Filerimos Hill and Butterfly Valley Half Day Tour Rhodes
- Duration6.5 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirm, then pay
- Secure payment
Overview
This half-day Rhodes tour links two of the island's best-loved places: Filerimos Hill, with its ancient acropolis, monastery and Golgotha path, and the shaded Butterfly Valley, a green gorge with wooden bridges and small pools. You travel by coach with hotel pickup and drop-off, and a driver takes you between the sites. It is a self-guided visit: you receive an English map and enjoy free time at each place. Entrance fees are paid on site. It suits families, couples and anyone who likes history and nature in one trip.
Highlights
- Hotel pickup and drop-off included from many locations around northern Rhodes
- Filerimos Hill with the ruins of ancient Ialyssos and the Monastery of Our Lady
- Walk the Golgotha path to the giant cross for views over the island
- Butterfly Valley with wooden bridges, pools and waterfalls
- English map of both sites and free time to explore at your own pace
- Comfortable coach travel with a driver, about 6 hours in total
Full Description
Filerimos Hill and the Monastery of Our Lady
Filerimos is a pine-covered hill above the village of Ialyssos, and it is one of the most visited places on Rhodes. In ancient times the summit held the acropolis of Ialyssos, one of the three city-states of the island, and you can still see foundations of temples, a Doric fountain and traces of the early Christian church.
The Knights of St John later built the Monastery of Our Lady of Filerimos here, restoring it in the 20th century. Walk through the cloister and small chapels, and allow about an hour for the Filerimos hill tour so you can see the ruins, the gardens, where peacocks wander, and the viewpoint.
The Golgotha path and the great cross
A cypress-lined stone path leads from the monastery to a very large cross on the hilltop. Along the way small shrines show the Stations of the Cross, so the walk is both a pilgrimage route and a scenic stroll.
From the top you look over the coast, the northern tip of Rhodes and, on a clear day, across the water to Turkey. The path has steps and slopes, so wear comfortable shoes. Many visitors ask whether Filerimos is worth visiting, and the answer is yes if you enjoy history and views in a quiet setting.
Butterfly Valley (Petaloudes)
Butterfly Valley, or Petaloudes in Greek, is a narrow, shady gorge in the west of the island where a stream runs through liquidambar trees. A path of about one kilometre follows wooden bridges, rock steps, small waterfalls and pools with water lilies.
The valley is named after the Jersey tiger moth, which gathers here in large numbers in summer, resting on tree trunks and rocks. The best time to visit Butterfly Valley is usually the summer months, roughly June to September, when the moths are present; outside that season it remains a cool, pleasant nature walk. A small entrance fee is paid on site.
How the half-day tour works
A driver collects you from your hotel or a nearby pickup point in northern Rhodes, drives you to Filerimos, then to Butterfly Valley, and finally back to your accommodation. The Rhodes bus tour is self-guided, so you set your own pace using the English map provided.
There is no guide, and entrance fees to the sites are not included. Cafés near the valley entrance are handy for a break. The whole excursion runs about six hours, which leaves you the rest of the day free. Tickets are bought at each entrance, so keep some cash or a card ready when you arrive at each site.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup in northern RhodesThe coach collects you from your hotel or nearby pickup point at the time confirmed after booking.
- Coach transfer to FilerimosAbout 35 minutes by coach; the exact time depends on your pickup area.
- Filerimos HillAbout 1 hour to see the acropolis ruins, monastery, gardens and the Golgotha path.
- Coach transfer to Butterfly ValleyAbout 35 minutes by road across the island.
- Butterfly ValleyAbout 2 hours of free time to walk the gorge path, cross the bridges and relax in the shade.
- Return and hotel drop-offAround 45 minutes back to Rhodes, with drop-off at your hotel or pickup area.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transport during the tour
- Driver
- Map of Filerimos and Butterfly Valley in English
Not included
- Tour guide
- Entrance fees to the attractions
- Food and drinks
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 3–11
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- Nature and wildlife lovers
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- People with mobility impairments, as both sites involve steps, slopes and uneven paths
- Guests who want a live guide, since the tour has a driver only and an English map
- Travellers who cannot spend long periods walking outdoors in hot weather
Meeting point
Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from around 68 pickup locations in northern Rhodes, including the main resorts and hotel areas. Enter your accommodation when booking, and we will confirm your pickup time. If your hotel is not on the list, the nearest pickup point will be given in your confirmation.
Important information
- Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the paths at Filerimos and in the valley have steps and uneven ground
- Bring a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a camera
- Entrance fees for Filerimos and Butterfly Valley are not included and are paid on site
- Modest clothing is required in the monastery area; cover shoulders and knees
- Butterflies are usually present in summer only; the valley is still a pleasant walk in other months
- The tour has a driver and an English map, not a live guide
- Pickup times depend on your hotel location and are confirmed after booking
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Filerimos and Butterfly Valley tour cost?
The price depends on the date and the number of adults and children. The booking panel on this page shows the current price, so select your date to see it.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from many locations in northern Rhodes, and we confirm your pickup time after booking.
How long is the tour?
It lasts about six hours, including coach transfers, around one hour at Filerimos and about two hours at Butterfly Valley.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, children can join the tour, and the valley is popular with families. The paths include steps, so parents should keep a close eye on younger children.
Is there a guide?
No. A driver takes you between the sites, and you receive an English map to explore on your own.
Are entrance tickets included?
No. Entrance fees are paid on site at Filerimos and Butterfly Valley.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable shoes, sun protection and modest clothing for the monastery. Bring water and cash for the entrance fees.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Yes, if seats are available. Choose the date in the booking panel to see availability.
When are the butterflies in Butterfly Valley?
They gather mainly in summer, roughly from June to September. Outside these months the valley has few butterflies, but the walk is still pleasant.
Is Filerimos worth visiting?
Yes. It combines ancient ruins, a peaceful monastery, gardens and some of the best viewpoints on the north of Rhodes.
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