Best time to go to Rhodes for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 27/05/2024When is the best time to go to Rhodes?
The best time to visit Rhodes is from May to October, with warm weather and little rain in sight! However, it is possible to visit Rhodes all year round, but we do not recommend January, which is mild but generally quite rainy.
The mild climate allows for travel in all seasons, but the choice of your vacation dates will depend mainly on what you want to do and see on site:
- For a beach holiday and lazing on the beach, the Mediterranean Sea offers ideal bathing temperatures between May and November. The less sensitive can try other months of the year, but water temperatures will not exceed 18°C (65°F) .
- For diving or snorkeling, the period from June to September is ideal, as this is when underwater visibility is at its best.
- For hiking, it is best to avoid the peak heat of July and August. For walking without getting too hot, prefer spring, from March to June, or autumn, from late September to December.
- For visiting historical sites, the shoulder seasons are also perfect to ensure good weather. But winter can also be a good option to stroll around the old town of Rhodes, known for its medieval streets and the Palace of the Grand Masters.
When to visit Rhodes to avoid the crowds?
Unsurprisingly, the tourist high season starts in June and ends in late October, with July and August being the busiest months of the year. If you prefer tranquility while still being able to enjoy the beach, it is best to go to the island in May or November. The climate is then idyllic, flights and hotels offer more affordable prices, and above all, there are much fewer people than during the summer season.
Annual weather on the island of Rhodes
For information about the climate and the weather city by city on the island of Rhodes for a specific month, click on the corresponding line below:
| Month | Our opinion | View Details | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 56°F to 61°F | tolerable weather* | |||
| February | 59°F | good weather* | |||
| March | 63°F | good weather | |||
| April | 67°F | good weather | |||
| May | 68°F to 74°F | perfect weather | |||
| June | 79°F | perfect weather | |||
| July | 79°F to 86°F | perfect weather | |||
| August | 81°F to 86°F | perfect weather | |||
| September | 77°F to 83°F | perfect weather | |||
| October | 76°F | perfect weather | |||
| November | 68°F | good weather* | |||
| December | 63°F | good weather |
Best time to travel to Rhodes by cities
Climate and Weather on the island of Rhodes
Rhodes is a Greek island located in the Aegean Sea, south of Turkey. It is the largest in the Dodecanese archipelago, which consists of 12 main islands and over 150 islets.
The climate of Rhodes is typically Mediterranean with hot summers, which means that the weather is mild all year round and temperatures remain mild regardless of the season, despite heat peaks inland in summer.
There are four seasons in Rhodes, although they are not very distinct:
Rhodes Climate in Summer
Just like in mainland Greece and cities like Athens or Delphi, Rhodes experiences hot and very dry summers. Temperatures rise quickly during this season, and the feeling of suffocation is significant. In June, the maximum temperatures remain reasonable, with averages around 27°C (81°F) in the air and 24°C (76°F) in the water. In July and August, expect maximum temperatures around 30°C (86°F) , although it is not uncommon for the thermometer to easily exceed 35°C (95°F) in the middle of the day. During this period, the sea water is barely refreshing as it peaks at 28°C (83°F) . In September, temperatures drop back below 30°C (86°F) .
On the coasts, such as in Lindos or in the city of Rhodes, the sea breeze helps temper the summer heat. It is mainly inland where the atmosphere can be stifling. These thermal winds, also known as meltemi, can blow violently and make the sea dangerous for swimming or navigation. The advantage is that they bring a real sense of freshness, especially in the evening.
Throughout the summer, precipitation is almost non-existent and the weather in Rhodes is very dry. In case of very high temperatures, thunderstorms may occur occasionally, but this phenomenon remains rare.
Rhodes Climate in Winter
While summers are hot in Rhodes, winters, from December to March, can be cool. However, this is relative, as maximum temperatures range between 16 and 17°C (63°F) during the day and between 13 and 15°C (59°F) at night. As for the Aegean Sea water, it reaches 18°C (65°F) and remains warmer than the air throughout the season. The most courageous can therefore try a swim!
December and January are the wettest periods of the year with an average of 5 to 11 rainy days per month. However, it is rare for showers to last all day. Most of the time, they are brief showers, quickly giving way to bright sunshine. This season is not to be ruled out for a stay in Rhodes.
Rhodes Climate in Spring and Autumn
Spring and autumn are the most temperate periods to enjoy the charms of the Greek island. These shoulder seasons are short, and the climate in Rhodes is then absolutely perfect with mild temperatures and a very high sunshine rate.
- In spring, temperatures rise quickly: it averages 19°C (67°F) in April, 23°C (74°F) in May, and June even shows summer highs with 27°C (81°F) on the thermometer and 24°C (76°F) in the water. The risk of precipitation is low at this time of the year.
- In autumn, summer clearly extends as it reaches 28°C (83°F) at the end of September, 24°C (76°F) in October, and still 21°C (70°F) in November, both in the air and in the water. This season is slightly more rainy than spring, but the risk remains minimal.
Temperatures and rainfall on the island of Rhodes
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Rhodes and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Lindos, Afántou, Faliráki, Ialyssos and Kolymbia, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons on the island of Rhodes
Find out when Rhodes has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons on the island of Rhodes
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, April, November and December. The number of visitors to Rhodes is high in: May, June, July, August, September and October.
- Very low season on the island of Rhodes: January, February, March, November and December.
- Low season on the island of Rhodes: April.
- High season on the island of Rhodes: May, June, September and October.
- Peak season on the island of Rhodes: July and August.
Figure: Visitor index for Rhodes month by month
Where to go on the island of Rhodes?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Lindos | 59°F | 59°F | 63°F | 67°F | 74°F | 79°F | 85°F | 86°F | 83°F | 76°F | 68°F | 63°F |
| Afántou | 59°F | 61°F | 63°F | 67°F | 74°F | 79°F | 85°F | 86°F | 83°F | 76°F | 70°F | 63°F |
| Faliráki | 59°F | 61°F | 63°F | 67°F | 74°F | 79°F | 85°F | 86°F | 83°F | 76°F | 70°F | 63°F |
| Ialyssos | 59°F | 59°F | 63°F | 67°F | 74°F | 79°F | 85°F | 86°F | 81°F | 76°F | 68°F | 63°F |
| Kolymbia | 59°F | 61°F | 63°F | 67°F | 74°F | 79°F | 85°F | 86°F | 83°F | 76°F | 70°F | 63°F |
| Camiros | 61°F | 61°F | 63°F | 67°F | 74°F | 79°F | 83°F | 85°F | 81°F | 76°F | 70°F | 63°F |
| Macheria | 59°F | 61°F | 63°F | 67°F | 74°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 83°F | 76°F | 70°F | 63°F |
| Monolithos | 59°F | 61°F | 63°F | 67°F | 74°F | 79°F | 85°F | 85°F | 81°F | 76°F | 70°F | 63°F |
| Petaloudes | 61°F | 61°F | 63°F | 67°F | 74°F | 79°F | 83°F | 85°F | 81°F | 76°F | 70°F | 63°F |
| Kallithea | 59°F | 61°F | 63°F | 67°F | 74°F | 79°F | 85°F | 86°F | 83°F | 76°F | 70°F | 63°F |
Legend:
perfect weather
good weather
tolerable weather
About Rhodes
What can I do on the island of Rhodes?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Rhodes reliable?
Climate data for Rhodes has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Rhodes allows us to determine the average for each month in Lindos, Afántou, Faliráki, Ialyssos, Kolymbia, Camiros, Macheria, Monolithos, and 2 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.