Summer holidays can be very expensive. It’s difficult to know how to save the pennies whilst making sure you still have a great trip, especially as a student or budget backpacker. But there are ways to visit some of the most popular summer destinations in Europe without spending a fortune.
If you are researching potential destinations, then I highly recommend the beautiful Greek island of Rhodes. This island has so much history including one of the best preserved medieval settlements in the world. There are also lots of amazing hotels, beautiful beaches and so much entertainment from waterspouts to nightlife.
In June, I travelled to Rhodes for 5 nights with my friends and enjoyed an amazing Greek island getaway. In this guide I will show how you to visit Rhodes without spending a fortune, especially as a lot of the main tourism attractions and things to do are completely free.
Getting to Rhodes
When looking for flights, use a comparison website like Skyscanner and make sure you filter the search to show the cheapest flights first. The best two ways to save money on flights is to either book them well in advance of your travel dates or to get some last-minute deals (although this may mean you don’t land your ideal destination). Whilst they are opposing tactics, both can work very well in saving some pennies.
What to Know Before You Go
Greece is often hit with extreme heat and wildfires which can impact travel, I signed up for travel alerts for Greece on the gov.uk website so I knew everything is okay before departure. This way, I knew I would receive an email alert should anything change in the time leading up to my trip or during my stay. I also purchased my travel insurance as soon as I booked the trip and made sure it covered cancellations.
Benefits of All-inclusive Holiday Packages
On comparison websites like Booking.com you can search lots of resorts, hotels and guest houses. From June to September prices are expensive, so reserving a room as far in-advance as possible is recommended.
I found that the best option to save money was to book an all-inclusive at a 3* hotel. Whilst the limited amenities of a 3* hotel aren’t appealing to everyone, it’s the perfect base for your holiday and a surefire way to save money compared to the more luxurious resorts.
Also although all-inclusive can have a higher upfront fee, you will save money over the duration of your holiday as food and drinks included, as well as a pool and a great place to lay your head after a night of free cocktails, the benefits of an all-inclusive are endless.
All-inclusive holiday packages may be purchased through a travel company, with their representatives visiting your hotel at least once during your trip. This means you can talk to them directly about excursions and receive special discounts. So, you can rely on your hotel to provide food, refreshments, leisure and entertainment but you can also explore your destination’s surroundings, history and culture.
Even if you do book an all-inclusive holiday without a visiting holiday representative, usually resorts and hotels will have lots of offers and information about excursions. It’s useful to know what your travel insurance covers, as some activities might not be included and you may need to arrange some additional insurance for some activities to ensure that you’re covered.
Best Things to Do in Rhodes During Summer
So, what are some of the best things to do in Rhodes? And for free/low cost?
Beaches
Most all-inclusive hotels are located on the beach or a short walk away from one. In our case, the beach was approximately a 20-minute walk away from our hotel. This gave us the chance to walk through the Greek streets and pass a few hotels along the way.
We spent a couple of nights at the beach, swimming, laughing and listening to music. As we travelled in June and in the height of the summer heat, going to the beach at night meant that the sand was cooler, there was less risk of sunburn and it was a lot quieter. It also meant we watched the sun set and even witnessed a storm in the distance. It truly felt like we’d rented out the beach for ourselves!
Seven Springs
Located in the North-East of Rhodes, Seven Springs is a popular and unique tourist attraction with a waterfall, lake and natural springs. Visitors can walk through the springs, swim in the lake (especially to cool off when it’s so hot in the summer) and admire the waterfall.
There are walks around the Springs you can explore. Make sure to take lots of water and don’t go walking in the event of extreme heat.
The location is rife with wildlife, from crabs and fish to peacocks and peahens. The attraction has a combined, restaurant, bar and café with an extensive menu, with drinking water taps located around the premises. The tables run within the surrounding wooded area, promising a scenery of wildlife and nature as you eat and drink.
Rhodes Old Town
The entirety of Rhodes is very accessible via public bus which costs just a couple of Euros. An hour’s journey from where we were staying in Afandou, the Old Town is one of Rhodes’ most admired sites.
With an extensive history and architecture, there is a positive buzz of tourism, with an array of historical locations to marvel at and many shops, restaurants, cafes to indulge in, you’re guaranteed a great day out.
I enjoyed some Greek gyros and a Greek coffee at Fillipos Restaurant Taverna, located in the Medieval City of Rhodes. Prices are cheap and there are lots of restaurants, cafes and take aways to choose from.
The bustle of the Old Town streets and walkways transported us back in time, as we authentically experienced Rhodes and authentic Greek food.
Archaeological Museum of Rhodes
With just a €6 entrance fee, one of the best parts of my trip to the Old Town was getting lost in the rich Ancient Greek history that the Archaeological Museum had to offer. With its many pillars, arches and artifacts, the entire space is photogenic.
The archaeological site features the famous Statue of the Crouching Aphrodite and the Head of Helios and an array of local Rhodes artifacts. There are endless facts about the medieval and ancient times to be learnt here.
Boat Trip from Rhodes to Lindos
We had budgeted for one excursion during our trip and I have always wanted to go island hopping in Greece. We discussed how we wanted to spend this money with our holiday representative and she matched us to a boat tour. Our excursion was just over eight hours and we went from Rhodes to Lindos, stopping off for a swim at Anthony Quinn Bay on the way and Tsambika Beach on the way back.
Start Planning a Trip to Rhodes
I hope my guide has been helpful in helping you to enjoy an affordable summer trip to Rhodes. Before travelling to Greece, make sure you have signed up to receive email notifications regarding any travel alerts for your holiday destination. It’s also vital that you purchase the correct travel insurance for your trip at least one day before your trips begins. The best way to secure travel insurance is by using a comparison website. This usually only costs a few quid. Happy Greek Summer!
These trips were shared by Georgia Pearson, a Student Brand Ambassador for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office