must-visit in RhodesNational Park & Nature
Petaloudes
📍 Greece Rhodes Valley of the Butterflies
4/ 5.0
★★★★☆
Quick Facts
- Location
- Greece, Rhodes
- Category
- National Park & Nature
- Duration
- 1-1.5 hours over a 1,300 m trail with some climbing
- Opening Hours
- Daily 08:00-18:00 in season (roughly May-October); closed for winter from 1 November. Moth peak June-September, though in 2026 most had left by late September.
- Ticket Price
- Adult: Free · 2026: EUR 6 in peak season (July-September), cut to EUR 3 from 25 September after the moths left early; EUR 3 throughout October; free for under-12s; closed for winter from 1 November.
- Address
- Greece Rhodes Valley of the Butterflies
- Coordinates
- 36.3399, 28.0598
Introduction
The Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes) is a 60-hectare reserve at Epano Kalamonas in western Rhodes, where a stream, wooden bridges and small waterfalls run between stands of Oriental sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis) whose resin scent draws the moths. From roughly June to September, peaking in July and August, thousands of Jersey tiger moths (Panaxia quadripunctaria) cluster on trunks and rocks, flashing deep red only in flight. 2026 status: after weeks of high heat and low humidity the moths left the valley several weeks early, so the operator brought its seasonal price cut forward to 25 September. A 1.3 km trail climbs from the Natural History Museum (about 150 m) to the 1484 monastery of Panagia Kalopetra (about 470 m).
✨ Highlights
1
The Jersey tiger moth spectacle
Each summer thousands of Jersey tiger moths crowd the valley, dark with folded wings and flashing deep red only in flight; in 2026 heat and low humidity sent them away weeks early.
2
Oriental sweetgum woodland
The dense Liquidambar orientalis give off a resinous scent that draws the moths back year after year - the ecological heart of this 60-hectare reserve.
3
Streams, bridges and boardwalks
A stream runs the length of the valley with wooden bridges and small waterfalls under deep shade - the coolest summer walk on Rhodes even without the moths.
4
Kalopetra monastery
A 1.3 km trail climbs some 320 metres from the Natural History Museum to the 1484 monastery of Panagia Kalopetra, looking over northern Rhodes and the Aegean coast.
5
Quiet observation
Silence is mandatory: clapping, shouting or throwing things at the moths is fined, because needless flight burns the energy they have left for laying eggs.
6
Visiting in 2026
After the moths left early the operator brought its price cut forward to 25 September, so entry is EUR 3 all season (free under 12); the valley closes for winter from 1 November.
🛈 Practical Info
→Season：Butterfly wonder about June–Sep (peak Jul–Aug); none in other seasons.
→Protect Butterflies：Watch quietly, don't disturb or swat—protect these fragile creatures.
→Walking：Paths, bridges and slopes in the valley—wear comfortable shoes.
→Transport：In western Rhodes—bus or drive.
→Trail：The main path runs 1,300 m on paved sections and wooden walkways, climbing about 320 m from the northern entrance near the Natural History Museum (around 150 m) to the 1484 Monastery of Panagia Kalopetra (around 470 m) beside the Pelekanos river and its small waterfalls.
→Reserve rules：Clapping, whistling, shouting or throwing anything to flush the moths into flight is strictly prohibited and fined, as are noise and stepping off the boardwalks - the moths spend their stored reserves surviving the summer and every forced flight cuts their chances.
→Best time：Go in the morning, when the moths are most active and the light is best; by October the numbers have fallen with the life cycle, but entry is cheaper, the air cooler and the foliage turns red.
→Trail：The main path runs 1,300 m on paved sections and wooden walkways, climbing about 320 m from the northern entrance near the Natural History Museum (around 150 m) to the 1484 Monastery of Panagia Kalopetra (around 470 m) beside the Pelekanos river and its small waterfalls.
→Reserve rules：Clapping, whistling, shouting or throwing anything to flush the moths into flight is strictly prohibited and fined, as are noise and stepping off the boardwalks - the moths spend their stored reserves surviving the summer and every forced flight cuts their chances.
→Best time：Go in the morning, when the moths are most active and the light is best; by October the numbers have fallen with the life cycle, but entry is cheaper, the air cooler and the foliage turns red.
→Trail：The main path runs 1,300 m on paved sections and wooden walkways, climbing about 320 m from the northern entrance near the Natural History Museum (around 150 m) to the 1484 Monastery of Panagia Kalopetra (around 470 m) beside the Pelekanos river and its small waterfalls.
→Reserve rules：Clapping, whistling, shouting or throwing anything to flush the moths into flight is strictly prohibited and fined, as are noise and stepping off the boardwalks - the moths spend their stored reserves surviving the summer and every forced flight cuts their chances.
→Best time：Go in the morning, when the moths are most active and the light is best; by October the numbers have fallen with the life cycle, but entry is cheaper, the air cooler and the foliage turns red.
→Opening Hours：Daily 08:00-18:00 in season (roughly May-October); closed for winter from 1 November. Moth peak June-September, though in 2026 most had left by late September.
→Transportation：About 26 km from Rhodes town and 10 km from the airport; roughly 40 minutes by KTEL bus or car, with parking on site.
Ticket Information
| Adult | Free |
|---|
2026: EUR 6 in peak season (July-September), cut to EUR 3 from 25 September after the moths left early; EUR 3 throughout October; free for under-12s; closed for winter from 1 November.
💡 Tips
• Stroll the secluded valley, enjoy the summer wonder of clustered resting butterflies.
• Butterfly wonder about June–Sep; thousands attracted by the sweetgum trees.
• Babbling stream and lush shade—a cool spot to escape summer heat and stroll.
• Watch quietly, don't disturb—protect fragile creatures; no butterflies in other seasons.
• These are Jersey tiger moths (Panaxia quadripunctaria), not butterflies, covering the Oriental sweetgum bark by the thousand - watch them quietly rather than flushing them.
• The valley closes for the season on 1 November and there are no moths to see until spring, so check the dates before you plan.
• These are Jersey tiger moths (Panaxia quadripunctaria), not butterflies, covering the Oriental sweetgum bark by the thousand - watch them quietly rather than flushing them.
• The valley closes for the season on 1 November and there are no moths to see until spring, so check the dates before you plan.
• These are Jersey tiger moths (Panaxia quadripunctaria), not butterflies, covering the Oriental sweetgum bark by the thousand - watch them quietly rather than flushing them.
• The valley closes for the season on 1 November and there are no moths to see until spring, so check the dates before you plan.
FAQ
What are the opening hours of Petaloudes?
Daily 08:00-18:00 in season (roughly May-October); closed for winter from 1 November. Moth peak June-September, though in 2026 most had left by late September.
How much is the admission for Petaloudes?
Adult: Free; 2026: EUR 6 in peak season (July-September), cut to EUR 3 from 25 September after the moths left early; EUR 3 throughout October; free for under-12s; closed for winter from 1 November.
Any practical tips for visiting Petaloudes?
Stroll the secluded valley, enjoy the summer wonder of clustered resting butterflies. Butterfly wonder about June–Sep; thousands attracted by the sweetgum trees.
How long should I spend at Petaloudes?
A typical visit takes 1-1.5 hours over a 1,300 m trail with some climbing.
Prices and closure from Rhodes municipal tourism information and the operator DERMAE (October 2026); moth numbers vary year to year.
