Rhodes
Santorini
Many travelers compare Rhodes and Santorini because both offer turquoise sea, Greek cuisine and air connections from Athens, yet with different experiences.Rhodes combines the Medieval City (UNESCO) and long beaches like Tsambika and Faliraki; Santorini delivers views of the caldera, villages like Oia and Fira, and Assyrtiko wines.Internal distances impact times and costs.Key differences lie in the budget, climate and type of landscape.In Rhodes a 3-star costs €60-110 per night in high season, in Santorini €120-200 (caldera view €350-800).Rhodes’ beaches are sandy and wide; Santorini has volcanic beaches (Perissa, Kamari) and cliffs.The meltemi wind is stronger in the Cyclades.In this guide you’ll find updated data on prices of hotels, meals, transport, visit times and distances.We list attractions with ticket costs, suggest periods with average temperatures, explain how to get from the airport to the center, and how to combine the two islands in 7-10 days without surprises.
Rhodes vs Santorini
| Feature | Rhodes | Santorini |
|---|---|---|
| Daily budget | In Rhodes a low budget covers guesthouses at €35-60, street-food meals (gyro €3-3,5, pita €2,5) and buses €1,5-6 per ride; total €50-70/day.Mid-range: 3-star hotels €60-110, dinner at a taverna (€15-25 per person), car rental €30-50/day; total €90-140.Luxury: 5-star €160-280, beach clubs with loungers €15-30, taxi RHO–center €25-30; total €180-260.Espresso €2-3, 500 ml beer €4-6 in Rhodes Town.✓ Better | In Santorini low budget: rooms in Perissa/Kamari €60-100, fast-casual meals (€7-12), KTEL bus €1,6-2,4/ride; total €70-100.Mid-range: 3-star in Fira/Oia €120-200, taverna dinner €20-35, ATV €25-40/day; total €150-220.Luxury: suites with caldera view €350-800, fine-dining dinner €50-90 per person, taxi airport–Fira €20-25; total €300-500.Coffee €3-4, glass of Assyrtiko €6-9 in Fira. |
| Main attractions | The Medieval City (UNESCO) hosts the Palace of the Grand Master (€8, 60-90 min) and the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes (€6, 60-90 min).The Acropolis of Lindos (€12, 90-120 min) is 50 km from Rhodes Town.The Valley of the Butterflies in Petaloudes (€5, 60-90 min) is 26 km away.Anthony Quinn Bay for snorkeling (free; 30 min from town).Day tour to Symi (€35-45, 9 hours). | In Santorini prehistoric Akrotiri costs €12 (60-90 min).Ancient Thera is €6 (60 min) above Kamari.The Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira is €6 (45-60 min).Sunset at Oia Castle (free) and the Fira–Oia walk (10 km, 3 hours).Trip to Nea Kameni (€20-25, 2-3 hours) and tasting at Santo Wines (€15-25 flight, 60 min). |
| Food and restaurants | In Rhodes try pitaroudia, melekouni and fish at Hatzikelis (Mandraki port; mains €15-25).Tamam in town serves Dodecanese dishes (mains €12-18).In the Old Town, Marco Polo Café offers creative cuisine (menu €25-40).Street food: gyro at Gyro King €3-3,5.Nea Agora market for olives and cheeses (€5-10).Glass of Retsina €3-5. | In Santorini taste fava, tomatokeftedes and white eggplant.Metaxi Mas (Exo Gonia) has mains €15-25.At Naoussa (Fira) caldera views and dishes €20-35.Fish at Ammoudi Fish Tavern (€25-45 depending on weight).Assyrtiko tasting at Santo Wines (€15-25).Souvlaki at Lucky’s Souvlakis (Fira) €3,5-4.Dessert: loukoumades €5-7. |
| Climate and best time | Rhodes has hot, dry summers: July average 32°C/24°C, water 26°C, rainfall ≤1 day/month.Mild winter: January 15°C/9°C, 8-10 rainy days.Wind is moderate compared to the Cyclades.Recommended period: May–June and September for 24-28°C and sea 22-25°C.August is crowded in Lindos and Faliraki.✓ Better | Santorini is windier (meltemi).July average 29°C/24°C, water 24°C.January 14°C/10°C with 7-9 rainy days.Optimal time: May, June and late September for clear skies and manageable winds.August can see gusts > 40 km/h.In winter many hotels in Oia close; museums like Akrotiri remain open. |
| Transport and how to get there | RHO Diagoras airport is 14 km from Rhodes Town.Taxi €25-30 (20-25 min), bus €3,5 (35-40 min).Intercity KTEL buses to Lindos (€5-6, 90 min) and Faliraki (€2-3, 30 min).Car rental €30-50/day.From Piraeus to Rhodes: 12-15 hours, €45-80 deck.Flights from Athens: 50 min, €40-120.✓ Better | JTR Thira airport is 5,5 km from Fira.Taxi to Fira €20-25 (10-15 min), to Oia €35-40 (25-30 min).KTEL bus airport–Fira €1,6-2,0 (15-20 min), Fira–Oia €1,6-2,4 (25-30 min).Car rental €45-90/day.Ferry Piraeus–Santorini: 5-8 hours, €35-70.Flights from Athens: 45-50 min, €40-120. |
| Nightlife | In Rhodes bars cluster on Orfanidou (Bar Street) and in Faliraki.Cocktails €8-12, beer €4-6, club entry €5-15.Bed Club and Liquid open 23:00-04:00.In the beach bars of Tsambika and Anthony Quinn music until 20:00.Night taxis center–Faliraki €20-25 (25 min).✓ Better | In Santorini nightlife is in Fira: Koo Club, Two Brothers, Enigma (23:00-03:00).Cocktails €12-16, beer €5-7.Beach clubs in Perivolos like Wet Stories with loungers €20-40 (two).Oia is quiet after 22:00.Taxi Fira–Perivolos €25-30 (25 min). |
| For families with children | Rhodes offers the Faliraki Water Park (€24 adults, €16 children; 10:00-18:00), the Rhodes Aquarium (€5,5-8, 45 min) and the Valley of the Butterflies (shaded walk).The beaches of Tsambika and Glystra are sandy with shallow water.Old Town has cobblestones: compact strollers recommended.Distances: Rhodes–Faliraki 14 km, Rhodes–Lindos 50 km.✓ Better | In Santorini the most convenient beaches for kids are Perissa and Kamari (volcanic sand; flip-flops recommended).The Museum of Prehistory (45-60 min) is educational.Open-air cinema in Kamari (€10-12, 21:30).The Fira–Oia trail is not suitable for strollers.Umbrellas and loungers €15-25 (two).Distances: Fira–Perissa 13 km (25 min), Fira–Akrotiri 12 km (25 min). |
| Beaches and nature | Rhodes has sandy beaches: Tsambika (26 km from town), Faliraki (14 km), Prasonisi (85 km; kitesurfing).Anthony Quinn Bay for snorkeling (clear water).Epta Piges trail (30 km) with springs and short walks.Umbrellas €10-15 (two).Summer water 25-27°C.Free parking in many bays.✓ Better | Santorini offers Red Beach (Akrotiri, 12 km from Fira), Perissa (13 km), Kamari (8 km).Black sand and pebbles: water shoes recommended.Hike to Skaros Rock (1-1.5 hours) and the Fira–Oia walk (10 km).Loungers €15-30 (two).Summer water 23-25°C.Fewer sandy beaches for children compared to Rhodes. |
| Shopping | In Rhodes shopping on Sokratous and Aristotelous (Old Town) and at the Nea Agora.Leather sandals €20-40, olive wood crafts €10-30, sponges €3-8.Boutiques in Mandraki.Local wines (Moschato) €8-15 per bottle.Summer hours: 10:00-22:00, many shops open on Sundays in the center.✓ Better | In Santorini boutiques in Fira (Gold Street for jewelry) and galleries in Oia.Vinsanto wines 375 ml €12-20, 750 ml €20-45.Local products: capers, cherry tomatoes and fava (€4-6 per 500 g).Hours 10:00-22:00.Caldera-view souvenirs often +20-30% compared to Perissa/Kamari. |
| Safety and practical tips | Rhodes is safe; watch your bags on Orfanidou and in the crowded Old Town.Official taxis with meter; airport–center route €25-30.Tap water generally drinkable in town, prefer bottled in villages.Emergency number 112.Blue parking zones are paid (clear signs).Avoid scooters without a helmet (fines €150).✓ Better | Santorini has narrow roads in Oia and Fira; illegal parking fines €80+.Avoid scooters in strong meltemi.Tap water not recommended for drinking; buy bottles (€0,5-1 for 1.5 L).Watch your bags during sunset at Oia Castle.Emergencies 112.Use KTEL to save compared to taxis. |
| How many days you need | Rhodes minimum 3 days: 1 for the Old Town, 1 for Lindos, 1 for beaches.Ideal 5-7 days: add Prasonisi, Epta Piges and a trip to Symi.Driving times: town–Lindos 90 min, town–Faliraki 30 min.Relaxed pace with 2-3 different beaches.✓ Better | Santorini minimum 2 days: 1 for Fira/Oia, 1 for Akrotiri and beaches.Ideal 3-4 days: include the Fira–Oia hike (3 hours) and Nea Kameni.Transfers: Fira–Oia 25-30 min by bus, Fira–Akrotiri 25 min.Plan sunset in Oia arriving 60-90 min earlier. |
| How to combine the two cities | There are no regular direct flights between Rhodes and Santorini; via Athens with Aegean/Olympic: RHO–ATH 50 min, ATH–JTR 45-50 min, total 3-5 hours with layover, €80-180 each way if booked 2-3 months in advance.✓ Better | Direct ferries are sporadic and slow (8-12 hours, €50-90, with changes).Suggested itinerary: fly into Rhodes, stay 4-5 nights, fly via Athens to Santorini for 3-4 nights.Airport–hotel transfers: Rhodes €25-30, Santorini €20-40. |
The Verdict
Choose Rhodes
Choose Rhodes if you want a 5-7 day trip with sandy beaches, historical sites and a mid-range budget of €90-140 per day.Recommended period: June or September (24-28°C).Itinerary: Days 1-2 in the Medieval City with the Palace of the Grand Master (€8) and Archaeological Museum (€6), evening on Orfanidou.Day 3 in Lindos (Acropolis €12).Day 4 beaches Tsambika and Anthony Quinn.Day 5 Valley of the Butterflies (€5) and Epta Piges.With 7 days add Symi (excursion €35-45).Rent a car €30-50/day for flexibility.
Choose Santorini
Choose Santorini for a 3-4 day stay focused on caldera views, Assyrtiko wines and sunsets in Oia.Mid-range budget €150-220 per day; ideal period: May or late September (25-27°C, moderate winds).Itinerary: Day 1 Fira with the Museum of Prehistory (€6) and dinner at Naoussa.Day 2 Akrotiri (€12) and Red Beach.Day 3 Fira–Oia hike (3 hours) and sunset at the Castle.Day 4 trip to Nea Kameni (€20-25) and tasting at Santo Wines (€15-25).Get around with KTEL (€1,6-2,4/ride).