Faliraki Beach

Faliraki is the busy heart of the Rhodes east coast, a long sandy beach fronting the island's best known resort town. The sand runs for a couple of kilometres, the water is calm and clear, and the whole strip is geared for an easy holiday with sunbeds, beach bars, restaurants and every water sport you can name all within a short walk. It earned a wild nightlife reputation years ago, and a slice of that energy remains around the centre, but by day the beach is a broad, well run sweep that works for families, couples and groups alike.

The beach has a split personality, and that is its strength. The central section, closest to the town, is the liveliest, with rows of sunbeds, pumping beach bars, banana boats and jet skis buzzing offshore. Walk north toward the headland or south toward Kathara and the crowds thin, the noise fades and the sand turns quieter and a little coarser, with calm clear water that is just as good for swimming. Whatever your speed, you can usually find it within a ten minute stroll along the front, which is rare for a beach this developed.

The honest read is that Faliraki is package holiday central, and it does not pretend otherwise. In July and August the centre is loud, crowded and commercial, the sea fills with inflatables and the bars compete for your attention. If that is your scene, it is a lot of fun. If it is not, the answer is simple, which is to base yourself toward the southern end where the same warm water comes with far less noise. Anyone seeking a wild or scenic shore should head to the coves and quieter bays nearby instead, but for a sociable, fully serviced sandy beach, Faliraki delivers exactly what it promises.