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Embonas (Emponas), Rhodes

Embonas (also: Emponas or Embona) is the most important grape-producing village on Rhodes. Come around harvest time, and you will find the streets being full of baskets and the courtyards being spread with raisins soaking up the sun.

Embonas may not have any picturesque architectural features. However, it is one of the most popular suggestions for a trip inland in Rhodes that combines folklore, a lively atmosphere and good food.

Embonas is a village full of life all year round with several tavernas serving people who come here from all over the island to taste the delicious local meat. It is the most important grape-producing village on Rhodes, and produces some of the best wines on the island.

As mentioned, Embonas village offers an abundance of folklore. Try wandering around the small streets, check the colourful hand-oven rugs and visit the Folk Museum and Art Museum. Finally, make your way to the local tavernas. If you decide to eat at here (which we cannot recommend enough - the food here is absolutely delicious!), try one the local "chima" (not bottled) sweet wines offered. If you come around harvest time, you will find the streets being full of baskets and the courtyards being spread with raisins soaking up the sun. If you happen to visit in high season, you are also quite likely to come across a dance group dressed up in traditional clothes. The village square is the main hub of life with beautiful little shops selling the handicrafts made by the locals. Apart from wine, Embonas also produces excellent olive oil and honey.

If you visit Emery, the largest winery in the village of Embonas, join one of the guided tours and engage in some great wine-tasting. There are also three more traditional wineries which are run by small local producers, namely Kounakis, Alexandris and Merkouris, where you can sample the local varieties as well as "súma" (a local strong spirit).

Very close to Embonas you can visit the Natural Cypress-tree forest, a Natural Monument, as the forest extents more than 1,35 km², while 7 km south from the village you will discover the Monastery of Artamitis, with a nice icon screen. 

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Embonas (Emponas) reviews & comments

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We visited Embonas in September after contacting Rhodes City Hall researching my father who was born on Rhodes in 1898 and immigrated to the USA at age 15. I knew so little about him and his family and that was a life long dream to visit Rhodes. I learned that his family is from Embonas and he still has family there. Sad that I didn't get to meet my father's great-grand niece, she's 97 and her great-granddaughter who was visiting in Holland, but I learned so much about him. Pandellis Mouzouarakis. We had been spelling his last name wrong for many years. I want to return very soon. I really didn't want to leave.

Commented by Sandra Poulakos November 18, 2023

Very scenic part of the island and well worth a visit. Also the roads around this area are great for those who enjoy driving, lots of challenging corners and climbs and decents.

Commented by Steve Brown July 18, 2019

We visit Rhodes every year and always include a visit to Embona. We hiked up the mountain one year and never did make it to the top, (we ran out of time) also we bought a handmade authentic Embona costume for our grandaughter. We always eat dinner or lunch and the food is excellent. It's a great village. Our goal is to see the ancient village at the top of the mountain.

Commented by Donna Soulakis June 24, 2005

Ok this place has great wine and the local meat is delicious.

Commented by Hillary February 09, 2004

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