I have been lucky enough to spend weeks at a time in Rhodes, and never stopped exploring and discovering parts of the island. There are many cruise ships that dock directly in the Old Town of Rhodes, or Rhodes town. While you may not have a week or two to spare, you can get a glimpse of what the island has to offer in only a day’s time. Depending on what you are looking for, we have some suggestions for day trips on your next cruise to Greece.
Rhodes Town/Old Town – Leisure & History
A well preserved medieval town, full of history and heritage, you can wander the Old Town’s cobblestone streets in under two hours, or take tours of the Palace of Grand Master Knights or archaeological museum to learn more about the history of the island.
- Marco Polo Café (Agiou Fanouriou 42, Rhodes 851 00): Best meal I’ve had in Rhodes. The Mediterranean cuisine shows the diverse historical influence of Rhodes. If they are open for lunch – make sure to go!
- Odyssey Restaurant (Menekleous Str 10, 85100 Rhodes): Great seafood tucked in the windy streets of the town.
Day trips
Despite Rhodes being one of the larger islands in Greece, you could drive from North to South in less than two hours. But – you don’t need to go that far to find amazing beaches. While the Old Town is beautiful and historic, the scenery outside of the medieval walls are just as breathtaking, if not more. Rent a car and get exploring!
One of the following trips can be easily done during the day. I would suggest seeing Lindos and Haraki together for a day of beach and light lunch in Haraki, and then walking around Lindos and to the castle or a rooftop snack. If you are young and adventurous, Grand Blue is not for the faint hearted, and hard to find but you will get there eventually and it is more than worth the trip!
Anthony Quinn Bay – Pebble & Scenic Beach
Located 20 minutes from Old Town, Anthony Quinn Bay has its own history. This spot is where Anthony Quinn famously Greek danced in the movie Zorba the Greek. It can become crowded during the weekends in high season, but is worth the walk over the pebbles and rocks to the umbrellas less frequented. Umbrellas and chairs are available for 5-10 euro each.
Lindos Town – Quaint & Historic
Lindos Town – Quaint & Historic
Lindos is 45 minutes from Old Town and features white houses and a castle at the top. There is even a beach at the bottom of the town. This would be a one stop shop for cobblestone roads, beach, and a historic castle.
- Gelo Blu: Grab some gelato and go upstairs to the rooftop for a spectacular view.
- Gatto Bianco: Delicious Italian restaurant with another great rooftop view.
Haraki – Family Friendly & Local
Haraki is a quiet fisherman’s town. Perfect for beach and food! Join the Greeks at the numerous cafes by the water for an iced Freddo and relax! Located 15 minutes closer to Old Town than Lindos (about 30 minute drive)
- Haraki Bay Hotel: A family run establishment where you can order quality seafood inches from the beach.
- Argo: For a more fancy meal, visit Argo – the best seafood in town!
Grande Blue – Secluded & Breathtaking
If you are feeling adventurous, go to Grande Blue for the ultimate Greece experience, located 30-40 minutes from Old Town. With directions from locals, we drove through the town of Stegna, past Stegna Mare towards the water. After following the road left, then another left onto a dirt road, we finally arrived to the back end of the restaurant.
The food is literally caught in the morning down at the beach. You can’t get any more immaculate and pristine than this location in all of Rhodes. Bring goggles and flippers (or buy in Stegna on your way) because the island across the way is a protected wildlife preserve.
Note: It’s complicated to get to without clear directions, and there are a lot of stairs from the restaurant to the beach. Be prepared for the stairs and do not drive down to the beach!
Maria Psathas is a travel concierge with Vacationeeze who specializes in honeymoons and European getaways.