RHO-Spot1
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June 8, 2018Rhodes Diagoras Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide
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. Thanks to Olivier Mouhot for Spot 6 pics. Last change: October 2023 (Spots 1-9 updated)
Due to “security concerns” the greek government told google to pixelize the satellite images of all airports in greece with military presence. That is why you don´t see all positions as clear as usual. A good alternative is Microsofts Bing Maps where the airports in Greece are still visible…
Spot #1 – Terminal Gate Area – Apron | |
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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 – FAS Pilot Academy – 25 arrivals and departures | |
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WHERE | The spot is all along the fence, next to the airprot road, next to the FAS Pilot Academy. 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.
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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 | |
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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 on a gravel road for around 650m to reach the top. Driving up with a car isn’t an option anymore so leave your car at the main road! |
WHAT | Its a very nice scenery as you can photograph all arrivals on RWY25 with the blue sea on the back. Departures from 07 may be possible too but we did not test it. Ground photos are almost impossible due to the distance and the heat distortion (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 | |
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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 | |
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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 – Hill – 25 departures | |
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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 | |
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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 | |
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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. There is a wooden fence which is big enough to put your lense through so feel free to find your prefered spot where the grass is not cutting parts of the aircraft off (see photos below). |
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 | |
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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 not the airpor 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 (check the first Eurowings below we posted as example), 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. | Ladder, 2 steps, needed like at spot 5 on the opposite side. Not that high but useful. 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:
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?
Currently I’m at Rhodos on vacation and yesterday I spent some time at the airport. Only spot 3 was used. It is a nice location. To update info on it, getting there by car is almost impossible. The first part of the gravel road is covered with a lot of grass and after a couple of meters you come across a big hole in the road. So getting there with a car, especially a normal rental car is not advised. We took the walk to the top, and parked the car on the bottom. We also couldn’t see any signs about private property, although you enter a gate. We did saw a pole with cctv cameras on it from the company which is behind the hill, it looks like the cameras are pointed to the gravel road you take to the top. But we die not encounter anyone during our time there.
Thanks for the update. I changed the description. Enjoy your holidays!
-Julian
Hi all,
Are there any spotters on here local to Rhodes, as I need to ask a few questions regards various movements.
Regards
Scott
Hi
I’m a regular at RHO and there’s some great spots away from the airport. Leave the airport to the left and follow the main road towards Rhodes Town. When you reach Kremasti Head down the beach road lots of parking and a small beach bar. Best in the afternoon/evening. Also from the beach road its possible to turn into the small back streets and find a good position in the morning although be warned there’s no facilities just standing in the street. There is also 2 great hotels in kremasti the Margeret and just round the corner the Anseli. I always stay at the latter and in the mornig can spot from poolside,balcony/room (even laid in bed with window open) and there is roof access too with views all the way to touchdown. It’s very easy to navigate the back streets around and I used to walk to spot #1 most days in about 25 minutes just be careful of the traffic. Along the route you’ll reach a bridge that offers views too. If anyone would like more info (hotel/car hire/directions) please contact and i’ll go into more detail.