Greece is home to lots of incredible little towns that pack a punch far beyond what one might expect from their size and number of inhabitants but, as a land of immense natural beauty and impossibly rich historic and cultural heritage, even villages you might never have heard of before are quite extraordinary. Take the village of Lindos on the island of Rhodes, for example. With a population of less than four thousand and a relatively compact centre, one might not expect much from seeing the facts of the fishing village laid out on paper but all you have to do is take one look at the place to realise that it is kind of magic. With plenty to see and do in the area, utterly scenic surroundings, and lots of character, those who find a villa in Rhodes and come to spend any time in the village will find themselves quickly and irrevocably in love.
Made up of the typical cluster of white-washed buildings rising up from the azure seas and stunning beaches that are not uncommon to many seaside towns and resorts all over Greece, Lindos has a particularly charming and memorable appearance: rising above those houses cut through by winding alleys and cobblestone streets, atop a green hill crowned by dramatically craggy rocks, you will find the stunning Lindos Acropolis. This crowning glory of the village only adds to its picturesque looks, positioned as it is between two gorgeous bays.
However, one might be mistaken, upon seeing this pretty and historic appearance, into believing that Lindos is some sleepy village, stuck in the past. This could not be further from the truth! While Lindos certainly can be a perfect place to relax and unwind on vacation in Greece, it is also a vibrant and lively place with a particularly rich nightlife. Basically, it’s got something for everyone! But what are the specific charms of a holiday in Rhodes?
The History
Of course, the history of a town that has been around in one form or another for some 5,000 years is impossibly rich and fascinating and cannot be overstated. Visitors, therefore, who come to Lindos and have an interest in history and culture will be catered to by the traces of different peoples and eras that remain throughout. In and around the acropolis, however, things are more concentrated and you will find: Medieval walls; fortifications built and added to by the Ancient Greeks and Romans, Crusaders, Byzantines, and Ottomans; the Doric Temple of Athena Lindia, dating to 300 BC, built over an even earlier temple; the Propylaea of the Sanctuary, also dating to the 4th century BC; the Hellenistic stoa, dating from about 200 BC; remains of a Roman temple, perhaps dedicated to the Emperor Diocletian and dating to around 300 AD; the Castle of the Knights of St John, built in the 14th century over older Byzantine fortifications; and the Greek Orthodox Church of St John, dating to some time in the 13th or 14th century. Down in the village proper, there are endless traditional-style buildings and plenty of other architectural gems from throughout history to be discovered. These include the Byzantine Panagia church with its elaborate and striking belltower as well as its 15th century frescoes right in the historic centre of town. Certainly a place worth wandering aimlessly to see what you discover, Lindos is a spot in which traces of times and people past are all around and just waiting to be discovered!
The Weather
Another excellent reason for sun-lovers to find a villa in Rhodes and spend time on the island and in Lindos, in particular, is the climate of the area. A typical Mediterranean climate, you’ll encounter mild winters during which what rain does fall each year is most likely to occur and especially hot and dry summers, with an annual average temperature of around 22 °C (72 °F). It often has the highest mean temperatures in Greece and Europe and registers the highest mean annual sunshine in Greece each year. It is, therefore, a destination par excellence if you’re looking for sun, fun, and to work on your tan – just be prepared and make sure that you avoid being out too much during the hottest part of the day in the summer, that you cover up when exposed to the sun for longer periods, that you wear and reapply sunscreen, and that you drink plenty of liquids! Enjoying the sun while on vacation in the area is a great reason to choose Lindos as your next holiday destination but be sure to do so safely.
The Beaches
Speaking of enjoying the sun, Lindos is ideal for doing just that, not merely because of the climate itself but also because of the truly incredible beaches in and around the village. The first and most obvious beach, it the large and lovely bay that fronts the village. Lindos’ main beach, this is Pallas Beach, a white sandy stretch along a sweeping cove that is dotted by parasols and sunbeds on the strand, yachts and boats bobbing in the turquoise waters, and pretty little tavernas that serve up food, snacks, and drinks. Equipped with showers, a bathroom, and convenient parking, this beach has all you could need for a comfortable day at the sea as well as striking good looks. In addition, the waters are shallow, making it an ideal place for families and anyone travelling with little ones. Watersports are possible here, there are canoe rentals to go out and explore the bay a bit more on your own steam, and you can also make use of the glass-bottomed that will take you to Pefkos as well as the various water-taxis heading along the coast to lots of the nearby beaches – this is a really gorgeous way of traversing the stunning marine world and coastal gems of the island.
The other side of the town, behind the acropolis, there is another stunning beach, St Paul’s Bay, which is incredibly romantic and pretty. Hugged by steep rocks, this sand and pebble beach is actually rather small but impossibly scenic, with a little chapel (popular for weddings) overlooking it and lagoon-style crystal clear waters in an especially arresting vivid blue hue. As with Pallas Beach, there are umbrellas and sun loungers that can be rented and facilities for water sports and more. However, in addition, St Paul’s is ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling with those magic waters and a very colourful and rich marine life to be discovered. Named for St Paul who was said to have been shipwrecked on the spot in the first century AD, this is one of the most unmissable and lovely beaches on the entire island and certainly a must-see if you find a holiday rental in Rhodes.
Both of these beaches, given their looks and location, do become unbelievably busy during the peak tourism season of July and August so do keep in mind that you may want to visit earlier or later in the day if you are travelling at this time of the year if you are looking to avoid massive crowds. Outside these months, you’ll find both are much more peaceful and roomy. For quieter, less frequented beaches, those aforementioned water-taxis are ideal as they can bring you along the coast to small little bays and strands that are more remote and obscure. For sea-lovers, there is a truly remarkable coastline to explore while on vacation in Rhodes.
The Restaurants, Bars, and Clubs
As we mentioned earlier, despite the fact that Lindos is incredibly quaint and pretty and historic, it is no sleepy backwater. In fact, it has a vibrant social scene with all sorts of eateries, bars, and night clubs to choose from, depending on your preferences. You’ll find traditional and family-run tavernas, an array of restaurants serving all sorts of international cuisines, little bars and trendy pubs, exciting nightclubs, and more, all waiting to be explored and enjoyed each evening with the lit-up acropolis as an atmospheric and romantic backdrop to everything that happens in the town! During the day, too, between outings to the beaches and historic sights, as you wander the pretty little streets of Lindos, you’ll also find many of these same businesses open for lunches, snacks, coffees, or to sit out and enjoy a peaceful glass of wine or a beer in the sun. All of which sound like ideal ways to recuperate as you delve into the endless boutiques and shops selling local handicrafts and treasures and find perfect souvenirs of your time on holiday in Rhodes to bring back home with you.
So, if you have been thinking about planning a vacation in Greece then you need look no further than our wonderful villas in Rhodes and a trip to Lindos, in particular, as you will find all you could possibly want from getaway in this part of the world in one place – romance, history, beauty, perfect beaches, great places to eat and drink, plenty to see and do, and much more besides!
