Rhodes 4x4 Safari: Off-Road Adventure from North Pickups

Nine hours of off-road driving through Rhodes' hidden villages and forest, ending at a pebbled beach to wash off the dust.

A 4x4 safari tour in Rhodes starting from north-coast pickups, mixing off-road driving through unspoiled hills with stops in mountain villages and a swim at Afandou beach. You can ride as a passenger or take the wheel yourself on the bumpy tracks. A live guide leads the route and handles the safety briefing. The day covers Profitis Ilias mountain, several traditional villages, and finishes at the east coast.

Step-by-step itinerary

4x4 Safari with Nature and Culture

• Meet at Psinthos for safety briefing
• Drive off-road to Maritsa village
• Stop for pictures, herbs, and break
• Drive one hour on mountain trail
• Stop for lunch with family Petrides
• Pass villages Platania, Eleousa, Archipoli
• Continue off-road towards Seven Springs
• Stop at Afandou beach to swim

The experience

You start at Psinthos, where groups from both coasts meet for a safety briefing before the first stretch of off-road driving. The route climbs through the hills between Psinthos and Maritsa, mostly unpaved tracks, with a stop in Maritsa village for coffee or ice cream and time to photograph the landscape. From there the tour heads to Profitis Ilias, a mountain with forest and good views, where you drive for another hour on 4x4 terrain.

Lunch happens in a village where you meet the Petrides family, who serve a home-cooked meal. After eating, the route descends toward the east coast, passing through several villages: Platania, Eleousa (marked by its Italian history), and Archipoli. Weather permitting, you skip the Seven Springs and head straight to the final stop: Afandou beach on the east side, a pebbled stretch with clear water where you can swim and rinse off the dust from the tracks.

The tour runs nine hours total, including travel time. A live guide speaks English, French, German, or Greek and leads the group through the day. You can choose to sit as a passenger or drive the 4x4 yourself on the off-road sections. Either way, the bumpy terrain and dust are part of the experience. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and liability and third-party insurance are included.

What’s included

• Liability insurance and third-party insurance.
• an air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle.
• a live guide for the full day.

Before you book

Lasts 9h, from € 74 per person, with a live guide in English, French, German and Greek and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesNext departure: 19 Apr 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 38

Live guideEnglish, French, German and Greek

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Bumpy Rhodes Safaris

Is this one for you?You choose whether to drive the 4x4 yourself or ride as a passenger, so both first-time off-roaders and experienced drivers can join the same tour. The shared group format keeps costs down and means you'll meet other travelers, but if you prefer to drive most of the day, you can arrange that with the guide.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, German and Greek.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I drive the 4x4 myself, or do I have to ride as a passenger?

You can choose. Some travelers ride the whole day. Others take turns at the wheel on the off-road sections. The guide will brief you on safety before anyone drives.

What is Profitis Ilias like as a stop on the tour?

Profitis Ilias is a mountain with forest and views across the island. The 4x4 drive up takes about an hour, and it's one of the main stops where the tour pauses for photos and to enjoy the landscape.

Where do we swim, and what is the beach like?

Afandou beach is on the east coast and has pebbles rather than sand. The water is clear, and it's the last stop of the day: a chance to cool off and wash away the dust from the off-road tracks.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included. You eat in a village with the Petrides family, and you pay for your meal and any drinks separately.

How bumpy is the off-road driving?

The tour description says it will be bumpy and dusty. The tracks are unpaved and designed for 4x4 vehicles, so expect a rougher ride than paved roads, but the pace is comfortable and the guide chooses routes suited to the group.