Lindos is small, but it is layered: an ancient acropolis, a medieval church, captains' mansions, two beautiful bays and evenings under the stars. Here is how to enjoy all of it.
Lindos is one of those places that looks too pretty to be real: a white village spilling down a hillside beneath an ancient acropolis, with two turquoise bays below. Many people see it for a few hot hours on a day trip. Those who stay a little longer discover how much there is to enjoy.
We are a family-run hotel on the edge of the village, and these are the things we recommend to our own guests, from the famous to the quietly wonderful.
1. Climb the Acropolis of Lindos
The obvious first. Walk up at opening time to see the Temple of Athena Lindia, the Hellenistic colonnade and the Knights’ castle before the heat and the crowds. Our practical guide to the Acropolis covers tickets, timing and what to bring, and our history of the Acropolis tells the story.
2. Swim in Saint Paul’s Bay
A near-circular lagoon of turquoise water enclosed by rocks, with a little white chapel on the shore. Walk down in the morning when the water is glassy, and see our Saint Paul’s Bay page for more.
3. Spend a lazy day on Lindos main beach
Right below the village, the main beach curves around Lindos Bay with calm, shallow water, sunbeds and tavernas. Pallas beach, beside it at the foot of the Acropolis rock, is often a little quieter.
4. See the frescoes in the Church of the Panagia
In the heart of the village, the Church of the Panagia, with its distinctive stone bell tower, is covered inside with painted frescoes and has a traditional pebble-mosaic floor. Step in from the bright lanes and let your eyes adjust. Please dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.
5. Look inside a captain’s house
Lindos grew rich on sea trade, and its captains built grand stone mansions in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, with carved doorways, decorated ceilings and courtyards paved with black-and-white pebble mosaics called chochlakia. Some are open to visitors, and several now house cafés and shops, so keep an eye out for open doors.
6. Walk to the tomb of Kleoboulos
On the headland north of Lindos Bay, a round stone tomb from the Hellenistic period is traditionally linked to Kleoboulos, the ancient ruler of Lindos counted among the Seven Sages of Greece. The walk out takes under an hour each way, with wonderful views back to the village and the Acropolis. Go early and bring water; there is no shade.
7. Find the ancient theatre
On the slope below the Acropolis, a small ancient theatre is carved into the rock. It is easy to miss and a lovely quiet corner to discover.
8. Take a boat trip
From the main beach, small boats run trips along the coast to coves you cannot reach on foot, including swimming stops and glass-bottom boat rides that children love. Our reception can also arrange sailing charters for a private day at sea.
9. Get lost in the lanes
The best thing to do in Lindos is often nothing in particular. Wander the stepped lanes early in the morning or in the evening, when they are quiet, and let yourself get lost. It is a small village; you will always find your way back.
10. Watch the sunrise
Lindos faces east, so the sun rises out of the Aegean. Take your coffee to a terrace, or climb a little way above the village, and watch the first light hit the Acropolis.
11. Find a sunset spot
The sunsets are gentler here, but there are good places to watch them, from rooftop bars to the headland above Saint Paul’s Bay. Read our guide to sunset spots in Lindos.
12. Dine on a rooftop under the Acropolis
Many Lindos restaurants have roof terraces, and dinner there, with the floodlit Acropolis directly above, is one of the great experiences of Rhodes. Book ahead in high season.
13. Shop for local crafts
Lindos has a long tradition of decorated ceramics, and the lanes are full of small shops selling pottery, lace, leather sandals and jewellery. Browse in the evening, when it is cooler.
14. Explore the nearby beaches and villages
Lindos is perfectly placed for the best of the east coast. Within a short drive are Vlicha Bay, Tsambika beach and its hilltop monastery, sandy Agathi near the fishing village of Haraki, and the quieter beaches of Pefkos and Lardos to the south. See our guide to the best beaches in Rhodes.
15. Stay overnight
Our real top tip. From late morning to late afternoon in high season, Lindos fills with day visitors from Rhodes Town. By early evening they have gone. Staying overnight gives you the Acropolis at dawn, quiet lanes after dark and the village as the people who live here know it. Our perfect day in Lindos shows how to make the most of it.
Lindos with children
Lindos works well for families who plan around the heat. The main beach and Pallas beach are sandy with calm, shallow water, and older children usually love the castle walls on the Acropolis, the glass-bottom boats and, of course, the donkeys. Do the climbing in the early morning, keep the middle of the day for the beach or a siesta, and save the lanes for the evening, when the village is cooler and quieter. The streets are stepped and cobbled, so a baby carrier is far easier than a pushchair.
When to go
Lindos is at its best from May to October. June and September offer warm sea with fewer people, while July and August are the hottest and busiest months. In spring and late autumn the village is peaceful and perfect for walking.
Where to stay in Lindos
Lindos Comfy Suites is a family-run, 21-suite boutique hotel on the edge of the village, about five minutes on foot from the main square and ten from Saint Paul’s Bay, with Greek breakfast each morning and private parking at the top of the property. See the suites and book direct with us at comfysuitesrhodes.com.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lindos worth visiting?
Yes. Lindos is one of the most beautiful villages in Greece, with an ancient acropolis, a car-free old village and two lovely bays. Staying overnight is even better than a day trip, because mornings and evenings are much quieter.
How many days do you need in Lindos?
One full day covers the highlights, but two or three days let you enjoy the beaches and the evenings properly. Many visitors use Lindos as their base for a week and explore the rest of Rhodes from there.
What is there to do in Lindos at night?
Evenings in Lindos are about rooftop dinners under the floodlit Acropolis, cocktails on terraces and slow walks through the lanes. There are some bars, but it is a relaxed, romantic village rather than a party resort.
Is Lindos good for families?
Yes, with some planning. The beaches are sandy and calm, and children enjoy the donkeys, the boats and the castle. The lanes are steep and stepped, so a baby carrier is easier than a pushchair.
