Best time to visit: Blessed with a warm, sunny climate, Rhodes is a year-round destination. The most popular months to visit are between May and October. 

Key cruising areas: Rhodes is an ideal place to start a yacht charter of the Dodecanese Islands. Your itinerary can be a week or 10-days of island-hopping throughout the southeastern Aegean Sea, from Rhodes to Kos to Patmos, and all in between. This archipelago is found very close to Turkey, so offers the opportunity to explore the wider Eastern Mediterranean on board. 

Don't miss: Set sail and spend the day on nearby Simi Island. The architecture here is simply stunning, with colourful houses overlooking the historic port and the beautiful Monastery of Panormitis. Drop anchor and explore this quaint island before returning to Rhodes for the evening. 

Best spots for wining and dining: Restaurant Mavrikos in Lindos is one of the most renowned restaurants on the island, with specialist dishes that include risotto and grilled sardines. Within Rhodes Town, Nireas is a family-owned restaurant that has a beautiful vine-shaded patio for lunches and dinners. Ostria Beach Bar is a relaxed, casual place for an afternoon drink with stunning views of the water. For something a little more upscale, 10GR is an elegant bar with over 250 local wines to choose from and an array of traditional Greek snacks to sample.

Best local dish: The cuisine of Rhode's is incredibly varied, with many dishes using freshly caught fish and grilled organic vegetables. Goats and sheep are raised on the island and are prized for both their meat and dairy products. Dinner in Rhodes will most likely start with a selection of small appetizers to share called 'Mezedes'. For main dishes, Moussaka is a traditional meal made from eggplant, minced meat, and white sauce, and Kleftiko is a slow-roasted lamb stew often served with seasonal vegetables.

Local culture: Rhodes – like many islands in Greece – has thousands of years of history to discover. Throughout time, it has been influenced by the ancient Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Ottomans, and the Italians. Rhodes is nicknamed the ‘Knights’ Island’ thanks to the ferocious Knights of St John who made it their base in the 14th and 15th centuries. These soldiers built a palace, several mansions, and a fortress that remain standing to this day, now known as the Knights' Quarter. You can walk around this ancient part of the island and learn more about Rhodes’ history in the Archaeological Museum, which is housed in the old Knight’s Hospital. For even more significant monuments, you can visit the imposing Acropolis of Lindos and the ancient monastery of Filerimos – a deserted ruin with beautiful mosaics.

Best beach: The island is blessed with clear, tranquil waters and many beaches to choose from. Prassonissi is one of the most secluded beaches on Rhodes. Found on the south of the island, it can be reached by tender or by land and is an excellent place for trying out windsurfing. Ladiko beach is a small cove made famous by the actor Anthony Quinn, who used to enjoy swimming in its tranquil waters each day. Faliraki is a popular, expansive sandy beach that has shallow waters ideal for families with young children. Visitors here can also enjoy a selection of bars and restaurants that dot the shore.

IYC recommends: The small, picturesque town of Lindos is a must-visit while on the island. Whitewashed mansions from the 17th and 18th centuries were built by wealthy captains and are some of the best-preserved architecture found on Rhodes. To step back in time, venture up to the Acropolis of Lindos, home to the 2,500-year-old ruins of the Doric Temple of Athena Lindia – one of the most important archeological sites in all of Greece.