Butterfly Valley, Rhodes, and Seven Springs at a glance
Petaloudes, the Butterfly Valley, is a shaded valley with a stream and wooden paths. The animals that give it its name are Jersey tiger moths, not true butterflies. They are night-active moths that rest on the valley walls and trees in summer. Epta Piges, the Seven Springs, is a small irrigation lake with a dark tunnel at its entrance, on the road between Kolympia and Archipoli.
This page explains what you can expect at each one, which dates and prices are on record, and what to ask before you go. It is an independent guide, not the website of either site or of the island's tourism authority.
The Butterfly Valley on Rhodes: what you will see
A quiet valley, not a flight show.
The valley of butterflies on Rhodes
Visitors who search for butterflies in Rhodes, Greece, end up in Petaloudes, where the animals are Jersey tiger moths and not true butterflies.
The operator names the insects as Jersey tiger moths (Panaxia quadripunctaria). According to the operator they stay in the valley from May to September. Most of the time they sit still and rest.
No one can promise a number of moths on a given day. Weather, the date and the year all change what you find. In October, do not count on seeing them.
The rules are simple and they protect the animals. Keep your voice low. Do not whistle or clap to make the moths fly, and do not touch them. They are resting.
The paths are steep in places, and the operator warns that the valley is not accessible for visitors with disabilities. Wear shoes with grip, and bring water.
Petaloudes on Rhodes: tickets and hours
Rates from the operator's 2024 season announcement.
| Period (2024) | Adult | Children under 12 |
|---|---|---|
| 12 April to 13 June | €3 | Free |
| 22 June to 24 September | €6 | Free |
| 25 September to 31 October | €3 | Free |
In the same announcement the valley opens daily from 08:00 to 18:00 and closes from 1 November until the next season. These are the 2024 figures. Dates and prices can change from year to year, so check the current rates at the entrance or with the operator before you go.
Our picks: Butterfly Valley and Seven Springs
A half day with Filerimos, or a day trip combined with Lindos.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Filerimos Hill and Butterfly Valley by bus
Hotel transfer, a driver and an English map of both stops, but no tour guide. Entry fees are not included; Filerimos officially costs €10.
Check availability →
Lindos and Seven Springs by bus
Hotel pickup and return, transport and a driver for about seven hours. Entry fees are not included, so the Lindos Acropolis ticket (€20) comes on top.
Check availability →Rhodes island tours and day trips
Guided island tours, boat trips and excursions from Rhodes, with live prices and availability.
Seven Springs (Epta Piges)
The lake at Epta Piges is man-made. A dam completed in 1931 holds back the water, which was used to irrigate the fields of Kolymbia. The operator of the restaurant on site gives the lake as about 200 m long and 10 to 50 m wide, with a depth of 1 to 8 m.
The way in is a tunnel that the operator describes as dark and narrow. A phone torch helps, and so do shoes that can get wet. Visit with some time in hand, because the tunnel is a place to go slowly.
Whether you can swim in the lake, whether the tunnel is open and what the entry costs are things that can change. Ask on site before you plan around any of them, and follow the signs.
Plan your visit
Five practical points.
Pick the season
For the moths, go between May and September. Outside those months the valley is still a green walk, but the reason for the name is missing.
Check what a tour includes
Many island tours stop at one or both places. A transport offer does not mean entry is included, so read the description.
Rhodes tours →Go by car or by tour
Check the current bus timetable before you plan to arrive on public transport. A car gives you the most freedom on the inland roads.
Airport and island transport →Pack for a walk
Bring water, shoes with grip and a phone torch for the tunnel at Seven Springs. Both places involve uneven ground, so they suit a slow pace more than a quick stop.
Pair it with the coast
Combine an inland stop with a swim. Kallithea Springs has a bay about 9 km from Rhodes Town, and Faliraki has a long sand beach.
Kallithea Springs →More to see on Rhodes
Nearby ideas and longer trips.
Things to do in Rhodes
Fifteen places from the Old Town to the ruins of Kamiros.
Lindos
The acropolis above the village, St Paul's Bay and practical visiting tips.
Kallithea Springs
A restored spa building with arcades and a swimming bay.
Weather and best time
Monthly temperatures and rain, and which months suit which plans.
Butterfly Valley and Seven Springs: frequently asked questions
Are the animals in Butterfly Valley really butterflies?
No. The operator describes them as Jersey tiger moths, which are night-active moths. They rest in the valley in summer.
When is the best time to see them?
According to the operator, the moths stay in the valley from May to September. No one can guarantee how many you will see on one day, and in October you should not count on seeing any.
What did Petaloudes cost?
In the operator's 2024 announcement, adult entry was €3 from 12 April to 13 June, €6 from 22 June to 24 September and €3 from 25 September to 31 October. Children under 12 were free. Check the current rates before you go.
Can I clap to make the moths fly?
No. Do not clap, whistle or touch the moths. They are resting and should not be disturbed. Keep your voice low and stay on the path.
Can I swim at Seven Springs?
The lake is an irrigation reservoir behind a dam from 1931. Swimming rules and tunnel access can change, so ask on site and follow the signs before you get in the water.
Is the valley suitable for wheelchairs or prams?
The operator warns of steep paths and says the valley is not accessible for visitors with disabilities. Plan accordingly, and choose another stop if mobility is limited.