Sightseeing · Lindos

Lindos & Its Acropolis: The Most Beautiful Village in Rhodes

A dazzling cluster of whitewashed houses spilling beneath an ancient acropolis, all wrapped around a turquoise bay — Lindos is the picture-postcard Rhodes you came to see. It’s 47 km south of Rhodes Town, and worth every kilometre.

Lindos works on two levels: the timeless drama of its clifftop ruins, and the cool, car-free maze of lanes below where captains’ mansions hide flower-filled courtyards. Here’s how to do both in one unforgettable day.

The Acropolis of Lindos

Perched 116 metres above the sea, the Acropolis has been a sacred site for over 2,500 years. The Doric Temple of Athena Lindia crowns the summit, ringed by the later fortifications of the Knights of St John. From the top, the view over St Paul’s Bay is one of the finest in all of Greece.

The village below

Cars are banned inside Lindos village, which keeps its narrow lanes blissfully calm. Wander past the “Captains’ Houses” with their carved doorways, find a rooftop taverna, and don’t miss the Church of the Panagia with its 18th-century frescoes.

St Paul’s Bay

A near-enclosed natural lagoon with calm, clear water, named for the apostle who is said to have landed here. It’s a short walk or boat ride from the village and makes the perfect swim stop after the climb — and it features in our roundup of the best beaches in Rhodes.

Climb the Acropolis for sunrise light, swim St Paul’s Bay by noon, dine on a Lindos rooftop at dusk.

Getting to Lindos

Public buses run from Rhodes Town but are slow and crowded in summer. A private transfer lets you leave early, beat the tour buses to the top, and stay as long as you like — compare every option in our guide to getting around Rhodes. Pair the trip with the historic Old Town of Rhodes for a perfect two-stop day.