Seen from afar, the town of Lindos in Rhodes looks like a layer cake: the first blue layer is the enchanting Aegean Sea, followed by a green layer of Mediterranean trees, then a white layer of traditional Greek cottages, another thinner green layer and finally a cream layer, the colour of the stones from which the fortress and ancient ruins that tower above the town were built.
It is considered ‘the most Greek’ of Rhodes’ towns; its narrow streets lined with souvenir shops, traditional taverns, small restaurants, bars and shops are jammed with tourists in the middle of the day, so much so that it is sometimes difficult to walk – a scene you will certainly have seen if you have visited the more famous Greek islands.
If so many people flock to this small town perched on a hill, it is obvious that this is a charming place. Of ancient origins – the first settlements date back some 3000 years – and dominated over the centuries by Greeks, Byzantines, Franks and Turks, Lindos undeniably retains a unique and bewitching charm.
Picturesque sights, breathtaking sea views, delightful little restaurants with roof terraces, thousand-year-old buildings silhouetted against a clear blue sky: it is really easy to see why little Lindos is the pearl of Rhodes. It wins over travellers of different types, such as couples looking for romantic locations, families who want nature but also services and comfort, and young and old who like to stay out late at night but do not like an excessively unruly and transgressive nightlife.
An unmissable stop on any Rhodes holiday, Lindos is also a perfect base for exploring the island. However, you may decide not to move from here: its three beaches are among the most beautiful in Rhodes and its restaurants serve excellent traditional cuisine. When everything is so beautiful, who wants to leave?
You don’t have to leave Lindos to spend wonderful days relaxing by the sea: this small town boasts three beautiful beaches washed by the typical Greek blue sea that you can reach without having to take the car out.
The main beach is located north of the village, along the inner part of the bay that the town overlooks; it has no particular name, it is often referred to in English as ‘main beach’. It can be reached on foot from the town centre, but if you prefer to arrive by car there is convenient parking.
It is a sandy beach with gently sloping seabed and calm waters: perfect for inexperienced swimmers and families with small children.
From the main beach you can follow a narrow coastal path to Pallas Beach, the other town beach of Lindos; another path to it is at the beginning of the mule track to the acropolis. It is smaller but also very popular.
Both beaches are equipped, with numerous taverns where you can have a snack or a drink at sunset. The two beaches are often referred to indifferently as ‘Lindos beach’.
A separate beach, however, to the south of the centre, is the beautiful St Paul’s Bay, a kind of natural harbour overlooked by the acropolis hill; it is dedicated to the saint who, according to legend, landed here in 58 AD to save himself from a storm.
Protected by rocks that seem to merge into an embrace, St Paul’s Bay is an idyllic place where one can swim in surprisingly placid azure waters reminiscent of those in a lagoon. Very picturesque, it is often chosen by many foreigners as the location for dream weddings.
Although it does not have a long list of things to see, Lindos always makes an impression on the hearts of its visitors. It is almost always thanks to its romantic atmosphere and the panoramic view from the top of the rock.
Half a day is enough to see the sights of Lindos, but we recommend that you stay at least one night because when the tourist buses have left and the sun goes down, the town is at its best. You no longer have to scramble to navigate the cobbled streets of the centre and you can admire the spectacle of a thousand little lights that come on to illuminate the rooftop terraces.
The top attraction of Lindos is the beautiful Acropolis atop the hill on which the town stands. The emblem of Lindos, it dates back to the 6th century B.C. and comprises a series of impressive ancient ruins set in an enchanting landscape with splendid views of the Aegean Sea. The most important remains are the Temple of Athena and the Hellenistic stoa, a portico with twenty columns.
In the Middle Ages, the acropolis was enclosed within the Knights’ Castle, a fortress with massive defensive walls; various buildings were added to the original Ancient Greek buildings, including a Byzantine church.
The acropolis can be reached from the centre of Lindos by walking up a steep slope. If you don’t think you can make it, or if you want a fun experience, you can ride on a donkey: donkeys are the ‘tourist taxis’ of Lindos, with a departure station at the main square.
Many tourists choose to get on a donkey and walk off to save money, but those who really don’t want to put in the effort can book their own donkey for the return trip.
The Captains’ Houses are exactly what the name suggests: mighty mansions built in past centuries by wealthy captains and shipowners. Some date back to the Middle Ages, the most recent are from the 18th century: among the latter, the most beautiful are Kyriakos Koliodos, Lefteris Makris, Kirkis.
They are larger and more elegant than the typical white houses clustered in the centre of Lindos. Protected by high walls that hide a pretty entrance courtyard, the captain’s houses have Gothic arched openings and oriental-inspired décor, numerous plants and ornamental floral motifs.
Today, many of these houses have become restaurants, charming hotels or exclusive holiday homes.
Lindos has been very touristy for decades now and the local hotel industry has developed to accommodate the ever-increasing number of visitors. This means that the choice of accommodation in Lindos is very wide indeed, with something to suit all budgets and desires.
Sleeping in the centre of Lindos is recommended for couples looking for romantic spots to admire by moonlight and for those who want clubs and bars within easy reach. However, the centre is rather small, so there are no mega-hotels with hundreds of rooms; here you will find a high concentration of guesthouses, studios and cheap, family-run hotels.
Just a kilometre away you will find larger hotels, flats and residences; villages and resorts with swimming pools and sports fields – perfect for families – are about 3 km from the centre.
In recent years, 4- or 5-star hotels with adults-only spas have been opened in Lindos, ideal for those who want a luxury holiday of wellness and relaxation.
We offer a selection of hotels at Lindos to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Lindos, sorted by number of reviews.
If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Lindos. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Lindos are in high demand.
Lindos is about 55 km from Rhodes International Airport, which is connected by direct flights of low-cost airlines. Arriving by ferry is more difficult because the island is so far away: the boat trip from Athens takes several hours and is more expensive than a flight.
Rhodes has a much better public transport service than the other Greek islands and it is therefore possible to reach Lindos from the airport by a local bus of the Ktel Rhodes company.
It is, however, much more convenient to rent a car at the airport and arrive in Lindos by private transport. You will save a lot of time and can then tour the whole island freely.
You can also reach Lindos by bus from the capital. Here are the best day trips from Rhodes Town, which include comfortable transport, expert guides and free time to explore this picture-postcard Greek heritage town.
What's the weather at Lindos? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Lindos for the next few days.
Lindos is located in Rhodes, a Greek island that is part of the Dodecanese archipelago, the one situated further east: these islands are closer to the coasts of Turkey than to those of mainland Greece.
The town is located in the central part of the east coast, about 50 km from the capital, which is instead situated on the northern tip of the island.
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