Elli Beach Rhodes: Complete Visitor Guide

Elli Beach is the main town beach of Rhodes, located at the northern tip of the island on the calmer east shore. It stretches between the Rhodes Aquarium and Mandraki Port, making it one of the most accessible beaches on the island, walkable from the Old Town and most hotels in Rhodes Town.

This guide covers everything you need to know before visiting: beach conditions, amenities, water activities, and nearby accommodation.

Located at the northern tip of Rhodes Island, on the east side, Elli Beach stretches between the Rhodes Aquarium and Mandraki Port. This is the best of all Rhodes Town beaches, as it has everything appealing for almost everyone.

Check out the location of Elli Beach on the map of Rhodes.

Beach Conditions

Elli Beach is a Blue Flag beach, awarded for water quality, cleanliness, and facilities. The sea on this side of the island is calm for most of the season, which makes it suitable for swimming and snorkeling. Waves rarely reach dangerous heights in summer.

The beach surface is a mix of small pebbles and sand. The water gets deep quickly from the shoreline, which is worth keeping in mind if you are visiting with toddlers.

East vs. west stretch: The eastern section of the beach is quieter and less crowded. The western end is livelier, with more beach bars and music. Both sections share the same facilities.

Facilities & Amenities

• Sunbeds and umbrellas: Sets of two sunbeds and one umbrella rent for €12 per day across most of the beach. In front of Baia Beach Bar & Restaurant, premium sunbeds with thick mattresses and individual tables cost €20 per set. These sell out early in the morning during high season. Note that sunbeds in this section are fixed in place and cannot be moved to follow the shade.
• Showers and changing cabins: Available roughly every 20 meters along the beach.
• Toilets: Coin-operated at €0.50. Smaller coins can be combined to reach the total. Customers of beach bars and restaurants can use their facilities for free.
• Lifeguards: On duty for most of the day. Check the posted flags for current status.
• Food and drinks: Vendors walk along the beach. Several beach bars serve light meals and drinks directly on the sand.

If you prefer not to rent sunbeds, you can lay a towel on the sand. A small number of trees near the beach provide natural shade, but these spots fill up early.

Prices listed are high-season rates (July–August).

Water Activities

Snorkeling: The calm, clear water makes Elli Beach a good spot for snorkeling. Fish are more active in the afternoon, particularly on hot days. Wind reduces visibility.

Water sports: Paragliding and other water sports are available on the beach.

Diving platform: A multi-level diving platform stands in the water in front of Baia Beach Bar & Restaurant. It has several staircases and platforms at different heights.

Services & Amenities on Elli Beach

Sets of two sunbeds and one umbrella are available for 12 Euro for the day. Foods and drinks are available from the vendors that walk along the beach.

There’s one exception, though: sunbeds on the beach in front of Baia Seaside Beach Bar & Restaurant cost 20 Euro per day (set of two plus umbrella). You have to book them very early in the morning, as they go pretty fast.They look more comfortable, as they have very thick mattresses. Each set of two beds comes with a table. The downside of this section of Elli Beach is that you can’t move the sunbeds around to follow the shadow. If you don’t want to be in direct sunlight, you won’t be happy here.

Please note that these are high-season prices (July-August). I guess everything gets cheaper outside this period.

If you want, you can come with your own umbrella and sit directly on your towel, on the sand. Also, there are a few trees where you can find natural shadow. Nevertheless, if you want a spot under the trees, you may need to get to the beach early in the morning.

There are beach bars where you can have a drink and a light lunch. Baia Beach Bar & Restaurant is probably one of the best beach bars in Greece.

Accessibility

Elli Beach has multiple wheelchair-access ramps. A Seatrac device — an automated beach wheelchair system — is available in front of Ibiscus Hotel, providing unassisted sea access for people with mobility limitations. Use is free of charge. Contact the Seatrac website in advance to arrange the remote control.

This automatic device is on the beach in front of Ibiscus Hotel.

Hotels in Rhodes Town Within Walking Distance From Elli Beach

All hotels on the tip of the island are within walking distance from Elli Beach, Mandraki Port and The Old Town of Rhodes. The seafront promenade is scattered with hotels that seem comfortable and modern, yet lack character.

If you want to experience Greek style hotels and surroundings, whitewashed stone buildings with blue accents, this area of Rhodes is not for you. However, if you’re interested in a relaxing beach vacation combined with cruises and visits into the Old Town, this is the place to be.

Hotel Riviera

Hotel Riviera – On Miaouli Beach (west side of the tip), around five minutes on foot from Elli Beach. One of the more affordable options in the area. Rooms are basic but functional, all with at least a partial sea-view balcony. Small pool with a bar on-site. No coffee machine or minibar, but the room refrigerator works well.

If you’re looking for affordable comfort, this is one of your best options near Elli Beach and the Old Town of Rhodes. Here’s the view from our room in Riviera Hotel.

The beach in front of the hotel is perfectly fine, too. It has lifeguards, sunbeds and parasols, showers and changing rooms. There’s no beach bar in this area, though, so you’d need to bring your drinks and snacks with you to the beach. This side of the island is windy, so the sea is a bit rough (by comparison to the east side).

Sunsets on this beach are pretty amazing.

Mitsis La Vita Beach Hotel

A short walk from Elli Beach on the west seafront. Modern property with a swimming pool and an exclusive beach strip with sunbeds and umbrellas. Beach towels are provided.

You can find their latest rates and book a room here.

Mediterranean Hotel

Located directly on Elli Beach. Offers 24-hour room service, safety deposit boxes, and rooms adapted for guests with mobility limitations (confirm details in advance with the hotel).

Click here to see the latest prices and to book a room in Mediterranean Hotel on Elli Beach, Rhodes.

Ibiscus Hotel

Also on Elli Beach. Four-star hotel with a small pool, sundeck, beach bar, and restaurant. The beach bar serves snacks and light meals. Evening entertainment is offered at the restaurant, subject to seasonal availability.

Click here to check out the current room rates and to book your stay at Ibiscus Hotel.

Other Hotels Near Elli Beach

Other hotels on the seafront promenade of Rhodes Town include: Aquarium View Hotel, Cactus Hotel, Cooks Club Beach Rhodes and Bellevue On The Beach Suites.

I think that choosing accommodation near Elli Beach for my fist time in Rhodes was a very good idea.

Elli Beach is not a hidden gem. It is well-known, well-equipped, and popular for good reason. For anyone based in Rhodes Town, it is simply the obvious place to spend a beach day.