The east coast of the Greek island of Rhodes is known for its mild and warm climate. There are no winds as strong as in the western part of the island. The village of Faliraki is located about halfway from the capital of the island of Rhodes to the beautiful city of Lindos. Today it is considered one of the most popular resorts on the island and a meeting point for young people under 30 from all over Europe.
Here are concentrated nightclubs, discos, pubs, take-away kiosks, international restaurants, Greek taverns and many more places where you can have fun and interesting evenings and nights. For the guests of the resort, large hotels have been built, with their facades facing the sea. The cleanest beach marked with the Blue Flag stretches along them.
After a few days of rest and idleness, night parties, daytime sleep on the beach, people begin to ask the locals what to see in Faliraki, where the most significant sights are located, where to go on a one-day excursion.
Top 10 attractions in Faliraki
Anthony Quinn Bay
Just 2 km from Faliraki is the quiet and peaceful Anthony Quinn Bay. It can be reached on foot from the city or by bike along the sea.
The bay is small, surrounded by steep high cliffs that provide excellent protection from the wind. A staircase leads down to a narrow beach covered with golden sand and pebbles. All tourists are surprised by the deep blue color of the water near the coast. The bay got its name in honor of the American actor Anthony Quinn, who starred here in the war film "The Cannons of Navarone". The bay near Faliraki became the backdrop for filming. Anthony Quinn, who played the colonel, became the most popular person among the locals. And now you can hear stories about his love affairs on the island of Rhodes. The Greek government named the bay after Quinn in gratitude for the popularization of the area.
Water Park "Water Park"
The huge water park "Water Park", considered one of the largest in the country and the whole of Europe, covers an area of 100 thousand square meters. m. It has been operating since the beginning of the new millennium. It is worth coming here with the whole family, because there are interesting entertainments for a person of any age. Kids will love the safe shallow pools with fun rides and the pirate ship mockup with water cannons and gentle slides. For older kids, there is a pool with floating islands, along which you need to move to the other side, holding on to a tight rope.
While children are storming the islets, their mothers and fathers can test their nerves at extreme attractions, the names of which speak for themselves: "Kamikaze", "Black Hole" and the like. Grandparents at this time ride on inflatable mattresses on the "Lazy River". A wave pool is suitable for the whole family.
Palace of the Grand Masters
A 25-minute drive from the resort of Faliraki is the city of Rhodes, which is a must-see during your holiday on the island.
At the end of one of the most picturesque medieval streets in the world, Knights' Street, is the majestic Palace of the Grand Masters of the Order of St. John, whom the whole world now knows as Knights of Malta. It was built in the 14th century by order of the great master Elion de Villeneuve (1319-1346) on the site of a 7th century Byzantine fortress. This imposing building was not only the residence of the Grand Master, but was also used for meetings and meetings of the order. The most significant halls were located on the ground floor. This is the hall of the Grand Council, the dining room, the private chambers of the Grand Master. The palace was part of the medieval fortifications of the fortified city of Rhodes.
After the Ottoman occupation of Rhodes in 1523, the knights left the island and the palace of the Grand Masters was turned into a prison. Several earthquakes, as well as an explosion at a nearby arsenal in 1865, contributed to the destruction of the palace. In 1937, the Italians, who owned Rhodes at the time, rebuilt it. Now it houses a museum.
Knights' street
Ippoton Street, which is called Knight's Street in all guidebooks, runs along the walls of the Grand Master's Palace in the city of Rhodes. The Knights of the Order of St. John did not lay it on purpose. They used an ancient 600 meter long road that connected the port of Rhodes with the acropolis, and now the Archaeological Museum with the Palace of the Grand Master.
There are several interesting buildings on Knights Street:
- Auberge of Provence, decorated with the emblem of the monarchs of France. The residences of the branches of the Order of the Johannites were called "Auberges";
- Auberge of France, erected at the turn of the XV-XVI centuries. The imposing building is decorated with images of alligators;
- chapel that belonged to the branch of the French knights. This is the oldest building on Knights' Street;
- the former knight's hospital, which currently houses the Archaeological Museum.
The bricklayers and artisans who built the buildings and other buildings on the cobbled Knights' Street were originally from Greece. But they were helped by masters from France and Spain, therefore, the influence of the traditions of these countries is noticeable in the architecture of knightly residences.
Faliraki beach
Faliraki beach is famous for its soft sand, crystal clear water, excellent tourist infrastructure, numerous opportunities for water sports. From May to October, there are almost no clouds in the sky over Faliraki, so this is the most suitable place on the island of Rhodes for an even tan.
The length of the paradise sandy beach of Faliraki on the east coast of the island is more than 4 km. Wooden paths along the entire length of the beach can be walked from end to end, enjoying the blue water and the brightly shining sun. Faliraki beaches can be divided into 3 zones. The southern part of the beach, also known as Main Beach, borders the resort. The middle section of the coast is not as crowded as the southern one. This is partly due to the fact that sharp pebbles sometimes come across in the soft sand. The northern part of the beach is occupied by the recreation areas of large luxury hotels.
Temple of Saint Nektarios
A beautiful church dedicated to Saint Nektarios, who left the mortal world in 1920, is located on the outskirts of Faliraki, not far from the road that leads from Lindos to Rhodes. The church bell tower was erected a little to the side. An elegant colonnade leads to it, which begins right in front of the temple. The church was built in 1976, the date of construction of the temple is indicated on the central path. The area in front of the entrance is decorated with sea pebble mosaics. At the foot of the stairs there is the drinking spring of St. Nektarios. Pilgrims usually bring bottles with them to stock up on holy water.
Saint Nektarios is asked to get rid of diseases. Therefore, his icon in the temple is decorated with various images of body parts - those that this saint helped to heal.
Monasteries of Saint Amos and Prophet Elijah
In the vicinity of Faliraki, there are two monasteries consecrated in honor of Saint Amos and the prophet Elijah. They are not active now, but their churches are open to believers, more reminiscent of small cave chapels with low ceilings, thick walls, faded frescoes and old iconostases. Two chapels in the monastery of the prophet Elijah, which stands on a hill, offer a beautiful view of Faliraki spread out below. At the foot of the same hill, in a shady grove, stands the monastery of St. Amos.
They say that Saint Amos once had a fight with the prophet Elijah, who threw a stone at him. Amos became so angry that he punched the stone with his fist, which left a hole in it. Now small children who dream of growing up sooner pass through this hole.
Baths of Kallithea
A few kilometers from Faliraki there is a small village of Kallithea, which is famous for its thermal complex and a wonderful bay, where snorkeling and fins goers from all over the island of Rhodes. From Faliraki, Kallithea is connected by numerous regular buses to the city of Rhodes and a tourist train.
Thermal springs in Kallithea have long disappeared, but local residents continue to attract the attention of tourists, talking about the healing mineral water. From the former grandeur of the local baths, there is a beautiful rotunda dating from the period of the Italians' rule and turned into a small museum and restaurant. This complex was rebuilt from ruins in 2007. Great atmospheric photos are obtained here. Until 19 pm, the entrance to the territory of the term is paid.
Luna Park "Fantasy"
In addition to the famous WaterPark, one of the largest in Europe, in the summer of 2003 on the outskirts of the former fishing village, and now the popular resort of Faliraki, the Fantasy amusement park was also opened. Both theme parks are owned by the Esperia S. A. hotel group.
Luna Park with its various carousels and fun will be interesting not only for young visitors, but also for their parents. From the height of the Ferris Wheel, the entire city and the strip of the beach will be visible. The most extreme local attractions are called "Apple Coaster" and "Magic Mouse".
You can take a break from the hustle and bustle, drink coffee, eat ice cream in several cafes located in the park.
Lindos
You will hear about the town of Lindos more than once while resting in Faliraki. You can get to it in half an hour on a regular bus or sail on a pleasure boat. Lindos consists of two parts: the upper city, which is called the Acropolis, and the lower one, which appeared in the 15th century. The path to the Acropolis with the ancient sanctuary of Athena lies along the north side of the hill. It was on the top of this rock that the knights-crusaders once settled, who built their fortress here.
A walk through the lower city will be no less interesting than the upper one. Just walk into any outdoor courtyard, admire the unique mosaics on the pavements, pay attention to the stone doorposts of the portals, decorated with skillful carvings.
