5 Best Places to Visit from Rhodes Town by Car

Rhodes Blog › 5 Best Places to Visit from Rhodes Town by Car

Explore the Greek island of Rhodes by car. I’ll show you the best day trips you can take with a rental car. Follow me to the best excursion tips by rental car for your holiday.

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Rhodes – The 5 Best Day Trip Ideas by Car

Palaces, ancient settlements, stunning beaches, and charming mountain villages: The Greek island of Rhodes, which is easily accessible by plane, has a lot to offer visitors. Especially since the top highlights are perfect for exploring by rental car. I present the best excursion tips by car for your holiday.

• Best time to visit: The best time for a Rhodes vacation is between May and October, though very warm temperatures are to be expected, especially in midsummer. However, Rhodes is also pleasantly warm in April and November.
• Traffic rules: Traffic rules on Rhodes are largely similar to those in other European countries. However, the “right-of-way” rule does not apply in Rhodes. Here, right-of-way is regulated at every intersection.
• Road conditions: The main roads are well-maintained, but in the mountains the roads are often very narrow and winding.
• Parking: You should head to parking lots at popular spots like Lindos or Tsambika Beach early in the morning, as they fill up quickly.
• Culture: Rhodes captivates with a culture and history dating back thousands of years, which you can explore at your leisure on your road trip.

Exploring Rhodes by Rental Car

Of course, you can also book a rental car the old-fashioned way. On the island, you’ll find numerous providers offering cars, scooters, motorcycles and boats. You can either shop around a bit once you’re there or book in advance, for example, at DiscoverCars Car Hire. I’ve had nothing but good experiences with the site so far and have booked my car through them many times.

When booking, make sure the following services are included: no deductible, fair fuel policy (full/full), comprehensive and theft coverage, glass, tire, and underbody protection, as well as unlimited mileage and liability insurance.

How long does it take to drive around Rhodes? The total driving time for a complete loop around Rhodes is about 5 to 6 hours, covering a distance of approximately 250 kilometers.

Experience the Beach Idyll of Tsambika

Hardly any other beach graces Rhodes postcards more than Tsambika Beach. And for good reason.

After all, the fine sandy beach, nestled against the deep-blue sea and framed by two cliffs, is a real eye-catcher. Swimming fun is guaranteed here. A small beach bar also offers refreshments. The only downside: Tsambika Beach isn’t exactly a hidden gem. Especially during peak season, you’ll have to share the beach with other tourists, whether you like it or not.

The real highlight of Tsambika, however, is not the beach itself, but the view of it. From Tsambika Mountain, a breathtaking panorama of the beach and sea unfolds before you. The Tsambika Monastery, well worth a visit, is also located here.

According to legend, the women who had involuntarily remained childless and who had helped build the monastery became pregnant. To this day, the monastery remains a place of pilgrimage for women hoping to conceive.

Quick Facts: Tsambika

• Must-See: View from Tsambika Mountain & Tsambika Monastery
• Admission: Admission to the Holy Monastery of the Virgin Mary Tsambika is free.
• Interesting Facts: The Tsambika Monastery is a place of pilgrimage for women hoping to conceive.
• Hiking Tip: Hike to the rocky peak of Mount Tsambika (about 30 minutes)

The Acropolis of Lindos – In the Footsteps of the Ancient Greeks

Lindos is a picture-perfect Greek town. Small, whitewashed houses and narrow alleys lined with charming taverns define the town. However, Lindos is famous not so much for its townscape as for its exceptionally well-preserved Acropolis.

The sprawling castle ruins sit enthroned in the heart of the town center, offering visitors a direct glimpse into the past. The first traces of settlement here date back as far as 800 B.C. It is well worth exploring the castle ruins, where Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines alike have left their mark.

However, it’s best to schedule your exploration for early morning or late afternoon. At midday, the sun beats down mercilessly on the ruins, especially in summer. Those who’d rather skip the admittedly sweaty climb to the Acropolis can also ride a donkey to the castle ruins.

By the way: Some researchers suspect that Lindos is also the former site of the famous Colossus of Rhodes. The bronze statue, standing over 30 meters tall, is said to have encircled the harbor of Lindos with its legs. However, there is no conclusive evidence to support this theory.

Quick Facts: The Acropolis of Lindos

• Must-See: Castle ruins, townscape
• Opening Hours: The Acropolis of Lindos is generally open to visitors Monday through Sunday from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM.
• Admission: Admission to the Acropolis of Lindos costs 20 € per adult standard ticket. You can buy tickets directly at the site’s ticket booth or via the online ticket service.

Pure Nature in the Valley of the Butterflies

Are you exploring Rhodes between June and September? Then you should definitely take a road trip to the Valley of the Butterflies. The valley in the northwest of Rhodes bears its name for good reason. The rocks of the valley, which can be explored via fenced-off paths, are lined with countless colorful butterflies. In some areas, you can marvel at up to 1,000 butterflies per square meter. In particular, the rare Russian bear butterfly, which is attracted by the local Oriental sweetgums, is native to this area.

A hike through the valley up to the Kalopetra Monastery is especially worthwhile, as a spectacular view of the entire region awaits you there. Along the way, you’ll also pass various waterfalls.

Quick Facts: Valley of the Butterflies

• Must-See: The rare Russian bear, view from Kalopetra Monastery
• Hours: June 15 to September 30: daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; all other months: daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
• Admission: Admission to the Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes) in Rhodes costs €6 for adults, with free entry for children under 12.

The Kallithea Hot Springs – Ancient Healing Waters

Just a few kilometers south of Rhodes Town lie the Kallithea Hot Springs. The water from these springs was already valued in ancient times for its soothing and healing properties. It was not without reason that Hippocrates, the most famous physician of antiquity, prescribed healing baths in the particularly sulfur-rich waters of the thermal springs to his patients. The freshly restored historic buildings of the thermal springs are still well worth seeing. Unfortunately, the water has since dried up.

Even the Greek physician Hippocrates, who shaped the high ethical standards of the medical profession, valued the healing properties of the water at the Kalithea Hot Springs.

Quick Facts: Kalithea Hot Springs

• Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
• Admission: Admission to Kallithea Springs in Rhodes costs €5.00 for adults during the high season (May 1 to October 31), with discounts available for children and seniors. You can pay directly at the entrance upon arrival.

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