Travel Guide Lindos

The village, all bougainvillea and whitewashed houses, looks more like a traditional Cycladic village than a Dodecanese one. Thanks to its privileged geographical location, Lindos has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The Dorians built their acropolis overlooking the village and founded the largest Dorian city on Rhodes, ahead of Kamiros and Ialyssos. In the 6th century BC, Cleobulus, an enlightened tyrant, embellished the 9th-century BC Dorian sanctuary dedicated to Athena. Later, the Byzantines and then the Knights of St. John fortified the ancient city by building an imposing citadel. Today, you can climb up to the acropolis and wander through the village's charming alleyways, admiring simple traditional houses and elaborate 17th-century architecture, once home to wealthy captains. Everywhere you look, you'll find pretty courtyards decorated with pebble mosaics. At the heart of the village is the beautiful Church of the Virgin, built by the Knights of St. John in 1489 and decorated with 18th-century frescoes. Given the local microclimate, don't be surprised if it gets very hot in the middle of the day, and avoid climbing the acropolis at the hottest times of the day.Lindos is home to three beaches on either side of the acropolis. On the left, the main beach is the most popular. On the right, St. Paul's beach takes its name from the apostle St. Paul, who is said to have landed here, bringing Christianity in his luggage, as local legend has it. Between the two, the small beach of Pallas is pleasant for families with children. If you're looking for peace and quiet, continue right past Pallas Beach and climb up the rocks to have the sea to yourself. In general, tourists prefer to visit the city on day trips from Rhodes town: in summer, they invade the alleyways between 10am and 6pm. If you're curious enough to stay after they've left, or to arrive early in the morning, you'll have the village to yourself.