Places to Drive to in Rhodes

The medieval walled city — cobbled lanes, the Palace of the Grand Master, and a harbour front that is at its best early. Leave the car outside the walls; nothing inside is drivable and nothing needs to be.

About 9 km south of Rhodes Town, a restored 1920s Italian spa built into the rock above clear water. Small paid car park, best light in the morning, and one of the few places on the island where the architecture competes with the sea.

The island's busiest resort beach, plus quieter Anthony Quinn Bay just south of it on a narrow, twisting access road — pretty, and much easier in a compact car than in anything wide.

An inland detour into pine woods and running water, roughly 30 km from Rhodes Town on a road that climbs gently through shade. The most reliably cool place on the island in August, and a lovely drive in itself.

A long sweep of golden sand below a monastery on a rock spur. The steep road up to the monastery rewards the climb with the best view on the east coast; the beach car park fills early in summer.

White houses stacked below an ancient acropolis, and the single most photographed place on Rhodes. Park on the approach road and walk in. Go at eight in the morning or after five in the afternoon — the middle of the day belongs to the coaches.

The southern tip, where two seas meet across a sand spit and kitesurfers use the wind that arrives with the afternoon. It is a long, empty, beautiful drive down and the furthest point on the island — treat it as a full day.