Rhodes Travel Guide
We have visited Rhodes twice and we always stay in lindos, as its the most beautiful greek old town, with lots of restaurants, bars and gorgeous turquoise blue beaches and an acropolis. We recently went to a family wedding in 2024. Some of my family hadn't visited Greece before this trip, and they have all booked to go back (to the same hotel) this summer which I am very jealous of.
Be warned, the temperature can reach around 40 degrees. Please make sure you book accommodation with air conditioning, and avoid July and August due to extreme heat. We have made this mistake before, I slept on the balcony on a lilo....
Rhodes is the largest islands in the Dodecanese, shared by Kos, Symi, and more and it’s far down the south of Greece, which is why it gets so hot. Rhodes is perfect for people who love history, the Rhodes Old town is a UNESCO world heritage site, so well worth visiting during your trip. Its also really close to Turkey, so if you fancy ticking another country off your bucket list, then ferries leave Rhodes old town daily.
How long to stay
On our first trip in 2016 we stayed for two weeks, and we later returned for a family wedding for ten days. If you’re visiting for the first time, I’d personally recommend staying for at least ten days, as Rhodes is a very large island and trying to see it all in a short amount of time can feel too rushed. There are so many lovely beaches, so we liked to have days at the beach, pool time, and then exploring the island on day trips, rather than none stop exploring. If you’re visiting Rhodes as part of an island hopping route, I’d recommend splitting your time if possible. Spending three nights in Rhodes Old Town and then three nights in Lindos is a great way to experience two very different sides of the island without needing to travel far each day.
Getting to Rhodes
Because Rhodes is such a large island, it’s really well connected by air and sea, which makes getting there fairly easy. From the UK, there are frequent direct flights from London airports including Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and Heathrow, as well as from Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Newcastle, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast and Bournemouth. Within Greece, you can fly directly to Rhodes from Athens, Heraklion, Thessaloniki and Santorini, which makes it a good option if you’re combining it with other Greek destinations.
Rhodes is also well connected by ferry. The closest and most convenient ferry routes are to nearby islands such as Kos, Symi, Nisyros, Patmos and Kastellorizo. If you fancy visiting a different country during your trip, there are regular direct ferries to Turkey, usually taking between one and one and a half hours, which is a really popular day trip option. There are ferry routes to other islands too, but many of these involve long journeys and multiple connections, which isn’t ideal unless you have plenty of time.
You can technically get a direct ferry from Rhodes to Athens, but the journey takes around 15 to 17 hours, so in most cases flying is by far the better and more comfortable option.
Getting Around
Rhodes is once of the largest Greek islands and if you are used to travelling to smaller Greek islands, you might find getting round the island surprising difficult. I would recommend hiring a car, but if that isn’t an option you could hire a quad bike which we have done in the past and had no problems.
Public Bus
Getting around by public bus is an option in Rhodes, but it can be quite time consuming, especially if you are travelling longer distances. A one way ticket from Rhodes Town to Lindos costs around €5.50, and buses usually run on the hour and half hour, although it’s always worth double checking the timetable as this can vary. To put into perspective just how large the island is, it takes around 65 minutes to drive directly from the airport to Lindos, so once you factor in multiple stops and people getting on and off, the bus journey can take even longer.
Public buses work best for shorter journeys, such as travelling from your hotel to the nearest town or village, or perhaps a couple of villages along the route. For covering long distances or trying to see lots of the island in a short amount of time, relying solely on buses can feel restrictive, which is why hiring a car makes exploring Rhodes much easier.
Taxi
Hiring taxis will get expensive if you are planning on travelling far. For example the price for getting a taxi from Rhodes to Lindos is €67 based on 1-4 person car. Bear in mind that taxis are kind of pricey, so if you’re visiting Rhodes on a budget, your best option is to use public transport or rent a car.
Private Transfers
When we visited in 2024 for a family wedding, we had a lot of luggage with us, including important items like the wedding dress, and there were 12 of us travelling together. Because of this, we booked private transfers from the airport to our hotel, and again for the return journey back to the airport, which made everything much easier and far less stressful.
Boat/Speedboat
The quickest and easiest, but definitely not the cheapest, way to get around was by speedboat. From Lindos, you can take a speedboat to Rhodes Town for around €40 return, and the journey takes about one hour, which really puts into perspective just how large the island is and how long the bus journey can be. There are also speedboats from Lindos to Symi, which take around two hours and cost roughly €80 return. I do have mixed feelings about these trips though, as there are sea turtles in the area and high speed boats can cause them serious injuries, which is something worth being aware of before booking, which is why I didn't book one.
Accommodation
Lindos Mare Hotel, Lindos
We absolutely loved this hotel and, as I’ve mentioned before, my family have already booked a return visit for this summer. It’s an adult and child friendly hotel located in Vlycha Bay, around a five minute drive from Lindos Village. The views from the room balconies and throughout the hotel are just so pretty. Honestly, words don’t really do it justice, so definitely check out my photos. It cost around €8–€10 to get to Lindos village by taxi, and I wouldn’t recommend walking due to the heat.
We stayed here for 10 days with 12 other family members, all over the age of 30, as we were attending a family wedding. The bride and groom also stayed at the hotel, and we were all unbelievably happy with our stay. Everything felt easy, relaxed, and genuinely perfect for a group trip like this. We paid around £1,200 per person, which included flights, the hotel stay, airport transfers, and breakfast and evening meals.
The wedding venue was at Ktima, which we could literally see from the hotel. This made things so easy for the couple, as they could pop over for last minute meetings and felt totally at ease knowing the venue was only a two minute walk from their room.
Although the hotel is family friendly, it isn’t aimed specifically at children, which I really liked. There were a few families staying with kids, and there is an outdoor playground, but it never felt overwhelming or noisy. I’d say it’s ideal for families who want a relaxed hotel that still feels calm and grown up.
One of the highlights for me was the beach setup. There’s a designated area with free sunbeds for hotel guests, and you can scan a QR code from your sunbed to order food and drinks directly to you on the beach, which felt very fancy.
We stayed half board, so breakfast and evening meals were included. If you know you won’t be able to make it to dinner one evening, the hotel can offer a lunch voucher instead so you don’t miss out, which we did once. The lunch was amazing and definitely not just a basic sandwich situation.
The hotel is rated five stars and has great facilities, including a spa, a gym, and two outdoor swimming pools. The food was genuinely excellent throughout our stay. Breakfast and evening meals were served buffet style in the Estia Restaurant, with a huge amount of choice, and we didn’t have a single bad meal. Included in the stay is one à la carte meal at the Pelagius Pool Restaurant, as well as a Greek mezze meal at the Meltemi Beach Restaurant. Both need to be booked at reception. Our favourite spot for drinks was the Vergina Bar, mainly because the sunset views were absolutely unreal.
Links to accommodation here
Lindos Blu, Lindos
This is the adults only sister hotel to Lindos Mare, it’s set on the same grounds and is really similar in style, although I’d say Lindos Blu feels even more luxurious and polished. Like the Mare, it overlooks Vlycha Bay and has beautiful sea views, but it does offer a few extra touches. We noticed services that Lindos Mare doesn’t have, such as golf buggies taking guests up and down the road to the beach, which felt very fancy and convenient.
Lindos Blu and Lindos Mare have their own designated sunbed areas on the beach, located right next to each other but kept completely separate. Lindos Blu also has two outdoor swimming pools, as well as two bars, two à la carte restaurants, and a Greek gourmet restaurant, making it a great choice if you’re looking for a quieter, adults only stay with a more high end feel.
This is the perfect option if you were looking to stay at the Lindos Mare, but wanted a completely child free experience (and you were willing to pay a little extra).
Links to accommodation here
Prices
On card, we spent £612.84 in total for our full 10 day stay, which is roughly €720. This covered things like cafés, tours, drinks, taxis and general spending (basically ice creams and coffee). It’s worth keeping in mind that we stayed half board, so we didn’t need to pay for breakfast or evening meals, which obviously kept costs down quite a bit.
We also spent £203 in cash, which is around €235–€240, mainly for smaller purchases, tips, and places that didn’t accept card. For context, we did 2 tour trips, our tour to Symi cost £30pp and we did a day boat tour which cost £55pp (€64)
Restaurants & Bars
Odyssia Restaurant, Lindos ££-£££
I wanted something a little extra special for the hen party, and booked a table at Odyssia, it was so perfect and everyone loved it. The bride even went back with her partner a couple of days after the wedding because she loved it so much. There are stunning rooftop views overlooking the acropolis, definitely a one to book for sunset. I booked in advance, and would probably recommend doing the same. The cusine is traditional Greek, but also luxurious. Everyone who served us was so lovely and accommodating, they sat us in our own little courtyard (probably for the best, although we were a sophisticated hen party). There were no prices or menus available online before I booked, so I was a little worried that I was selecting a restaurant that would be out of everyones budget, but it was actually reasonably priced considering how beautiful the views were and how good the food was. Perfect for a date night.
Melia Cafe, Lindos ££
This cafe is just off St Pauls Bay, and also offers a lovely rooftop terrace with views of the acropolis. The owner was so lovely and the perfect host. They serve coffee and brunch, as well as home made cakes, tapas style greek cuisine and sandwiches. We visited for drinks and greek tapas dips on the hen party evening, which was perfect.
Gelo Blu Cafe, Lindos
This incredible gelato and coffee café was tucked away in a little doorway, and we were so glad we spotted it because it would have been very easy to miss. They serve the most delicious Italian ice cream along with homemade cakes, and everything we tried was so good.
There’s a shaded courtyard filled with trees, which is perfect if you need a break from the sun and want to cool down for a bit. Alternatively, there’s a rooftop patio with lovely views of the acropolis, which makes it a really special place to sit. The painted flower walls, blue tables, and ceramic plates are such a nice touch, and the whole place feels really charming. I would definitely visit again.
Tambiko Restaurant, Lindos £££
This is another restaurant in Lindos with one of the most gorgeous settings on the island. It’s tucked away in beautiful St Paul’s Bay, with the acropolis and the Chapel of Agios Pavlos overlooking the restaurant, which makes the whole experience feel really special. You can visit for lunch after a day sunbathing at St Paul’s Bay, or come in the evening for a relaxed drink and dinner as the light starts to fade. It’s honestly one of my favourite spots in the entire world.
Lunch is walk ins only, but reservations are available from 6pm onwards. I would definitely recommend booking in advance, as it’s a really popular spot. The menu serves pasta dishes between €16 and €30, fish dishes between €23 and €30, and meat options like beef fillet and lamb ranging from €18 to €49. It’s probably one of the more expensive restaurants in the area, but the setting alone makes it feel worth it.
Ktima Restaurant, Vilcha, Lindos ££-£££
This restaurant overlooks Vilcha Beach and has the most beautiful setting, with a relaxed courtyard filled with twinkling fairy lights and a small white traditional Greek chapel. The atmosphere is calm and romantic, and the views are genuinely incredible, especially as the sun starts to set.
Ktima isn’t in the centre of Lindos village, but it’s only around a 5 to 8 minute drive just outside, and the location really is something special. Because it’s such a popular sunset spot, I’d definitely recommend booking in advance. It’s also used as a wedding venue, which is worth keeping in mind, as some evenings the restaurant may not be open to the public due to private events. This was actually where our family wedding took place, and it was right next to our hotel, which made it even more convenient for us.
The menu has a nice mix of dishes, including steaks, beef fillet, moussaka, pasta, and fish. Between the food, the views, and the atmosphere, it’s a really memorable place for a special evening in Rhodes. I would not say this restaurant was child friendly, definitely a date night spot.
Lindos by Night Bar, Lindos
My family loved having drinks at this rooftop bar, which once again has beautiful views of the acropolis. It can be a little tricky to find, as it’s tucked away behind lots of winding, quiet streets, but once you do find it, it’s absolutely worth the effort. The atmosphere is great, with good music playing and a DJ in the evenings, making it a really fun spot for sunset drinks or a relaxed night out.
Areas to Stay
Rhodes Old Town
The most popular part of Rhodes is the ancient Old Town, it has cute Boutique accommodation, with loads of choice for bars and restaurants. Probably the easiest choice to stay if you are Greek island hopping, as you will be able to easily get to your accommodation without paying huge taxi costs, and would be able the access the nearby island of Symi for a day trip, and great public bus and boat connections to see other parts of the island.
Lindos
If you’re thinking of staying in Rhodes, I’d personally recommend Lindos, it’s hands down my favourite part of the island. We always stay in Vlycha Bay, just a five-minute drive from Lindos Village, which means you get the stunning turquoise beaches and amazing sea views without the bustle of being right in the centre. The village itself is an absolute dream, full of whitewashed buildings, cute streets, bars, restaurants, and the incredible acropolis watching over everything. Some people have contacted me online, saying they are worried about it being boring (I think maybe people see that its a traditional village and come to that conclusion?), which cannot be further from the truth my experiences staying there.
Faliraki
This area is for party animals. It is notorious for its nightlife, however over the years it has calmed down a little and is considered family friendly. Personally, we drove through Faliraki and it didn't look like my vibe, it looked a little bit like tourists had taken over and it was all nightclubs and kebab shops. Some people love it though, and it is a very popular destination.
Pefkos
this area is perfect for those who want to visit Lindos easily without being in the centre of Lindos, there are more hotel options in this area and its a cheaper area to stay in. Pefkos is family friendly, and lots of people who went to the wedding with children, stayed in Pefkos and loved it. I personally love Lindos too much to try staying in Pefkos but it would be a great option with kids.
Ixia
This area is perfect if you want to stay close to Rhodes town without actually staying in the centre. It’s known to be windy here, which is why its popular with windsurfers and watersports. The beaches are pebble beaches in this area, so if you prefer soft sand, this area might not be for you.
When to Visit
Visiting Rhodes in the shoulder seasons is perfect, so May / June / September/ October. Both times I have visited its been August and it can get into the 40s which can be a bit overwhelming. These months will also be cheaper vs high peak seasons.
Places of Interest
Lindos Old Village
If you aren't staying in Lindos village, a day trip to the area is a must on most peoples itineraries. There are two beaches (St pauls bay and Pallas beach) in the centre of Lindos on either side of the acropolis, and there are stunning cobbled streets to wander down, with beautiful washwashed traditional walls, and churches to visit.
St pauls Bay
St Pauls Bay is one of my favourite parts of Rhodes, and I would go as far as to say maybe of Greece as a whole. It is a nearly closed cove, with a small beach, just a 5 minute walk away from the centre of Lindos village. It just looks like something from a film, the water is crystal clear blue, with the Chapel of Agios Pavlos overlooking the bay.
Lindos Acrópolis
Walk to the top of the Acropolis if you are feeling energetic, the views of Lindos and St Pauls Bay are breathtaking. The walk uphill is around 20-30 minues, but be warned try the hike in the earlier mornings, as the midday heat might make this hike particularly difficult. In peak season (June - August) it opens at 8am and closes at 7pm. You do need to pay for entrance into the Acropolis which is £17 from the offical site. When I visited there was not a specific timeslot you needed to visit, but not entry is only possible during your selected time slot. There are donkeys taking people to the top of the Acropolis but it seems cruel and not advisable.
Anthony Quinn bay
This is another stunningly beautiful rocky cove, similar to St Pauls bay. It is known as a filming location for the film “Guns of Navarone’. I would be perfect to visit this bay on a boat tour day or by renting a private boat, as the waters are crystal clear, perfect for snorkelling. There is a restaurant here which is a film favourite online called “Kounna Beach Bar”.
Rhodes old town
A visit to Rhodes Old Town is a must while you’re on the island. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. Walking through the stone streets really makes you feel the layers of history Rhodes is known for, and there are loads of great restaurants, bars, and little shops to explore along the way.
Day trip to Symi
This is one of my favourite islands, and want to go back for a longer stay. It’s a small picture perfect island, its main port town is lined with colourful pastel houses and churches. There’s tavernas and boutiques along the harbour, and stunning hiking trails to see the full beauty of the harbour town. There are stunning coves and crystal clear waters. I think it would be even more perfect in the evening when visiting boats has left for the day. We also visited the Holy Monstery of Panormitos, which was well worth visiting as part of the tour. We did an organised tour which collected us by bus from our hotel and took us to Rhodes town port, and then it which took around 1 hour 20 minutes hours or alternatively there are speed boats which are obviously much quicker. The tour costed 30 euros and lasted a whopping 12 hours, so be prepared for a long day.
Chalki
Chalki is a tiny, peaceful island just off the coast of Rhodes and makes a really lovely day trip if you want something slower and more traditional. It feels completely different to Rhodes, much quieter, with no big resorts and a very laid back vibe. The main harbour, Nimborio, is lined with pastel coloured houses, little tavernas, and crystal clear turquoise water that almost doesn’t look real. Most tourist excursion stores offer day trips to Chalki, ferries can take up to 1 hour 45 to get there.
Day trip to Marmaris (Turkey)
As mentioned earlier, it’s also possible to do a day trip to Turkey from Rhodes Town, usually heading to Marmaris. Marmaris is known for its shopping bazaars, selling spices, souvenirs, and lots of counterfeit fashion items—so if that’s your thing, you might enjoy it. Personally, I’d choose a day trip to Symi or Chalki instead, but it’s still a cool option if you like the idea of ticking another country off your list during your trip.
Filerimos Monastery
Filerimos Monastery is a really peaceful and underrated place to visit in Rhodes, especially if you want a break from the busier beaches and towns. It’s located near Ialyssos and sits up on a hill, so the views over the coast are lovely. The area is known for its calm atmosphere, roaming peacocks, and the famous Path of the Cross, which leads up to a large cross at the top.
