Rhodes is a great island for the whole family. There’s plenty to see and do outside the hotel, too. You can check out medieval castles, hot springs, and reservoirs with adventure parks. With our tips, your family holiday on Rhodes is sure to be a real highlight for young and old.
»Rhodes with children means sandy beaches to build castles, authentic villages with playgrounds and varied excursions that make children’s eyes light up.«
Our little ones in particular want to be kept busy on holiday and need a programme that provides variety and entertainment. The big hotels on Rhodes already offer good children’s entertainment, but even that gets boring for the kids after a while.
In this article, we as a family have put together our personal highlights from north to south for a varied and eventful holiday on Rhodes with children:
🏖️ Dream beaches & hidden bays
🍽️ Restaurants, tavernas & cafés
🏛️ Must-see highlights & ancient sites
🗺️ Worthwhile spots & insider tips
🚘 Practical info like rentals & parking
♾️ Lifetime access & updates
→ At the bottom of the article, we’ll also tell you the most popular Family Hotels in Rhodes directly on the beach, sorted into 4 and 5 star hotels.
#1 Rhodes Water Park
The beautiful beaches of Rhodes are ideal for a relaxing beach holiday. But apart from building sandcastles and splashing around in the sea, there is usually not much for children to do. What keeps the little ones entertained for hours can quickly frustrate older children and teenagers. Time for a water park on Rhodes.
The Rhodes WaterPark (also called WaterPark Faliraki) is located on the coastal road near the Esperos Hotel, about 2 km south of the Kallithea Springs. It is considered the largest water park on Rhodes and one of the largest in all of Greece.
The park offers numerous spectacular and child-friendly water slides, several water play areas (including a pirate ship and climbing castle), pools, wave facilities and various lazy rivers.
- Opening hours of Rhodes Water Park: Summer 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Spring/Autumn 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Entrance to Rhodes Water Park: Adults from €27, children up to 12 years from €18, under 3 years free
→ More information at: WaterPark Faliraki
#2 Filerimos Hill
On a family holiday in Rhodes, Filerimos is not to be missed. The striking mountain plateau (267 m) south of Rhodes Town is a popular day trip destination. On the expansive, park-like grounds, there is plenty to discover alongside the eponymous Filerimos Monastery, which is still inhabited today.
For the little ones, the highlight of Filerimos is the large number of peacocks that roam freely here. Their characteristic calls can be heard from the car park, and before long you will come face to face with these colourful birds.
→ All the information you need for a trip to Filerimos Hill can be found in this article: Filerimos on Rhodes
At the entrance to the park, turn left for the monastery and right for the Filerimos Cross (free admission). The monastery grounds are compact; behind them lie some burial chambers of the ancient acropolis of Ialysos and the remains of a Byzantine fortress, from which you have a magnificent view over the north coast.
The long avenue of cypress trees leading to the Filerimos Cross is particularly atmospheric. From here you can look south towards the highest mountain on Rhodes, Mount Attavyros.
- Opening hours Filerimos Hill: Daily 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Summer)
- Entrance to Filerimos Monastery and Kastro: €10
#3 Bee Museum of Rhodes
Boring museum visits are a thing of the past! The interactive Bee Museum on Rhodes is a highlight for young and old. In a compact space, you will learn everything about the delicious honey of Rhodes, get a glimpse into two real beehives, and discover the history and tradition of beekeeping and the extraction of this liquid gold.
A sales room rounds off the experience for the whole family. Here you can stock up on the various products of the bees – including honey, wax and propolis – and of course taste the different varieties. The Bee Museum is located about 14 km outside of Rhodes Town and can easily be combined with a trip to the island’s capital.
- Opening hours Bee Museum Rhodes: Mon.–Sat. 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Entrance to Rhodes Bee Museum: Adults €4, children €2.50, under 12 years free
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#4 Rhodes Toy Museum
The Toy Museum of Rhodes is located about 10 km west of Kolymbia. It houses countless toys from more than six decades in a compact space, almost all of which were made in Greece. The museum displays tin, wooden and plastic toys and is probably unique in Greece in its kind.
Museum founders Jacqueline and Thanassis have collected most of the exhibits over the years. We found the similarities to German toys particularly interesting – many pieces are curious Greek imitations of well-known classics. In the entrance area of the Rhodes Toy Museum, children can try out long-forgotten board games or join a craft and painting session.
For teenagers and young-at-heart adults, the basement is particularly interesting, with numerous slot machines, pinball machines and consoles from Atari, Nintendo, Sega and Co. This will certainly bring back memories for anyone born between 1975 and 1990!
The Toy Museum can be easily combined with a visit to the Epta Piges, and there is a large car park available. More information at: Toy Museum Rhodes
- Rhodes Toy Museum Opening Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (closed on Mondays)
- Admission to Rhodes Toy Museum: Adults €4, children up to 12 years free
#5 Seven Springs (Epta Piges)
The Epta Piges (Greek: seven springs) are among the most popular destinations on the island of Rhodes. Picturesquely set within a shady pine forest, seven watercourses flow together to form a small spring stream.
Above the stream there is a simple taverna, and opposite it a small children’s playground at Epta Piges. There are numerous hiking trails in the surrounding wetland area to keep the family busy.
→ All information about this Rhodes excursion with children can be found in our article: Seven Springs of Rhodes
On hot days in particular, a trip to the Seven Springs is well worth it, as the shady forest provides welcome cooling. The water-rich area has been used for centuries for the island’s water supply. Around 1930, the Italian occupiers built an irrigation system channelling water from the springs down to Kolymbia.
The brave can wade from the end of the Seven Springs through an old irrigation tunnel (186 m long, between 1.7 and 2.5 m high). Inside the tunnel it is pitch dark in places – anyone with claustrophobia should give it a miss. At the end of the underground stretch, a reservoir awaits, and 100 m further north the small Epta Piges Waterfall.
- Opening hours Epta Piges Rhodes: Open 365 days a year, free admission
Butterflies in Rhodes
With the Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes), Rhodes has another unique nature reserve. The area is heavily marketed for tourism, however, which puts considerable pressure on the local population of Jersey Tiger moths. For nature conservation reasons, we personally chose not to visit and leave the decision to your own conscience.
#6 Rhodes Boat Tour
Captain Nikolaos offers leisurely boat trips along the east coast of Rhodes aboard his handsome wooden vessel Monachus. The trip departs from the port of Kolymbia; excursion destinations may vary, but every tour includes several swimming stops.
These Rhodes boat trips have a very relaxed, small-group feel. Drinks are served on board and a BBQ can be arranged on request. A 6-hour boat tour (10 a.m.–4 p.m.) with lunch costs from €45 per person and around €30 for children.
→ We recommend booking directly with Nikos a few days in advance, especially during high season. He can be reached via WhatsApp: +306932494457 or Facebook: Monachus Cruise
🗺️ 10 road trip routes with maps
🏖️ Beautiful beaches & swimming spots
🏛️ All top sights & attractions
🤫 Unpublished insider tips
🍽️ Accommodation, tavernas & cafés
#7 Beaches in Rhodes with children
Rhodes has countless beaches and bays that invite you to swim. On most beaches there is a bar or restaurant that rents out sunbeds and umbrellas and keeps the hunger and thirst at bay. On the east side of the island in particular, several sandy beaches offer a shallow, gentle entry into the sea.
We have put together a list of child-friendly beaches on Rhodes for you. A rental car is recommended for most of the beaches listed. We always compare offers on Discover Cars*:
Tsambika Beach
Probably the most popular beach on the island of Rhodes. Three or four bars and restaurants with umbrella rental are on hand. Thanks to the size of Tsambika Beach, there is still plenty of space around the edges even in peak season.
→ All information about the most popular Rhodes beach can be found in our article: Tsambika Rhodes
In the summer months, older children can look forward to a water playground. On the road down to the beach there are several solid tavernas (tip: Maria’s Tavern), all of which have a playground for the little ones.
Agathi Beach (Golden Beach)
Agathi Beach is a short drive north of Charaki. The fine, golden sandy beach is loved by locals and holidaymakers alike, which means it gets particularly busy at weekends.
Families with children appreciate the wide, shallow entry into the sea. The beach restaurant rents out umbrellas, though prices are on the high side. At the northern end, tamarisk trees provide natural shade.
→ You can find the most beautiful beaches on the island here: Rhodes Beaches
Stegna Beach
For us one of the most beautiful Rhodes resorts, especially for a relaxed seaside holiday with children. There are several beautiful beaches around this charming village. The main beach along the Stegna waterfront is very child-friendly.
The local beach restaurants (our recommendation: To Kyma Stegna) rent out umbrellas and deck chairs at fair prices, with discounts available for shorter rentals. If you prefer it quieter, the northern section of Stegna Beach still offers a natural, unspoilt stretch of shoreline.
The best ice cream on Rhodes
With the friendly Italian Celine and her Greek husband Dimitris, you will be in seventh heaven! At her ice cream parlour Fiordilatte in Pefki, south of Lindos, everything is still made by hand with a traditional ice cream maker. Fruit ice creams and sorbets are prepared from fresh fruit. So delicious that you will want to try every single flavour!
#8 Horse & Donkey Riding on Rhodes
There are several places on Rhodes where you can arrange horse riding trips for children. In summer, many riding stables on Rhodes are open daily and usually have ponies for the little ones too. It is advisable to book in advance.
Rhodes is also known for its donkeys, which were once used as pack animals. In the village of Lindos they are kept as a tourist attraction. Personally, we would recommend the donkey ride for children only.
→ In this article there is an overview of all the exciting things to do in Rhodes: Rhodes Tours
Elpida Ranch, Laerma
The Elpida Ranch is located in the heart of Rhodes, not far from the mountain village of Laerma. In an absolutely idyllic setting, horse riding excursions are offered for both beginners and more experienced riders. Even multi-day riding adventures (some with tents) can be booked with Elpida.
For the little ones (from 3 years old), two ponies are available for a gentle walk or short ride in the company of parents and the lovely riding guide Lina.
Elpida herself is originally from Germany and has fulfilled her dream of owning her own stables on Rhodes. Her husband Takis runs the Taverna Platanos, which is well worth a visit during your Rhodes holiday.
We had a wonderful morning at the Elpida Ranch on Rhodes and can only recommend this great experience to any family with children.
→ More information and contact at: A&E Elpida Ranch
Donkey Cruise, Asklipio
Donkeys have been kept as farm and pack animals for thousands of years. In the past they served as a means of transport alongside horses and can carry up to a quarter of their own body weight. The days when mules transported heavy loads across the island are long gone, however.
If you want to let your children ride a donkey, head to Christos and his mother Angeliki in the picturesque village of Asklipio. Just outside the village, they run a donkey ranch that has also taken in retired animals from Lindos.
The donkey hikes of Donkey Cruise Rhodes are offered in various tours, lead through unspoilt nature and include, among other things, a Greek picnic. Afterwards, the children can feed the donkeys too.
→ More information and booking at: Donkey Cruise
#9 Rhodescape Park at the reservoir
A turquoise-blue lake, a sunken church and fun for the whole family in the heart of beautiful nature await you at the Apolakkia Dam. Here the team at Rhodescape Park has created a small haven for adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Adults and children can try their hand at archery and zipline. A climbing wall is also on offer, as well as pedal boats, with which you can explore the sunken church in the northern part of Lake Apolakkia.
After all the action, settle into the comfortable seating areas for a snack or a cold drink. We enjoyed this natural idyll as a family very much and ended up spending almost the whole afternoon at Rhodescape Park.
→ More information and booking at: Rhodescape Park
Beautiful family hotels in Rhodes (right on the beach)
Rhodes Hotels for Families (5 stars)
Below we have put together a selection of popular 5-star hotels that are ideal for a relaxed family holiday on Rhodes. Click on the links for more information from our partner Holidaycheck*:
Atlantica Aegean Blue, Kolymbia
5-star family resort in Kolymbia directly on the beach. Spacious, landscaped grounds with public and private pools, a playground and a water park with slides. Childcare, a children’s disco and a children’s buffet are also available.
Atrium Palace Thalasso Spa Resort & Villas, Kalathos
Upscale 5-star resort on the pebble beach of Kalathos on the east coast of Rhodes. Beautifully landscaped complex with pool area and children’s pool. Extensive childcare facilities, playground and playroom.
➲ Book Atrium Palace Thalasso*
Atrium Prestige Thalasso Spa Resort and Villas, Plimmiri
The luxurious sister hotel Atrium Prestige in the far south of Rhodes is also highly recommended for families. The only downside is the long transfer time from the airport (approx. 1 hour 20 minutes).
➲ Book Atrium Palace Prestige*
Lindos Mare Seaside Hotel, Lindos
Luxury 5-star hotel north of Lindos. A beautifully designed complex on a hillside above Vlicha Beach. For the little ones there is a children’s club, playground, games room and children’s pool.
Porto Angeli Beach Resort, Stegna
Popular 5-star hotel right on the beautiful sandy beach of Stegna. Well-maintained grounds and modernised rooms. Large children’s playground with childcare, plus a children’s pool with slides.
Family-friendly hotels in Rhodes (4 stars)
You can find more information about the individual hotels, including prices and facilities, by clicking the respective link on Holidaycheck*:
- Atlantica Mikri Poli, Kolymbia*
- Calypso Beach, Kallithea*
- Esperides Beach, Faliraki*
- Kallithea Horizon Royal, Kallithea*
- Lindos Princess Beach, Lardos*
- TUI KIDS CLUB Alex Beach, Theologos*
→ Important travel tips and useful information about the island of Rhodes can be found here in the overview: Rhodes Island Overview
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