During both our October 2024 and October 2025 trips to Rhodes, we were genuinely shocked by the sheer amount of litter and plastic pollution we saw across the island. This was not just limited to busy tourist beaches or town centres. We saw rubbish scattered along roads and pavements in residential areas, in neighbourhood green spaces, beside walking routes near Kolymbia, and even off established paths on mountain walks where very few people go.
What stood out most was where the litter was. It appeared in places with minimal tourist footfall, far from bars, beach clubs, and crowded attractions. We saw rubbish up hillsides, in bushes, and off walking trails where hikers and nature lovers usually tread carefully. In our experience, people who hike mountains and explore nature tend to respect the environment. They carry their rubbish out. What we saw in Rhodes did not align with careless tourism alone. And on researching online, many people are quick to say it’s the tourists who are littering.
We live in Newquay in Cornwall, a major UK tourist destination where the population increases dramatically in summer. While tourism does bring extra litter, it does not look like this. The scale and spread of rubbish we saw in Rhodes felt different and deeper rooted.
This article shares what we personally observed, looks at why the problem may exist, and explores why blaming tourists alone must not tell the full story.
What We Saw Around Rhodes
Here are some of the spots we saw littered where we stayed in Kolymbia, and also elsewhere around the island of Rhodes. I have a few photos, but not many of the sheer scale of what we saw to represent my thoughts – as we were on holiday and I was surprised by the litter we saw I got a few shots, but I didn’t know I’d write this article, so I didn’t think to take lots of photos of litter at the time!
Kolymbia Streets and Theotokos Hill (Flag Hill)
One of the most disturbing areas for litter was around Kolymbia, particularly on and around Theotokos Hill, which sits next to Kolymbia Harbour and is also known as Flag Hill.
In several places, it looked as though entire bin bags had been emptied directly onto the hillside! This was not scattered litter from passing walkers. It appeared deliberate. Rubbish was piled in bushes, strewn along the ground, and lining the edges of the road and pavements. Seeing this so close to homes, hotels, and a walking route that should be for those who wish to immerse themselves in nature, not rubbish, made it even more unsettling.
This area should be a scenic viewpoint and an enjoyable local walk. Instead, parts of it felt neglected and uncared for.
Our experience of this walk is shared here, and there are some amazing sunset views to be seen, not just litter:
https://travelvixta.com/sunset-walk-kolymbia-flag-hill-harbour-views/
Tsambika Mountain and the Routes Towards the Monastery
When we walked up Tsambika Mountain, we chose a steep hiking trail on the way up. That route was clean, natural, and completely free of litter. It reinforced what we already believe. Hikers and people drawn to nature tend to respect it.
However, on the way back down, we took a gentler route heading towards Tsambika Monastery and back down to Kolymbia. As we wandered slightly off the main path at times, we began to notice a surprising amount of rubbish. What an unusual place to find a lot of rubbish, on a mountain walk, not near any roads or regular pathways. Plastic bottles, food packaging, and general waste were scattered across areas that were not heavily used.
I didn’t get a photo, but we were so surprised to see so much junk. Especially in a place with so few people. We hiked up the mountain and back down, and only saw one other person the whole time. Again, it was a strange place to find so much litter.
The contrast between the clean hiking trail and the littered gentler routes was stark. It strongly suggested dumping or casual disposal over time rather than rubbish dropped by passing hikers.
We did see some amazing views across Tsambika Beach and back across Kolymbia from our hike. Our full walk is documented here, check it out: https://travelvixta.com/tsambika-mountain-hike-white-rock-beach-kolymbia-rhodes/
Green Spaces and Parks Near Rhodes Old Town
Rhodes Old Town itself is generally very well maintained, which makes what we saw nearby even more noticeable. After leaving the Old Town, we walked through a local park and were shocked by the amount of rubbish scattered across the grass and paths.
This was not a tourist hotspot. It was a neighbourhood green space. Seeing litter all over a place designed for local families and everyday life highlighted that the issue goes beyond visitor behaviour.
Another thing to note, it didn’t look like fresh litter, much of it looked weathered and old, adding to the impression that there isn’t anyone addressing the litter issue in such spaces in Rhodes, perhaps no councils litterpicking or keeping areas tidy on a daily, or regular basis.
Our Rhodes Old Town visit is here, one of the most unique and incredible towns we have visited:
https://travelvixta.com/rhodes-old-town-review-photos-videos/
Navarone Bay Beach
Navarone Bay is often described as quieter and more natural than many Rhodes beaches. Even so, we saw visible plastic pollution and litter across the sand and near the waterline. Litter on the beach, but also plastic pollution from the sea, and a lot of it.
It served as a reminder that once rubbish enters the environment, it rarely stays contained to one place.
You can read more about Navarone Bay here and why we preferred visiting by boat rather than on foot:
https://travelvixta.com/navarone-bay-and-beach-review-rhodes/
Why Might There Be So Much Litter in Rhodes?
There is no single explanation, but several overlapping factors likely contribute.
Tourism and Seasonal Pressure
Rhodes welcomes a huge number of visitors each year. During peak season, waste production increases significantly. Disposable food packaging, drink bottles, and single-use items all add pressure to local systems.
That said, tourism alone does not explain rubbish found on hillsides, the volume found dumped in bushes (as if tipped out of rubbish bags) or off mountain trails where tourists rarely go.
Waste Management Challenges
Greece faces ongoing challenges with waste management and recycling. A large proportion of waste still goes to landfill, and recycling infrastructure varies widely by region. On islands, seasonal surges in population can overwhelm systems that are already stretched.
Well-known tourist areas tend to receive regular cleaning. Residential zones and rural areas often do not.
Local Behaviour and Awareness
While many locals clearly care deeply about their island, some of the litter we saw appeared to have been dumped intentionally. The presence of bagged household waste on hillsides suggests convenience dumping rather than accidental littering.
Without consistent enforcement, education, and infrastructure, these behaviours can persist over time. Sadly, as is the case in many places, including where we live, the ignorant few can really spoil naturally beautiful areas by their carelessness and disregard.
The Wider Mediterranean Plastic Problem
The Mediterranean Sea is widely recognised as one of the regions most affected by plastic pollution. A large proportion of beach litter originates from land-based sources. Once plastic enters the environment, it spreads easily and accumulates in bays, rural areas, and natural landscapes.
This makes local clean-up even more important.
Is It Fair to Blame Tourists?
Based on what we saw, no.
We observed litter in places with minimal tourism, including neighbourhood green spaces and off-the-beaten-track mountain paths. Hikers and climbers are typically people who love nature and actively protect it. What we observed felt like people had purposefully gone to these quiet spots, out of sight, to dump large quantities of litter.
Blaming tourists alone oversimplifies a more complex issue involving infrastructure, behaviour, and responsibility at multiple levels.
The Role of Hotels and Resorts
Hotels benefit directly from the beauty of Rhodes. Clean surroundings are part of the experience guests pay for.
We believe hotels should take responsibility not only for their own grounds, but also for nearby streets, pavements, and common walking routes used by guests. Regular litter picking by their teams in these areas would make a visible difference and demonstrate care for the wider community.
Why This Matters
Litter does not just spoil views. It harms wildlife, damages ecosystems, and affects how people feel about a destination. Plastic pollution has long-term consequences that are difficult to undo.
Rhodes is a beautiful island with extraordinary landscapes, history, and culture. Protecting that beauty requires more than quiet frustration. It requires awareness, action, and shared responsibility.
Final Thoughts
Seeing widespread litter across Rhodes during both our 2024 and 2025 trips was deeply disappointing. The volume, spread, and location of the rubbish suggest a problem that goes far beyond careless tourists.
Rhodes deserves better. With stronger waste management, more local and visitor awareness, and greater responsibility from businesses that profit from tourism, this issue can improve.
Talking about it openly is not about criticism. It’s about a curiosity for why this issue exists in modern European countries. It is about caring enough to not add to the issue, to inspire people to take litter home with them, and to want change so we don’t have to live in a litter dump no matter where we are in the world!
Before you go, why not check out my 2024 and 2025 family travel diaries in Rhodes to find out what we got up to, with links to full reviews and experiences with lots of photos and videos? Here you go:
Discover more from Travel Vixta
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.