If you drive away from the coast of Rhodes and head inland on the island, you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of colorful mountain villages. The most famous of them is Archangelos. It captivates with its architecture and traditions that have remained unchanged over time and unaffected by tourism. Archangelos is a place worth visiting for families, lovers of long walks, and peaceful leisure. It is also for those who want to see the provincial charm of Greece. However, Archangelos can hardly be called a village: its population is almost 7000 people. That's already a full-fledged town. The best time to visit Archangelos is from late April to the end of October. The most comfortable time for walks, when it's not too hot, is in spring and the velvet season. The average temperature in Archangelos in summer is +27 °C / +29 °C.
How to get
Arhangelos is located 30 km from the island's capital - Rhodes Town, and 33 km from Diagoras International Airport. You can reach it by several means:
- By car, rented from rental companies available at the airport and all resort towns. You need to drive on highway 95 towards Lindos.
- By bus, departing from the Rhodes bus station to Lindos. They make a stop in Archangelos. The journey takes approximately 1 hour.
How to move?
Archangelos is a convenient city for walking, the distances here are short. But if desired, you can rent bicycles, motorcycles, and cars at the hotels. Buses run through Archangelos: you can take a bus from one end of the city to the other. However, sometimes you may have to wait for them for 30-60 minutes - it's easier to get around on your own.
What to see?
Arkhangelsk is famous for its architecture: the city is full of white houses with cozy courtyards and squares, arches, and colorful doors. Here is what else is worth seeing:
- The Church of Archangel Michael, which dominates the cityscapes. It is notable for its tall bell tower from the 19th century;
- The Church of St. John, which houses picturesque frescoes from the 14th century;
- The Castle of Archangelos - the main attraction of the city. It is located to the east of Archangelos, at an altitude of 216 meters, and its wall length is 240 meters. The castle was built by the Knights Hospitaller in the mid-15th century in hopes of protecting the city from possible Ottoman invasions. Today, only the ruins of the outer walls of the once magnificent castle remain, but the climb up here is worth it for the magnificent panoramic views;
- The Folklore Museum of Archangelos - located in an old house. It recreates the traditional way of life as it was many years ago. The museum exhibits national costumes, pottery, icons, and furniture.
Next to Archangelos (2.5 km away) is the monastery Tsambika. The old monastery is located on top of a hill (326 m) above the beach of the same name, and the new one is by the road connecting Archangelos with the city of Rhodes. Tsambika is famous not only in Rhodes but throughout Greece. Here is kept a miraculous icon that people pray to for fertility. The icon is located in the lower monastery. There is also a small museum and a souvenir shop here. The upper monastery is an excellent spot to enjoy panoramic views. Due to Archangelos' location, there are no beaches here, but in the surrounding areas, you can swim and have a great time:
- Beach Haraki (8 km from Archangelos) - a hidden treasure of Rhodes. This is a place for a peaceful vacation with clean sea and taverns where you can try fresh seafood;
- Agathi Beach (at 8.5 km) - located near Haraki. It is famous for its dark-yellow sand and is suitable for a family vacation. Agathi Beach has cafes, showers, and sun loungers;
- Beach Stegna (3 km away) - a cozy bay surrounded by trees. Stegna is covered with clean sand, and all visitors can find a spot on its wide shoreline;
- Tsambika Beach (5 km away) - one of the most beautiful beaches in Rhodes. The turquoise sea washes the sandy shores, and around it are rocks covered in lush greenery. Tsambika offers plenty of space and has everything needed for relaxation, from sun loungers to cafes and changing cabins.
What to do?
Archangelos in Rhodes is not the most developed city in terms of entertainment. But for everyone who comes here, there is an activity to suit any taste.
Active recreation
The best way to spend time actively is to take a walk around the city and its surroundings, you can climb up to the Archangelos fortress. Other types of active entertainment can be found on the coast. Volleyball courts, diving, windsurfing, jet skiing, and water skiing are available on the nearby beaches.
Shopping
In Archangelos, there are souvenir shops, mini-markets, stores selling locally produced goods, clothing and sports equipment stores. Many residents of Archangelos still practice traditional crafts. As a memento of your trip, you can buy local ceramics, colorful rugs made using ancient techniques, and leather boots - an essential part of the attire for some inhabitants of this city. Archangelos is also known for its high-quality olive oil, which you can purchase as a souvenir.
For children
In Archangelos, there is a farm of miniature horses of a unique breed that cannot be found anywhere else. This is a popular place to visit among families with children. There is no entrance fee, but any donations are welcome. In addition to the farm, you can visit small olive oil factories where you can learn about the process of obtaining the "liquid gold."
Nightlife
There is no need to expect a vibrant nightlife from Archangelos. But here is the only nightclub - it is among the best on Rhodes. In addition to the club, there are cocktail bars and taverns in the city where you can spend the evening.
Excursions
Excursions to the Tsambika Monastery and the city fortress are organized from Archangelos, as well as hiking tours and jeep safaris. And on the beaches located 3-5 km from the city, you can find offers for sea excursions. For example, a boat trip with stops in secluded bays or with the opportunity to fish.
Where to stay?
Most local hotels here are in the 2-3 star category. There are also apartments and studios available. The average price per night is 20-100 euros.
What to taste?
Whatever the choice of dishes in the taverns of Archangelos, it is worth ordering bread with them in any case. The thing is that the local bread is the gastronomic pride of Archangelos. It is still baked in wood-fired ovens, has a unique aroma and taste. In other respects, the cuisine of Archangelos is no different from traditional Greek cuisine: moussaka, salads made from fresh vegetables, meat and seafood cooked over fire, keftedes - all of this can be tasted in local taverns. By the way, besides taverns in Archangelos, there are pizzerias, cafes, snack bars, bakeries, and cafes with Greek fast food.
Useful info
- In Archangelos, there is a problem with parking. Therefore, if possible, it is better to move around the city on foot or by bicycle;
- During the high season, hotels in Archangelos may be fully booked. Therefore, it is advisable to book a room in advance;
- In Archangelos, it is interesting to listen to the speech of local residents. The inhabitants of the town speak in a unique dialect brought here by settlers from Cyprus. But the locals proudly claim that it is not a dialect but a separate language that other residents of Rhodes do not understand;
- Just 18 km from Archangelos is Lindos, which is definitely worth a visit. Lindos is known for its whitewashed houses and the Acropolis with ancient monuments.