Our first glimpse of Tsambika Beach came in 2024 when we climbed Tsambika Mountain from the Kolymbia side. From the top we could see a long curved stretch of golden sand with bright turquoise sea and shallow water glistening below.

It looked untouched, natural and peaceful with no buildings lining the coastline, only sun loungers and, at the time, a large inflatable aquapark floating in the sea.

We didn’t have enough time to visit that year, so we made sure it was one of the first places on our list when we returned to Rhodes in 2025, with the hope of exploring the beach and the aquapark we had seen!

Getting To Tsambika Beach From Kolymbia

For our second trip we stayed in Kolymbia again, only this time in a villa rather than a hotel. From Zen Villa Club the drive to Tsambika Beach was around ten minutes.

The route is straightforward, out of Kolymbia to the main road, then a left hand turn to Tsambika Beach which was signposted from the road. Down the road, passing a couple of tavernas on the approach before the road ends directly at the beach with a large car parking area for free.

Parking was easy when we visited in late October and there were plenty of spaces without having to circle or wait.

First Impressions

On arrival Tsambika looks wide, open and inviting. The water is incredibly shallow for a long distance which makes it ideal for children and for anyone who prefers calm, gentle sea rather than deep water close to shore.

We are used to soft golden sand living on the north coast of Cornwall, so many of the beaches in Rhodes didn’t stand out to us in the same way, with many of them having grainier, darkened sand, however Tsambika was one of the nicer ones we saw with golden sand.

The clarity of the sea and the mountain backdrop make it particularly beautiful.

The Aquapark Wasn’t Operating During Our Visit

One of the main reasons we wanted to return was the inflatable aquapark we saw from above the year before. When we arrived this time, it wasn’t in the sea, and several large sections were laid out on the sand behind one of the restaurants being cleaned or inspected. It may have been due to slight waves or end-of-season maintenance. Although it would have been fun to try, there was still plenty for the kids to enjoy. We’ll have to try again if we return to Rhodes another time!

We visited a small beach shop instead and bought a new lilo to replace one that had popped earlier in the week back at our villa pool. The kids chose a large kiwi slice which kept them entertained for the afternoon for hours, floating along the gentle waves and paddling around in the shallow water jumping on and off!

Exploring The Beach Before Choosing Sunbeds

We like to walk a beach before settling, just to get a feel for what’s available. Tsambika has three restaurants along the shore, all very similar in style with rustic wooden features, relaxed décor and a beach-bar feel.

Each one has a bar, seating areas and parasol sun loungers which you can hire for the day. Staff take orders directly from your lounger so you don’t even need to leave your spot to eat or drink!

Between the restaurants are small massage huts which look out towards the sea. They add a luxury feel to the beach and would be ideal for couples or anyone wanting to relax for longer than just a quick swim.

We chose two sunbeds towards the left side of the beach where service was available directly to our loungers. The padded cushions were comfortable enough to spend several hours there without needing to move.

Food And Vegan Options

We ordered fruit drinks, pittas, salad, gyros and fries. There were several vegan options on the menu, which made ordering easy. As for the pittas and Greek dips, just skip eating the tzatziki sauce to make it vegan-friendly.

It was nice to be able to eat directly from the loungers rather than having to move to a restaurant table, and it made the day feel relaxed and unhurried.

A Naturist Section At One End Of The Beach

Tsambika Beach has a naturist area located at the far end. It is clearly separated from the main family section and easy to avoid. We walked towards it while exploring and turned back once we realised we were nearing that part of the beach. Those who want to use the naturist area can do so without affecting the main beach atmosphere.

Why Tsambika Beach Works Well For Different Visitors

Tsambika is suitable for families, couples and relaxed beach days. The shallow calm water makes swimming easy for children and less confident swimmers, while the massage huts and food service offer comfort for adults wanting to unwind. When the aquapark is running it adds entertainment for older children and teens too.

Compared with other beaches we visited in Rhodes, Tsambika was one of the better all-round options. A good balance of natural beauty and facilities without being overly developed.

What You’ll Find At Tsambika Beach

• Sunbeds with thick padded cushions
• Bars and restaurants with table and sunlounger service
• Vegan food available
• Beach shop selling inflatables and toys
• Massage huts between restaurants
• Shallow sea for a long distance from the shore
• Naturist section at one end
• Water sports (dependent on conditions)
• Inflatable floating aquapark (dependent on conditions)

How Long To Spend at Tsambika Beach

We spent several hours at Tsambika, perhaps half a day in total, but we could easily have stayed longer.

Even without the aquapark running, the children swam, paddled and played while we relaxed. The sea was warm and the day felt easy and enjoyable.

With food options and entertainment, it would be easy to plan a full beach day here, and if we return to Rhodes, I’m sure we will.

Final Thoughts

Tsambika Beach is a great choice if you’re staying in Kolymbia or nearby and want a relaxed beach day with food options, shallow sea and space to unwind. It worked perfectly for our family and is somewhere we’d return to on a future trip to Rhodes. The water is clear, the loungers are comfortable, and the setting beneath Tsambika Mountain gives it a memorable feel.

Tsambika Beach offers shallow calm water that’s ideal for families, restaurants that serve food directly to loungers, massage huts for adults, and a naturist area at one end for those who want it. A relaxed, easy place to spend an afternoon in Rhodes.

More Things To Do When Visiting Kolymbia In Rhodes

Kolymbia is a great base for exploring Rhodes. Some places are right on your doorstep and easy to visit between beach hours, while others make a brilliant day trip if you have a hire car or join an organised excursion. Here are a few ideas, all based on places we’ve visited ourselves.

Close to Kolymbia, you can walk up to Flag Hill for beautiful views across the coastline, especially at sunset. It’s easily reached from Kolymbia and is a relaxing evening outing without needing to drive anywhere.

Another nearby nature spot is Seven Springs, only a short drive inland. It’s shaded, green, peaceful and perfect for a couple of hours away from the beach. You can walk through forest trails, paddle in shallow water and even try the tunnel walk through the hillside.

Lindos is not far either and works well for a half or full day trip. You can spend time wandering the whitewashed streets, swim at the beautiful St Paul’s Bay, or climb to the top for history and views at the Lindos Acropolis.

If you enjoy the sea, you might like the Hippo Submarine cruise to Lindos and Navarone Bay which departs from St Paul’s Bay near Lindos and includes swimming stops in clear blue water.

For something a little further afield, you can visit Chalki Island as part of a full-day excursion. Our experience is here: Chalki Island And Butterfly Valley TUI Trip Review. If you’re curious about Butterfly Valley on its own, we also cover what it’s like out of season.

And if you enjoy exploring cities, wandering streets and photographing history, a day trip to
Rhodes Old Town is a must, especially if you’re into medieval architecture, stone alleyways and hidden corners.