When I was at the American high school in Athens in the late sixties and early seventies we had a tradition of going to Rhodes every Easter. It was the most southern Greek Island that we knew of which meant spring usually came earlier there. So when school let out for Easter break we went to Piraeus for the 17 hour ferry ride to Rhodes with all our friends and even kids who were not our friends who became our friends as often happens on an un-chaperoned school trip where drugs and alcohol were abundant. It wasn’t just our school that made the trip to Rhodes. American high school kids from Ankara, Izmir, Beirut and even a handful of kids from Thessaloniki made the sojourn, staying in Nikos’ Pension and a number of cheap hotels in the Old City, and acting like teenagers freed from their shackles. For some of us this was the high point of our lives. I have friends who after high school and college moved to Rhodes and opened clubs (Sticky Fingers), hotels, restaurants and even started rock and roll bands to take advantage of the long tourist season and the tens of thousands of beautiful Scandinavian girls who came for their holiday every year.

Lindos 1970

One of the big events of our Easter holiday was the trip to Lindos. We would rent motorbikes and set off for a day of exploring the quiet labyrinth of the village streets, the Acropolis and ancient Temple of Athina, and find a taverna where we would eat and drink and maybe be sober enough to ride back to Rhodes city but if not, crash on the beach because in those days you could do stuff like that. Our soundtrack in 1972 was Meddle by Pink Floyd which was not surprising because the previous year their van was spotted on the island (listen to the flight announcement at the 30 second mark of the song ‘On the Run’ on ‘Dark Side of the Moon’.) I never rented a motorbike. I didn't have the money or I didn't want to learn how to change gears on the 50cc Yamahas we were using, nor did I want to learn to drive on the way there and learn to drive drunk on the way back. So I would hitchhike and have my own adventures apart from everyone else. I remember one Easter sitting by the roadside waiting for a lift (not much traffic in those days) on a beautiful sunny spring day with my friend Larry. Old men and women coming back from the fields and orchards with their donkeys loaded with fruit and vegetables would stop and give us oranges until we had a whole pile. We sat there eating them and by the time we got to Lindos all our friends were ready to leave.

I visited Rhodes for the first time on a trip with my parents over the Christmas Holidays in 1970. Here is a photo of my mom on the Acropolis of Lindos. The original photo had my brother in it but my friend Steve Gratz edited him out to make a more dramatic shot.

Lindos was founded somewhere around 3000 bc by the Dorians and was a major economic center until the 5th century when it was overtaken and passed in importance by the city of Rhodes. The Temple of Athina was built in the 4th century bc and was one of the most sacred places in the ancient world, visited by Alexander the Great, Heracles and Helen of Troy. In the 13th century the Knights of Saint John re-fortified the walls when they built their castle here. The 13th Century Church of Saint John is built on the ruins of an older church from the 6th Century.

Because of the charm of the whitewashed Cycladic looking village and the spectacular beach, Lindos is a popular day trip with tour buses and excursion boats from Rhodes city and tourists filling the narrow streets which are closed to automobiles. You will find all manner of tourist shops, fast food, cafes, restaurants and if you have ever wandered the back streets of Mykonos this will feel quite familiar. Like any popular tourist destination the best time to be here is when the tourists have gone home. I mean to their home country, not to one of the dozens of hotels in and around Lindos.

Beaches

The main beach in Lindos is Megali Gialos, a beautiful sandy beach that takes up the bay below the village. In the summer it is packed with tourists with beach beds, umbrellas and restaurants, cafes, shops and water sports.

A short walk by footpath from Megali Gialos is Pallas Beach which is smaller and located right by where the excursion boats arrive so no less busy. There are several restaurants where you can find your favorite Greek dishes and even some of your favorite non-Greek dishes.

There are several other beaches nearby including Saint Paul’s Bay, on the south side of the village, named for the Apostle who arrived here in 43 AD bringing Christianity with him. I am sure he'd still recognize the place. It is a perfectly enclosed unique little bay with a nice beach and several restaurants and enough parking to fill the beach 5 times over. If it is full go elsewhere. The beaches to the south like Kiotari are big enough to handle the summer crowds.

Vlycha is the large sandy beach just north of Lindos. There are several important luxury hotels on the beach like Sensimar Lindos Bay Resort and Spa and the Lindos Blu as well as several other 5-star hotels and a number of lesser known more economical hotels, apartments and villas. See Vlycha Hotels To the north is Kalathos Beach, an endless pebble beach with a few tavernas and small hotels which then becomes Massari Beach. It is really one long undeveloped beach if umbrellas and sunbeds are not your thing. The last beach in this stretch is Haraki which is in a sheltered cove and has a sandy beach, a few sunbeds and a handful of tavernas in a small settlement. Above it is the Feraklou Castle, built in the 12th century by the Byzantines and later restored by the Knights of Saint John. It was their first castle on the island and they held on to it until the island fell to the Turks along with the castle of Lindos and Rhodes town. It is not an easy climb if it is really hot and you are wearing flip-flops but if you are in shape the view is worth it.

Agathi Beach is a quiet beach (compared to others) with soft sand the way tourists like and a few summer restaurant/cafes. There is a 12th century church or monastery carved into a rock and no hotels. There are however rooms to rent in the vicinity a 10 minute or so walk to the beach. The sea is shallow and excellent for small children and there is good snorkeling along the rocks.

As you continue north there are several small coves with beaches called Kokini Ammos (Red Sand) which have few people because they are hard to reach. You can drive to them if you have a jeep and are not afraid of using it correctly or you can get there by boat. If you get back on the main road you can reach Tsambika Beach which has sunbeds, tavernas and water-sports and a nude bathing section on the north side. It can get very busy in the summer. Maybe too busy.

Beyond Tsambika are a number of other beaches ending with Anthony Quinn Bay and Ladiko Beach. But by now you are in Faliraki and the only reason I mention them here is because I may never get around to making a Faliraki page. Both are small sheltered pebble beaches that get very crowded in the summer. Too crowded. If the parking lot looks full go somewhere else because you won't be happy if you are anything like me.

To the south of Lindos are the beaches of Pefkos, Glystra Beach and Kiotari where you can find a variety of  types from sandy coves with sunbeds and amenities and long pebble beaches where you can get away from the crowds. The further you get from Rhodes town the fewer tourists you will see.

Restaurants in Lindos

Mavrikos Restaurant

Lindos restaurants are a mix of simple Greek, upscale trendy, Mediterranean, Italian, and beach-bar cafeteria which is usually a mix of everything from pastas and fancy entrees to sandwiches and deserts. Famed chef Peter Minaki recommends Mavrikos right in Lindos near the taxi stand and if it is good enough for him that is where I would begin. It is the oldest restaurant in Lindos, having opened in 1933 and is family run. No view but does that really matter? Good food, wine, service and company is what is important and this family run Greek/Mediterranean taverna provides that.

Lindos Yacht Club Kirtos (formerly Skala) on Pallas Beach is one of the oldest restaurants in Lindos and they play Greek music and is a little more typically Greek than most of the others. The new menu is still Greek but with a modern touch that features other Mediterranean styles of cooking.  

In Lindos they are pretty much all tourist restaurants and priced accordingly. If you know what to look for you may get lucky and find the little hole-in-the-wall taverna that is open all year and all the locals eat at. Maria’s Kitchen in the centre of town has the most authentic Greek food at fair prices. My sources also tell me that besides Mavrikos, which most agree is the best, the locals go to Dionysos and Brocolino (for Italian). Ambrosia has great food and exceptional service. Manolis' restaurant has traditional Greek food at very good prices and Cezar is a gourmet restaurant with swimming pool on the sunroof. It is expensive but very romantic at night according to my pal Nick at Rhodes Private Tours, (who also says Mavrikos is the best).

Some people say to eat well in any tourist town you need to get out of that tourist town. Maybe it is not entirely true, however my general rule in this situation is on at least one night to go to the inland villages nearby for the kind of home-style Greek cooking and atmosphere I prefer. Try the village of Lardos and go to Valantina's or Roula's (known for having the best ribs) or Tsambikos in Pefkos. It is a good idea to make reservations for any of these places.

Top Hotels in Lindos

As you would expect Lindos is loaded with beautiful luxury hotels, villas, holiday homes, apartments and yes, even simple economical rooms with self-catering facilities. Below are a few of the best but you can find more by using Matt's Lindos Hotel Search or Matt's Villa and Holiday Home Search.

Lindos Blu Luxury Hotel

Lindos Blu Luxury Hotel - Adults Only is nestled on a quiet hillside with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. With direct access to its private beach, the adults-only hotel features 2 freshwater pools, a tennis court and a spa. Rooms, suites and villas are set amid the highly inclined landscape, with private patios looking into a breathtaking panorama of the Vlicha Bay. Each is equipped with 43" Smart TV, Nespresso machine and tea-making facilities.
Click for Photos, Reviews and Booking Information

Lindos Mare Seaside Hotel

This secluded, elegant hotel, less than 1.9 mi from the picturesque village of Lindos, enjoys a unique hillside setting with first class panoramic views. Free loungers and umbrellas are offered at the beach. A series of elevators, including a cable car, link the complex with the sandy beach. Recent renovations have been made to all areas of Lindos Mare. Together with impeccable service and excellent cuisine, they have created an atmosphere of discrete luxury in which you can enjoy a leisurely holiday.
Click for Photos, Reviews and Booking Information

Melenos Lindos Exclusive Suites

Melenos Lindos Exclusive Suites enjoy a prime location on the north side of the ancient Acropolis, below the Temple of Athena, with spectacular sea views. Guests can start their day with a complimentary American-style breakfast. At the hotel’s open-air restaurant, they can taste Greek traditional flavors with some Mediterranean touches and authentic Lindian recipes. For those who would like to further explore the local and Mediterranean cuisine, the hotel offers cooking courses in Greek and English. Styled with respect to the local architecture, each room contains a unique selection of fabrics, ceramics and special items from the owner’s personal collection. Upon arrival guests receive welcome drinks, a bottle of wine and a fruit basket.
Click for Photos, Reviews and Booking Information

Lindos View Hotel

Offering 2 outdoor pools, Lindos View Hotel overlooks Lindos Town. It features air-conditioned accommodations with self-catering facilities. Free WiFi is available in the business center. Facilities include a children’s playground and a bar. All studios and apartments of Lindos View come with a satellite TV or flat-screen TV and a kitchenette with hobs and mini fridge. Most units open to a balcony or terrace, with views over the garden or the Mediterranean Sea and Lindos Acropolis. Some are fitted with a hot tub.
Click for Photos, Reviews and Booking Information

'Lindian Myth' Sea View Studios

Just a 15-minute walk to the beach and Lindos Village, Lindian Myth features spacious balconies with sea views. These brand new studios are ideally located in the higher area of Krana overlooking Lindos and Acropolis. Free and fast WiFi is provided in public areas. Accommodations consists of twin beds in the bedroom area, plus a sofa bed in the living area. Bed linen are changed 3 times per week and towels are changed 3 or 4 times per week. Each of the studios features a fully equipped kitchenette. Click for Photos, Reviews and Booking Information

Lindian Jewel Exclusive Apartments

Located in the traditional settlement of Lindos, Lindian Jewel Exclusive Apartments lies within a short walk from restaurants and shops and just 1,000 feet from Agios Pavlos Beach. It offers self-catering units with free Wi-Fi and views over the Acropolis of Lindos. Opening to a common courtyard, the studios and apartments of Lindian Jewel are traditionally decorated with built-in sofas and wrought-iron beds. Each air-conditioned unit has a seating area and a well-equipped kitchenette or kitchen with dining area. A flat-screen TV, a DVD player and a hairdryer are available. Some units also have a fireplace. Click for Photos, Reviews and Booking Information

Chrysanthi Studios

Just a few steps from Lindos Megali Paralia Beach, Chrysanthi Studios provides beachfront accommodations with a terrace and free WiFi. Housed in a building dating from 1980, the apartment is in an area where guests can engage in activities such as hiking, snorkeling and fishing. Featuring sea views, the apartment features a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, air conditioning, a seating area, a desk and 1 bathroom. There's a dining area and a kitchen complete with a fridge and a stovetop. Click for Photos, Reviews and Booking Information

Lindos Shore Superior Studio

Located 650 feet from Lindos Acropolis in Líndos, this apartment features a terrace. Guests benefit from patio. Free WiFi is provided throughout the property. The kitchenette has an oven, a toaster and a fridge, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle. A flat-screen TV and Blu-ray player, as well as an iPad and a CD player are available. There is a private bathroom with a bath.
Click for Photos, Reviews and Booking Information

For more Hotels, Apartments, Villas and Holiday Homes see Matt's Lindos Hotel Search
You can also book hotels and holiday arrangements with Fantasy Travel or by using Matt's Create an Itinerary Form

For Day trips to Lindos I recommend Rhodes Private Tours