About the island
about the island
about rhodes & ixia
A jewel on the coast of the sun-drenched island of Rhodes, Ixia is located with beautiful beaches at close range. It is also close to Rhodes City, a mere 10-minute journey by car. Our hotel is situated 200 meters from the main street, ensuring, therefore, a quiet stay, with plenty of bars and restaurants, whilst still being in touch with the sea. A taxi rank, Supermarket, and bus station are also just a walk away from our hotel.
On the Ialysos coast- the western side of Rhodes, you can experience one of the most beautiful sunsets in Europe. The coast is named after the former capital of the region, Ialyssa, from the year 400 BC, here you can take an inspiring day trip to Ialyssa’s historic ruins and local museums.
Rhodes town
Rhodes City facilitates everything from great modern shopping possibilities on Cyprus Square to historic destinations. Be sure to soak Mandraki harbour’s new square Nea Agora with a market that sells fresh fruit, meat and fish. Walk through the charming old town, south of Rhodes city centre. Rhodes Old Town is one of the most well-preserved medieval cities in Europe and as a nod to this fact has, since 1988 been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Rhodos Old Town
If you enter the Rhodes Old Town through the Liberty Gate your first encounter will be the Knights Quarter. The Knights Quarter is a historic area containing Symi Square, Argyrokastrou Square and the ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite to name just a few. Knights Quarter was established in 1309 by Knights Hospitaller of St. John, to use it as their administrative centre, which would become the Palace of the Grand Master located on The Street of the Knights. There was already a fortified Byzantine settlement occupying 175,000 square meters which had been built on the site of an ancient city that dated back to 408 BC. The Quarter was restored by the Italians in 1912 and called the Kollakio area, taking up one-third of the old city, leaving the remaining part called Bourgo, to be populated by permanent residents. It is here, a preserved section of Hellenistic fortifications, remains. You may also visit the old arsenal of the Knights and the Municipal Art Gallery if you choose to visit this beautiful part of Rhodes Old Town.
Bourgo-area
To enter the Bourgo area you can walk from the Palace of the Grand Master along the Orfeos or Oanetiou street. The Bourgo area was previously inhabited by Greeks but during the Ottoman Rule taken over by the Jews and Turks, which lead to the Greeks founding Mandraki. Today they all coexist in both areas. The Bourgo has an estimated 2000 inhabitants, with a further 6000 people working within the walls during the summer. As you walk through the Bourgo area you will be able to spot pieces of the old Byzantine Wall, which used to separate Kollakio and Bourgo. In Bourgo you can experience the charm of homes with a wooden enclosed balcony, small porticos, arches and hidden courtyards. The Bourgo area is home to the Muslim Mosque built in 1522, the Muslim library and the Old Clock Tower, which contains a cafe overlooking all of Rhodes Old Town. Furthermore, Bourgo contains the main shopping street Sokratous, it is where you will find anything from costly jewellery and designer bags to many souvenirs, inclusive of tin suits of armour and tourist sandals. Sokratous Street ends at Ippokratous Square with its marble fountain, a main rendezvous spot in the Old Town. South of Sokratous and Aristotelous streets, life continues at a steady pace. Here people greet you with “Kalimera,” (Good morning). Children play in the streets and grandmothers sit on the steps outside their homes or in yards filled with flowers, chatting away, a perfect place to lose yourself in this charming city.
Akropolis
Many Greek places have an Acropolis - and Rhodes is no exception! Located southwest of the city blessed with a great view of Rhodes Town, Ialyssos and Ixia. In clear weather, you can even see the mountains of Turkey, whilst also enjoying the gorgeous sunset for the perfect backdrop.