The 267-meter-high Filerimos Hill combines history, nature, and fantastic views in a great destination on Rhodes. It is only a few minutes’ drive from Rhodes Town and, in our opinion, is ideal for a spontaneous detour when you’ve had enough of the beach.
On Mount Filerimos, you can hike through the ruins of ancient Ialysos, visit an Italian monastery from the colonial era of Rhodes, and enjoy one of the most beautiful views on the island from the huge concrete cross.
Tom & Ella
As soon as you arrive in Filerimos on Rhodes, you will be greeted by the colorful inhabitants of the hill. Numerous peacocks roam freely here and delight people of all ages. For our little daughter, the visit was a real highlight; you rarely see so many colorful peacocks. Here you will find our best tips for visiting Filerimos Hill on Rhodes:
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#1 Getting to Filerimos Hill
Not far from the lively resort of Ialysos, Filerimos Hill rises in the north of Rhodes. The easiest way to get there is by rental car, as this gives you flexibility and allows you to combine your visit with other stops on the island.
Follow the Filerimou Street and drive through Ialysos. At the end of the village, a winding road leads up to the hill. You can park your car in a large, free parking lot directly below the monastery. Here you will already encounter the first peacocks, curiously running back and forth between the trees.
You can reserve an affordable rental car for Rhodes through our partner DiscoverCars*:
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By bus to Filerimos
It is possible to travel by bus, but you will have less flexibility in terms of time and will have to expect waiting times at the bus stop. Depending on the season, regular buses run from Rhodes Town or Ialysos to Filerimos, with the last few meters covered on foot.
You can find the current timetables for traveling by bus to Filerimos Hill here: KTEL Rodou
#2 Walk around Filerimos Hill
Right at the entrance, there is a small kiosk selling coffee and snacks – ideal for a short break before or after your tour. From here, the site is divided into two main areas: to the right, the path leads to the cypress avenue and the famous cross; to the left, you reach Filerimos Monastery and the ancient ruins.
• Monastery & archaeological site: tickets available at the entrance
• Opening hours: seasonal, usually during the day until early evening
• You should allow around 1.5–2 hours for your visit
Path to the Filerimos Cross
On the right-hand side, a beautiful cypress avenue leads to the Filerimos Cross, a huge concrete cross. This part of the Filerimos site is open to all visitors free of charge. Along the way, you will find 14 stations depicting the way of the cross (Golgotha Way) before reaching the viewing platform with the 15 m high cross at the end.
From the Filerimos Cross, you have a magnificent view over the south of Rhodes, the coastline around Ialysos and Ixia, and across to the Turkish Datça Peninsula and the neighboring Greek island of Symi. The huge concrete structure was built between 1992 and 1996, and for years it was even possible to climb up a narrow spiral staircase. In recent years, however, access has been closed.
Filerimos Monastery & ancient ruins
To the left of the entrance to the Filerimos site is the Filerimos Monastery, which charges an admission fee. The small ticket booth is located near the Touristiko Periptero snack bar. Early in the morning, when the smell of coffee hangs in the warm air, the first Greek grandpas are already sitting under the large, shady oak tree. On top of that, peacocks run around and perform their morning call – what a backdrop!
The Iera Moni Filerimou monastery was originally built in the 10th century and later expanded by the Order of St. John. During the Ottoman period (from 1522), it fell into increasing disrepair. It was not until the 20th century that it was restored by Italian archaeologists. Today, it presents itself in a harmonious Mediterranean style with bright arcades and a shady courtyard.
Visitors are not permitted inside the monastery church, but you can look in through the window of the medieval chapel. Although it is uninhabited, there is an almost monastic serenity that invites you to linger. There are also plenty of photo opportunities on the grounds that will delight young and old alike.
When the Italians restored the monastery, they came across the remains of a sprawling ancient site. This is how the relics of a large temple to Athena from the 2nd century BC came to light. It was part of the ancient city of Ialysos, which was strategically built on this hill. Together with Kameiros and Lindos, Ialysos formed one of the three important ancient city-states of Rhodes.
Take your time to walk around the site. Marble blocks and carved stone fragments from the last 3,000 years lie everywhere. In the cypress forest behind the monastery is the small chapel of Agios Georgios, with well-preserved frescoes from the 15th century. As the wind rustles in the trees and cicadas chirp everywhere, with a little imagination you can piece together the outlines of the past between the walls.
- Opening hours of Filerimos Monastery on Rhodes: daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Winter and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Summer, admission: €10 for adults
Kastro Filerimou
Following the paths further up, you reach the remains of the Byzantine castle, called Kastro Filerimou. On closer inspection, you can see that history lies here layer upon layer: marble blocks from the ancient Temple of Athena were reused as building material for the medieval fortress wall.
Later, the Knights of St. John took advantage of the strategically favorable location and reinforced the fortress to protect the island from Ottoman attacks. Today, it is no longer guards who stand up here, but visitors enjoying the magnificent view. From the edges of the complex, the view stretches over large parts of Rhodes and deep into the interior of the island.
The Kastro itself is unspectacular. It has been undergoing restoration work on and off for a few years. It is little more than a kind of tower bastion. However, northwest of Filerimos Kastro, a particularly atmospheric photo opportunity awaits you. A wind-sculpted avenue of cypress trees leads to a small viewing platform. The short path is like something out of a fairy tale and is an experience in itself.
From the viewpoint, you can see the northwest coast and the small town of Ialysos below Filerimos Hill. In the distance, you can watch the planes gliding silently through the panorama as they approach Rhodes for landing. If you have eagle eyes like our little daughter, you can even make out the tip of Rhodes Town. 🙂
Rhodes highlights: We reveal our personal favorite places on Rhodes Island here → Rhodes highlights
#3 Is Filerimos worth a visit?
Filerimos is not a classic beach destination, but an excursion destination for those who want to combine Rhodes history, lush nature and magnificent views. If you are interested in ancient sites and monasteries, Filerimos Hill should definitely be on your must-see list during your vacation.
For children, the peacocks are a particular highlight of Filerimos, while culture fans will appreciate the special mix of ancient sanctuary, Byzantine fortress, and monastery architecture. If, on the other hand, you are primarily looking for beaches and beach bars, Filerimos is more suitable as a short stopover.
Filerimos with children
For children, Filerimos is a fantastic place to discover and marvel at. A highlight for the little ones are the peacocks that roam freely among the old walls. Their colorful feathers shine in the sunlight and their calls can be heard from the parking lot. On stormy days, the hill offers a welcome change from building sandcastles on the beach.
We recommend not bringing strollers, as there are several steps and the paths are made of rough cobblestones or gravel. With children who are already good walkers, you can still have fun, as there is plenty to see: the giant cross, the arcades at the monastery, the fairy tale forest at Kastro, and the cave church of Agios Georgios. Afterwards, you can take a detour to the playground in Ialyssos.
Rhodes with children: We have put together our excursion tips with children for you here → Rhodes with children
Best time to visit Filerimos
During the high season, it can get very hot during the day in the rear, wind-protected part of Filermos. At least the many centuries-old giant trees provide sufficient shade. We recommend to visit Filerimos in the morning or late afternoon, when the temperatures are milder and the light is particularly beautiful for taking photos.
During the season, several tour buses also arrive at Filerimos Hill. The first tours arrive at 11 a.m. and continue until early afternoon. Filerimos is a quiet place in the low season, but it’s best to visit early as the monastery and archaeological site close in the afternoon.
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#4 Sights in the surrounding area
You can combine a visit to Filerimos with other Rhodes highlights in the surrounding area. Particularly worthwhile are trips to the Bee Museum, the colorful village of Koskinou, the Kallithea Springs, and Monte Smith near Rhodes Town.
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Detour to the Rhodes Bee Museum
For families with children, it’s worth visiting Melissokomiki Dodekanisou, the Dodecanese honey cooperative near Pastida. In an interactive bee museum, you can learn all about the history and tradition of beekeeping in Rhodes and observe real beehives behind glass.
In the entrance area, there is a shop selling various types of honey, wax, and propolis, as well as the Rhodian sweet “Melekouni” – a honey bar with sesame, almonds, oranges, and spices, which is traditionally given as a gift at weddings and christenings.
Walk through Koskinou
From the Kallithea Springs, it is only about a ten-minute drive to Koskinou, a cosy corner of Rhodes with an authentic village center. The old town center is a listed historical site and is largely traffic-calmed. Parking is available at the Koskinou school.
The narrow streets with colorful wrought-iron doors and pretty floor mosaics invite you to take a spontaneous stroll. Koskinou also offers a good selection of tasteful, traditional-style vacation apartments – ideal for a quiet holiday.
💡 Rhodes insider tip: It’s best to visit Koskinou in the evening, when most of the day trippers have left and the alleys take on a particularly quaint atmosphere. The taverns are frequented by locals. In summer, there is usually lively celebration and music on the weekends. With a little luck, you may even experience one of the traditional church festivals. This is nothing like the run-of-the-mill program in the coastal taverns. Our favorite is the tavern “Karavelladika”, which is even open in winter.
Visit to Ialyssos
Ialyssos is the tourist center on the west coast of Rhodes. Although we are not enthusiastic about the beaches, its proximity to the airport attracts vacationers from all over Europe. You have to put up with the aircraft noise – after all, in summer, planes thunder over the heads of sunbathers on Ialyssos Beach every 10 minutes.
Beaches of Rhodes: We have listed our personal favorite swimming spots on Rhodes for you here → Rhodes beaches
The beach is fine for cooling off, as long as the waves aren’t too high. But the place is really a matter of taste, as it has been built haphazardly. In the old town center of Ialyssos, among the smorgasbord of Mediterranean restaurants, kitschy cheap taverns, and souvlaki bars, you can at least find a few nice cafes and good taverns (e.g. Gitonia Mezedokafenes).
Evening atmosphere on Monte Smith
At the end of a day of sightseeing, it is worth stopping at the 110-meter-high hill of Agios Stefanos, better known as Monte Smith, above Rhodes Town. Here you will find the remains of the ancient Acropolis of Rhodes with the Temple of Apollo, a well-preserved ancient stadium, and a Roman odeon.
The atmosphere at sunset is particularly picturesque, when you can sit on the benches along the palm-lined boulevard and let your gaze wander over Rhodes Town, Ixia Bay, and the Aegean Sea. If you’re feeling brave, you can take to the skies above Rhodes Town from Monte Smith with Paragliding Rhodes when the thermals are good. All information at: www.rhodesadventures.com
#5 Restaurants & cafés around Filerimos
There are several villages around Filerimos with traditional taverns and modern ouzeries where you can round off your trip with a culinary treat. Koskinou, Maritsa, and Pastida are particularly worth a visit.
Koskinou
Karavelladika – Mezedopoleio opened in 2024 in the alleys of Koskinou. High-quality Greek food, inviting atmosphere inside and out, and a good wine selection, popular with locals.
Taverna Yanis – Traditional Greek tavern where locals also meet in the evenings. Tasty home cooking, friendly service, and good value for money.
Maritsa
Pasatempos – Modern ouzeri in Maritsa with creative Greek cuisine. Large selection of meze dishes, tasty and attractively served at fair prices (Mon–Sat from 6 p.m.).
Pastida
Epavlis Cafe – Café-bar in Pastida with a pool and cozy seating area. In addition to specialty coffees, there are both sweet and savory snacks.
Skalakia Taverna – Simple restaurant on the main square of Pastida with good Greek appetizers and hearty grilled dishes. Ideal if you want to eat away from the major tourist centers after visiting Filerimos.
Rhodes restaurants: We have compiled our personal recommendations for the island for you here → Rhodes restaurants
#6 Hotel tips around Filerimos
There are several exciting regions on Rhodes to choose from for your stay in the Filerimos area. Depending on whether you prefer a quiet and traditional atmosphere or a lively one with many hotels and all-inclusive offers, different locations are suitable.
Koskinou: Ideal for those seeking peace and quiet who want to stay in traditional houses and stroll through a real Greek village in the evening. Here you will find charming vacation apartments in the classic island style.
Ixia & Ialysos: Perfect for those who appreciate large hotels, all-inclusive offers, and short distances to the beach—and who don’t mind a little aircraft noise.
Kallithea & surroundings: For travelers with a slightly larger budget who value stylish hotels, spa facilities, and proximity to the Kallithea Springs.
Click the Booking.com* links to view details of each accommodation and check availability:
Hotels on Rhodes: We have summarized the best accommodations in Rhodes for you here → Best Rhodes Hotels
#7 Guided tours to Filerimos
If you don’t want to drive yourself or would prefer to have a guide tell you all the exciting details, you can book a guided tour to Filerimos. Many of these island tours combine the Filermos hill with Rhodes Town, the Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes), the Kallithea thermal springs, or other highlights in the interior of the island.
The easiest way to book excursions to Filerimos on Rhodes is through our partner GetYourGuide*:
➲ To the grand island tour inkl. Hill*
➲ To the bus trip to the Hill and Butterfly Valley*
→ You can find more helpful articles about the island and numerous Rhodes travel tips here:
- Rhodes excursions
- Rhodes vacation spots – Top 11 vacation spots on the island
- Lindos on Rhodes
FAQ about Filerimos on Rhodes
Where is Filerimos Hill on Rhodes?
Filerimos Hill is located in the north of Rhodes, not far from the resorts of Ialysos and Ixia. It takes about 20–30 minutes to get there by car from Rhodes Town.
What is the best way to get to Filerimos?
The most flexible option is to rent a car in Rhodes, as this allows you to combine Filerimos with other destinations. Alternatively, during the season, there are regular buses to Ialysos, from where you will need to walk a short distance or take a taxi.
Is there an admission fee to visit Filerimos?
Access to the hill and the walking trails is free. However, there is an admission fee to visit the Filerimos Monastery and the archaeological site. Tickets are available directly at the entrance.
How much time should you allow for Filerimos?
For a relaxed visit with a tour of the grounds, a visit to the monastery, the cross, and the viewpoints, you should plan on about 1.5 to 2 hours. With photo stops and coffee breaks, it may take a little longer.
When is the best time of day to visit?
In summer, the morning or late afternoon is best, as it can get very hot at midday. The warm light in the afternoon is particularly beautiful for photos.
Is Filerimos suitable for children?
Yes, the many peacocks at Filerimos are a particular highlight for children. However, there are uneven paths, stones, and few barriers – younger children should be supervised.
Do I need sturdy shoes at Filerimos?
Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are generally sufficient for visiting. However, as some paths are uneven and you will be walking over stones and roots, sandals with good grip or light hiking boots are recommended.
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