Butterflies Valley — Attraction in Municipality of Rhodes

Title: A Journey to a Living Fairytale: Unforgettable Forest Bathing in Rhodes' Butterfly Valley Our trip to Rhodes was filled with incredible moments, but a journey across the island in our hire car led us to what can only be described as a natural sanctuary: the Butterfly Valley (Petaloudes). It was a decision worth every second, as we immersed ourselves in a unique experience of "forest bathing" amidst a hubbub of biodiversity. Stepping into the valley felt like entering a different world. The air was thick with the scent of ancient liquid amber trees (Liquidambar orientalis), their gnarled trunks and lush canopy creating a natural cathedral. It's here, in this perfect microclimate, that a myriad of saproxylic organisms thrive, contributing to the rich tapestry of life that makes the valley so special. And then, of course, there were the butterflies. Or, more accurately, the stunning Jersey tiger moths (Euplagia quadripunctaria). The sight of thousands of these creatures, with their striking striped wings, resting in a silent, collective display on the tree trunks was utterly breathtaking. It’s a spectacle of nature that words can barely capture. The valley is not just a place to see butterflies; it's a place to understand the delicate balance of an entire ecosystem. The paths wind through the forest, following gentle streams and small waterfalls, making the journey itself as magical as the destination. It’s a place for quiet contemplation, for appreciating the simple beauty of nature, and for feeling a profound connection to the natural world. For anyone visiting Rhodes, I cannot recommend a trip to the Butterfly Valley highly enough. It’s more than just a tourist attraction; it’s an unforgettable journey into a living fairytale, a place where you can truly slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the wild beauty...

A Captivating Natural Wonder!

The Valley of the Butterflies is truly a natural wonder! The fresh air, lush green forest, and crystal-clear stream leave you in awe. As you walk through, you feel like you are embraced by nature itself. The serenity and tranquility surround you at every step. If you really want to immerse yourself in nature, this is definitely a place to visit.

However, for those planning to visit with babies, there are a few important things to keep in mind: Inside the valley, there are many stairs and steep slopes, so it's not suitable for strollers. The walk may be challenging, but I guarantee every moment will be worth it. Also, due to the forested area, the humidity inside is quite high, so be prepared to sweat! Bringing extra clothes could be a good idea.

The journey to the valley is just as remarkable as the destination itself, but the road is quite bumpy and winding. If you're prone to motion sickness, it's something to be mindful of before setting out.

Besides the butterflies, you can also spot some adorable little crabs along the path. Be careful while walking or driving not to accidentally step on or run over them. They're a lovely part of the valley’s charm and deserve just as much attention.

Despite these challenges, visiting the Valley of the Butterflies was an unforgettable experience for me. The peace and calm that come from being so close to nature is something you can't find anywhere else. If you find yourself in Rhodes, make sure to add this magical place...

Getting by bus there is a nightmare, be prepared if you choose that. It costs 5.20€ per person from the central bus station of Rhodes City. It goes only 2 times a day and be careful with scheduling your program as for us this bus was late by 15mins both to the valley and from the valley. It also stops at almost every bus stops so the route is around 1-1.5hrs. On our way back we also needed to walk down from the park entrance to a different parking slot to get the bus and this information was "dropped" by a man riding a scooter after a 30min waiting with many other people at a limitidly shady place. About the valley: ticket price is 5€ per person however lower part of the valley can be entered for free. If you don't want to climb up to the top in the upper part of the valley you can take a small "train" for 4.5€ per person but then you will need to walk down (which is reasonable if you want to see something). It goes up a bit rarely though. The valley itself is very nice but not that spectacular. You can see many moths (not butterflies) and some crabs in the water too. However there are way too many visitors, some of them poking the moths to make them fly - it is very pathetic and sad. Food options are not really good up there also everything is overpriced. Toliet is not free, you need to pay 0.5€ for usage. Overall it's an "OK" experience if you really have much time and you don't now what to do or you stay closely. Otherwise don't...