CC BY-SA 3.0, Karelj, Wikimedia CommonsWildlife· Rhodes· Greece — Dodecanese, Sporades & North Aegean
Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes)
36° 20.3′ N · 28° 3.6′ E
A shady gorge of oriental sweetgum trees, wooden bridges and pools where thousands of Jersey tiger moths (Euplagia quadripunctaria rhodosensis) cluster on the trunks in summer.
Practical
The moths gather after late May and are seen mainly June–September (Sailing Issues; Greeka). Wikipedia: disturbance makes them fly and burn energy they cannot replace (they have no stomach), so do not clap, shout or shake branches. About 27 km from Rhodes town (Greeka) and a 20-minute taxi from Fanes. Check opening hours and the entry fee locally.
Best for
A cool forest walk with clouds of butterflies
Season
June–September for the moths