Getting Married in Rhodes
A walled medieval city, a whitewashed acropolis village and a long sun season in the Dodecanese. Rhodes is defined by its medieval heritage. The walled city, built by the Knights of St John in the 14th and 15th centuries and extended under Ottoman rule, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and still lived in. Inside are the Street of the Knights, the Palace of the Grand Master and the harbour where the Colossus once stood. The island is larger than Mykonos and Santorini combined, with pine-covered hills and clear water.
A walled medieval city, a whitewashed acropolis village and a long sun season in the Dodecanese
Two settings dominate wedding planning. The walled city at the northern tip gives a medieval backdrop, and a few private properties inside the walls can be hired exclusively. Lindos, on the east coast, is a whitewashed village beneath a classical acropolis, above two bays.
The case for Rhodes is access and variety. Direct flights serve it from most UK airports, and the island is large enough for areas of very different character.
Where to Get Married in Rhodes
Rhodes Old Town
The walled medieval city, with harbour walls built by the Knights of St John between 1309 and 1522. A few private properties inside the walls and along the moat can be hired exclusively. It is pedestrian only, so logistics need specialist planning.
Lindos
A whitewashed hillside village on the east coast, built below a 4th-century BC acropolis. Converted captain's houses make up the main stock of exclusive-hire properties.
West coast and Ialyssos
The more accessible coast, with resort hotels around Ialyssos and Trianda. The land is flatter than around Lindos, and the hotel market sits here, which suits larger weddings.
Interior and the southern villages
Pine-covered hills and the villages of Embonas and Monolithos, with local wine, Byzantine churches and a character far from the coastal strip. Planners use it less often.
When to marry, and what to arrange
The season
When to Get Married
The island has a long sun season, with more than 300 days of sun a year. May and June suit the landscape, with the water clearing after winter and visitor numbers below the July peak. September is the month planners choose most often: fewer visitors, a weaker Meltemi and good Aegean light. July and August are the peak, and the northerly Meltemi becomes a real consideration for outdoor coastal events.
Recommended wedding months
May to June and September to October
Peak season is July and August, and the shoulder months are April and November.
Settings, travel and stays
Choosing a Setting
Lindos captain's house. The defining Lindos format. Sea captains of the 17th and 18th centuries built these whitewashed houses around courtyards floored with black and white pebble mosaic, called choklakia. Several now work as boutique hotels and event venues.
Medieval Old Town property. Private residences, converted merchant houses and some spaces in the Knights' Quarter. Rarely used for weddings, they need specialist local planning and permits for events inside the historic walls.
Coastal villa or hotel. Hotels and villas on the west coast and on the east coast approach to Lindos, offering resort infrastructure in a Rhodian setting. The east coast villas usually have sea views toward Turkey.
Getting There
Rhodes Airport has direct flights from most UK airports from April to October, and year-round access runs through Athens. Lindos is a longer drive than most venues.
Rhodes Diagoras (RHO). Direct routes from the major UK airports from April to October.
Athens Venizelos (ATH). The year-round hub, with frequent domestic flights on to Rhodes.
Kos (KGS). A small airport on a neighbouring island, relevant only for guests combining Rhodes and Kos.
Where Guests Stay
There are two zones: the Old Town, for medieval streets at the door, and the resort coast either side of Rhodes Town, for sea views and beach access.
Lindos. The hilltop village is the best-known setting on the island. Rooms are limited, which keeps its character.
Rhodes Old Town. Small hotels and restored mansions operate inside the walls, near the Palace of the Grand Master.
Faliraki and the east coast. The east coast is calmer and more sheltered. Faliraki has large resorts for groups, and the stretch toward Lindos has smaller properties with better sea views.
Good to know
Food and Drink
Rhodian cooking sits at the crossroads of Greek, Turkish and Italian traditions, with fresh seafood, grilled meat and simple vegetable dishes.
Grilled octopus. Sun-dried, then charcoal-grilled until tender and lightly charred, and served at almost every waterfront taverna.
Fresh swordfish. Thick steaks grilled with lemon, olive oil and herbs are a staple of the better fish restaurants. In Lindos bay the catch of the day sets the menu.
Pitaroudia. Chickpea fritters with cumin, onion and herbs, crisp outside and soft within, reflecting the island's eastern Mediterranean links.
Good to Know
Getting there. Direct flights serve Rhodes from several UK airports between April and October. The airport lies south-west of Rhodes Town.
High season heat. July and August regularly reach 35C to 38C with very little rain, so outdoor ceremonies belong in the late afternoon or early evening. September is warm and more manageable.
Lindos access. Vehicles are not allowed inside the village, so guests park below and walk up, or ride the donkeys on the main path. This matters for elderly guests and anyone with mobility needs.
UNESCO Old Town. The Old Town can be explored on foot in a day and works as a setting for photographs after the ceremony.
Marrying legally and entry rules
The legal requirements for marrying here, and who needs a visa, are being checked and are not published yet. Confirm both with the official authority that will marry you before you book.
Planners, photographers, florists and musicians who work in Rhodes
What sets Lindos apart from other Greek island villages?
A classical acropolis above the village, captain's houses with mosaic courtyards and two bays either side of the headland. The village is car-free, reached on foot or by donkey.
What is a choklakia courtyard?
A floor mosaic of black and white sea pebbles in geometric patterns, found in the captain's houses of Lindos and a few other Dodecanese villages. Several converted houses use an original floor as the ceremony setting.
Can a wedding be held in the Old Town of Rhodes?
Yes, with effort. The streets are narrow and pedestrian only, so catering, arrivals and equipment need specific arrangements, and a local planner with Old Town experience is essential.
What is the Meltemi, and does it affect weddings?
A strong northerly wind that blows from late June to mid-August. Lindos is partly sheltered, but north-facing coastal spots are exposed. Enclosed courtyards and sheltered terraces cope better than clifftops, and the wind weakens in September.
How does Rhodes compare with Santorini or Mykonos?
Rhodes is larger and more varied, with no single dominant landscape. It offers medieval heritage, the Lindos acropolis and enough scale for different couples to find different settings.
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How We Compiled This Guide
This guide draws on the venues' own published details, official sources and the knowledge of our editors. Entry and legal information can change, so confirm it with the authority that will marry you before you book.