No. 0525 · Greece · Eastern Europe and the Balkans

Lindos

36.08°N 28.08°E · 38 m

Overview

Lindos gathers whitewashed captains' houses and cobbled pedestrian streets beneath a hilltop acropolis. Ancient temple ruins and later fortifications give the village a layered historic setting.

History · Architecture · Beach · Culture

Did you know?

  1. Tradition links St Paul's Bay with the apostle bringing Christianity to Rhodes.
  2. Whitewashed captains' houses line cobbled pedestrian streets.
  3. The hilltop acropolis combines ancient temple ruins with later fortifications.

Why go?

Lindos is a preserved medieval village on Rhodes with only 700 inhabitants but enormous tourist traffic in high season. The whitewashed Captain's Houses dating from the 1400s-1800s line cobbled pedestrian streets, and the Acropolis crowns the hilltop with ancient temple ruins and Byzantine fortifications. The village is one of the most photographed spots in Greece, though tourist coaches depart by noon, leaving the evenings delightfully quiet.

Get in

Lindos is 56 km from Rhodes city. Bus tickets cost €5.50 one-way with a 1h15 journey, sold by the driver. Taxis from Rhodes Airport run €75—ask to be taken to the local police station if overcharged. Boat access is available from Mandraki harbour in Rhodes city. Parking exists outside the village with blue paid spaces intermixed with free spots near the supermarket.

Get around

Lindos is entirely pedestrianized with only donkeys and mopeds as motor transport. Walking is the main option but the steep hillside makes climbing to the acropolis strenuous. A local bus runs from the main arrival bus stop to a square closer to the sea, compensating for elevation change. Donkey rides cost about €6 from the town entrance to the acropolis.

When to go

Lindos is busiest when tourist coaches arrive in the mornings and depart by 12:00. Summer months bring crowds to the sandy beaches, which can become littered with cigarette butts and rubbish. Spring and autumn offer milder temperatures and fewer visitors while keeping the acropolis and village sights accessible.

Where to stay

Self-catering studios, apartments, and villas with spectacular views cluster near the village center. Some hotels sit outside Lindos proper, requiring transportation to reach beaches and nightlife. Budget options like Lindian Myth offer rooms from €50, while mid-range properties like Lindos Mare Hotel charge €220-260 for doubles. Luxury options include Caesars Gardens Hotel & Spa (adults-only, doubles €200-320) and Melenos Art Boutique Hotel (€230-760).

Food and drink

Lindos has many tourist-oriented restaurants serving international cuisine with English-speaking staff. Souvlaki joints and crepe houses offer budget Greek kebabs at around €2.50 for pita gyro or kalamaki. Three supermarkets on the main street stock basics and imported English foods; two more at Kranos Square (Floras and Acropolis) have better produce selection but higher prices. Fine dining options include César Meze Bar with rooftop pool views.

Things to do

The Acropolis entrance costs €20 (April 2025) and is open until 18:40 from March to December, featuring reconstructed Lindian Athena temple ruins and an ancient amphitheatre. The Church of the Assumption offers free entry with ornate icons and decoration—ideal for cooling down. St Paul's Bay marks where the apostle allegedly brought Christianity to Rhodes. Beach options include the main beach and St Paul's beach (€8 for parasol and two loungers), plus glass-bottom boat rides.

Safety

Lindos is generally safe for travelers. The steep ascent to the acropolis is completely inaccessible for those with limited mobility, and the fortress lacks handrails or walking barriers. Beach litter can be an issue during peak season. Use caution on mopeds and donkeys on the narrow streets.

Connectivity

An internet cafe called Lindianet operates in Lindos for those needing connectivity. Greece uses Type C/F power plugs at 230V. For mobile data, Greek carriers offer prepaid SIM cards with coverage on Rhodes.

Budget

Backpackers can manage on €50-70 daily: dorms or budget studios from €20, souvlaki meals at €2.50-5, local bus at €5.50, and acropolis entry at €20. Mid-range travelers spending €100-150 daily get private accommodation, restaurant dinners, and activities. St Paul's beach loungers cost €8.

Day trips

Rhodes Town—the oldest inhabited medieval town in Europe—is 56 km away and worth a full day visit. Faliraki offers action resort vibes with beaches and a water park. Afandou features a golf course and long beach. Nearby settlements include Lardos and Pefkos, both reachable by local bus.

Go next

Rhodes Town is the island's largest city with the medieval Old Town—a UNESCO site and Europe's oldest inhabited medieval town. Faliraki is Rhodes' party resort with beaches and nightlife. Afandou offers golf and a long beach. The east coast highway connects Lindos to these destinations. Local buses serve all major east coast points.

Guide text adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to start

  • Sleep

    Eugenia villa and studio

    The Eugenia Villa and Studio are next to each other, located above the Small Beach (known as the Pallas) in Lindos.

  • Sleep

    Lindian Myth

    Clean studio rooms near the main road at the top of town. Kitchen facilities and good bathrooms. 15 minutes walk from Lindos town and the beach. Guests can use the swimming pool at the adjacent hotel.

    Price when recorded: From €50

  • Sleep

    Lindos Aqua Terra

    Price when recorded: 150-450

  • Sleep

    Lindos Blu Hotel

    Price when recorded: Double €200-660

  • Sleep

    Lindos Mare Hotel

    Price when recorded: Double €220-260

  • Sleep

    Melenos Art Boutique Hotel

    Price when recorded: 230-760

  • Sleep

    Pefkos Beach Hotel

    It is self catering but, very good, clean, and very friendly

  • Sleep

    Pefkos Garden Hotel

    Pefkos Garden is a comfortable and quiet hotel outside Rhodes near Lindos and Lardos.

Before you go

Connectivity

Internet cafe Lindianet available. Greek mobile carriers offer prepaid SIMs with Rhodes coverage.

Culture

Lindos maintains a preservation order forbidding unauthorized building changes. Captain's Houses from 1400s-1800s are protected historic structures.

Money

Greece uses the euro (€). ATMs available in Lindos. Most restaurants and hotels accept cards, but smaller souvlaki joints may be cash-only.

Safety

Steep acropolis climb is inaccessible for mobility-impaired. Fortress lacks handrails. Beach litter common in peak season.

Transport

Local bus from Rhodes city costs €5.50 (1h15). Taxis from airport run €75. Donkey rides to acropolis about €6. Parking available outside village.

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