Last updated: September 2026
Ixia holidays combine an enviably long sandy beach with one of the most convenient locations on the whole island — just a few minutes north of Rhodes Town and a short hop from the airport. This stretch of coast has long been popular with windsurfers thanks to its reliable afternoon breeze, while the long beach and upmarket hotels make an Ixia holiday equally appealing to couples and families looking for comfort without sacrificing convenience.
An Ixia holiday suits travellers who want resort comforts without the intensity of nightlife found further south at Faliraki. The hotels here tend to be larger and more polished, often with extensive grounds and multiple pools. Ixia holiday deals are well represented across most major UK tour operators, reflecting the resort’s enduring popularity.
The beach at Ixia runs for several kilometres along the coast road north of Rhodes Town, a long stretch of fine sand and shingle that rarely feels overcrowded even in peak season. The sea here is generally a touch livelier than at the sheltered east coast resorts, a result of the prevailing winds that make the area so popular with windsurfers during an Ixia holiday.
Sunbeds and beach bars are well organised along the hotel frontages, and most properties maintain their own section of beach for guests. Independent stretches of public beach are also available for those on a self-catering Ixia holiday who are not staying at a beachfront hotel. The wide, open beach gives excellent views south towards Rhodes Town and the old windmills along the harbour.
Ixia is one of the best-known windsurfing spots on Rhodes, and an Ixia holiday built around this sport is a popular and rewarding choice. The reliable afternoon thermal wind that builds along this stretch of coast provides consistent conditions through much of the summer, and several windsurfing schools operate from the beach offering lessons for beginners through to advanced riders.
Kitesurfing has also grown in popularity on an Ixia holiday in recent years, taking advantage of the same wind conditions that have long attracted windsurfers. Equipment hire and instruction are both readily available, making it straightforward to try the sport for the first time. Outside the windiest hours, the sea is calm enough for swimming, paddleboarding, and more general beach-based water sports.
The wind that makes Ixia so attractive to board sports typically builds through the afternoon and eases by evening, giving an Ixia holiday a predictable daily rhythm — calmer mornings for relaxed swimming, livelier afternoons for those chasing the breeze. This pattern is well understood by the local windsurfing schools, who time their lessons accordingly.
One of the standout advantages of an Ixia holiday is the short distance to Rhodes Town, just 3 to 4 kilometres south along the coast road. A pleasant walk, cycle, or short bus ride brings you to the New Town’s shopping streets and harbour, and a little further on to the medieval Old Town itself. Many Ixia holiday visitors walk into town for dinner, taking advantage of the flat coastal path that runs much of the way.
The proximity to Rhodes Town also means an Ixia holiday benefits from easy access to the island’s main historical sites without needing to base yourself in the busier town centre. The Palace of the Grand Master, the Street of the Knights, and the atmospheric Old Town alleys are all within a short taxi ride, making day-to-day life on an Ixia holiday wonderfully convenient.
Ixia is known for its concentration of larger, well-appointed hotels, many dating from the resort’s development as one of the island’s earlier package destinations. An Ixia holiday at one of these properties typically includes extensive grounds, multiple pools, and a polished, established feel that some of Rhodes’ newer resorts have yet to match.
The hotel style on an Ixia holiday tends towards comfort and convenience rather than boutique character, suiting families and couples who prioritise reliable facilities. Several properties have direct beach access and private sections of sand, adding to the sense of an Ixia holiday as a smooth, well-organised resort experience.
Accommodation on an Ixia holiday spans the full range from large beachfront hotels to smaller apartment complexes set slightly back from the coast road. Most properties are within easy walking distance of the beach, and the resort’s long, linear layout means a short walk or local bus ride connects you to a range of restaurants and shops without needing a hire car.
All-inclusive Ixia holiday packages are popular among families, offering the convenience of meals and entertainment within the hotel grounds. Self-catering apartments suit independent travellers who want to take advantage of the easy walk into Rhodes Town for dining and exploring during their Ixia holiday.
The restaurant scene on an Ixia holiday includes a good mix of hotel dining and independent tavernas along the coast road. Fresh fish and classic Greek dishes are widely available, and the relaxed pace of the resort makes for unhurried evening meals without the busier atmosphere of Faliraki further south.
The short walk or drive into Rhodes Town opens up a much wider range of dining options during an Ixia holiday, from harbourfront seafood restaurants to traditional tavernas tucked into the Old Town’s narrow streets. Combining a quiet Ixia base with regular evenings in town gives a well-rounded Ixia holiday experience.
Ixia holidays benefit from a short transfer of just 15 to 20 minutes from Rhodes International Airport, making it one of the most convenient resorts on the island to reach. Local buses run frequently along the coast road connecting Ixia with both the airport direction and Rhodes Town, and many visitors find a hire car unnecessary given the resort’s compact, walkable layout and proximity to the capital.
Practical facilities on an Ixia holiday are good, with several supermarkets, pharmacies, and banks along the coast road. Most hotels offer currency exchange and tour desks for booking excursions, and the short walk into Rhodes Town gives access to a far wider range of shops and services when needed.
The best windsurfing conditions on an Ixia holiday typically build from late morning through the afternoon, so booking lessons for this window rather than early morning gives the most reliable wind. Outside these hours, the calmer sea is ideal for swimming and general beach relaxation.
Walking into Rhodes Town along the coastal path during an Ixia holiday is most pleasant in the early evening, once the heat of the day has eased. The walk takes around 40 minutes at a relaxed pace and offers good views back along the beach towards the Old Town walls as you approach.
Ixia’s reputation as a windsurfing destination developed from a simple geographical fact: the orientation of this stretch of coast relative to the prevailing summer winds creates unusually reliable conditions for board sports. As windsurfing grew in popularity across Europe through the 1980s and 1990s, word spread among enthusiasts that this part of Rhodes offered some of the most consistent conditions in the eastern Mediterranean.
The resort’s hotel infrastructure developed substantially around this growing reputation, with several properties specifically catering to windsurfing holidaymakers alongside the more general tourist market. An Ixia holiday today still reflects this dual identity — a comfortable, well-established beach resort that happens to sit on one of the best windsurfing stretches in Greece, attracting both dedicated board sports enthusiasts and travellers simply looking for a reliable, convenient beach base near Rhodes Town.
An Ixia holiday is often compared with Faliraki further south, and the differences are instructive for anyone choosing between the two. Where Faliraki offers intense nightlife and a water park, Ixia offers wind sports, comfortable established hotels, and dramatically easier access to Rhodes Town. Neither is better in absolute terms — the right choice depends entirely on what kind of holiday you are looking for.
Compared with Trianda just to the north, an Ixia holiday tends to involve larger, more polished hotels and a slightly more international, less residential feel. Trianda offers marginally better value and an even shorter airport transfer, while Ixia offers a more established resort infrastructure and a longer beach. Both share the same favourable wind conditions that make this stretch of coast so popular with board sports enthusiasts.
For travellers undecided between Ixia and a stay in Rhodes Town itself, the calculation often comes down to noise tolerance and beach priorities. An Ixia holiday offers a quieter base with a longer beach and a short walk into the city when needed, while staying in Rhodes Town itself prioritises immediate access to the Old Town’s sights and restaurants at the cost of a more limited beach.
An Ixia holiday ultimately rewards travellers who value efficiency and comfort over intensity. The resort rarely makes headlines for its nightlife or its dramatic scenery, but for those who simply want a reliable, well-equipped beach base within easy striking distance of Rhodes’ medieval capital, few resorts on the island offer a more sensible combination of convenience and comfort.
The short distance into Rhodes Town also means an Ixia holiday rarely feels isolated, even on quieter evenings when the resort itself is calm. A short taxi ride is always available for those wanting a livelier night out in the capital.
Even a short Ixia holiday of just a few nights leaves most visitors feeling they have made good use of their time on Rhodes.
Many visitors combine a stay in Ixia with a trip to Tholos, easily reached within the island.
| Resort type | Long beach resort near Rhodes Town |
|---|---|
| Best for | Windsurfers, couples, comfort-seekers |
| Nearest airport | Rhodes (15 min) |
| Beach type | Long sand and shingle beach |
| Water sports | Excellent — windsurfing, kitesurfing |
| Nightlife | Quiet — hotel bars, Rhodes Town nearby |
| Family friendly | Yes — large hotels, good facilities |
| Typical season | April to October |
Ixia holidays are conveniently served by Rhodes International Airport, just 12 kilometres south, with a transfer of around 15 to 20 minutes. This short transfer makes Ixia one of the most convenient resorts on the island to reach. Ixia holiday deals are widely available through most major UK tour operators given the resort’s long-established popularity.
The best months for an Ixia holiday combining good weather with reliable wind for water sports are May, June, and September. July and August bring the warmest temperatures and the strongest winds, ideal for experienced windsurfers. An Ixia holiday in spring or autumn suits those who want comfortable temperatures and a quieter beach.
Search4Sun works with leading UK tour operators to find the best value Ixia holidays for UK travellers. Browse departures from local airports across the UK. For peace of mind when booking, always check your holiday is ABTA protected.
For last-minute Ixia deals, check LastMinute.com for the latest availability and rates.
Yes — Ixia is one of the best-known windsurfing locations on Rhodes thanks to its reliable afternoon thermal winds. An Ixia holiday built around windsurfing or kitesurfing is a popular choice, with several schools offering lessons and equipment hire on the beach.
Ixia is just 3 to 4 kilometres north of Rhodes Town, an easy walk, cycle, or short bus ride. Many Ixia holiday visitors walk into town for dinner or sightseeing, taking advantage of the flat coastal path.
Yes — Ixia holidays suit families well, with large hotels offering extensive facilities and pools. The beach is long and the sea, while a little livelier than the sheltered east coast, is generally calm enough for family swimming outside the windiest afternoon hours.
Ixia is a quiet resort in the evenings compared to Faliraki, with most entertainment centred around hotel bars and a handful of restaurants. For livelier nightlife, Rhodes Town is a short distance away and offers a wider range of evening options during an Ixia holiday.
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