Rhodes (Island) Tourist Traps

If you happen to stay in the western part of the island you won't be too happy seeing the beach. In Rhodes Town it's still quite wide but then it gets really narrow, dirty, shringly, empty. The water colour is beautiful (thanks to the stones) but at the same time it's quite dirty.
The picture below shows the beach in the western part of Rhodes Town. As you see, it's totally empty... and it's the first week of August. Not nice for spending the time on the beach... even for the people who don't like the crowds. This is far from being a secluded cove and there is a busy road and big hotels right next to it. So, if you go to Rhodes, choose the east side!

When you first get to Lindos, you will think that the Acropolis is a long, tiresome walk and you will, probably, be tempted to get a donkey ride. Much to my surprise, it wasn't such a difficult climb and it didn't take more than 15 minutes. The advantage is that you can stop at any time, to take pictures of the breathtaking views.

If you don't rent a car (which is, by far, the best way to see the island) and you have to get a cab to get from Rhodes or Ixia to Lindos, the driver will try to convince you that two hours is all you need in Lindos and they will offer to wait for you there so they can bring you back for the "measly" price of 80 Euro. Don't be fooled. Lindos will take more than two hours to see - and trust me, you don't want to check you watch every five minutes. A one-way drive should cost 30-35 Euros. There are also buses that run between the two towns, but I haven't been able to figure out the schedule.

Fun Alternatives: Take the bus - if you manage to find out the schedule. The ride takes just as long (approximately 80 minutes) and it only costs 7 Euros.

Also, be advised that most of the taxi drivers won't use the meter, but the fares are supposed to be fixed - for instance, a fare from Rhodes Old Town to Ixia was always 6 Euro. If you call a cab from the hotel, it costs more.

OK, for a few Euros you can save your feet the effort of climbing the Acropolis of Lindos and get a donkey up to the gate.

Whilst we didn't take donkies up, we did shoot a few envious glances at those people that had.

Don't get me wrong, it did seem like a good idea and I was basically up for it but we just felt that the price was a bit too high for a slightly strenuous 10 minute walk...

A word of warning though, we have heard subsequently that there are unscrupulous operators who only take you halfway and try to charge you again saying that you had only paid for the first leg - so watch out!

Unique Suggestions: Agree ahead of time that you are going to the top for the price you are paying - if you have a problem, go to the tourist police in town which are actually rumoured to be very good at dealing with things like this.

Fun Alternatives: Walk! Take it easy, bring water and rest if you have to...

These are all over the place in Greece, so they will not come as a surprise. They sell trinkits like cheap earrings and stones, some small statues which you can find in any store. They will hussle you somtimes though to try to get you to approach them or to get a sale, just be warned and don't feel pressured to buy anything.

Fun Alternatives: If you are looking for things like this to bring back home, perhaps go to a real store where you can have some insurances on the product.

It's supposed to be one of top Rhodes attractions but it's nothing extraordinary. This picture shows all seven springs, one right next to another.
It's just one of many same places in the hilly forests making a nice setting for the restaurants, especially with the peacocks walking around. I wouldn't bother to go there unless I had a spare day and had absolutelly nothing to do but sleeping in the hotel room.

Ranging from cheap tasteless tourist tat bought by equally tasteless tourists to really very superior items, souvenir shops literally infest the main thoroughfares of the major tourist centres such as Lindos and the Old Town of Rhodes.

With the tacky shops surely your sense of taste will act as a guide of what to buy and what not to, with more up market shops price is more of a guide to be wary of.

Unique Suggestions: Whatever you buy, check its authenticity - it's all very well buying something from Greece, but when it says 'Made in Taiwan', you might have second thoughts...

As for more expensive items, is it really worth the price, does the seller know about the history of the item you're buying, can you get a deal - most larger items you can get a discount of at least 10-25% even in Rhodes.

Also compare prices. Even in the major tourist areas prices can fluctuate as much as 25% - in quieter places off the beaten track the prices are even cheaper.

Remember though, 'off the beaten track' doesn't just mean places on the other side of the island - it means places not frequented by tourists...

Fun Alternatives: One advantage of many of these shops on a hot day is that they have Air-Conditioning, which for a small amount of pretending to browse can be enjoyed as you move from one air-conditioned shop to the next - who knows, you may even buy something...

After seeing the "Butterfly Valley" my mom, sis , and I decided to head out to see if the ostrich farm would be any better. Our taxi driver said that he would wait for us because it would be near impossible to find one.

No one was at the entrance so we just walked in (don't worry! we paid on our way out). In the brochure the place sounded great!
"...over 120 ostriches, foxes, a kangaroo, llama, a monkey, antelopes, dwarf goats, deer, wild boar, ponies, rabbits, ducks, parrots, partridges, ferrets, skunks, and more".
It seems that a local farmer that decided they could make some money by opening their place to the public. The animals were in poor condition, exposed to the heat and sun. Many of the smaller ones were packed in cages. = /