cars can be rented for €178, and the cost of renting the most expensive, exclusive models can exceed 550€ per day.
The demand for electric cars is growing not only in the segment of their sales. These cars are just as popular when renting, which is often accompanied by the provision of a free parking space and the possibility of free car charging around the city. To rent an electric car you should set the appropriate filter. Moreover, the rental of Renault Zoe when ordering in Rhodes will cost quite a modest amount.
Documents needed to rent a car
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 Essential Tips for Hassle-Free Car Rental
Download desired area of Google maps for offline access
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Early Booking Discount
Rhodes is now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.
It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.
Which car to choose
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Ford Ka or VW Polo. These models are the most popular with our customers in Rhodes.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Audi A4 Estate will cost €32 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
Rental companies in Rhodes may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Fuel prepayment terms
When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Rhodes for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.
Rent without mileage limit
Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Rhodes, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
When renting a car in Rhodes, you should carefully read all the conditions offered by the rental company. Depending on the specific company, they may differ in mileage, insurance coverage, deposit amount, accompanying services and their cost. You should choose proven and reliable companies that offer new cars and stand out due to the well-thought-out organization of work with customers. Additionally, you can study the rating of distributors, which is also available on our website.
If we talk about the best companies in Rhodes, then it is worth highlighting sixt with a rating 9.8 and budget, the average rating of which is 9.7 points.
Getting a car at a rental office
Getting a rented car in Rhodes is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.
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Car rental reviews: Rhodes
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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