Kitesurfing on Rhodes with Janis from KiteWorldWide

There are moments on a kite trip that happen before the first kite hits the wind — and still say it all. The ferry from Kos to Rhodes is one of them. Blue water to the horizon, sun on your skin, the smell of salt and diesel, and that light, elusive feeling of freedom you only really know in Greece. Anyone who’s done a kite trip to Greece knows: this crossing is the perfect transition. No more airport stress, no waiting at the baggage belt — just water, horizon, and the quiet promise that sessions are about to begin.

Rhodes isn’t unknown terrain for me. I’ve been here often. And yet — or perhaps because of that — arriving always feels like a small rediscovery.

There are moments on a kite trip that happen before the first kite even hits the wind — and still say it all. The ferry from Kos to Rhodes is one of those moments. Blue water as far as you can see, sun on your skin, the smell of salt and diesel, and that subtle, elusive feeling of freedom you really only know from Greece. Anyone who has done a kite trip to Greece knows: this crossing is the perfect transition. No more airport stress, no waiting at the baggage belt — just water, horizon, and the quiet promise that the sessions will start soon.

Rhodes isn’t new to me. I’ve been here often. And yet — or maybe because of that — every arrival feels like a small rediscovery.

Midday: Through the Old Town

Arriving in Rhodes Town, I take my time. That’s basically a must here. The medieval Old Town — the oldest inhabited fortress city in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 — casts its spell right away. The city wall encloses it for 4 to 5 kilometers, expanded by the Crusaders over centuries and reinforced up to 12 meters thick. You pass through a gate and you’re suddenly elsewhere. If you just rush through without stopping to look, you really miss out.

For me, Rhodes is among the best kitespots in Greece — not just for the wind, but because the island offers so much more. History, food, scenery. For a kite trip to Greece where you don’t want to be only on the water, this is the right place.

Midday: Through the Old Town

Arriving in Rhodes Town, I take my time. That’s basically mandatory here. The medieval Old Town — the oldest inhabited fortress town in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988 — captivates you instantly. The city wall encloses the Old Town for 4 to 5 kilometers, expanded by the Crusaders over centuries and reinforced up to 12 meters thick. You pass through a gate and you’re suddenly somewhere else. If you just rush through without stopping to look, you really miss something.

For me, Rhodes is one of the best kitespots in Greece — not just for the wind, but because the island offers so much more. History, food, landscapes. For a kite trip to Greece where you don’t want to be only on the water, this is the right place.

From town I drive further south. The island is unbelievably green — you forget that when you’ve been away too long. Winding roads, olive groves, small mountain villages that seem to forget time. Kitesurfing in Greece isn’t just wind and flat water, but everything that happens around it.

At the end of this drive: Theologos. A very special place for me. I did my kite instructor training here over five years ago. And when you return after so long, you realize: some places don’t change — thankfully.

From town I head further south. The island is incredibly green — you forget that when you’ve been away too long. Winding roads, olive groves, small mountain villages that seem to forget time. Kitesurfing in Greece isn’t just wind and flat water, it’s everything happening around it.

At the end of this drive: Theologos. A very special place for me. I did my kite instructor training here over five years ago. And when you return after so long, you realize: some places don’t change — thankfully.

As soon as I arrive at Hotel Sabina, Gina and Katharina welcome me with a warm Kalimera. It feels good. Really good.

First stop: the pool. After the long journey, a jump in the water is non-negotiable. Then I head down the road to the beach and meet Nikos, Robert, and William from our Surfing Bird kite school. The laid-back surfer mood is instant — no stress, no rush, just wind, sea, and good vibes. Exactly why you book a trip like this.

After the first chat about sessions, spots, and conditions, there’s coffee on the rooftop. The view does the rest. For lunch I sit down at the beach — the kantina serves an excellent saganaki. Fried cheese, golden-brown, a squeeze of lemon. Nothing more needed.

In the evening, the first guest of the group arrives and we toast with an ice-cold Mythos. Plus gyros pita. Typically Greek — and just right. If you’re planning a kite trip to Greece and wonder whether to book solo or in a community group: this evening answers it.

As soon as I reach Hotel Sabina, Gina and Katharina welcome me with a warm kalimera. It feels good. Really good.

First stop: the pool. After the long journey, a jump into the water is non-negotiable. Then I walk down to the beach and meet Nikos, Robert, and William from our Surfing Bird kite school. The laid-back surfer mood hits right away — no stress, no rush, just wind, sea, and good vibes. Exactly why you book a trip like this.

After the first geek-out about sessions, spots, and conditions, we have coffee on the rooftop. The view does the rest. For lunch I sit beachfront — the kantina serves an excellent saganaki. Fried cheese, golden-brown, a squeeze of lemon. You really don’t need more.

In the evening the first guest of the group arrives, and we toast with an ice-cold Mythos. Plus gyros pita. Typically Greek — and just perfect. If you’re planning a kite trip to Greece and wonder whether to book solo or join a community group: this evening answers it.

The wind lets us catch our breath the next day. No kiting today — but that’s no problem on Rhodes. We explore the island, wander through small villages, drift through Greek tavernas. On Rhodes, the food never disappoints. If you think a kite holiday is only water, kite, and bar, you haven’t spent a windless hour on a Greek island.

These in-between days are some of my favorite moments on a kite trip — slowing down, arriving, truly getting to know the like-minded people in the group.

The wind gives us another breather the next day. No kiting today — but that’s no problem on Rhodes. We explore the island, wander through small villages, drift through Greek tavernas. You’re never disappointed culinarily on Rhodes. If you think a kite holiday is only water, kite, and bar, you haven’t spent a windless hour on a Greek island.

These days between sessions are some of my favorite moments of a kite trip — slowing down, arriving, truly getting to know the like-minded people in the group.

Finally: wind. We jump in and have our first shared kite session at the spot in Theologos. Only six kiters on the water, plenty of space, clean conditions. Sessions like this remind you why you do it. Why you wanted to learn to kite, why you keep setting off and traveling to new spots.

Theologos delivers what makes a great kitespot for beginners and advanced alike: a wide area, steady wind, little hustle. For anyone seeking beginner-friendly kitesurfing without giving up quality — this is a top spot for beginners and for experienced riders enjoying their foil sessions.

Finally: wind. We jump in and have our first shared kite session at the spot in Theologos. Only six kiters on the water, plenty of space, clean conditions. Sessions like this remind you why you do it. Why you wanted to learn to kite, why you keep heading out and discovering new spots.

Theologos offers exactly what makes a great spot for beginners and intermediates alike: a wide playground, steady wind, little hustle. For anyone seeking beginner-friendly kitesurfing without sacrificing quality — this is a top spot for beginners and for experienced riders who love their foil sessions.

In the evening it’s time for the KiteWorldWide Dinner. We walk 20 minutes through the hills to Taverna Drosia — a long-established spot in a small mountain village that looks exactly like the Greek taverna you imagine. Wooden tables, warm light, sounds from the kitchen.

The table is almost bending: fried feta with honey and sesame, zucchini keftedes, meatballs, souvlaki, bifteki, Greek salad — and much more. This isn’t a meal to eat alone. It’s a meal for kindred spirits. For a community brought together by wind and water.

The walk back through the hills feels very good after this feast.

In the evening it’s time for the KiteWorldWide dinner. We walk 20 minutes through the hills to Taverna Drosia — a long-standing place in a small mountain village that looks exactly like a Greek taverna should. Wooden tables, warm light, sounds from the kitchen.

The table is almost bending: fried feta with honey and sesame, zucchini keftedes, meatballs, souvlaki, bifteki, Greek salad — and much more. This isn’t a meal to eat alone. It’s a meal for kindred spirits. For a community brought together by wind and water.

The walk back through the hills feels very good after this feast.

The next morning William does his best to sell me on wingfoiling. No chance. I’m too hooked on kiting — so I go for a foil session instead. Some persuasion fails against simple happiness.

That’s also why a KiteWorldWide community trip works so well: everyone rides what they want. Learn to kite, keep foiling, join a course, or just watch and soak up the sun. No forced schedule, no cramming through a packed kite course. When and how you want to learn to kitesurf — that’s entirely up to you.

The next morning William does his best to sell me on wingfoiling. No chance. I’m too hooked on kiting — so I go for a foil session instead. Some persuasion fails against your own happiness.

That’s also why a KiteWorldWide community trip works so well: everyone rides what they want. Learn to kite, keep foiling, join the course, or just watch and soak up the sun. No forced program, no squeezing through an overfull course. When and how to learn kitesurfing — that’s up to you.

And then it’s already over. The ferry back to Kos is waiting. The bags are heavier than on arrival — not because of luggage, but because of everything you’re taking with you. Impressions, sessions, evening conversations, Kalimera in the morning.

For me, Rhodes is one of those kitespots you keep returning to. Not just for the wind. But for everything around it. For the people, the food, the roads between olive groves and mountain villages, and a community you only find on a kite trip.

Whether it’s your first beginner trip, you want to combine a kitesurf holiday with a course, or you just want to be on the water with like-minded people — Rhodes and the KiteWorldWide community trip to Greece is one you won’t regret.

Thank you, Rhodes. See you next time.

— Janis

And then it’s already over. The ferry back to Kos is waiting. The bags feel heavier than on arrival — not because of luggage, but because of everything you’re taking home. Impressions, sessions, evening chats, the kalimera in the morning.

For me, Rhodes is one of those kitespots you always return to. Not just for the wind. But for everything around it. For the people, the food, the roads between olive groves and mountain villages, and for a community you only find on a kite trip.

Whether it’s your first beginner trip, you want to combine a kitesurf holiday with a course, or you just want to be on the water with like-minded people — Rhodes and the KiteWorldWide community trip to Greece is a journey you won’t regret.

Thank you, Rhodes. Until next time.

— Janis