On Rhodes, summer is always keen on delaying its departure, often until it’s within touching distance of Christmas. The beauty is that, as it lingers on, it dials down on those blistering temperatures of June, July and August. But with the thermometer consistently hitting the mid-twenties, you can still head to one of many of the island’s golden beaches and take a dip in the Aegean if you do need to cool off. With UV levels on the wane and humidity low, you can get around the sights and get involved in some of the local activities with more vim and vigour. So, leave the clouds at home and take the opportunity to top up the tan.

The jokey old paradox proclaiming that this place would be more popular if it didn’t have so many visitors certainly has more than a grain of truth in it when it comes to Rhodes in autumn. There’s a tranquil unhurried feel to everything. With the summer throngs dispersed you can wander the alleys and explore the picture perfect squares of the Old Town at your own pace. There’s ample time and space to take in history, immerse yourself in the culture and step sideways from the incessant demands back home.

Saunter into any café or have a traditional tavern meal in quaint villages like Psinthos, Apollona or Stegna and there’ll be an islander ready to regale you with a golden tale or two to match the mellowness of these few months. You’ll get the sense that the locals have let down their guard and relaxed a little more now the bulk of the visitors have gone and that you can get a better feel for their authentic everyday life.

Van Gogh had nothing on Mother Nature when she went to work on Rhodes in the autumn. The post-summer brush strokes daub mountainside, coastal paths and forest alike with a kaleidoscope of crimson, emerald, ochre, burgundy, burnt orange, smoky velvet and chocolate brown. Taking a gentle hike amongst the ponds and plane trees of Rodini Park, visiting the alpine lodge on Mount Pofitis Elias or climbing to the ancient acropolis of Lindos are just a few among many suggestions for admiring the autumnal glories. Even in the renowned Valley of the Butterflies, the exquisite, multi-coloured inhabitants still flutter freely in the comparative warmth, treating you to an unforgettable spectacle that you can stay and admire for hours.

With the grape ripe on the vine and the harvest lit by a full, bright moon, you’ll find that nothing complements this time of year better than a nice glass of wine. And on Rhodes autumn wine making is enshrined in folklore and legend and celebrated in joyous fêtes and festivities across the island. Your experience will be as full-bodied as the wines themselves Wandering the vineyards in the foothills of Mount Attavyros and sampling our Athiri, Muscat, Mandilaria and Amorgiano varieties in the numerous wineries on an organized Rodos Park trip will help you appreciate that little has really changed since the first vines bore fruit in the 7 th century BC.

Perhaps invigorated by the riot of colours all around, the Museum of Modern Greek Art in Rhodes not only boasts an enviable collection of paintings, engravings and sculpture but actively strives to throw open the doors of the art world to a wider audience. Autumn, as a time of gathering and reflection, is perfect for your deep dive into the museum’s many local collaborations, social and cultural outreach and educational initiatives.

If you were thinking autumn might be a period on Rhodes when not much takes place, think again. Topping the list of events is the open-air Medieval Rose Festival in the old town, which, through art, music, dance, animation and street theatre, will transport you back in time to an era of intrigue, pageantry and the secrets of the legendary Knights of Saint John. It is also a chance for you to be a part of keeping Rhodes in its prominent position on Europe’s cultural map.

For those of you seeking inspiration of a purely musical nature, the Festival European Polyphony hits all the right notes. A Greek French collaboration, it transforms the Medieval City for two weeks into a living musical workshop, featuring notable artists from around the world, and invites all of you to get in on the act.

If you prefer your celebrations in daily doses, there are number of village fetes honouring the saints of the local churches throughout autumn, as well as the famous ‘Ohi Day’(‘No Day’) on 28 th October when you can join a great gathering of islanders remember Greece’s show of resistance to Mussolini in the Second World War. There is a special offer for the holiday weekend this year with the 28 th falling on a Monday.

When you’ve explored all that, the island has to offer, don’t forget our own Wellness Spa. It really is the best time of year to fine tune your fitness, connect with your inner beauty and find your equilibrium, giving you just the boost you need with winter approaching in a few months’ time. With fewer people around, you can immerse yourself in the delights of our hammam, get the full benefit of our premium products from Phytomer and Ariadne Athens, all while sipping tea prepared especially for you from the local herbs of the season.

If our cooler summer in autumn sounds like a prospect too enticing to resist, Rodos Park is ready and waiting for your arrival. Book right now for a memorable break in the golden glow of Rhodes during a very rewarding period in our yearly calendar full of wonderful surprises.

Book now a stay at Rodos Park and explore Rhodes in September and October!