Pastida Holidays

Pastida is a quiet little village in northern Rhodes. Life revolves around the handful of tavernas that line the village square. There aren’t any cars here, so the narrow streets are just for pedestrians – plus you’re surrounded by photo-ready olive groves and citrus trees. The pace of life here is always leisurely – but Kremasti’s buzzing beach is just down the road.

Pastida is inland, but it’s only a five-minute drive to the nearest beach at Kremasti. It’s a long, broad stretch of sand and shingle. You can hire sunloungers and umbrellas, and there are a few tavernas and beach bars dotted along the waterfront. If you're after a wild party beach with booming music coming from a string of bars, take the 20-minute drive to Faliraki. Or for a bit of peace and quiet, the secluded sandy cove at Kalithea is 25 minutes’ drive away.

The island’s capital is a 20-minute drive away. In a day's sightseeing, you can cover off the 14th-century Palace of the Grand Masters. This huge castle has two tall towers and is just around the corner from the Street of the Knights, former home of the Medieval knights that once ruled the city. And the Archaeological Museum here is housed in the knights’ grand old hospital. Nowadays, you can browse the ancient ruins that have been found in the city over the years.