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June 8, 2018Rhodes Diagoras Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on November 19, 2024
Rhodes Diagoras is the fourth busiest airport in Greece with 3.3 Mio passengers in 2021 and the gateway to one of greeks most popular holiday destination. The sun always shines, the variety of traffic is awsome and there are great spots for photography. There is just one runway 07/25 and 25 is used for the vast majority of the time due to the prevailing winds what makes spotting pretty easy. The movements start from around 8am and the mornings tend to be busiest with traffic dropping off after lunchtime. Weekends tend to be busier although Tuesday is busy with German flights. The main travel season is from June till August. In winter (November-April) the airport is almost dead except some flights to the mainland.
The mix of traffic is very good with the usual holiday charter and subcharters from northern Europe, plus quite a few from Italy and Eastern Europe. The bonus though are regular flights from Israel with 5 or 6 per day including Arkia, Israir, ElAl (787/777!). Add the occasional military flight (E145/C130) and the odd biz jet, plus hardly any EZY/RYR flights and it all makes for great variety. Almost all flights don´t stay longer as 1-2 hours on the ground so there is always an opportunity to take a picture from the plane you are looking for, especially if something special is coming in.
Like many other airports in greece, the ownership of Rhodes was taken over from the greek state by the FRAPORT AG which is going to renovate the whole area. This includes the installation of new barbed wire or closing of photos holes which already happened.
A detailed schedule can be found on the official airport website, even 24 hours in advance. On flightradar24 not all flights are shown so you should rely on this website instead!
Written by Julian Mittnacht and Federico Tombarelli, Rémi Geoffroy, Olivier Mouhot. Last change: July 2024 (all spots checked)
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 07/25 | 3.305 m (10.844 ft) |
| Terminals | Single Terminal for all operations |
| Airport Chart |  |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | A ladder is not necessary and there are enough options to photograph the traffic without one. Only at spots 5 and 9 a three step ladder is helpful. If a flight from Israel arrives and you stand with your huge ladder at the fence the Mossad will be not amused and you will be in trouble! Be also aware that if the grass is not cut and after a rainfall the wheels might be obstructed so a small ladder would be recommended. |
| Car/Public Transport | You can walk from the terminal to 1 , 2, 4 in a few minutes. But car is recommend as usual as there is no public transport. |
| Restrooms | Just inside the terminal |
| Drinks/Food | There are some supermarkets and tavernas in the small village of Paradeisi, next to the terminal. The “Airportview Restaurant” at the runway 06 offer the best view while having a drink (spot 7). |
| Hotels | Nothing directly at the airport. Most hotels are on the southern side of the island as there are the more beautiful beaches and the sea is calmer than on the northern side. |
| Season | High season is from June till September with most (charter) flights taking place. Pre- and after season is in May and October with less flights. Almost no movements except to the main land and surrounding islands during the winter season. |
| Security | When an Israeli flight is descending you will get visits from (Israeli) security 30 minutes in advance. But they don’t mind spotters/photographers and are quite friendly once you’ve seen them a couple of times. And don´t use a ladder if a flight from Israel is descending! Be careful when military is moving. Keep extremely low profile. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 07/25 | Used in all directions but 25 is most times in use. |
 |
Spot #1 – Terminal Gate Area – Apron |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The location is within the departure hall directly at the gates. A valid boarding pass is needed to reach this place. There are windows all along the apron so just watch out for an empty gate position to photograph the traffic passing by. Windows are pretty clean and not tinted. |
| WHAT | All movements to and from the runway as well as several ramp positions. Parked aircraft and GSE will block the sight sometimes. |
| TIME | Depends on the angle. Best light in the summer light is okay from around 0900-1400. |
| MISC. | Everything you need is just around the corner. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Falcon 8X = 300mm; A321 = 60mm |
 |
Spot #2 – Fence at car rental – 25 arrivals and departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The spot is all along the fence, parallel to the airport’s access road, next to a car rental company. You can park your car at the gravel area and walk along the fence, heading to the airport. The fence is pretty low and only a small “junk” is enough to climb (if you are 2mt tall you are fine even without it). Anyway you can shot through the mesh if your lens has a small diameter or you hold your camera between the top of the fence and the barbed wire for the runway if you have a live display.
|
| WHAT | From here you can take photos of aircraft directly on the taxiway A and if they are on the runway 25 for take off and landings. From afternoon you can also take photos when they line up and turn on the runway 25. But be aware of the possible heat distortion on the runway. |
| TIME | From later on around 0900 till 1400 for the taxiway and runway. For the turn from A on RWY25 from afternoon till sunset. |
| MISC. | Absolut nothing nearby and you are standing directly at the road. Take the photo and then return to your car. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Taxiway: E135=60mm Runway: 744=110mm |
 |
Spot #3 – Hill – 25 arrivals and departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The entrance to this location is on the opposite side of #2, next to the Rhodos Car rental building, on a hill. You can even see the location from the street but you need to walk around the hill on a gravel road for around 650m to reach the top. You can also drive up there but be aware of the partially terrible road conditions. Once there, you can park on the top and stay there or you drive a bit down to a plateau where you can park and stay. |
| WHAT | It’s a very nice scenery as you can photograph all arrivals on RWY25 with the blue sea on the back. 25 departures are possible too but be aware of heat distortion. Departures from 07 may be possible too but we did not test it and it is rare. Taxiway photos are almost impossible due to the distance, light poles and power lines (see 737 sample photo). |
| TIME | In the summer light is okay from around 0900-1400. |
| MISC. | Absolutley nothing nearby. We can´t tell if this is private property as there were absolutley no signs at the entrance. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | A320=300mm; 738=250mm |
 |
Spot #4 – Corner – Taxiway, runway and ramp |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The location is just next to the terminal. When leaving get on the main road, take the next right and drive all the way down to the perimeter fence. You can park you car along the road. |
| WHAT | There are many opportunities from here. First you can photograph planes directly on taxiway F which arrived on 25 or rolling to 07 by holding your camera over the fence between the top of the mesh and the barbed wire if you have a live view. But it’s better if you have 1-2 steps available. Second you can shot aircraft that coming from the runway exit C or taxiway F and heading south to their parking position. Alternative is to take the stairs to the roof of the house for an elevated position. You can photograph take offs on the runway too, but as usual heat distortion is an issue for that. |
| TIME | In the summer: for aircraft heading south to their parking postion from 1300 until sunset. On taxiway F from 0900-1400. |
| MISC. | Keep in mind the house is private property! The owner allows the use of it and he is fine with that. So behave properly and don`t leave any waste or destroy things!!! Be nice and polite and ask for the permission.
Nothing nearby. Food/Drinks available in the village of Paradeisi or the airport view restaurant if you follow the road along the perimeter fence. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 20-200mm should be fine for everything |
Photos taken from the elevated position:
 |
Spot #5 – Perimeter Fence – All Movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The spot is next to the runway exit D. Continue from the spot before on the road that runs parallel to the runway. In the morning hours stay next to a small football stadium where you can also park your car in the shadow. In the afternoon continue for hundred meters park your car in one of the side roads, don´t stay on the main road as its very busy and tight. You can park at the morning spot as well and walk to this location. |
| WHAT | From this point you can photograph all movements on the runway and taxiway. Furthermore this location is best for aircraft that arrived on RWY25 and use exit D to enter taxiway F to the ramp. Roughly 70 percent of the 25 arrivals use this exit (depends on how strong the winds are). |
| TIME | From sunrise until early noon and then 1400 till sunset in the summer. |
| MISC. | Two steps are useful to get over the mesh at the positions. But you can also hold your camera above the fence (Live view) or use some stones to get over it. Keep a low profile especially if you use a ladder. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Runway: 787=60mm Exit D: A332=50mm; 738=100mm; 773=50mm Taxiway F: 738=30mm |
Morning position:
Afternoon position:
 |
Spot #6 – Big Hill – 25 departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Continue on the main road from the terminal westwards, pass the small village of Paradeisi and turn left at the next big junction (the airport view restaurant is to the right). Pass a church to your right and drive up the hill for approximate five minutes. The road is in superb conditions and its no problem. Drive until the position as marked on the map and park on the side. |
| WHAT | Another beautiful location with the sea as background and an overview of almost the whole airport. Taking pics from take offs on RWY25 is the only real thing that you can photograph from here. Ground shots of taxiway-D are possible but heat distortion is a big issue due to the distance. |
| TIME | In the summer light is okay from 0900-1400. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. Food/Drinks available the village of Paradeisi or the airport view restaurant. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 767/A330=280mm; A321=360mm |
 |
Spot #7 – Airportview Restaurant – 07 arrivals and departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | From the airport drive westwards on the main road, pass the village of Paradeisi and turn right at the next bigger junction. There is a sign to the Airportview Restaurant where you can easily park and have a seat for a snack and something to drink. |
| WHAT | Only useful when RWY07 is active. Arrivals and the final line up turn on taxiway F for 07 departure are possible. RWY25 Departures are too high and the angle is pretty bad too. If you go out of the restaurant and walk a few meters down along the fence until a small gap between the bushes you can photograph planes directly on the runway (see third sample photo). Just place your camera over the fence or between the mesh. |
| TIME | From 0900-1400 in the summer for the arrivals and runway. Line-up-turn from F later from afternoon till sunset. |
| MISC. | This is a snack bar/restaurant so please order something to drink while staying there. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | unknown but 20-200mm |
 |
Spot #8 – Beach Road – 25 arrivals and departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | There is a road that runs parallel in between the sea and the runway on the opposite side of the airport. You can access it from both sides. Its a little bit difficult to explain but if coming from #1 take the next right to Pastida, just to turn immediatly sharp left to drive under the road that you were before. Now drive all way on this small road, turn left and right and then your are already under the approach path. Continue until you see the wooden fence and the runway to your left. Park on the side as marked on the map. As of July 2024, there is a pretty low wooden fence which you can clear with one step. The gaps are too tight to put the camera through. Furthermore there is a abondened ruin which you can use as well to clear the fence (see last photo). |
| WHAT | Arrivals and departures on RWY25. Line up for 25. |
| TIME | For the summer only: light is okay from 1700 until sunset and for the line up a bit earlier. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. Just a beach and the sea if you need to cool down. Some bushes and grass may cut parts of the aircraft off if its not cutted properly. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 738=90mm; 752=70mm |
|
Spot #9A + 9B – Beach Road – 25 arrivals and departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Those are alternatives to Spot #8 if you don’t like the airplane in the air and you prefer it on the ground, for arrivals. Just proceed after Spot #8 and following a map park near the Taxiway C or D. In the past here was full of trees but now the airport has cut them off and so you have a very nice and clear view of the runway. |
| WHAT | Arrivals and departures on RWY25. Arriving aircraft vacating rwy so when the sun is not completely turned for the standard Spot #8 you can have a better light.
9A: Vacate C. The aircraft will loose part of the gears soon after the turn so be ready. You can still get airplanes vacating D on the runway but probably still with the reverse thrust (check TUI and British). Nice take offs during rotation. 9B: Vacate D. Better than C because the aircraft doesn’t make that “hard” turn and so the gears remain more visible and for more time. If something vacates C you will miss it…. |
| TIME | For the summer only: light is okay from 1700 until sunset and for vacating rwy a bit earlier. |
| MISC. | Here the fence is still old and so a ladder required, 5 steps are optimal to climb over it as the space before the barbed wire isn’t that much. Nothing nearby. Just a beach and the sea if you need to cool down. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 738=90mm; 752=70mm |
Samples from 9A:
Samples from 9B:
 |
Spot #10 – Mound – 25 line-up |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Next to the former location at the dry cleaners is a small mound where you can climb up and spot from. Take care as it’s not very steady. The stone mound is pretty new and was raised up in 2024. Park your car between the main road and the bottom of the hill on the gravel area. |
| WHAT | Perfect for 25 line-up in the morning. The fence is visible on the bottom part of the picture but it’s not really annoying. |
| TIME | For the line-up the best time is in the early morning hours from sunrise. |
| MISC. | The hill is on private property so be patient but we had no problems during the stay. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Side shot A320/737 = 80-100mm |
I used most of the spots in early October 2024 with no problems at all. The road up to Spot 2 was drivable with care. A note of caution when using the rooftop at Spot 4 – take extreme care when moving about on the roof as there are several wires stretched across which create a serious trip hazard.
Hello, i spent few days last week at RHO with spotting, some useful updates i would like to share with you here – spot #2 i spent a lot of hours there (Wait in the car And out just only for shots) with no problems , other cars parked next to me, also other spotters presented there; no police visits there, also no visits during arrival or departure of Israel plane. I can not tell that i was lucky on this place but it is in everybodys behaviour who Will be on this place for spotting. Ladder not necessary here.
Spot #8 – the Wooden fence on pictures Is not valid already, the fence was rebuild And repainted to Brown And the Poles of fence Are too narrow Now So not possible to put the objective through but found a good place on the beginning of the Beach road for good arrival shots in afternoon without neccesarity of use ladder
H there, we can confirm that and encountered no problem as well at any of the locations. At spot 8 there is a small stone which you can use to clear the fence or you climb on the abandonend building right net to this spot.
-Julian
Nice , i am already at home at CZ 😁 but anyway all useful info to update the files, i was very satisfied with stuff i have on my Cards 👍 take care And enjoy the rest spotting days at RHO
Hi, I’ll be there september 2024…
Is spotting at location nr2 still an issue or have things calmed down already?
Have just returned from 10 days at Rhodes, and have the following warnings. Whilst we were there, the Police were moving photographers each day from Spot 2 at the side of the runway, saying photography is ‘forbidden’ there. The Police were getting quite frustrated at seeing the same people there the following day, and were noting down names and car details- some were threatened that if they found them there again, then they would be arrested. This is the first time that I’ve seen them forcibly clearing enthusiasts away from this area.
Secondly, at spot 6, the big hill, I had my rucksack snatched which was in the car and just 15m away from me, and I was only away from the car for about 30 seconds. This was in the middle of the day on a quiet Sunday afternoon. The ‘thieves’ appeared to be juveniles about 14-16 years age on scrambling motorbikes. I may have just been unlucky, as I think the theft was just opportunistic, but the same ‘gang’ were believed to be seen at spot 5 by the sports grounds- so I would caution leaving anything of value in an unlocked car, whilst perhaps crossing the road to take a photo at the fence etc, or walking a few yards along the fence line, as they appear to be watching for photographers to hop out of cars and take photos and leaving their cars unguarded.
Pretty annoying to hear all those things. Especially that the police sends spotters away from point 2 as this is a well known location for years!
Robberies can happen everywhere and I hope these guys gets imprisoned soon!
I left a warning in the guide and hope the situation becomes better for the summer season 2024.
-Julian
Dear Planespotter,
We went to Rhodos and made use of spots 3 (hill) and 7 (restaurant). All are fine. During summer, the road up to the hill is accessible by car.
From insite the terminal after security check, taking pictures is possible, too. Have fun.
Hi,
I’m planning my summer holiday in Rhodos this year, this spotting guide is very helpful and detailed.
Although I have been told spotting in Greece at civilian airports is no problem, I noticed the red warning label that someone got arrested recently? Can you advise why and confirm this was at Rhodos Diagoras Intl? not the military airport behind it?
Best regards,
Ricardo
Hi Ricardo,
sometimes military movements are taking place at RHO, not the other one. Just be careful in this case.
But in general RHO is a safe place for spotting. No need to worry about 🙂
I removed the line of the arrested spotter. Its some years old…
-Julian
Maybe we can open a bankaccount and everyone donates 50€ and by the time the house comes for sale we can buy it and turn it in to a spotter hotel
Hello! I am a pilot who landed this morning around 10.30 local time (22/08) and I saw some spotters on spot 4. If anyone of them happens to read this message and would like to share their pictures, can you please drop me a message. I would really appreciate it. Thanks 🙂
We emailed you 🙂
Hey,
Things have changed on spot 4… On the corner of the fence there is a new gate now with a guardhouse where the airport staff can enter the apron. Therefore only the elevated spot is still an option but keep in mind it’s the roof of a private house and we never know how future residents could react to spotters. In October last year I didn’t really have any problems there…
My recent photos, including some taken at spot 4: http://www.lha-spotter.de/rhodos2019.html
Hi Kevin, thanks for the update. Sad to here that. Hope the house will remain for a long time! Nice photos btw!
Take care
Julian
Hello,
I am going to holiday to Rhodes in September. I would like to ask you that Rossiya will fly in 744 or 773?
Hi, I think the summer timetable is not finished yet. Usually you can find the routes on the offical airport website but for the moment only the winter timetable is shown.
https://www.rho-airport.gr/en/flights–more/flights–destinations/destinations/destinations/dest_id-979/nd_id-979
Thank you. Last summer was something interesting big plane?