Ixia

Nature & Outdoor Activities

• 🪁 Kitesurfing lessons at Ixia Beach (Ixia, Northern Rhodes) — Several established water sports schools operate from Ixia Beach offering tuition for all levels, from complete beginners to advanced riders looking to improve their technique in ideal conditions
• 🏄 Windsurfing with local schools (Ixia, Northern Rhodes) — The Meltemi winds that arrive reliably each afternoon between June and September create textbook conditions for windsurfers — hire boards and take lessons directly from the beach
• 🥾 Hiking to the Acropolis of Ialyssos at Filerimos (Ialyssos, Northern Rhodes) — A manageable uphill walk through pine forest leads to ancient temple ruins, a restored Byzantine monastery, and sweeping views across Ixia and the Aegean
• 🚴 Coastal cycling route to Rhodes Town (Ixia to Rhodes Town, Northern Rhodes) — A flat, enjoyable 4km coastal cycle path connecting Ixia to the heart of Rhodes Town — ideal for an early morning ride before the heat builds
• 🌊 Sea kayaking along the northwest coast (Ixia, Northern Rhodes) — Explore the rocky coves and clear waters north of Ixia by kayak — guided tours available from the beach and suitable for all fitness levels

🏖️ Beaches

• 🏖️ Ixia Beach (Ixia, Northern Rhodes) — The resort's main beach is a long, well-maintained stretch of sand and fine pebble with sun lounger hire, water sports facilities, and beachfront bars — best in the afternoon when the Meltemi breeze keeps temperatures comfortable
• 🌊 Ialyssos Beach (Trianda) (Ialyssos, Northern Rhodes) — A wide, sandy beach immediately north of Ixia — quieter and more local in character, with a long shallow entry ideal for confident swimmers
• 🏝️ Kritika Beach (Rhodes Town coastline, Northern Rhodes) — A short walk or cycle south of Ixia, Kritika is a quieter urban beach popular with locals — an authentic alternative to the main resort strip
• 🌅 Ixia Sunset Strip (Ixia, Northern Rhodes) — The western section of Ixia Beach transforms each evening into one of the finest sunset-watching spots in Rhodes — arrive an hour before dusk for the best beachfront bar positions
• 🐠 Ialyssos Bay snorkelling spots (Ialyssos, Northern Rhodes) — The rocky outcrops at either end of Ialyssos Bay offer excellent snorkelling in clear, calm water — bring your own mask and fins or hire from local water sports operators

🍽️ Food & Drink

• 🐙 Fresh seafood at Ixia's beachfront tavernas (Ixia, Northern Rhodes) — Several excellent waterfront restaurants along the Ixia strip serve freshly caught fish, grilled octopus, and traditional mezze — opt for places displaying the day's catch on ice for the freshest experience
• 🥗 Authentic Greek mezze at Trianda local tavernas (Ialyssos/Trianda, Northern Rhodes) — Step back from the resort strip to the backstreets of Trianda for family-run tavernas serving pitaroudia, tzatziki, stuffed vine leaves, and slow-roasted meats at genuinely local prices
• 🍷 Rhodian wine at Rhodes Town restaurants (Rhodes Town, Northern Rhodes) — A short taxi ride brings you to some of Rhodes' finest dining — try the native Athiri white wine from local producers CAIR or Emery alongside fresh Aegean seafood
• 🍦 Breakfast at a Rhodes Town café (Rhodes Town, Northern Rhodes) — Start a day trip into the Old Town with a traditional Greek breakfast of fresh bread, local honey, yoghurt, and strong coffee at one of the cafés lining Mandraki Harbour
• 🫒 Local produce at Kremasti market (Kremasti, Northern Rhodes) — The weekly market in the village of Kremasti, just north of Ixia, is an authentic Rhodian experience — stalls selling olives, local cheeses, honey, herbs, and handmade goods at prices you won't find in resort shops

🎉 Nightlife & Entertainment

• 🍸 Sunset cocktail bars along Ixia beachfront (Ixia, Northern Rhodes) — The west-facing beach bars of Ixia are the undisputed highlight of the resort's evening scene — arrive at 7pm, watch the sun set over the Aegean, and stay for cocktails as the stars come out
• 🎶 Evening dining and live music in Ialyssos (Ialyssos, Northern Rhodes) — Several tavernas in the village of Ialyssos host live Greek music on summer evenings — a genuinely local experience well worth seeking out
• 🎭 Rhodes Town nightlife (Rhodes Town, Northern Rhodes) — Just 4km away, Rhodes Town offers everything from rooftop cocktail bars in the medieval Old Town to the legendary Orfanidou Street bar strip in the New Town — easily reached by a short taxi ride
• 🎰 Casino Rodos, Rhodes Town (Rhodes Town, Northern Rhodes) — The elegant Art Deco Casino Rodos is a short taxi ride from Ixia — an upmarket evening of gaming, cocktails, and entertainment in one of Greece's most beautiful casino buildings
• 🌙 Evening walks in Rhodes Old Town (Rhodes Town, Northern Rhodes) — The medieval streets of Rhodes Old Town are at their most atmospheric after dark, when the day visitors have gone and the floodlit cobblestones belong almost entirely to hotel guests — a magical and unmissable experience

📸 Instagram-Worthy Spots

• 📸 Ixia Beach at golden hour (Ixia, Northern Rhodes) — The long, open beach facing west creates extraordinary light conditions at sunset — photograph the Meltemi-whipped waves, windsurfers, and vivid orange horizon for genuinely dramatic shots
• 🏛️ Filerimos Acropolis & Byzantine Monastery (Ialyssos, Northern Rhodes) — The hilltop ruins and cypress-lined avenue leading to the restored monastery at Filerimos are among the most atmospheric and photogenic historic sites in northern Rhodes
• 🌊 Rhodes Town Mandraki Harbour (Rhodes Town, Northern Rhodes) — The ancient harbour entrance with its bronze deer statues where the Colossus of Rhodes is said to have stood — a truly iconic image of the island
• 🏰 Palace of the Grand Master at dusk (Rhodes Town, Northern Rhodes) — The imposing Byzantine-Crusader palace floodlit against the evening sky is one of the most spectacular sights in the entire Aegean

🌺 Bougainvillea-draped streets of Ialyssos (Ialyssos, Northern Rhodes) — The quiet backstreets of Trianda village, bursting with vivid pink bougainvillea against whitewashed walls, are a striking and often overlooked photography subject just minutes from the resort.

Best Value Deals

From boutique couples' retreats to five-star luxury escapes, holidays to Ixia deliver outstanding quality and value for UK travellers seeking a more refined Rhodes experience.

🏨 All Inclusive Holidays

Several of Ixia's larger beachfront hotels offer excellent all-inclusive packages — ideal for travellers who want quality meals, drinks, and facilities without the need to venture far from the hotel. All-inclusive options in Ixia tend to be more upscale than those found in Faliraki, making them particularly well suited to couples and adult groups.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Holidays

While Ixia is primarily known as a couples' and water sports destination, its proximity to Rhodes Town, calm northern beach areas, and range of mid-market family hotels make it a very workable family base. Older children and teenagers with an interest in windsurfing or kitesurfing will find Ixia particularly rewarding. For families with young children seeking waterparks and entertainment, nearby Faliraki may be a more suitable primary resort.

💎 Luxury Holidays

Ixia is home to some of the finest five-star hotels on Rhodes, including large resort properties with private beach access, thalassotherapy spas, multiple fine dining restaurants, and extensive wellness facilities. Pair a luxury Ixia hotel stay with a private yacht charter from Rhodes Town Marina and a sunset dinner in Lindos for a truly exceptional Rhodian experience.

⏰ Last-Minute Deals

As a resort popular with couples and independent travellers rather than large family groups, Ixia often yields good last-minute availability — particularly in May, June, and October, when shoulder season pricing offers excellent value without any compromise on weather quality.

Additional Booking Benefits:

• 💷 Low deposits available — Secure your Ixia holiday from as little as £49pp
• 🔄 Flexible booking — Amend or cancel with confidence using our flexible booking policy

🛡️ ATOL protected — Every package holiday booked with us is fully ATOL protected for total financial peace of mind

Peak Summer (July – August) — Hottest temperatures (30–34°C) with the strongest Meltemi winds, ideal for experienced windsurfers. Expect very busy resorts and prices at their highest.

Late Spring (May – June) — Warm conditions (24–28°C) with winds building, making it excellent for beginner windsurfers. Resorts are quieter and offer better value.

Early Autumn (September – October) — Still warm (26–30°C) with winds calming slightly, offering the best overall balance of weather, crowds, and price.

Winter / Spring (November – April) — Mild temperatures (14–20°C) and very quiet, making it well suited to off-season cultural breaks using Rhodes Town as a base.

For water sports, July and August deliver the strongest and most consistent Meltemi winds. For a more relaxed holiday with good weather and lower prices, September is the standout month.

🏨 Where to Stay

• Families — Look for mid-range beachfront hotels along the northern end of the Ixia strip with children's pools and easy beach access. Families with young children may also want to consider splitting time between Ixia and Faliraki for waterpark access.
• Couples — Ixia is one of Rhodes' finest couples' destinations. Boutique hotels and upscale four-star properties with sea-view rooms, rooftop pools, and sunset-facing terraces make for a genuinely romantic stay. The proximity to Rhodes Town adds an effortless cultural dimension to any couples' break.
• Luxury Travellers — Several five-star resort hotels sit directly on Ixia's beachfront, offering private beach access, thalassotherapy spas, multiple restaurants, and the highest service standards available on the island. For complete privacy, consider a luxury villa rental in the hills above Ialyssos.
• Budget Travellers — Ixia is generally mid-to-upmarket in its accommodation offering. Budget travellers will find better value in Faliraki or Rhodes Town itself, though a number of good-value apartment complexes are available in Ixia for self-catering breaks.

🚗 Getting Around

• Taxi — The most convenient option for Ixia guests; the 4km journey to Rhodes Town costs approximately €8–10 and takes under 10 minutes. Taxis are readily available at the resort's main hotels.
• Local Bus (KTEL) — Regular bus services connect Ixia with Rhodes Town bus station and destinations across the island. Services run frequently in summer and are very affordable.
• Hire Car — Strongly recommended for exploring beyond Rhodes Town. Pick up from the airport (just 2km away) or from hire car offices in the resort. Essential for reaching Lindos, the Valley of the Butterflies, and the island's southern tip.
• Cycling — The flat coastal road between Ixia and Rhodes Town is excellent for cycling. Several hotels offer bicycle hire, and the route passes seafront promenades, local beaches, and the old harbour.
• Boat Excursions — Depart from Rhodes Town harbour (a short taxi ride away) to Lindos, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Turkish coast day trips to Marmaris.

💡 Travel Tips

• Time your beach sessions around the Meltemi — The afternoon wind picks up significantly on Ixia Beach from around 1pm in peak summer; mornings are calm and ideal for swimming, while afternoons belong to the windsurfers
• Walk or cycle to Rhodes Town at least once — The 4km coastal route is flat, scenic, and gives you a completely different perspective of the resort's position on the island
• Book water sports lessons in advance — The most reputable windsurfing and kitesurfing schools on Ixia Beach fill their lesson slots quickly in July and August; book online before you travel
• Explore Filerimos on a cooler morning — The hilltop acropolis is best visited in the early morning before the heat builds; temperatures at the summit are notably cooler than at sea level
• Combine Ixia with a night in Rhodes Old Town — Even a single evening in the medieval city gives your holiday a cultural dimension that pure beach resorts simply cannot offer
• Use your hotel concierge — Ixia's upscale hotels typically have excellent concierge services; use them to book excursion boats, restaurant reservations in Rhodes Town, and hire car collection at the best rates