Rhodes' natural wonders: Private day trip from Rhodes

A wooded hilltop above Ialyssos with views stretching to the coast of Turkey, Filerimos carries layers of religious and military history that span two and a half millennia, from ancient Greek acropolis to Italian-era reconstruction.

What to see

• The Church of Our Lady of Filerimos, a Crusader-era church built over a Byzantine basilica and a temple of Athena
• The processional Way of Calvary, a palm-lined path leading to a large calvary cross at the hill's western end, with views out to sea on both sides
• The ruins of the ancient acropolis of Ialyssos, one of the three original Doric cities of Rhodes

What to do

• Walk the full circuit of the hilltop; it takes 45 minutes and reveals the successive layers of the site at each turn

What to eat

• Sousoumada, a sweet almond and barley drink made by the monks of Filerimos, produced on the hill for centuries

Between July and September, thousands of Jersey Tiger moths congregate in the cool, damp microclimate of this narrow valley, turning the plane and oriental sweetgum trees into living canopies of flickering wings.

What to see

• The tens of thousands of striking red-and-cream moths, which rest motionless on the trees and rocks during the day but take flight in spectacular swarms when disturbed
• The shaded valley path running along a stream under ancient plane trees, cool even in high summer
• The small lake, wooden bridges, and old water mills along the valley floor

What to do

• Walk the 1.25-mile (2 KM) valley trail at a slow pace; the moths become visible at eye level once your eyes adjust to the dappled light
• Refrain from clapping or making loud noises; repeated disturbance stresses the colony

Take note

• The butterflies are present from July to September; outside these months, the valley is beautiful but without the moths
• Purchase tickets in advance at: https://valleyofbutterflies.com/tickets-2/

Seven Springs (Epta Piges in Greek) is one of the most atmospheric natural spots on Rhodes: a shaded valley of plane trees fed by seven springs, with a man-made lake reached through a narrow underground tunnel built by Italian colonists in the 1930s.

What to see

• The spring sources, feeding a stream through a canopy of ancient plane trees whose roots grip the rock above the water
• The tunnel to the lake, 610 feet (186 meters) long, entirely dark, with water running at ankle depth along the floor; a torch and willingness to stoop are required
• The lake itself, fed by the tunneled springs and home to ducks and terrapins in a serene natural bowl surrounded by forest

What to do

• Walk the tunnel from the springs to the lake; it is entirely passable but genuinely dark, creating a memorable adventure

What to bring

• A small torch or phone light for the tunnel
• Sturdy shoes that can get wet