The best things to do in Rhodes in September 2026
While September may be outside of Rhodes’ peak tourism season, it’s still a great time to visit our beautiful island – and there are actually some advantages over visiting earlier in summer. Here’s our guide to making the most of your September stay in Rhodes.
What’s the climate like in Rhodes in September?
The average temperature in Rhodes in September is 26 degrees celsius – about the same as in June! The sea is definitely still warm enough to swim in in September.
Benefits of visiting Rhodes in September
One of the biggest advantages of coming to Rhodes in September is that the island will be quieter than in peak season. This, combined with the weather still being great, makes September many repeat visitors’ favourite time to come to the island.
That means it’s easier to find a parking space in the Old Town and hotspots like Lindos, there’ll be less traffic, and the streets will be less crowded when exploring on foot. That can create a more authentic experience that lets you see what normal life is like on the island.
Plus, if you struggle in extreme heat, the chances are you’ll enjoy visiting Rhodes more in September than in the middle of summer. It’ll still be lovely and warm without being uncomfortably hot, as the average temperature and humidity are a bit lower than in August.
For more reasons to visit later in the season, check out our five reasons to visit Rhodes in Autumn.
What to do in Rhodes September 2026
Events
It’s a good month to visit if you’re into the arts. The Festival European Polyphony runs from 28th September-10th October and aims to establish Rhodes as “one of the important artistic capitals in Europe.” The full programme hasn’t been announced yet but the festival transforms our island into “an active music workshop” with plenty of chances for the public to get involved with musical activities.
Rhodes is also hosting the Biennale of Contemporary Ceramics from June-October 2026, so September visitors will still be able to catch artwork from 42 artists across 18 countries at five sites across the island.
Not the arty type? Well, September’s a great month for food and drink lovers, too. It’s when Rhodes Street Food Festival is typically held in Rhodes city, as well as a Vineyard Festival in the village of Fanes on the north-west coast of the island which combines “a generous selection” of local wines with traditional music and dancing.
Best September activities in Rhodes
The fact the weather is still great in September means pretty much all the popular options are still open to you when it comes to activities.
Want to do a boat trip? You can: day trips to places like the island of Symi or even the ferry to Marmaris in Turkiye will still be running. Want to try watersports? Kitesurfing and windsurfing will still be available on Rhodes’ beaches. Fancy a trek in the mountains? You’ll be able to find tour providers offering hiking trips.
September’s also a good time to visit The Valley of the Butterflies, one of the island’s best attractions – the butterflies are often still around in September but are gone by October, meaning now’s a good time to see them without the crowds.
And of course, the Acropolis in Lindos, the Old Town and the Seven Springs are great places to visit year-round.
Make the most of your visit to Rhodes
Hiring a car will help you to make the most of your time in Rhodes by allowing you to see all of these attractions and more at your own convenience. As you get further out of peak season public transport timetables are likely to be more restrictive.
At AutoRhodes we provide affordable car and scooter hire from a wide range of pickup points across the island.
Book your rental today and see why we’re rated 4.7/5 by our customers on Google!
