Located on the gleaming east coast of the Greek island of Rhodes, Lindos is endlessly alluring. Home to gorgeous beaches, jade-hued coves, a pretty whitewash village, and ancient sites—not to mention some of the best restaurants on the island—Lindos is a must-visit stop for visitors to Rhodes.
Read our travel guide below and find out how to make the most of your time in Lindos.
Attractions
Acropolis of Lindos
Acropolis of Lindos
Surrounded by lofty cypresses and sweet-scented pine trees, the gilded Acropolis of Lindos, perched 380 feet above the town, is home to the remains of several ancient buildings and monuments.
If you’re culturally curious, dedicate time to explore the late Byzantine-period chapel of Saint John, the Propylaea, the Hellenistic stoa, and the most striking of the archaeological remains, the Doric Temple of Athena Lindia. Dating back to roughly 300 B.C., the temple honors the goddess Athena with its striking stone columns symbolizing Lindos’s once-powerful status as the capital of Rhodes.
Discover the remains of a Roman temple, believed to date back to 300 A.D., and the much later Castle of the Knights of St. John, built around the early 1300s, complete with two surviving watchtowers. Remember to wear solid walking shoes and take plenty of water on the trek to reach the summit involving a steep climb.
Read: Best Places to Hike in Greece
Ancient Theater of Lindos
Ancient Theater of Lindos
Located on the southwest facing foothills of the Acropolis, this ancient Greek landmark traces life in Lindos back to 4 B.C., when up to 2,000 lively spectators would pack into the stadium to watch musical performances, sporting shows, and other entertainment events.
Explore the ancient theater’s rows of seating, circular orchestral well, and stage skillfully carved into the rock. You’re well exposed to the sun here, with practically no shelter, so remember to layer on a high-factor SPF and wear a sun hat for added protection.
Church of Panagia
Church of Panagia
Close to the center of the Old Town, the Greek Orthodox Church of Panagia is one of Lindos’ top attractions. The original building dates back to the 1300s, though it has undergone several modifications over the centuries, the most recent in 1927, during the island’s Italian occupation.
Take a peek inside to admire the traditional Rhodian church design, featuring bone-white exterior walls and a pebble mosaic floor. Most impressive are the vivid frescoes bursting with color depicting various saints and scenes from the bible that hug every inch of the walls and domed ceiling inside. It’s considered respectable to cover up when entering the church, so bring a light scarf that you can easily drape over your shoulders and arms.
St. Paul’s Bay & Agios Pavlos Beach
Agios Pavlos Beach
A hidden cove on the southern edge of Lindos, Greece, St. Paul’s Bay is a curved rocky headland that cradles the pretty beach of Agios Pavlos. Stroll across the golden sand to the right of the beach and you’ll spot a tiny, Cyclades-style whitewashed chapel tucked away in the shadow of the Acropolis. It’s a coveted spot for local weddings and other celebrations, as the gorgeous azure Aegean Sea glistens in the background.
Agios Pavlos Beach offers bathrooms, sun loungers, and parasols for hire. Pack your snorkel mask and dive off the rocks into the soothing turquoise water. Afterward, settle down for a chilled glass of rosé and a delicious meal at the modern Mediterranean restaurant Tambakio Taverna that’s set on the water’s edge.
Things to Do in Lindos
Bathe in Lindos Beach
Lindos Beach
Plunge your feet into the pearlescent sand and splash in the silky blue water on Lindos’s crescent-shaped beach, one of the best beaches in Rhodes. This well-equipped spot offers sun loungers, parasols, bathroom facilities, and canoe hire. If you can tear yourself away from the soft sand, there are a handful of traditional and modern tavernas lining the beach, serving fresh salads, seafood, and grilled meats.
Follow the path to Pallas Beach, which is separated from Lindos Beach by a small rocky outcrop. The shore on both sections of sand is shallow and perfect for paddling. Pack a towel and bathing suit to join the gaggle of fishing boats speckled on the horizon.
Read: Best Beaches in the Mediterranean
Take a Ride in a Semi-Submarine
Lion Head Cove
Dive into the crystalline sea onboard Hippo, a canary-yellow semi-submarine, and take a seat in the air-conditioned lower cabin to witness the kaleidoscope of marine life around Lindos.
Departing from St. Paul’s Bay, two- and three-hour tours take in Lion Head Cove and Navarone Bay. Marvel at the spectacular reef life and swim and snorkel in the warm Mediterranean Sea when the semi-submarine makes a scheduled stop.
Don’t forget to take your camera to capture stunning subaquatic scenes. There’s free Wi-Fi onboard, allowing you to post your envy-inducing photos straight to social media and share them with friends and family back home.
Explore Lindos Old Town
Lindos Old Town
Lindos Old Town is a wonderful blend of white-cubed buildings draped in vibrant bougainvillea, a warren of winding cobbled alleyways, Byzantine-period churches, and mansions once owned by wealthy seafaring captains. The labyrinth-like pedestrianized streets are ideal for getting lost in and easily explored on foot.
In the heat of the day, stop by a local cafe bar for a soothing iced coffee or a gelato at Gelo Blu. You’ll also find a glut of restaurants, bars, and bazaar-like stalls lining the streets, selling all types of Greek souvenirs, handmade leather goods, handicrafts, Greek fashion labels, and artwork. There’s an information kiosk in the main square and a couple of grocery stores where you can pick up essentials, such as bottled water and sodas.
Dine on Delicious Seafood
It’s always a good sign when you see the fresh catch delivered directly from boat to restaurant. Lindos, Greece, is blessed with outstanding seafood, and you’ll find the town’s kitchens filled with fresh octopus, mussels, shrimp, lobster, swordfish, and squid.
Don’t worry if seafood is not usually to your taste. You’ll find sublime mezze platters, souvlaki, and pasta dishes on menus around Lindos, too.
Take in the Vistas from Lindos Viewing Point
Lindos Viewing Point
To capture Lindos in all of its glory—the sugar-cube village huddled on the cliff, the jagged coastline, and the cobalt water that glistens against golden strips of shore—stop off at the dedicated viewing point on Highway 95, just outside of Lindos.
Located on the north side of the town, you’ll know you’re in the right place when you spot the soul-stirring scenery from the roadside parking lot, beside the open-air live music and events venue, Club Amphitheatre.
Enjoy Craft Cocktails at a Rooftop Bar
Cozze Champagne and Cocktail Bar Photo by Arnie Papp on Flickr, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Playing to one of its many strengths, Lindos has several rooftop bars that afford spectacular views of the Acropolis. Make a beeline for the elegant veranda of Cozze Champagne and Cocktail Bar, a lush oasis in the center of Lindos Old Town.
Cozze specializes in craft cocktails, with theatrical concoctions featuring Greek gin, infused spirits, and lashings of ouzo served in fun seashell-shaped glassware. Alternatively, opt for a glass of local wine or a refreshing beer, snacking on a bowl of plump, briny olives and garlicky mussels.
Restaurants
Mavrikos
Mavrikos Photo by Kirk K on Flickr, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Owned by brothers Michalis and Dimitri Mavrikos, this sultry spot has been entertaining locals, vacationers, and celebrities for decades. Serving a modern take on traditional Rhodian cuisine, opt for a lazy long lunch on the vine-covered terrace.
Treat yourself to the lobster spaghetti washed down with an ice-cold glass of island wine and soak up the warm Greek hospitality. Open daily; 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Almyra
Almyra is a chic beachfront restaurant that has received rave reviews since debuting in spring 2021, thanks to its farm- and ocean-to-table ethos and a focus on experimental Mediterranean cuisine.
Savor dishes including the smoked eggplant and feta salad and subtly sweet scallops served with an exquisitely crafted bacon marmalade. Save room for the pannacotta with Rhodian melekouni at the end. Open daily; 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Mythos All Day Restaurant
Opt for an imaginative salad that bursts with flavor, such as the pomegranate, pistachio, green leaf, and manouri cheese served with a luxurious dressing of cognac-flavored honey at Mythos, a pretty taverna in Lindos Main Square.
Other highlights include succulent octopus, delicately battered squid, stuffed vine leaves, and grilled halloumi with ouzo and saffron. Make the most of your visit by grazing over a selection of dishes meant to be shared with the table. Request a seat on the rooftop for views of the Acropolis of Lindos. Open daily; 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Kamariko Taverna
Kamariko Taverna
A stalwart of Lindos’s dining scene, Kamariko Taverna is homely Greek cooking at its finest. The restaurant has been in the same family since the 1890s, back when ouzo, brandy, and souma were distilled in the back and a cafe operated at the front.
While upgrades have been made to the restaurant over the years, the traditional Lindian arches after which the restaurant takes its name remain.
Choose from barbecued meats, including Rhodian goat, stuffed squid, a rich shellfish orzo stew, and an unforgettable moussaka flavored with ripe tomatoes and a buttery béchamel sauce. Open daily; 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 11:30 p.m.
Cesar Meze Bar
This popular Lindos restaurant is a gourmet hotspot thanks to the culinary prowess of trailblazing executive chef Stavros Koustenis. Polish off a moussaka burrito loaded with nutmeg yogurt and smoked Scamorza cheese and sink your teeth into the delightful smoked amberjack served with caviar and leek fricassee and an amberjack croquette.
There’s an extensive wine list, too, which—bar the Champagne—is entirely made up of Greek varieties. Open daily; 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Pallas Beach Taverna
Once you’ve worked up an appetite on the shore, take a seat at the laid-back Pallas Beach Taverna for fresh flavors straight from the sea. The all-day venue serves an outstanding swordfish with a zingy lemon dressing and a stack of crunchy deep-fried calamari.
For a light bite, dive into a bowl of refreshing Greek salad with a side of tzatziki and warm pita bread as you watch gentle waves lapping on the shore. Open daily; 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Lindos Travel Tips
Getting to Lindos
Lindos, Greece, lies on the east coast of Rhodes, roughly a 45-minute drive from the capital, Rhodes Town. To get to Lindos, rent a car, join an organized tour, or take the 064 bus—operated by Rhodes KTEL—which takes approximately one hour and 44 minutes each way via the resorts of Faliraki, Afantou, and Archangelos.
Best Time to Visit
St. Paul’s Bay
Rhodes boasts near year-round sunshine. If you’re drawn to the heat, the hottest months to visit are from June to September, peaking in August at around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If you prefer slightly cooler temperatures, May is a particularly pleasant time to visit Lindos, Greece. Early fall is also one of the best times to visit when temperatures are pleasantly warm and there’s little rainfall.
Read: Best Beaches in September to Visit
What to Pack
Sunscreen is essential, particularly when you’re on one of Lindos’s beaches or touring outdoor archaeological sites such as the Acropolis of Lindos. Pack a sun hat and sunglasses for extra protection from the sun and sturdy walking shoes.
Light organic cotton and linen fabrics are ideal for sightseeing. When planning a trip to Greece with swimming or sunbathing in mind, you’ll want a towel and swimwear, plus snorkel gear to explore life underwater.
Currency & Tipping
Lindos Old Town
The currency in Lindos, Greece is the Euro (EUR). Credit cards and cash are widely accepted. Carry a valid credit card and exchange sufficient cash before you travel. You’ll find a couple of ATMs and a bank in Lindos Old Town.
You’re not obliged to tip, but a discretionary ten percent is always appreciated in cafes, bars, and restaurants. Some restaurants may add a gratuity to your bill.
What to Buy
Don’t leave Lindos without buying some melekouni, a sweet, nutty snack peppered with island-made honey and sesame. Stop by Kori Lindos, a fabulous boutique in the center of the Old Town that stocks gorgeous locally-made jewelry, soaps, organic skincare, olive oil, and other stylish home and fashion accessories.
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