Exploring Rhodes on our own

[Psoque]

Hi.  We are on a cruise that visits Rhodes in late September.  I have been reading about this port of call, and we are really looking forward to it.  It is the case that we have plenty of things to see in/near the old city that booking an excursion is not really necessary for Rhodes?  I guess if we want to visit Lindos in addition, can we just take a cab, instead of committing to a bus tour?  We are a group of 3, all without any mobility issues.  Any recommendation from those who has been there would be appreciated.

Edited February 10, 2020 by Psoque

[Kylomom]

We did not do an excursion in Rhodes when we were there.  Just walked over from the ship and enjoyed the day walking around and having lunch.  Sorry, don't know about transportation to Lindos.

[JimmyTheSaint]

Rhodes is so easy to DIY, the ship docks beside the walls of the old town. We walked to the Street of the Knights of the Crusades and visited the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights. The old town is very walkable with lots of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. A very nice place to spend a day.

[MeHeartCruising]

You can definitely fill the day in old town Rhodes, which is within a very short walk from where your ship will dock.  It's a very nice town to walk around and there are a few sites to go inside and see.  As for Lindos, I could be wrong, but I don't recall reading too much on here about people who just pick up a cab to go there and back.  I suppose it's possible.  Google maps shows it as a 100 km (62 mile) round trip.  It also shows it as 59 minutes each way.

[Psoque]

Thank you all for the information.  I will do more research on Lindos to see if it worth it to do this. Otherwise we will probably just spend a day in town.

[Markanddonna]

We walked Lindos Rhodes on our own. What a delightful city. Turn right off the ship and go to the Marine Gate. Right before the gate there is a tour stand that gives  out free maps and good advice. Go down the street and the Grand Master's Palace is a short walk. The Archeoalogy museum is also great. Spend time wandering the city and stores. Lots more to see, so plan ahead in this wonderful city.

[LTC]

Use tom's port guides.com for lots of helpful info on Rhodes and Lindos.

[Psoque]

1 hour ago, LTC said:

Use tom's port guides.com for lots of helpful info on Rhodes and Lindos.

Thanks.  Actually, I already saw the entry on Tom's Port Guides a few months ago, and that's why I'm asking about Lindos.  Tom's Port Guide really recommends Lindos, but it just suggests taking the ship's excursion or taxi to it.  Not much details on how to get there otherwise.

[Flutterguy]

Have a look at Haraki on Rhodes, been to Plaka and Aghia Effimia and this is the nearest to both of these. Nice stretch of crescent beach with tavernas and some accomodation overlooking the sea. Very laid back and easy going. Overlooked by a castle and Agathi beach next door, lovely sandy beach with a few canteen type places selling food and a beautiful small church carved out of the rocks. You may need a car or taxi in rhodes to explore further as bus service from here not great. Pefkos is more a tourist place in my opinion, but not a lager lout place, very close to Lindos for a change of scenery, but Lindos gets very busy with day trippers. Nothing wrong with Pefkos, just doesn't have a village feel to it. Rhodes Old Town is stunning, could easily fill a day and is an easy stroll from the port. If you find yourself with plenty of beach time, maybe take a taxi to Faliraki - about 15 minutes by taxi and a much better beach. The main lindos beaches are the other side of lindos from where your staying. But st paul's bay beaches are your side if lindos. You have one by St paul's Capel and the other one in the corner oppisite. I think your like the one in the corner dimitris taverna. Fantastic food and run by his sons nico and marco. They also run crazy moon bar in the village nicos music and marcos cocktails make it a great night. Also as you get to the top of lindos coming from lindos sun is a large car park to the side is atmosphere bar run by clair and stavros and dad nico well worth a visit as stavros is something else.  You will have a great time and this time next year could be looking to go back again like many of us lindos regulars. Enjoy.

[iancal]

We spent several days on the island and have also stopped on cruises.

 

As others have said,one can easily spend an enjoyable full day in and around the old city walls.  We did go to Lindos, but not on a cruise stop.   We took the local bus.  It was a nice 1/2 to 3/4 day trip in itself.  Taxi would have been faster.

 

If we had a choice of a full leisurely day in Rhodes city or a rushed tour that included the city and Lindos we would definitely opt for a day on our own in and around the old town of Rhodes.

 

Bottom line...what ever you choose will be good.  Though I would take a private tour, taxi or otherwise,  over an escorted ships tour any time.

Edited June 6, 2020 by iancal

[cruisemom42]

On 2/23/2020 at 9:27 PM, Markanddonna said:

We walked Lindos Rhodes on our own. What a delightful city. Turn right off the ship and go to the Marine Gate. Right before the gate there is a tour stand that gives  out free maps and good advice. Go down the street and the Grand Master's Palace is a short walk. The Archeoalogy museum is also great. Spend time wandering the city and stores. Lots more to see, so plan ahead in this wonderful city.

 

Not sure if I am just confused reading your post, but Lindos is not where the Marine Gate, Grand Master's Palace and the other sites you mention are located. That is Rhodes Town, where most ships dock. Lindos is a small and charming village some 40 km from Rhodes Town, above which is the Lindos acropolis on a high hill.

[Hlitner]

Speaking of Rhodes, cruisers are sometimes not aware of why this large island attracts so many tourists.  It is a decent place for a beach vacation.   We have spent a few port days just going to a beach for a few hours and then spending some time in Rhodes Town (the Old Town side) before walking back to our ship.  The island has all kinds of beaches ranging from large sandy beaches to small beach coves.

 

Hank

[CLCruzer]

On 6/6/2020 at 8:12 AM, iancal said:

We spent several days on the island and have also stopped on cruises.

 

As others have said,one can easily spend an enjoyable full day in and around the old city walls.  We did go to Lindos, but not on a cruise stop.   We took the local bus.  It was a nice 1/2 to 3/4 day trip in itself.  Taxi would have been faster.

 

If we had a choice of a full leisurely day in Rhodes city or a rushed tour that included the city and Lindos we would definitely opt for a day on our own in and around the old town of Rhodes.

 

Bottom line...what ever you choose will be good.  Though I would take a private tour, taxi or otherwise,  over an escorted ships tour any time.

Thank you (and everyone else) for sharing your experiences.

Rich

Edited July 11, 2020 by CLCruzer
revised content