Butterfly Valley in Rhodes | Traveler by Unique
This is one of the amazing works of nature manifesting in the “Valley of Butterflies” translated “Petaloudes” in Greek. The aesthetic of the valley is too marvelous to be ignored. It holds thousands of thousands of butterflies that swarm the place between the month of May and September. The area also holds a huge population of the ‘Liquidambar Orientalis’ (Oriental Sweetgum), the only of such forest in entire Europe. Equally, it is also populated with a form of a nocturnal moth, Panaxia Quadripunctaria. It is wonderful individuals and families to congregate to cherish nature.
There is a small river, beautiful green lush, and waterfalls that really bring you closer to nature as you walk through the path with some butterflies trailing you or perch on your head. The moths are attracted to the valley by the scent of the Oriental Sweetgum trees where they spend the last stage of their life cycle. During this phase, they cannot eat; rather, they sleep and rest to conserve their energy. They are so wonderful to watch as they display black and yellow colors at rest, which change to cherry-red when in flight. This is a spectacle to watch. Loud noises agitate them causing them to flee in disarray. If you are lucky enough, one or two may decide to perch on you, probably for a momentary selfie.
This nature reserve is on 600 acres of land and opens to visitors from 9 am to 5 pm daily during the summer.
You can easily get the Valleys of Butterflies using a car, bus, Moto or bicycle. Admission is between 3 Euros and 5 Euros.
Other things you can do around the “Valley of Butterflies”
There many other things you can do after a visit to the Valley of Butterflies.
Visit the Museum of Natural History
This museum is located at the very entrance of the Valley of Butterflies. You can learn many things about the butterflies, and watch the exhibits of the endemic and rare species of the broader area of the Valley.
There are several other places of attractions you can visit nearby the Butterflies Valley to enhance your tour experience.
Visit the Kalopetra Monastery
The Panagia Kalopetra Monastery stands on the hilltop of the Butterfly Valley. It is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. History has it that Monastery was built around 1782 by the eminent Alexandros Ypsilantis when he was banished to the island.
At the entrance of the monastery stands two inscribed marbles depicting the name of Alexandros Ypsilantis and the rebuilding of the church between 1782 and 1784. The facilities in the monastery include cells, warehouses, reading rooms, and other sacred items including the ecclesiastical sacred gospel books. You can further explore the monastery guided.
You can interact with many animals
You can watch some animals at close range. You can watch, pamper, and pet some of the animals among wild boars, deers, goats, camel, ponies, squirrels, and others.
Where to eat
Take a trip to a nearby village of Psintos where you can see some great taverns where you can eat some delicious local food such as pitta bread and fruits, tasty mayireftá home-cooked dishes, aubergine salad, and youvétsi. Psintos is a typical countryside of Rhodes, with a reminiscence of the idyllic ancient setting of the Rhodes. You can find an old church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.