Rhodes private tour: Lindos & Anthony Quinn Bay cruise stop

See Rhodes Town, Lindos and the island's east coast without arranging the route yourself

A private half-day driving tour of Rhodes departing from the cruise port, with an English-speaking driver-guide in a Mercedes sedan, covering Rhodes Town's Medieval City and Mandraki Harbour, then heading 32 miles south to Lindos and Anthony Quinn Bay. The tour runs 5 hours and returns you to the ship on schedule, though you can extend it. The itinerary adjusts to your pace and interests, and you choose whether to climb the Acropolis at Lindos or view it from below.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Mandraki Harbour15m
2. Acropolis of Rhodes20m
3. Anthony Quinn Bay10m
4. St. Paul's Bay5m
5. Kallithea Springspassing by

Explore Rhodes Town and Lindos

• Drive from pier to Medieval City gates
• Walk independently in Old Town
• Visit Mandraki Harbor
• See Church of Annunciation
• Pass Elli Beach
• Drive to Monte Smith Hill for panoramic views
• Stop at Anthony Quinn Bay
• Drive to Lindos with optional pottery workshop stop
• Stop for panoramic photos of Lindos Beach and Acropolis
• Explore Lindos Village and Acropolis
• Visit St. Paul's Bay
• Drive along Faliraki beach
• Pass Kallithea Spa
• Return to Rhodes Old City or ship

The experience

The driver picks you up at the cruise port and heads straight to Rhodes Town's Medieval City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll stop for photos at the main gates: cars no longer enter the Old Town itself, but the driver can show you how to walk through the alleys and back to the ship on foot if you want to explore further. The route then swings past Mandraki Harbour, where tradition places the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. You'll see the Church of Annunciation with its gothic wall paintings, then climb to Monte Smith Hill (the Acropolis of Rhodes Town) for a 360-degree panoramic view of the town and both coasts, with photos of the Temple of Apollo and the Ancient Stadium in the distance.

From Rhodes Town, the drive heads 32 miles south along the east coast to Lindos. On the way you pass Anthony Quinn Bay, a swimming and snorkeling spot with sun loungers and beach facilities, though on very busy days the operator may swap this for a photo stop at Kallithea Viewpoint instead to keep the schedule tight. There's an optional stop at a pottery workshop where you can watch a potter at his wheel and learn about the Pythagorean cup. Before reaching Lindos village, you get a panoramic view of Lindos Beach and the white village below the Acropolis. You have just over an hour in Lindos itself: you can either walk the alleys and climb the 292 steps to the Acropolis summit for the full 360-degree view, or explore the village and see the Acropolis from vantage points below, skipping the climb. If you choose to enter the Acropolis, you'll buy an e-ticket (20 euros per person) in advance or in the village before ascending.

The return journey passes St. Paul's Bay, where the apostle is said to have landed in 51 AD, and you can spot the cave used in the film "The Guns of Navarone" from a distance. The coastal road back to Rhodes Town runs through Faliraki beach and past Kallithea Spa, where scenes from "Escape to Athena" and "The Guns of Navarone" were filmed. The Medieval City is a 10-minute walk from the cruise port, so you can return to the ship with time to spare or linger in the Old Town if the schedule allows.

What’s included

• Private Mercedes E-Class sedan with air conditioning.
• English-speaking driver-guide specializing in shore excursions.
• pickup and return to the cruise port.
• 5 hours of driving and stops (or longer if you extend).
• stops at Rhodes Town's Medieval City, Mandraki Harbour, Monte Smith Hill Acropolis, Anthony Quinn Bay or Kallithea Viewpoint, and Lindos village with the option to visit Lindos Acropolis.
• optional pottery workshop stop.
• panoramic views of Lindos Beach and St. Paul's Bay.
• high safety standards and personalized service.

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 27 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Rhodes Private Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving by cruise ship and want a driver who knows the route, timing and stops. You choose the pace at each site, whether to climb the Acropolis or not, and how long to stay in Lindos, all while the driver handles the driving and gets you back to the port on time. The private sedan suits groups of up to four. If you have more people, contact the operator about a minivan upgrade.

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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 adjust the itinerary or spend more time at one stop?

The tour is 100% flexible. You can ask the driver to skip the Acropolis climb at Lindos and spend more time in the village instead, extend the tour for an additional fee, or modify the stops before or during the day. Contact the operator at booking if you want to plan changes in advance.

Do I need to buy a ticket to enter the Lindos Acropolis?

Yes, entry to the Lindos Acropolis costs 20 euros per person and uses an e-ticket system with timed slots. You can buy online in advance, a few hours before your visit, or once you're in Lindos village before climbing up. Tickets are non-refundable.

What happens if I want to explore the Medieval City on my own?

The driver will show you the gates from outside and explain how to walk through the Old Town and back to the ship on foot. The walk back to the cruise port takes about 10 minutes flat, so you save waiting time and driver fees if you explore independently.

Is the tour suitable if I'm not very fit or don't want to climb stairs?

Yes. You can skip the 292-step climb to the Lindos Acropolis and view it from the village or from vantage points along the route instead. Most of the tour is driving and photo stops. The main walking is through Lindos village, which you can do at your own pace.

What if Anthony Quinn Bay is too crowded on the day of my tour?

On very busy days when parking is difficult, the operator replaces the Anthony Quinn Bay stop with a photo stop at Kallithea Viewpoint on the way back, keeping the tour on schedule and still offering a scenic coastal view.

How do I get back to the ship if I want to stay longer in Lindos?

You can extend the tour for an additional fee and the driver will bring you back whenever you're ready. If you prefer to return on your own, ask the driver for directions. The route back to Rhodes Town follows the same coastal road and takes about an hour by car.