City of Lindos Denmark. Lindos is one of the best towns in Rhodes
Lindos is a real pearl of the island of Rhodes.
Even if you came to Rhodes to lie on the beach and swim in the sea,
It's worth carving out half a day to visit this wonderful place.
You won’t see such cities in Rhodes anymore, and I think there are few places left in Greece.
We drove to Lindos from the south of the island after visiting Prasonisi.
To get to Lindos you need to take the main road along south coast islands and
turn according to the signs at the right moment. If from the south of the island, there will be a right turn to Pefki
as soon as the road leaves the sea. If you are from the north of the island, turn left just outside the town of Kalathos.
There are many parking lots; you can stop not on the road, but down to St. Paul's Bay.
Lindos is one of the three most ancient cities of the island. From three towns (Lindos, Kameiros and Ialliasos)
only Lindos survives as a residential town. We visited Cameiros - only ruins remained from this city.
Lindos was founded back in the 10th century BC. The Acropolis of Lindos is considered the second most important in Greece, after Athens.
We left the car in the parking lot at St. Paul's Bay. The bay is named after the Apostle Paul who visited the city in 43 AD.
This is one of two bays in Lindos, the second is on the other side of the cliff.
The convenient combination of two sheltered bays and a high cliff made Lindos a center of maritime trade in ancient times.
Panorama: on the left is the Acropolis of Lindos, on the right is St. Paul's Bay.
In the bay pure water and two rocky beaches on different sides.
Boats in St. Paul's Bay.
The Acropolis of Lindos overlooks St. Paul's Bay. The height of the rock is 116 meters.
In ancient Greek times, a temple to the goddess Athena Lindia was built on the rock.
This temple was considered the second most important after the Temple of Zeus in Athens; Alexander the Great visited it during his
hikes.
To climb to the acropolis, we will go through the entire city.
Entrance to Lindos.
The remains of an ancient Greek amphitheater are visible on the rock.
The streets are very narrow, and any new buildings are prohibited in the city. All buildings are painted white.
On the way to the Acropolis there are many souvenir shops.
This store sells ceramics.
And here they sell lamps. The stairs lead up to the restaurant on the roof.
The climb to the acropolis is quite difficult, but the views are simply wonderful
View of the second bay - Lindos Bay. There is a beautiful beach here.
Panorama of Lindos Bay.
At the foot of the acropolis, a trireme is carved into the rock.
The Acropolis of Lindos reflects the entire history of Lindos from DreneGreek times to the Knights of St. John.
Initially, an ancient Greek temple was built on the rock. Then walls were added to it.
The Romans also made their mark: a castle was built in 300 AD.
After the Romans, the castle was already completed and strengthened by the Knights of St. John.
The Acropolis has been restored since the beginning of the 20th century. Archaeologists are still working here.
Restored Greek colonnade
Remains of the Temple of Athena Lindia.
Inside the temple
View of St. Paul's Bay from the acropolis.
Amazing views open from the heights of the acropolis:
Going down: visible Orthodox church with a bell tower.
You can go up and down from the Acropolis not only on foot, but also on horseback in an Oslo taxi :)
On the way back, we got a little lost in the interweaving of narrow streets of Lindos.
View of Lindos and the bay on the way to Kalathos.
Lindos is one of the leading resorts of Rhodes. There is everything for relaxation here: picturesque bays, attractions and sandy beaches. Lindos Hotel Selection 2020.
Lindos is one of the ancient cities and at the same time one of several most popular resorts islands where tourists can combine beautiful beach holiday on the sandy coast with a rich excursion program. Lindos is the only one surviving the oldest city islands. Its history is believed to begin in the 10th century BC, and until Byzantine times Lindos was a large, busy port city.
Today Lindos looks more like a small Mediterranean village with narrow streets, whitewashed small houses and a population of just over 1,000 people. The main dominant feature of the surrounding landscape is the acropolis of Lindos, rising on a mountain near a picturesque bay. Tourists wander the streets in search of good angles for photos and souvenir shops, sun-weary visitors sip iced frappe coffee in cafes - tourist Lindos attracts with its peaceful and leisurely atmosphere!
How to get to Lindos (bus/taxi)
Lindos is located on the south-eastern coast of Rhodes, 50 km from the administrative capital and international airport(the only one on the island).
The main feature of Lindos is that it is traffic-free, i.e. buses and cars with exhaust fumes. Therefore, you can only get to the top of the hill by bus, and then transfer to a special shuttle or go down on foot. As for taxis (or transfers to Lindos from the airport), drivers have permission to drive to the harbor and drop off passengers near the promenade and the Old Town. Fortunately, most hotels are located in this area, so go with a suitcase and hand luggage it won't take long.
You can get to the resort from the airport with a transfer in Rhodes, if interested public transport. The bus station is located 300 m from the arrival terminal, and Rhodes itself is 20 minutes from the airport. Transfers will have to wait a little, because the bus interval is Rhodes - Lindos about an hour.
Sightseeing tours in Lindos and surrounding areas
This is where the fun begins for those who love not only beaches, but also architecture, history and beautiful views. By choosing Lindos for your holiday, you will live in the very beautiful place islands, and it would be a sin not to take advantage of this!
It’s better to start getting acquainted with the route. This is a 4 hour walk around interesting places: narrow streets of the central part, visit to the Acropolis of Athens, oil mill and pottery workshop. After the tour, you will get a general impression of Lindos and begin to understand its history. After this, it's time to go explore the surrounding area:
- – a large sightseeing tour of the island with visits to attractions, viewpoints, picturesque beaches. Duration - 8 hours, carried out in a guide's car.
- - gastronomic excursion through the Rhodian mountains + visit to the Butterfly Valley and ostrich farm. Duration - 5.5 hours, carried out in a guide's car.
Interesting places and attractions
This resort can offer the most intense excursion program on the island. But if you intend to refuse the services of guides and travel agencies, remember a few sights of Lindos that cannot be missed:
- The most important attraction of the city, which is impossible not to notice - ancient acropolis Lindosa, rising on a 116-meter cliff. From the outside, nothing betrays its ancient origins - the acropolis is surrounded by medieval defensive walls built by the Knights of St. John. But when you get inside, a completely different era appears before your eyes: the columns of an ancient stoa, the amphitheater discovered by archaeologists at the foot of the amphitheater, the remains of ancient buildings and the Temple of Athena, which in Mycenaean times was one of the most important sanctuaries in the region.
- On the territory of the acropolis there is a small Byzantine Church of St. John. And on the wall near the stairs leading to the acropolis, a unique bas-relief of an ancient Greek warship by Pithocrates (the author of the sculpture of the Nike of Samothrace, exhibited in the Louvre) has been preserved. The Acropolis of Lindos is the second largest surviving acropolis in Greece after Athens.
- The city of Lindos was and remains the most important navigation point in the Mediterranean Sea. It was here that the world's first code of maritime law was created and ratified. The city even has quarter with luxurious old captain's houses, protected by UNESCO.
Ancient Acropolis of Lindos (Rhodes Island, Greece)
Where to stay in Lindos 2020
The resort area of Lindos stretches for many kilometers along the coast. The major hotels in Lindos are scattered outside the city and are relatively isolated from each other. There are many small cozy places in the city family hotels, where the owners themselves work. The British love to relax in such hotels. The apartments are located on hills and cliffs and offer views of the city's two bays.
We have selected several hotels in Lindos that are in constant demand during the high season, so that you can read the reviews and “ask the price.”
If we talk about holidays in Lindos with children, then parents of children are better off looking at hotels outside the city. The resort has a lot of ups, downs and stairs, and really very narrow streets, which creates inconvenience for moving with a stroller. It is also not possible to enter the old city by car - cars are left in parking lots near the entrance to the resort. In large hotels in the area you can find children's pools with slides, playpens, cribs, strollers, children's clubs, etc. Many of these hotels in Lindos operate on an all-inclusive basis.
Entertainment and nightlife of the resort
The nightlife of Lindos is designed more for a respectable audience than for young people thirsting for wild fun. The restaurants feature live music, guests enjoy meals overlooking the sea and take part in traditional Greek dance classes. There are also bars and discos in Lindos, but they are not as crowded as in Faliraki or Rhodes.
Lindos city on the map of Greece
Visualize where it is largest resort Rhodes, easier on the map:
For tourists, a holiday in Lindos is, first of all, enjoying nature, stunning beaches and the sea, getting to know rich history islands and amazing Mediterranean cuisine.
I continue my “Rhodes notes”. Today I’ll start a story about a wonderful town called Lindos, which is located in the southeast of the island of Rhodes.
Lindos is very ancient settlement: here is the second largest and most important (after Athens) Greek Acropolis. A powerful fortress, built in due time by the Ionite knights, has also been preserved here. And the town itself, with its white houses and narrow intricate streets, is very colorful. All this, combined with the unusually picturesque Mediterranean landscapes, resulted in a very a large number of photographs. So I decided to split the photo report about Lindos into two parts. The first will introduce you to the Upper Town - the Acropolis, the fortress, views of the Lower city and sea. And in the second part there will be a photo walk through the streets of Lindos itself...
I went to Lindos on my own, fortunately, from where I lived, you can get to Lindos without any problems. Regular bus walks in this direction approximately once an hour, besides bus stop was located two steps from mine. The journey by bus takes about forty minutes, the fare is 4.8 euros one way (in June 2017).
Since I read online that the entrance to the Acropolis starts at 8.00 in the morning, I went by this time - this time there are not many people at all, and it is not very hot yet.
The stop in Lindos is still practically deserted
This is the Rhodes-Lindos route. On that side are Faliraki and Rhodes 
And on that side is the southern tip of the island -
There is a church next to the bus station. True, in the name of whom, I don’t know.
To get to old Lindos you need to go from the highway down the road. Donkeys are the local "taxi" - they go to work.
The area here is mountainous. The eye clings to some recesses in the rock. Perhaps it's some kind of ancient building. Maybe a bridge, or maybe a rock temple or monastery. 
Since the Acropolis is located on a high cliff about 100 meters above the city, the climb may be difficult for some. Therefore, you can get there by taking a quick ride in a local “taxi”, i.e. on a donkey. The cost of this attraction is 6 euros. In the meantime, there is a local taxi stand waiting for the influx of tourists.
But I decided to rise with my own legs.
Along the way, various picturesque views opened up every now and then.
The snow-white houses of Lindos remain below
Cafes on the roofs of houses are a very common phenomenon here.
And of course, very beautiful bays. This bay is called Lindos Bay. There is a large public beach. On the other side of the cliff there is another picturesque bay - St. Paul's. (more on that a little further)
On a fairly large section of the climb, local craftswomen offer to buy the fruits of their labors - napkins, tablecloths, embroidered towels, etc.
Everything just lies on the stones
We approach the entrance to the Acropolis... A ticket to visit costs 12 euros.
The Acropolis of Lindos - the second largest and most important in Greece - is the main attraction of Lindos. Today you can see monuments from several eras here. On the territory of the Acropolis, the remains of a small ancient temple of Athena Lindia, a shrine revered by the Greeks, the remains of a water gallery, and necropolis monuments have been preserved to this day. There are remains of Byzantine buildings here. And all this is surrounded by a powerful wall, erected by the Knights of St. John, who turned Lindos into one of the most powerful fortresses during the time of their rule on the island.
At the entrance to the Acropolis there is a unique petroglyph - a bas-relief of an ancient Greek warship by the sculptor Pithocrates, which testifies to the maritime significance of Rhodes in ancient period: Lindos has been a crossing point for sea routes since ancient times.
By the way, another famous work by the sculptor Pythocrates, Nike of Samothrace, is located in Paris.
Of course, when looking at the structures of the Acropolis, you need to keep in mind that for the most part it is the result of restoration carried out by the Italians in the 1920-30s of the twentieth century.
Temple of Athena Lindia 
The Acropolis offers stunning views of the Mediterranean expanses and the small picturesque bay of St. Paul
In the next part, when there is a photo walk around Lindos, we will reach this bay too... 
In the Aegean Sea it is a very popular resort among tourists. In addition to its capital, there are other places worth visiting, such as the charming town of Lindos. You will now learn about what it is famous for and what are the features of a holiday in Lindos.
Lindos city in Rhodes
This small town was built back in the 10th century BC. Today it is the only one on the island that has been preserved as a real residential city (except for Rhodes itself). From the other two - Ialliasos and Kameiros - only ruins remained. In ancient times, Lindos was a major hub for maritime trade, mainly due to its natural features. Two closed bays perfectly protected the island from attack from the sea, and Lindos at one time became famous as a center of navigation - it was here that the code of maritime law was adopted for the first time in the world.
Almost all the streets of the city are exclusively pedestrian, very narrow and winding. They are laid out from white stone and black and white pebbles, which have become a kind of “ business card» Greek Lindos. The only means of transport in Lindos are donkeys - so be prepared for long walks.
Interesting fact is that any new buildings within the city are prohibited, since it is unsafe - all local buildings are very ancient and any structure erected nearby can upset the delicate balance. As you walk around the city, notice the unusual architecture - influenced by Roman, Arab and Byzantine settlers. Small picturesque white houses, reminiscent of cubes of refined sugar from a distance, cannot help but attract the attention of travelers.
Hotels and beaches of Lindos
The famous city beach of Lindos is located in a cozy bay. Clean sandy beach, azure water Aegean Sea, stunning views of the Acropolis and plenty of entertainment create excellent opportunities for a comfortable beach holiday.
Literally a few kilometers from the old town there is a complex of hotels for every taste. Basically, Lindos hotels in Rhodes have 4-5 stars and are focused on quality and comfortable stay. All of them have well-developed infrastructure and will make your holiday in Rhodes enjoyable and memorable. One of the most popular hotels among our compatriots is Lindos Mare - a four-star hotel located 2.5 km from the town and offering its guests all the necessary services, including international cuisine, entertainment for children, an outdoor pool, water attractions and sand beach 100 m from the hotel cottages.
Sights of Lindos
Of course, the main local attraction is the Acropolis - a structure rising 116 m above St. Paul's Bay. The Lindos Acropolis is considered the second largest after the Acropolis of Athens. The ruins of the temple of Athena Lindia, a goddess revered by the ancient Greeks, have been preserved here. It was built in the distant 4th century by the son of the king of Egypt, Danaos.
Near the entrance to the Acropolis you can see the famous petroglyph. This is a sculpture by Pythocracy, which is a bas-relief of a Greek warship.
Lindos also has monuments of Christian culture. In particular, this is St. Paul's Chapel, which shares its name with the bay. This holy apostle at one time arrived in Lindos to convert its inhabitants to the Christian faith. Also worth visiting are the ancient Church of St. John, built at the dawn of the Byzantine Empire, and the Church of the Archangel Michael, located at the monastery of the same name (where you can see wonderful ancient frescoes and even attend a service).
In addition to architectural attractions, Lindos attracts vacationers with its natural beauties. Many people come here to admire the so-called Valley of Seven Springs. There, seven small but picturesque mountain streams flow through a long cave, which then flow into beautiful lake. Legend has it that anyone who walks along these streams will be cleansed in body and spirit.
Kilometers of sandy beaches, medieval castles, ancient churches with frescoes and ancient cities- only a small part of what the Greek island of Rhodes can attract tourists. Every year it is visited by almost 2 million travelers, not counting passengers cruise ships. After touring the picturesque capital of the island, almost all of them go to East Coast Rhodes. Here, 55 km from the city of Rhodes, is located Lindos - a modern resort and archaeological site with a centuries-old history.
Lindos on the map of Rhodes.
Lindos - view from the acropolis.
History of Lindos
Lindos was founded by the Dorians, and by the 8th century BC. he turned into major center trade. In Mycenaean times, on the territory of Lindos there was a temple of Athena Lindia - the most important sanctuary of the Greeks, which was mentioned by Herodotus and Homer. It is known that in ancient times gifts were even sent to the temple Egyptian pharaohs. When one of the outstanding Greek rulers and sages, Cleobulus, came to power, he renovated the temple. But the first Christians of Rhodes plundered and destroyed the sanctuary. And later, the Knights of St. John built a massive fortress on its ruins to protect against the Ottoman Empire.
Lindos, which flourished in ancient times, owned half of all Rhodes and even had colonies on the island of Sicily. However, after the founding of the city of Rhodes at the end of the 5th century, the importance of Lindos declined markedly.
By the way, the history of the city is also connected with the spread of Christianity on the island. In 57 AD The Apostle Paul came down to its shore. One of the harbors of Lindos was named in his honor.
Things to do in Lindos
It's impossible to resist walking the streets of Lindos. And the first thing to do in the city is to get acquainted with its architecture. It is atypical for Rhodes: the white houses and arches are rather reminiscent of the Cyclades.
During your walk, you should pay attention to the walls of the buildings, many of which have preserved ancient coats of arms and belonged to the captain's families. Then you can go to the acropolis - one of the oldest and most important in Greece. And after that, relax on one of the beaches of Lindos. Sandy lagoons are ideal for any holiday: relaxing or active.
In the evening, resort life does not stop. Tourists occupy the taverns of Lindos to sample Greek dishes. Or they go for a walk again - this time to buy souvenirs. Local stores offer wide choose leather goods and ceramics, as well as icons in the Byzantine style.
Sights of Lindos
Over its long history, Lindos has accumulated many attractions. In the 12th century on the foundation ancient sanctuary The Church of the Virgin Mary was built. Over the decades it was updated and completed, and the most significant changes were made in the 15th century. Then amazingly beautiful frescoes appeared here, which today can be seen by any visitor.
The Church of the Virgin Mary stands out among other buildings with a large red dome, snow-white walls and a high stone bell tower. Inside, in addition to the frescoes, it is worth paying attention to the 17th century iconostasis.
Also in Lindos you can visit the chapel of St. Paul and the temple of the monastery of the Archangel Michael, stroll through the quarter with ancient captains' houses and look into the flower-filled courtyards.
Acropolis of Lindos
On a cliff more than 100 meters high above Lindos, its main attraction, the acropolis, rises. As the island passed from hand to hand, the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and then the Knights of St. John and the Turks contributed to the construction. Archaeologists have thoroughly studied the acropolis and discovered the foundations of all the structures that stood here. The list turned out to be impressive.
Today tourists can see on the acropolis a variety of monuments from all past eras. It is worth starting with the temple of Athena Lindia, the propylaea of the sanctuary and the Hellenistic portico. In the archaeological excavation area, the ruins of a Roman temple, apparently dedicated to the Emperor Diocletian, stand out. Only a few rows of seats have survived from the large ancient theater.
The Castle of the Knights of St. John is one of the largest buildings on the acropolis. It was built in 1317 on the foundations of an old Byzantine fortress. The pentagonal tower on the southern side of the castle allowed control of the harbor, the entire city and the road leading from the south of the island. The Orthodox Church of St. John of the 13th century, built on the ruins of an early Christian church of the 6th century, has survived from later eras.
Excavations of the acropolis began in 1912, when the Italians ruled Rhodes. Until the 40s, they tried to restore ancient finds, but the intervention had the opposite effect - many monuments were destroyed. Today the Greeks, together with foreign specialists, are trying to return the acropolis to at least a fraction of its former appearance.
Lindos beaches
At the northern foot of the acropolis is the main sandy beach of Lindos. It is perfectly organized: there are sun loungers, water activities and taverns. The coastal strip resembles a semicircle in shape, so the shore is sufficiently protected from strong waves - you can relax with children.
The Lindos coast is divided into Megali Paralia (Large Beach) and Mikri Paralia (Smaller Beach).
Another Lindos beach is Agios Pavlos, named after the Apostle Paul. This sand and pebble beach with sun loungers is famous for its unusual shape. The bay is surrounded on all sides by rocks, which creates the feeling natural pool. Agios Pavlos beach is on the south side of Lindos.
Lindos Hotels
Lindos has accommodation options of all categories, from budget apartments to exclusive hotels. The most romantic and stylish, but at the same time the most expensive hotel in Lindos is the F Charm Hotel, located next to St. Paul's Bay. It offers rooms with views of the Acropolis and breakfasts made from home-grown products. The hotel is suitable for those who value increased comfort, high service and silence. However, the center of Lindos can be reached within 5 minutes on foot. Price per night - from 110 euros.