Planning a family holiday in Greece? The Times highlights 17 of the best islands for children and parents alike, with safe beaches, fun activities, and warm Greek hospitality.
Tag: Rhodes
Greek tax authorities (AADE) uncovered over 100 violations in just one week at restaurants, entertainment venues, and service businesses across popular tourist islands. Offenders faced 48-hour closures and fines, with authorities now reviewing multi-year records for potential further violations.
Greek authorities have sounded the alarm as a severe wildfire risk threatens multiple regions today, Wednesday. The North Aegean islands of Samos and Ikaria, South Aegean islands including Rhodes and Kos, and Crete’s Heraklion and Lasithi face a very high fire danger, according to the General Secretariat for Civil Protection. Citizens are urged to avoid outdoor activities that could spark fires, such as burning dry grass or using spark-producing tools, as the nation remains on high alert.
Two years after a promised crackdown, illegal beach operations on Rhodes persist, with businesses exceeding leases, blocking access, and erecting unlicensed structures.
Avincis has launched helicopter emergency medical services in Greece in partnership with AK Aviation, boosting the country’s rapid-response capabilities with AW139 helicopters based in Rhodes.
Turkey’s recent designation of two “marine parks” in the Aegean Sea, announced last week by…
easyJet is launching new flights from Newcastle to Rhodes and Corfu starting in March and April 2026. Operating twice weekly, these routes will boost Greek tourism and connect travelers to 35 destinations across six European countries.
Panathinaikos has decided to skip the Rhodes Super Cup due to a tight schedule, prioritizing a lucrative €2.5 million tournament in Australia. The move, which incurs a €20,000 fine, highlights the club’s focus on financial gains over domestic commitments.
A viral video showing a young man pushing an elderly homeless man into a fountain in Rhodes’ Old Town as a prank has sparked widespread outrage in Greece, with locals identifying the victim as a known homeless individual who collects coins to survive.
Violent protests targeting Israeli tourists have erupted across Greece, impacting popular destinations like Rhodes, Syros, Athens, Crete, and Mykonos. Fueled by the Gaza conflict, these demonstrations threaten Greece’s tourism industry and test its diplomatic ties with Israel.
Riot police clashed with protesters on Rhodes during a demonstration against the Gaza war, as the Israeli cruise ship Crown Iris docked with over 600 tourists. Minor scuffles occurred, but passengers disembarked without incident.
British teenager has reported being raped while swimming at Ialysos Beach in Rhodes. A Belgian minor has been arrested in connection with the case.
The Hellenic Coast Guard rescued 63 migrants from a sailing vessel south of Tilos, coordinated by EKSED. The migrants were safely transported to Mandraki port in Rhodes for first aid and further processing.
This summer, Greece’s iconic islands, including Mykonos and Santorini, are grappling with a surprising decline in short-term rental bookings. Data reveals a 25-30% drop in international arrivals to Santorini, worsened by a recent earthquake, while Mykonos reports falling prices for luxury villas. Other islands like Crete, Rhodes, and Corfu also face a 15-20% dip in demand. Meanwhile, road tourism to Halkidiki is surging, with Central European visitors driving growth. Industry experts cite rising costs as a key factor eroding Greece’s appeal as an affordable destination.
Greece is grappling with an intensifying heatwave, with temperatures soaring past 40°C and peaking at 42°C on Tuesday, July 8, according to the National Meteorological Service. The Ministry of Labor has mandated work suspensions for manual labor in regions like Central Macedonia and Thessaly from 12 PM to 5 PM, though critical sectors like health and transport are exempt. As the scorching conditions persist, the Athens Construction Workers’ Union demands stronger protections, warning that workers’ lives are at risk without immediate action. Relief is expected by Thursday, July 10.
Greece continues to swelter under persistent summer heat, with temperatures reaching 33°C in Attica and up to 36°C in Rhodes on Monday, June 30. Strong winds, hitting 8-9 Beaufort in the Aegean and up to 10 Beaufort in Crete, are adding to the challenging conditions. Meteorologists predict a slight dip midweek before temperatures climb again by the weekend, maintaining the intense summer weather pattern.
What does it really take to retire to a Greek island? Lynn Roulo, who made the move to Athens over a decade ago, shares six islands that don’t just look the part, they work for real life too.
European investors are flocking to Greece, building luxury vacation homes in prime coastal destinations like Crete, Rhodes, and Lefkada. Dutch, Belgian, and German entrepreneurs are leading the charge, developing upscale villas and apartments to meet growing demand. According to Elxis – At Home in Greece, these projects not only cater to affluent buyers but also boost the Greek economy by creating jobs and stimulating local industries, despite challenges from stricter “Golden Visa” rules and rental regulations.
In the summer of 2023, Greece’s sun-soaked beaches sparked a revolution known as the “Towel Movement.” Frustrated by sky-high sunbed prices and shrinking free beach space, locals from Paros to Rhodes protested against businesses monopolizing the shores. The government’s answer? The MyCoast app, empowering citizens to report illegal sunbed setups and reclaim public beaches for their towels and chairs. Yet, with weekend sunbed costs hitting €160, many Greeks wonder if tougher inspections can make the coast affordable again.
Greece is seeing a surge in UK travel interest, with Crete, Rhodes, and Halkidiki leading in searches and bookings. The GNTO tapped top British influencers at a London event to promote authentic, sustainable travel experiences, aiming to boost Greece’s appeal in a competitive market.
Greece took the spotlight at a major UK travel influencer event in London, promoting its diverse and sustainable tourism offerings to top British content creators. As the only country officially represented, the Greek National Tourism Organisation showcased the growing appeal of destinations like Crete, Rhodes, and Halkidiki in the UK’s digital travel market.
Planning a trip to Greece’s historic sites and stunning islands? Ensure a smooth entry by understanding visa requirements. Greece, part of the EU and Schengen Zone, offers visa-free travel for citizens of over 60 countries, including the USA, UK, and Canada, for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Your passport must be valid for three months post-departure.
A three-year-old girl tragically drowned in a commercial swimming pool during a children’s party in Ialysos, Rhodes, on Sunday, June 15. The venue had no lifeguard on duty at the time. Despite emergency responders’ efforts to revive the child, she could not be saved. Authorities have launched an investigation, and the business owner was briefly detained.
After a three-year period of relative seismic calm, the earth beneath the southeastern Aegean has stirred once more. Two moderate earthquakes struck near Rhodes and Crete on the same day, prompting experts to declare an end to the region’s “seismic apnea” and warn of a renewed phase of tectonic activity in Greece.
A powerful 5.8-magnitude undersea earthquake struck between Rhodes and the Turkish coast early Tuesday morning, leaving one teenage girl dead and 69 injured in Turkey. The tremor, felt across southwestern Turkey and the southeastern Aegean, caused widespread panic, with most injuries resulting from people jumping to escape buildings.
The Hellenic Coast Guard arrested three Turkish nationals after intercepting a luxury yacht smuggling 76 migrants near Lachania, Rhodes. The migrants, including men, women, and minors, paid €5,500 each for transport from Turkey
Severe crosswinds across Greece have caused widespread air travel chaos, with Ryanair passengers facing significant disruptions. Flights were diverted, passengers stranded without assistance, and Greece’s travel infrastructure struggled, highlighting concerns about handling extreme weather events.
Two new aftershocks were recorded off the coast of Kasos following a strong 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck early Tuesday morning. While the tremors were felt across Crete and Rhodes, experts say the quake was a deep, isolated event with no expected aftershock sequence — and no connection to recent seismic activity in Santorini or Turkey.
Greece has added four traditions—Ai-Soulas Festival, Bibila Needle Lace, Katrami Production, and Latin Sail—to its Intangible Cultural Heritage Index, preserving vibrant community practices for future generations.
Greece has signed a preliminary deal with Emirates airline, including a codeshare with Aegean Airlines, to boost year-round tourism. The agreement enhances access to destinations like Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes, as Greece aims to sustain its €21.5 billion tourism industry despite climate challenges.
