Perched on a hilltop above a mishmash of white houses and a stunning turquoise bay, is one of Greece’s most brilliant ancient architectural gems. And although this beautiful village is tiny, it’s more than worth a visit when you’re staying on the Dodecanese island of Rhodes. Keep reading to discover how to get there, where to stay, and what to do in Lindos.
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A very brief introduction to Lindos
I guarantee it pals, you will find Lindos listed on just about every single list of ‘places to visit on Rhodes.’ This village is stunning, and although you can easily visit by road, only pedestrians can wander up and down the teeny-tiny streets that wind up and down and all around the hill to the Acropolis which sits above everything like a crown atop the rock. So even on a busy day (and believe me, in high season the streets truly can get busy with visitors), the atmosphere is still an idyllic one.
People have lived here in Lindos for about 4000 years, and although the Acropolis was founded by the Dorian Greeks, it has also been home to (or a military base for) the Romans, the Byzantines, the Ottomans and the Knights of Rhodes and Malta. The Knights even went so far as to build a big old Medieval castle all around and on top of the old Acropolis, to make it doubly secure from attackers.
Although these days, the area is mostly frequented by tourists and stray cats: no danger of attack here, folks.
How to get from Rhodes Town to Lindos
Compared to other popular Greek islands like Santorini, Rhodes is actually pretty massive. So, although public transport here is widely available and very easy to use, it does take time to get from A to B.
Public Bus
To get the bus from Rhodes Town to Lindos, you can take the KTEL bus from Rhodes Central Bus Station, which runs hourly and takes an hour and 45 minutes to reach Lindos. Currently a one way bus ticket from Rhodes Town to Lindos costs €5.50 (2024), and you can buy this either from the ticket office beforehand or from the driver on board.
When I visited Rhodes, I chose to stay in the village of Archangelos; from there to Lindos the journey by bus takes around 35 minutes.
I always found the buses on Rhodes to be very reliable; there was never any danger of sitting and waiting for hours like in some other islands around the world. (I’m looking at you, Kauai.)
On a booked tour
If you want a quicker way to get to Lindos, where more of the journey is taken care of for you, you could always book onto a tour.
This trip includes pick up and transportation to and from Lindos for a really great price, and once there you’re left to your own devices to explore exactly what and how you want to. If you’d rather head to Lindos in the evening, book a nighttime visit here.
For a slightly more adventurous way to get from Rhodes to Lindos, head there by boat. You’ll have three hours to explore the village, and then on the way back to Rhodes you’ll stop at Tsambika Beach and Anthony Quinn Bay for some swimming and snorkelling time.
Or if a private trip from Rhodes to Lindos is more your style, particularly if you want to discover everything the island has to offer, take a private car with a local guide. This is the ideal option for small groups arriving on a cruise ship, as there are several other stops included, and the trip can be tailored to you. Book a private trip here.
Three Days in Rhodes: Solo Travel in Greece
Where to stay in Lindos
A traditional guesthouse in the heart of Lindos: Villa Zinovia
Luxurious apartments right next to the beach (book the suite with an outdoor terrace for the best time): Thalassa Luxury Studios
Beachfront apartment with a stunning sea view patio: Chrysanthi Studios
What to do in Lindos
Lindos Acropolis
Even if you’re not a history buff, Lindos Acropolis is well worth a visit. Its position on top of the hill is downright bloomin’ glorious, with views towards the sugar cube houses of the village, out across the Mediterranean Sea, and tucked away in one corner the stunning heart-shaped St Pauls’ Bay.
The Acropolis itself holds a whole mixture of time periods within its walls, from the ancient Greek temple of Athena Lindia, to a Byzantine church (which was converted into a mosque when the Ottomans arrived), and the extra-strength Medieval walls and towers built by the Knights Hospitaller.
To reach Lindos Acropolis, just get to the village and keep heading up! There are plenty of signposts, and you can buy your tickets at the entrance. When I visited, it was the middle of a very hot day, so there was no queue. However, if you don’t have much time and don’t want to risk it, you can pre-book a ticket here and go straight in.
Lindos Acropolis is open from 8am-8pm during the summer months (April to October), and 8.30am-3.30pm from November to March.
Wander the village
We all know I love wandering through a teeny tiny Greek village, don’t we? Lindos is best seen at your own pace, so you can take in all the nooks and crannies that these pretty streets have to offer. And although there are several busier lanes filled with gift shops and restaurants and bars with lovely rooftops, all you need to do is turn off of these main thoroughfares to find yourself in a much more peaceful atmosphere.
If you get hungry, stop in at Ginger for a really delicious breakfust, brunch or lunch, and try and get a seat on the roof for the best vibes of all. For another beaut rooftop experience, head to Melia Cafe. Or, for a shady little garden in the heart of the village, try the Village Cafe Lindos. (They do a banging spinach pie, I’ll tell you that for free.)
St Paul’s Bay
Like Lindos, St Paul’s Bay is tiny but stunning. The sheltered heart-shaped bay with crystal clear water is connected to the sea only by a tiny opening in the cliffs. (It’s like the larger, Greek version of Stiniva Cove in Croatia).
If you’re curious about the name, this is where St Paul is said to have first set foot on the island of Rhodes, to preach the word of Christianity. I like to think it looked pretty much the same in 51AD as it does now, save for the tavernas and the sunbeds lined up and ready for hire.
Lindos Beach
On the opposite side of the village to St Paul’s Bay is Megali Paralia, Lindos main beach, and the larger one of the two. This golden crescent of sand is absolutely beautiful, and much better suited to families with the shallow water; you can also hire sunbeds and pedalos here.
The sloping road down to the beach is clearly signposted and very easily accessible.
Lindos is an absolutely enchanting place with a beautifully relaxed atmosphere, and although I only visited for a day, I think a couple of days stay in this pretty village would be an ideal way to chill out and experience Greek island life.