4 Relaxing Day Trips In Rhodes
So, you’re going on holiday to Rhodes? You’re going to have the most amazing time – it’s a beautiful island! And although it’s a great place to relax and soak up the sun, it’s a great place for exploring too.
Rhodes isn’t a huge island, so wherever you stay, these day trips in Rhodes are all easily done on your holiday!
Read More: Hotel Review: A Stay At Cook’s Club Ialysos in Rhodes, Greece
A Day Trip To Lindos and St Paul’s Bay
On Rhodes’ south coast, Lindos is a picturesque town full of white washed buildings, narrow cobbled streets with an imposing acropolis towering over it.
Although Lindos can be enjoyed in one day, you could easily spend a few days here exploring the alleys and enjoying the rooftop bars on offer. However a day trip to Lindos is enough to see the main sights, and enjoy some beach time too.
Top tip: Arrive early to avoid the heat and park at the top of St Paul’s Bay.
We parked near one of the main streets into Lindos and at the top of St Paul’s Bay. It’s €5 euros for the convenience of being close to the town and beach. However there are many free spaces around Lindos if you don’t mind a walk.
Visit The Acropolis In Lindos
I’d recommend starting your day with a walk up to the acropolis. Walk through some of the narrow streets and you’ll gradually start making your way uphill. You might need a map for this but we took note of where the crowds were going and where the donkeys – yes, donkeys – were coming from to find our way.
The climb up to the acropolis can be a little steep in parts, but it’s completely doable for an able-bodied person. As mentioned, there are donkeys that are used to carry people up and down the hills but this isn’t something I personally would want to take advantage of.
Top tip: Visit as early as you can to avoid the heat and the crowds. There isn’t much shade once you’re at the top!
Once up at the top, you’ll pay your €12 entry fee and you’re free to explore this ancient site.
A lot of it is being reconstructed and renovated so you’ll likely see construction work happening on your visit. This doesn’t take away though from the fact you’re walking through history. The views are very impressive looking over the beaches and bays of Lindos. Plus you’ll get a nearly bird’s eye view of the town itself.
Top tip: There are some parts of the acropolis where the stones and flooring can be slippy. It’s worth wearing proper shoes to explore!
Once you’ve finished at the acropolis, head into town for a walk around Lindos. Stop for some fresh orange juice, browse the shops and pick up some refreshments for the next stop of the day: St Paul’s Bay.
An Afternoon At St Paul’s Bay
There are two beaches in this bay but we visited the one on the left as you look out to sea. This beach is gorgeous, however you’ll pay €12.50 for a sunbed. This is a bit steep but the sunbed is yours for the day. It means the beach isn’t crowded, and you can order drinks to your sunbed. As a little bit of luxury, and a holiday treat, I can fully recommend this.
We spent most of the afternoon here, snoozing in the sun, swimming in the sea and enjoying some down time. The bay is a popular spot for boat trips and the sea here is great for a swim, especially if you have a snorkel mask handy.
Take The Trip: A Boat Day Trip From Rhodes Town To Lindos
For a bite to eat, there’s a beach bar where you can enjoy some dappled shade. Serving up salads and fresh fish it’s the ideal rest point for an hour in the afternoon. Other facilities here include a beach side shower, toilets, and beach beds for an added bit of luxe in the day.
End your day with food and drinks back in Lindos town before heading back to your accommodation for the evening!
A Day Trip To Rhodes Town
Worthy of more than just a day trip, Rhodes Town is the ideal place to visit if you want a mixture of history and chilled out beach time. However, Rhodes Town’s main feature is its Old Town.
Take the trip: A Guided Tour of Rhodes Old Town and Rhodes New Town
A medieval walled city, still home to around 6000 people who live and work here, Rhodes Old Town is the oldest inhabited medieval city in Europe. Full of winding streets, you could spend days here and still not see every nook and cranny.
However, the main parts to take in on your day trip to Rhodes Town are the Palace of The Grand Master and the Street of Knights. As well as this, on entering you’ll also see the walls of Rhodes Old Town, hopefully enjoy a drink or two on your way around, and get to explore the Jewish and Turkish Quarters.
Top tip: Grab an ice cream from Giallo Verde Gelateria – especially with the chocolate dipped cone. The mango sorbet is especially delicious too.
Take A Visit To Rhodes New Town
On your visit to Rhodes Old Town, it’s also worth a visit into the New Town of Rhodes. A cosmopolitan hub with high street and designer shops, lots of bars and restaurants, a casino and the beautiful Elli Beach which curves round the northernmost tip of Rhodes. We didn’t try it but Baia Beach Bar looked particularly enticing for a drink by the beach.
We did eat at Koutouki 42 though, a great place on the beach where the portion sizes are extremely decent and good value. The Caparinhas are also strong and delicious, and the seats are prime location to see a good sunset.
I can also recommend the fried potatoes (they’re actually chips, or fries!) with feta cheese and bacon. If you’re sharing these as a snack to go alongside your drinks, order two portions because they’re that delicious.
A Day Trip To Anthony Quinn Bay
Very often mentioned in articles about the best beaches in Rhodes, Anthony Quinn Bay is more than deserving of this accolade.
On the south coast of Rhodes, Anthony Quinn Bay, named after actor Anthony Quinn, boasts a pebbled beach and shallow turquoise waters. Surrounded by pine tree laden hills, this beach is an ideal place for one of your day trips in Rhodes.
Take The Trip: 3-Hour All-Inclusive Cruise To Anthony Quinn Bay and Ladiko Bay
Park at the main car park and take the steps down by Kounna Beach Bar, pay €6 each for a sunbed, and spend the day truly relaxing to the sound of the ocean. There is a watersports facility here though if you want to be a bit more active throughout the day.
Top tip: The steps are the main route down to the beach but there’s also a slope so if you’re with a pushchair, or can’t manage the steps, this is a better way to get to the beach.
If you don’t want to pay €6 for a sunbed and parasol, take your towel to the right of the beach. Here you can enjoy Anthony Quinn Bay for free.
Facilities here are minimal but there is a clean toilet block as well as Kounna Beach Bar. The beach bar is the ideal spot to grab some lunch, or to enjoy dinner. We tried the tacos – all three plates – but the Greek Salad also looked incredible. Served from a jar and then piled in a giant bowl, this would be enough for two people when enjoyed with a side dish or two.
Top tip: While you’re at Anthony Quinn Bay, it’s worth wandering over to Ladiko Bay. Also walk up the dirt path between the two bays for spectacular views of both.
Read More: Your Guide To Anthony Quinn Bay
A Boat Trip To Symi Island
Rhodes has easy access to many other Greek Islands, including Kos. This makes it a great place to do some Greek Island hopping. One island, which you can get to within one hour on a high speed boat, is Symi. And from what I’ve seen, it’s well worth a day trip while you’re on holiday in Rhodes. The island is a destination reminiscent of Italian towns on the Amalfi coast with its colorful buildings on the harbor.
Take the trip: A High Speed Boat Trip from Rhodes Town To Symi Island via St George’s Bay
There are plenty of boat trips available from Rhodes Town. Some operators even offer a swim stop at St George’s Bay as part of the day trip to Symi. Other operators offer a guided tour with a visit to Panormitis Monastery. If you’re travelling with a group, you might want to hire a private boat to enjoy the day, and beaches, at your own pace.
Top tip: Extend your stay by booking a night or two on Symi Island to really appreciate its charm.
Now you have some ideas for day trips in Rhodes, which one will you be doing on your holiday?
Hey, I’m Emma!
