One of the benefits of a Greek Islands cruise is that the main cities on almost all of the islands are usually port towns. Rhodes is no exception. Located southeast of Crete, Rhodes is one of the most popular of the Greek Islands, a common stop on any Mediterranean itinerary, and best known for being home to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Colossus of Rhodes. It was ruled by the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem from 1330 to 1522 and much of that occupation is reflected in the architecture of the old town. There is so much to do on Rhodes and never enough time.
For our first visit we decided to take the shore excursion outside of town to the village of Lindos to explore its ancient acropolis. We started our tour with a visit to a ceramic shop for a demonstration and a chance to shop. Rhodes is well known for its pottery and ceramic designs and the unique way of etching, painting and firing the terra cotta clay. Unfortunately the trade is declining as fewer and fewer people want to learn the art. I know that many folks resent the “shopping” stops but I find them interesting and a way to further support local artisans. A little tip – if you paid in cash you received a 10% discount.
From there we headed to Lindos. The village of whitewashed homes is located in a natural harbour, making it an ideal defensible site. The acropolis is located high on a hill overlooking the village and can be accessed by a precarious climb up a total of 297 steps according to our guide. It was physically challenging (especially after 18 months of covid inactivity) but worth it when you get to the top. Breathtaking views and a rich history make this another ancient site to add to your list.
We met a couple who took a taxi there and back to do the tour on their own and it included a driving tour of the city of Rhodes at a total cost was €120 for three hours. It is a viable alternative to the ship excursion for the independent traveller although it was a bit more expensive. I would however note that either way having a knowledgeable local guide was invaluable for understanding the site.
The town of Lindos is very touristy in the summer and was quite crowded the day we were there, to say nothing of hot, so we chose to return to the main city of Rhodes right away. After all the climbing it was nice that they offered a shuttle bus from the town to where the bus was parked for only .50 euros.
Back at the old port it is only a 5 minute walk to the first gate to access the shopping centre in the Old Town, or a 10 minute walk for the gate for the Avenue of Knights. On our next visit we will just walk off the ship and spend the day visiting the many medieval sites of this city such as the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Archeological Museum and the aforementioned Avenue of the Knights.
The first time we visit any port it is a challenge deciding how we are going to spend what little time we have. I often have to content myself with the promise that some day we will return. That is how I feel about this beautiful Greek Island, knowing that however we choose to spend our time on the island of Rhodes we will definitely enjoy it.