Valley of Butterflies - Rhodes (Greece)
Butterfly Valley - Petaloudes. Petaloudes is the name of a valley on the Greek island of Rhodes. In the months of June, July and August many butterflies linger in Petaoudes. Petalouda means butterfly. A special butterfly species lives in this beautiful valley; the “Jersey Tiger Moth” (Euplagia quadripunctaria rhodosensis). The butterflies are attracted to the vanilla-like scent given off by the Oriental Sweetgum trees in this area. These trees in Petaloudes Valley have a resin that attracts the moths and creates a unique biotope.
The Butterfly Valley is a lovely area with streams, waterfalls and bridges. The Butterfly Valley is also worth visiting outside the butterfly season, when it is less crowded and nature is still very impressive. It is a fantastic stroll through the shady valley. There are a lot of stairs, bridges, rocks and tree stumps, so we advise that you wear sturdy shoes. In high season (July and August) come as early as possible to visit the valley, to avoid the crowds and the heat. Butterfly Valley is open from 8:00am to 7:00pm and the entrance fee is 5 Euro.
At the top of the valley lies the Kalopetra monastery. The view is magnificent from this monastery.
You can also visit the Natural History Museum of the island of Rhodes, at the entrance of the Valley. There you will delve into the secrets of this unique ecosystem. Petaloudes is not only the name of the unique Valley of the Butterflies, but also the name of the municipality to which the coastal villages of Kremasti, Paradisi and Theologos belong, and the interior villages of Pastida, Maritsa and Damatria belong. In antiquity the area was the southern part of the city-state Ialyssos. The surrounding area has managed to preserve a traditional peasant character, but it has evolved considerably in tourism, thanks to its hospitable inhabitants and the unique nature.
The main town of the municipality is Kremasti, one of the largest and liveliest villages of the island, known for the grand celebration of the Virgin Mary on the fifteenth of August. Paradisi is a picturesque village near the International Airport of Rhodes.
Theologos is the most developed tourist village of the region, with modern hotels and a beach with many amenities. In the farming villages of Pastida and Damatria you can visit a Byzantine monastery and get familiar with the life of the villagers. Similarly, in the village of Maritsa, the traditional taverns give you a taste of the local life.
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Valley of Butterflies in other languages
Vlindervallei (GriekseGids.nl)
Vlindervallei (GriekseGids.be)
Valley of Butterflies (JustGreece.com)
Rhodes: Where on the map is Valley of Butterflies located?
