Rhodes half-day tour from cruise port: Medieval City to Lindos

See the Medieval City gates, climb 292 steps to Lindos Acropolis, and stand where two seas meet

A half-day guided tour of Rhodes departing from the cruise port covers the Medieval City (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Monte Smith Hill with panoramic views of both coasts, the village and Acropolis of Lindos 32 miles south, and St. Paul's Bay where the Apostle is said to have landed in 51 AD. The driver speaks English, the car is air-conditioned, and you can modify the route on the go. Add stops, skip the Acropolis climb, or extend the day for an extra fee. Lindos Acropolis entry requires a separate e-ticket (€20 per person, booked in advance or on arrival). All other stops are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Medieval City of Rhodes10m
2. Acropolis of Rhodes20m
3. Anthony Quinn Bay15m
4. St. Paul's Bay15m
5. Kallithea Springspass by

Explore Rhodes and Lindos highlights

• Pickup at the dock
• Drive to Medieval City for photos
• Visit Mandraki Old Harbor and bronze deer
• See Church of the Annunciation
• Drive to Monte Smith Hill for panoramic views
• Photo stop at Temple of Apollo and Ancient Stadium
• Drive to Anthony Quinn Bay for scenic stop
• Stop at vantage point before Lindos for photos
• Explore Lindos Village and optional Acropolis climb
• Visit Lindos Acropolis (optional climb)
• Drive to Saint Paul's Bay for views
• Return via Faliraki and Kallithea coastal road
• Pass Kallithea Springs filming locations
• Return to Rhodes Town or ship

The experience

The tour starts at the pier and heads straight to the Medieval City, a walled Old Town that UNESCO protects as a World Heritage Site. You get photos from outside the main gates: cars no longer enter the Old Town itself, so your driver can either drop you at a gate to walk the alleys on your own (a 5-minute flat walk back to the ship when you're done) or show you the route through the village so you navigate it together. From there the route moves to Mandraki Old Harbor, where legend says the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. Two bronze deer on tall columns mark the entrance, and they're the shot most people want. A stop at the nearby Church of the Annunciation shows gothic wall paintings and chandeliers inside what is now the town's cathedral.

The drive then climbs to Monte Smith Hill (the Acropolis of Rhodes Town), and you stay in the car: no walking required to reach the vantage point. From there you get a 360-degree panoramic view of Rhodes Town and both the east and west coasts. The driver shows you the Temple of Apollo and the Ancient Stadium from a distance. After the town highlights, the route heads 32 miles southeast to Lindos, passing Anthony Quinn Bay on the way (on very crowded days this stop may be replaced with a photo stop at Kallithea Viewpoint instead to keep the schedule on track). An optional pottery workshop stop lets you watch traditional Rhodian pottery being made and learn about the Pythagorean cup if you want to add it.

Lindos itself sits on the coast with a whitewashed village climbing uphill to an ancient acropolis. You get a panoramic photo stop before entering the village, then have one hour to spend there. You can climb the 292 steps to the Acropolis summit for a 30-minute visit and 360-degree views, or skip the climb and explore the village alleys while the driver points out the Acropolis from ground level: both options fit inside the hour. Entry to the Acropolis requires an e-ticket (€20 per person) that you buy online in advance, a few hours before, or once you arrive in the village. These tickets are non-refundable and assigned to specific time slots. After Lindos, the route descends to St. Paul's Bay, where the Apostle landed in 51 AD, and you can see the cave where "The Guns of Navarone" was filmed. The drive back to Rhodes Town follows the coastal road through Faliraki and Kallithea, both filmed locations (Kallithea was used in "Escape to Athena" with Telly Savalas and Roger Moore), and ends either at the Medieval City for independent browsing or back at the ship.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned Mercedes sedan with an English-speaking driver.
• pickup from the cruise port or your hotel.
• stops at the Medieval City gates, Mandraki Old Harbor, Monte Smith Hill with panoramic views, Anthony Quinn Bay (or Kallithea Viewpoint if needed), Lindos village and its surroundings, and St. Paul's Bay.
• an optional pottery workshop visit.
• return to the ship or your starting point on time.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 23 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Rhodes Shore Excursions

Is this one for you?This is a private car tour, so it suits cruise passengers and hotel guests who want to see Rhodes' main sights without joining a group. The driver waits at each stop and adjusts the route on the go. If you're short on time or prefer not to climb stairs, you can skip the Acropolis steps and still see Lindos from the village. If you want the full ancient site experience, you have the option to climb. The 5-hour window covers the highlights, but you can extend it for an extra fee if you want to linger longer or add stops.

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Top questions

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 skip the Acropolis climb in Lindos and still see it?

Yes. Lindos Acropolis offers two options: climb the 292 steps for 30 minutes at the summit, or stay in the village and have your driver show you the Acropolis from vantage points while you explore the white-washed alleys. Both fit inside the one hour you have in Lindos, and the driver can point out the views from ground level if you prefer to skip the steps.

What is the Colossus of Rhodes and where do I see it?

The Colossus of Rhodes was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world: a massive bronze statue that once stood at Mandraki Old Harbor. It no longer exists, but the harbor entrance is marked by two bronze deer on tall columns, and your driver will show you the traditional site where the Colossus stood and help you get photos with the deer in the background.

How much time do I spend in each place?

The Medieval City and harbor stops take roughly the first hour; Monte Smith Hill and the Acropolis views take another 45 minutes; the drive to Lindos is about 45 minutes; Lindos village and Acropolis together are one hour; St. Paul's Bay and the coastal drive back take the final stretch. The 5-hour total is flexible. You can ask your driver to linger at any stop or skip others to fit your interests.

Do I need to buy a ticket for Lindos Acropolis in advance?

Lindos Acropolis uses an e-ticket system with assigned time slots, and entry is €20 per person. You can buy tickets online before the tour, a few hours before your visit, or once you arrive in Lindos village before climbing up. Tickets are non-refundable, and if you choose not to climb, you can skip this cost entirely and explore the village instead.

What happens if Anthony Quinn Bay is too crowded?

On very busy days, Anthony Quinn Bay can become so crowded that vehicles cannot access or exit safely. If that happens, your driver will replace it with a brief photo stop at Kallithea Viewpoint on the way back instead, so you still get a scenic stop without losing tour time.

Can I extend the tour or add more stops?

Yes. The tour is 100% flexible within the 5-hour timeframe and 120-kilometer (75-mile) range. You can ask your driver to add attractions, spend more time at a stop, or extend the day altogether for an additional fee. Discuss changes with your driver during the tour, or let the operator know at booking if you want to modify the itinerary in advance.