Top things to do in Faliraki

One of the most beautiful natural attractions on the island of Rhodes, Anthony Quinn Bay lies just 4 km south of the seaside resort of Faliraki. This small cove is surrounded by rock formations and caves that are great to explore on foot or from the sea. The bay is named after the actor of the same name, who fell in love with the area during the filming of The Guns of Navarone in 1960. Protected from the sun, the waters are cool, clear and teeming with marine life. They are perfect for swimming and snorkelling, and there is a centre on the beach where you can hire equipment.

Located in the old town of Faliraki, the harbour is a picturesque reminder of the town's original purpose before it became the bustling seaside resort it is today. The calm waters around Faliraki have provided safe mooring for ships and boats for generations, while the harbour itself has a long history as a place where local fishermen landed and sold their catch. The harbour is still a thriving fishing port, and it's worth getting up early one morning to see the fishermen unloading their daily catch and selling it at the local markets. At the end of the pier is a small Greek Orthodox monastery, Agioi Apostoloi, which is used for weddings and religious ceremonies and is well worth a visit.

One of Europe's largest water parks is just 4.5 km from Faliraki. Spanning over 100,000 square metres, Faliraki's water park is a great place for all the family, with an abundance of giant slides, free falls, kamikaze rides and a huge wave pool. Gentler alternatives are also available with a relaxing river and children's area, and of course you can always choose to relax on a sun lounger. The park is open from 9.30am to 7pm every day from April to October. It's the perfect place to spend a warm summer's day.

In the middle of Faliraki lies the superb Greek Orthodox church of Saint Nectaire, classically decorated and adorned with fantastically colourful frescoes. Founded in 1967, this church is not a historic site, but it is well worth adding to your holiday itinerary. Built as a place of Eastern Orthodox worship, this ensemble of sand-coloured stone walls, colonnaded arcades and red-tiled roofs is one of the largest churches in the region. It has a shady courtyard lined with palm trees where tourists and locals alike can relax. On Sundays, a mass is celebrated, open to all denominations, and gives access to the magnificently decorated interior.

An architectural gem dating from the period of German-Italian occupation, Faliraki Town Hall is also known as the Town Hall of the Municipality of Kallithea. Located just a few kilometres from the town centre, this impressive building was built by the Italians in 1934 and is one of the few remaining structures from that period. Above the main entrance is a balcony from which the occupying governors addressed the villagers and military personnel. Today, this restored building serves as a registry office for marriages and births, and is a reminder of the region's recent troubled history.