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One Day in Rhodes
A trip by Sandy PapasGreece Travel SecretsOne Day in Rhodes
Rhodes is one of the most popular cruise stops in Greece. One day is enough for the highlights if you hire a car or driver and start early – Lindos in the morning before the coaches, Kallithea Springs around midday, the UNESCO Old Town in the late afternoon.
Utopia Luxury Suites | Old Town
Suites in the heart of the medieval Old Town, opposite the old Turkish baths.
9.9 Alternative places to stay
RhodesDay 1
Lindos & the medieval old town
Lindos Acropolis
Built on a massive rock 116 metres above the sea, the Lindos Acropolis has been a sacred site since the 6th century BC. The Knights of Rhodes rebuilt and fortified it in the medieval era, and the walls and the Temple of Athena Lindia survive today. Arrive at the 8 AM opening to beat the cruise-ship coaches; the donkey path up is steep but rewarding.
Lindos Town
A whitewashed Cycladic-style village clinging to the slopes below the Acropolis. Narrow car-free lanes wind between traditional captain's houses, small chapels, courtyard tavernas and shops. The best photos are from the top of the acropolis looking back over the village to St. Paul's Bay.
St. Paul's Bay
A near-perfect heart-shaped cove tucked below Lindos. Named after the Apostle Paul who reputedly came ashore here on his journey to spread Christianity, today it's an easy swim spot – calm turquoise water, a tiny white chapel on the headland, and views back up to the Acropolis. Short walk from Lindos Town.
Seven Springs (Epta Piges)
A lush, shaded ravine on Rhodes' inland side where seven cold springs feed a small stream and a man-made lake. A 186-metre tunnel – bring a torch and be ready to wade ankle-deep through the water – leads from the cafe area to the lake. Refreshing on a hot day; popular with families.
Kallithea Springs
A 1920s Italian-era spa complex carved into a sea cove on Rhodes' east coast. Once a fashionable thermal resort, today the restored Art Deco rotundas and mosaics double as a striking swim spot – small caves, clear water, and an entry fee that's well worth the architecture alone.
Rhodes Old Town
One of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities – a UNESCO World Heritage citadel built by the Knights Hospitaller in the 14th century. The Palace of the Grand Master, the Street of the Knights and the Archaeological Museum cluster within the walls; the streets outside are best explored on foot, especially in late afternoon when the tour groups have drifted out.
Elli Beach
Rhodes Town's in-town beach – a long arc of fine pebbles a short walk from the medieval walls. Turquoise water that's clear and calm in the morning, beach bars and sunbeds in the afternoon, and the Aquarium at the northern tip. The town's nearest swim before catching an early evening cruise back to your ship.