Lydia Maris Hotel

Afandou, Rhodes Island

by Balam

The island of Rhodes is about 11 miles (18 kilometres) southwest of Turkey in the eastern Aegean Sea. Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese islands and is situated at the crossroads of two major sea routes not to far from the coast of the Middle East, as well as Cyprus and Egypt.
As it is on the meeting point of three continents, it has known many different civilizations and has a great deal of history.

The Village of Afandou has been my family's base on Rhodes for the last 25 years, every year (sometimes 2 or 3 times) my family has stopped at the Hotel Oasis in Afandou.
I have seen Afandou village grow from a quiet carpet weaving and Apricot growing village to a bustling tourist town that has thankfully still held some of it's charm.

Afandou was founded in times when pirates used to overrun the islands of the Mediterranean. During that period, people used to leave the shores in order to seek shelter in the inland. The village of Afandou took its name form the word "afandos", which in Greek means "invisible", because it could not be seen from the sea.
The village of Afandou is located 5Km from Faliraki, and it is one of the largest and oldest villages on the Island of Rhodes. Filled with fruit-bearing and olive trees, the village is famous for its carpets. Afandou Rhodes Island has a population of about 7.500 people, and almost anything you may need can be found there, as it has stores and shops of all kinds.
If you visit the village, it is essential to visit the church of Our Lady, which can be found right next to the village's main square. On the square you will be able to meet many local Greek people who are very hospitable, and also carry a very characteristic Rhodes Greece accent, and the selction of bars and restaurants can be very entertaining!
A folklore exhibition can be found in the village, and during summer a small road train connects the village to the beach.
The beach of Afandou Rhodes Island Greece is huge! Over 3Km long,with crystal clear waters. On the far left side of the beach, where the shore ends, you will find areas with rocks and caves, which are suitable for all of you who consider your self adventurous. You should also visit the unique church of Our Lady Katholiki. The church is decorated with wall paintings originating from the 17th Century. In August the church celebrates and a big religious festival is held.
Afandou Rhodes Greece is also famous for Golf, with Afandou Golf being situated very close to the village

The Village has certainly changed over the years with many of the old bars and shops in the pituresque village square being changed into bright neon lit bars with the waiters competing for custom and doing their best to get you in, watched all the time with some amusement by the couple of bars that have been there for years (there the ones with the locals sat in them) and will still be there when the football clad bars have gone.

Afandou is well worth a visit and is a great place to stay, it's lively but still traditional and it's not to far from Faliraki were you can party all night long.

Greek delight...

by Myfanwe

"Traditional Greek Village"

The lovely village of Afandou is hidden in a dip surrounded by some great mountains. Afantos in Greek means invisible and rumour has it that the villagers felt safe here in years gone by as they could not be seen from the sea by unruly pirates!

The Village is famous for its' apricots and Carpet weaving. The Village is virtually untouched by tourism and retains some lovely traditional features, there are lots of traditional restaurants and tavernas here. Thes are all centred around the picturesque whitewashed clock tower and the town hall.

"Beach life"

Afandou has a huge beach which goes on for miles. It is very spacious and definitely the place to go if you like to chill out without the crowds. The water is really safe for swimming & can be nice and warm if you visit towards the end of the summer. There is a lovely path/promenade which runs alongside the beach if you fancy a little stroll. Here you will also find a few beachside bars/cafe's and restaurants if you need a pit stop.