Last summer, Sarah, who is part of the Neilson team based here in the UK, visited Levante Beach Club and, after exploring what Rhodes had to offer, mastering watersports, riding the Mediterranean waves and marvelling at the Greek sunrises, she quickly fell in love with the place. Here is her story...
Why I Love Levante, Rhodes
Rhodes must be my absolute favourite of all the Greek islands. The island offers a little something for everyone with wind, heritage, great food and great people. What more could you want from your holiday?
The location of Levante Beach Club is just great, in the mornings you’ll find the sea breeze blows gently across onshore, perfect for learning something new, maybe sailing, windsurfing, paddle boarding or kayaking… You choose!
The afternoons tend to feature stronger offshore winds, making them more suitable for intermediate and advanced watersport enthusiasts. Rhodes benefits from the famous Meltemi winds in the middle of summer, offering the perfect playground for wind-fuelled sports.
Local towns, restaurants and bars nearby
The local town of Kolymbia, just a 15-minute walk away, has a host of local Greek tavernas, shops and bars for a fruity tipple if that’s your thing! I also couldn’t recommend making a trip to Nisaki enough. One evening, we visited a local fish restaurant where we enjoyed an evening overlooking the bay.
What else does Rhodes have to offer?
Venturing out of Levante Beach Club is made incredibly easy due to the bus stop located just outside of the neighbouring hotel, with regular buses running north to Rhodes town - the island's capital, or to the south of the island, including a visit to Lindos.
A trip to Lindos is a must for your holiday. A quaint town with lots of local shops, markets and restaurants is best known for the Lindos Acropolis. Lindos makes for a brilliant day out and the opportunity to soak up plenty of culture. Also, the town is completely pedestrianised, so you’ll find no cars or traffic disturbing the peaceful atmosphere.
If you’re after a good spot for sunbathing and a dip in picturesque waters after a traditional-style Greek lunch, head over to St. Paul's Bay. The chapel by the bay is a popular spot for weddings on the island, too!
If you decide to rent a car, a trip to the Valley of the Butterflies is an amazing experience, with hundreds of butterfly species covering the trees and trails that you can follow throughout the park. June and September are generally considered the best times to see the butterflies.
For the windsurfers and kitesurfers who fancy a change of scenery, head down to Prasonisi on the very southern tip of the island. The spot is super unique, with waves on one side of the bay and flat, shallow water on the other, and a lovely sandy spit dividing the two - you won’t be disappointed. You might also pass the Mojito Beach Bar (the best mojito in Rhodes - if I say so myself!), which is well signposted and worth a quick detour on route back to Levante Beach Club for a well-earned refreshment stop.
Top tips for your holiday to Levante Beach Club
With so much to choose from, it's difficult to narrow things down, but here are a few of my top tips for any holiday to Levante Beach Club - based on some of the most common questions we hear.
Levante’s hidden gem?
- Easily the sunrise over the water on Levante beach. It’s incredible and definitely worth waking up early to catch it one day.
Best time for watersports?
- It can vary, but if you’re a water skier or wakeboarder (like me), you’ll want to head down to the beach early for the flattest water before the wind arrives. But if you notice that at mid-afternoon the wind suddenly dies and starts to swirl, get yourself down to the beach, grab a boat or a windsurf, and get ready, as this usually means the wind is coming for a great afternoon on the water.
Favourite way to soak up the local culture?
- Hike up Tsambika Monastery; the views from the top are stunning. Ask the locals, and they’ll tell you the wonderful stories of all the many miracles that have happened at the site over the years.
Best place to eat outside of Levante Beach Club?
- I recommend visiting Nisaki - the seafood restaurant there serves freshly caught Symi island shrimps, which are a particular favourite of mine, sourced from Symi Island, just off Rhodes.
Well, that’s my trip over - until next summer. I hope, through my personal experience, to have been able to pass along as much guidance as possible. It truly is a very special place. Finally, if you see me at Levante Beach Club in the future, be sure to say hello!
