As elsewhere on the northern Mediterranean coast, the beginning of autumn in Rhodes is marked by erratic weather. It is still quite warm during the day, in early October it is sometimes even hot in summer, but evenings and nights are already cool. The wind is intensifying, which sometimes causes storms.

It rains much more often, and short-term showers at the end of the month can be replaced by prolonged small ones, lasting 2-3 days. Therefore, the October weather resembles a kind of lottery, when you do not know what to expect the next moment.

However, the still high water temperature fully compensates for the unpredictability of the weather. However, sometimes the increased wind raises waves, making swimming not only unpleasant, but also unsafe. In this case, hotel pools will help out, but the water in them, especially in the morning, may still be cool.

How to spend your vacation

For lovers and connoisseurs of Greek wine, October is the best choice for young grape wine. You can combine tasting with an excursion to vineyards or wineries, most of which are concentrated around the village of Embona. There is an old private winery and a completely modern winery. And also a tavern serving national cuisine.

A bottle of local white or red wine makes a great souvenir for friends or family, just like traditional olive oil. In addition to wine and oil, it is worth buying in Rhodes:

• honey with a distinctive taste and aroma,
• country cheeses,
• olives or olives, which here look more like large plums,
• products of local arts and crafts.

If the joys of rural life are not interesting, then you can follow in the footsteps of one of the knightly orders. The Hospitallers made the island their capital in the 14th century to control the entire Eastern Mediterranean. The Palace of the Grand Masters of the order remained from that era. In the last century, it was reconstructed to become the residence of Mussolini, but the dictator did not live there. Therefore, today the Palace is the most preserved building of the Hospitallers in Rhodes.

Lovers of antiquity will be interested in visiting the numerous ruins of ancient Greek structures, including the cities of Lindos and Kamiros. But on Filerimos Hill, you can trace the history of the island from antiquity to the Middle Ages. In addition, this is one of the most visited places on the island, from the observation deck of which the shores of Turkey can be seen in clear weather. Filerimos can be reached on foot, by bike or by horseback riding.

Among the exhibits of the island's recent history is Mussolini's dacha. Why a small house built by one of the former governors got this name is unknown. Mussolini never visited it, much less lived, according to historians. But the name stuck, attracting lovers of abandoned apartments.

According to tour operators, hotels fill up about 2/3 in October. This means that you can count on significant discounts when buying a tour. October prices are considered the lowest of the year.