Attavyros

Attavyros is the highest peak on Rhodes, rising to around 1,200 meters with bare rocky slopes that gradually climb toward an exposed summit. The cone-shaped mountain dominates the central landscape and offers views across the entire island and toward neighboring regions in clear conditions.

This mountain held a sanctuary dedicated to Zeus where ancient priests performed rituals during the Mycenaean era. The religious use of the location demonstrates how sacred sites on elevated points became important focal points for worship across many centuries.

This peak served as a sacred site where ancient people came to honor their gods, and visitors today still experience the spiritual pull of reaching such an exposed location. The view stretching across the entire island continues to shape how people think about this place.

The hike from the village of Embonas to the top is demanding and takes several hours, requiring sturdy shoes and plenty of water to drink. The route becomes challenging during extreme heat or poor weather, with limited shelter and shade along the way.

On clear days the summit provides views toward Crete, located roughly 70 kilometers away, which held mythological significance for those who built the ancient sanctuary. This long-distance visibility was part of why the location mattered to ancient worshippers and continues to draw hikers today.