Lindos Acropolis Reviews: Everything About Entry Fees, Transportation Options, Climbing Methods & Essential Tips Based on Our Recent Visit to Ancient Fortress
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This one will be useful for those who want to visit the Acropolis in Lindos and learn more about the place before visiting. I will detail the opening hours, ticket prices and ways to get to this place.
Also, you will learn about available excursions and main attractions, and I will also give some useful tips to make your trip as comfortable and memorable as possible.
Lindos Acropolis: the most important in this article
I decided to create this section of the article for those who don’t have time to read the whole thing but want to quickly find out the key information I cover here about the Lindos Acropolis. This isn’t just information — these are practical tips that can help you easily plan a trip to this remarkable architectural and historical landmark in the future.
1. Why visit the Lindos Acropolis?
The Lindos Acropolis — second in significance only to the one in Athens — is one of the main sights of Rhodes island. Tourists visit to see the remains of ancient temples, the fortifications of the Knights of Saint John, and to enjoy panoramic views of the Aegean Sea.
Beyond its archaeological value, Lindos is known for its myths, including the legend of three cities founded by the sons of the sun god Helios. Another interesting fact is that this place is at the heart of a rich history of ancient maritime law and craftsmanship — it was here that the legendary Colossus of Rhodes was created.
Visiting this place is something I’d compare to visiting the Colosseum in Rome — it’s something everyone planning to come to Rhodes simply must do.
2. Lindos Acropolis tickets and opening hours
The Lindos Acropolis opening hours vary by season: from April to October it is open from 8:00 to 20:00, and from November to March from 8:30 to 15:30.
Tickets cost 12 euro; visitors under 18 enter free of charge. EU residents aged 65 and over pay a reduced price of 6 euro. On certain days entry is free.
As always, I prefer to book Lindos Acropolis tickets in advance. Of course, you can buy them on the spot, but you’ll have to queue — and in high season that queue can be quite long.
3. Where do most tours to the Lindos Acropolis depart from?
Tourists most commonly head to the Lindos Acropolis on tours from Rhodes city. Groups usually gather in the morning, but you can choose any other option that suits you, with a convenient departure time.
In addition to Rhodes, tours are also organised from nearby towns such as Faliraki, Kolymbia, Kremasti, and Koskinou.
These places are popular with tourists due to their proximity to Rhodes and good transport links. Tour operators often offer a prior transfer to Rhodes, where all groups gather together for the journey to Lindos. This makes it easy to reach the tour’s starting point and ensures a comfortable transfer.
4. How to get to the Acropolis by land?
For those who want to get to Lindos independently, scheduled buses are an option. They depart from the bus station in Rhodes (KTEL Bus Station).
Look for bus number 32 or 36; the journey takes around 1.5–2 hours. A one-way ticket costs 8.50 euro, or 15 euro if you buy a return straight away (valid for the day).
From the bus stop in Lindos, you can walk to the Acropolis (10–15 minutes) or arrange a donkey ride up.
To show how to get to Lindos from other towns near Rhodes by bus, I’ll use Faliraki as an example: there is no direct route, so you need to travel via Rhodes. Depart from the main bus stop in Faliraki on the main street. Bus number 5 goes to Rhodes in 20–30 minutes.
Tickets to Rhodes: adult — 3.00 euro one way, child (under 12) — 1.80 euro, return ticket — 5.50 euro (valid for the day). The first bus from Faliraki is at 6:00, running every 20–30 minutes in high season; the last bus from Rhodes is at 23:00.
Of course, travelling independently by bus is a perfectly good way to get to Lindos. That said, in my view it comes with quite a few difficulties: from the language barrier (which can cause problems finding the right bus) to the inconvenience of timetables (you need to keep track of bus schedules, and they don’t always run exactly on time).
So in my opinion, a better alternative is an organised tour from Rhodes to Lindos. These typically include a return transfer, which completely removes the question of “how do I get there.” For example:
- Evening trip to Lindos — 29 euro per person
- A more comfortable private trip with a personal guide and transport — group of up to 4 people for 417 euro
- Lindos Acropolis + Valley of the Butterflies tour — 45 euro for adults and 35 euro for children
As you can see, if you calculate the cost per person, prices range from 29 euro to 60 euro. At the same time, with organised trips, the itinerary is planned in advance, and on top of the transfer you also get a guide. An added bonus is that such trips often include visits to other nearby places beyond Lindos.
5. How to get to the Acropolis by sea?
To reach the Lindos Acropolis by sea, the best option is to book a sea mini-cruise. It’s a wonderful way to see ancient Lindos with an extra touch of enjoyment.
Mini-cruises on Rhodes typically offer short but packed trips that often include a visit to the Acropolis. For example, you can set off on a mini-cruise on a pirate boat, with swimming stops and drinks and snacks on board.
On top of everything mentioned above, mini-cruises are the ideal option for those who want to avoid spending hours sitting on a bus — I know from personal experience just how tedious that gets. Add to that the opportunity to swim in the sea in the heat, which is part of the programme on almost every such mini-cruise.
6. What else can you see near the Lindos Acropolis?
Saint Paul’s Bay — a very beautiful bay located near the “White Village” of Lindos, a favourite spot for tourists and locals alike. The best way to enjoy the south-eastern coast of Rhodes is on a small cruise with stops at this famous beach:
- All-inclusive cruise along the south-eastern coast of Rhodes with 4 swimming stops and drinks on board (65 euro for adults and 45 euro for children).
- 3-hour cruise with swimming — visiting Saint Paul’s Bay with the opportunity to swim.
Valley of the Butterflies — a nature reserve where thousands of butterflies can be seen from July to September. Tour including the Valley of the Butterflies: a combination of nature, wine, and traditional Rhodian villages.
Valley of Seven Springs — a green spot with cool water, where you can see seven natural springs that merge into a single lake. Tour to Lindos and the Seven Springs: perfect for lovers of nature and history.
Acropolis in Lindos (Rhodes Island): what it is interesting and worth visiting
Today Lindos is a tiny town in the southeast of Rhodes. In Homer’s time, it was one of the most powerful polities in the ancient Greek world, famous for its brave sailors and successful merchants.
The Acropolis of Lindos is a silent witness to its former greatness, second only to the world-famous Acropolis of Athens. But despite its secondary importance, it is not to say that it has been neglected by tourists, especially since there are still a lot of white spots in its history.
Entering the city you can remember the myth about the love of the sun god Helios with a nymph. They had sons: Lindos, Kamiros and Ialisos, who founded three city-states named in their honor.
Lindos is home to the second most important Acropolis, after the world-famous Acropolis of Athens
In fact, Lindos was founded not by the son of a god and a nymph, but by the Dorian Greeks. This city was the main city on the island for a long time, and moreover, it was the monopolist of the Mediterranean trade.
Lindos were the first in Europe to compile a code of maritime law, later called the “Rhodes Law”. Their town was famous for its sculptors, and it was here that the master Haret created the famous Colossus for the “new” city of Rhodes.
The jagged walls of the castle and fragments of the Master’s Palace are the legacy of the Hospitallers, who created here a powerful system of fortifications in the XIV-XV centuries (another interesting sight of Lindos, which should be combined with a tour of the Acropolis, if time permits)
Timetable and ticket price for Acropolis of Lindos
The schedule of the Acropolis of Lindos depends on both the season and the day of the week. From April to October it is open, from 8.00 to 20.00. From November to March it is open from 8.30 to 15.30.
Tickets to the Acropolis of Lindos cost 12 euros, young visitors (under 18) go free. If you are an EU resident and at least 65 years old, you will only pay 6 euros.
On some days the entrance to the Acropolis is free: March 6, April 18, May 18, the last weekend of September and on national holidays.
How to get to the Acropolis in Lindos
First you need to get to the city of Lindos, this can be done by:
- bus (fares start at 2.2 euros, bus transportation is provided by DES RODA and KTEL);
- rented car (prices for cars start from 20 euros for manual transmission if you take a few days, gasoline costs about 1.7 euros per liter. To rent a car you must be 21 years old and at least 1 year of driving experience. It is obligatory to have an international driver’s license). I wrote about the nuances of renting a car in Rhodes in this article;
- cab (prices depend on the distance and on average, a trip will cost 20-60 euros).
The Acropolis is located on a high hill, so the last part of the way will have to be overcome either by walking up the stairs or along the path on a donkey (5 euros).
Location of the Acropolis in Lindos on the map of Rhodes Island
To see ancient Lindos with an extra touch of adventure — take a sea mini-cruise. These day trips are very popular on Rhodes and are available from many coastal towns on the island
Mini-cruises differ first and foremost in duration:
- Full-day — around 8–10 hours. You can see 1–2 locations, for example Saint Paul’s Bay.
- Half-day — up to 6 hours. Best suited to those with limited time; on such a trip you can see only Rhodes and the coastal waters (without going ashore).
- Evening — just 3 hours (with the focus on scenic views and a romantic atmosphere).
- Multi-day — up to 2–3 days. Quite rare, but a truly unique experience. Such trips can include an overnight stay in Lindos Bay and visits to neighbouring islands.
As for the watercraft used on cruises, there are several options to choose from. Yachts — sailing, motor, and luxury-class (for private cruises, maximum comfort, capacity up to 12 people). There are also catamarans (ideal for those prone to seasickness) and traditional Greek caïques (slower than other vessels, but offering a unique experience).
During a cruise, additional stops are often made at the most popular tourist spots — Saint Paul’s Bay, the Blue Grotto cave, Tsambika Bay, the island of Chalki, and Afantou Bay.
Among the tours available, I picked out three that I would go on myself:
Tours run from April to November; the price for one adult is 48 euro. Snorkelling equipment and the Acropolis ticket are not included (paid separately on the spot). A guide accompanies the trip.
The tour includes 2.5 hours of free time to explore the town of Lindos and the ancient Acropolis, as well as swimming in three beautiful bays of Navarone Bay. The tour lasts 8 hours in total and starts at 9:00 in the morning.
- A similar pirate boat cruise to Lindos with swimming stops, drinks, and snacks.
Tours run from April to November only; the price for one adult is 35 euro.
The price covers only the transfer and the boat trip. The Acropolis ticket and all drinks and snacks on board must be paid for separately (reviews mention that drinks and snacks cost between 25 and 40 euro).
During the trip there will be three swimming stops in Navarone Bay, at Agathi Beach, and at Tsambika Beach, as well as 2.5 hours of free time in Lindos. The tour lasts around 7 hours and starts at 9:00.
- The last option I liked — an all-inclusive boat trip with diving and swimming.
The price for one adult is 55 euro, but cruises run from May to September only.
The tour includes visits to Navarone Bay, Saint Paul’s Bay, and a secret cave.
The tour lasts just 3 hours but includes a transfer from hotels in Kiotari (or another location in the south-eastern part of the island). Watermelon cocktails and local fruit are served on board, included in the price, as is diving equipment.
What you can see at the Acropolis
Behind the walls there is a staircase that leads to the 1st level. Here, during the Byzantine period, barrels of water and grain were stored and many statues have been preserved. The main attraction of the 1st level are the rock carvings of the Podium and the relief image of a ship, which dates back to 170 BC.
The second level contains a knights’ fortress and a temple from the Roman period.
In the 2nd century BC in honor of General Gagensander at the steps leading to the sanctuary, in the rock was carved an image of triemiolia – ancient Greek warship
On the 3rd level is the 87-meter long Hellenistic Portico, built approximately in the 3rd century BC. Its facade is decorated with 42 Doric columns. Nearby lie the ruins of the Byzantine church of St. John, from which you can climb the stairs to the Propylaea.
And finally, on the very last level of the Acropolis, right on the precipice of the cliff, is the temple of Athena Lindia, with dimensions of 8×22 meters. It was built in the 4th century BC, later it was partially reconstructed, but in fact, now there are only ruins, except for 6 columns standing on a pedestal.
The temple of Athena of Lyndia is relatively small: only 22×8 meters. A statue of the goddess once stood in the center of the temple
The ancient inhabitants sacredly honored the goddess Athena, whose prayers to which, according to their beliefs, saved the city from destruction by the Persians during the campaign of Darius I in 490 BC
The southern edge of the cliff offers a panoramic view of the sea and the harbor of the Apostle Paul, who came here to preach Christianity. To the right of the harbor is an ancient theater.
If you walk to the west of the Acropolis of Lindos, you can see the necropolis, where a well-preserved tomb from the 2nd century B.C., from which you can judge the architecture of that period.
The Acropolis is of interest not only to history buffs, but also to those who enjoy viewing platforms. From the rock on which the Acropolis stands, there are excellent panoramic views of the two harbors, the sea, the city of Lindos and the island itself.
The cliff on which the Acropolis sits offers wonderful views of the surrounding area of Lindos
Private tours including the Acropolis in Lindos (non-sea): are they worth the price?
Jumping ahead, I’ll say that such private tours are absolutely worth every euro. There are many advantages to choosing a private tour, for example:
- No large crowds around you.
- The ability to adjust the itinerary directly with the guide.
- The opportunity to see far more sights on Rhodes in a single trip, not just the Acropolis in Lindos (and that’s almost the main argument).
- On a private tour you won’t have to run after anyone or wait for anyone (in a large group tour there are many people, so someone always gets held up somewhere, someone falls behind, and the whole group has to wait).
- And from our personal experience — as a rule, a private tour leaves you with far more impressions than a group one (and why else do you go on a tour, if not for the impressions?).
In other words, from our personal experience, one private trip leaves us with as many impressions as 2–3 group trips (if that comparison makes sense). The only downside — on Rhodes, it helps if you at least understand some English on tours.
If you value comfort and your own space, and want to spend time only with your nearest and dearest, I recommend looking at these tours, which also caught our attention:
Full-day tour of Rhodes with a private driver or English-speaking guide.
The price for a group of 4 adults is 550 euro (minimum booking is for four people — so even if you want the tour for just two, you’ll pay the same as for four). Tours run year-round.
The trip includes stops in the village of Lindos, the Filerimos Monastery, the Rhodes Acropolis, and the medieval city of Rhodes.
The price includes transfer, a driver or licensed guide, and bottled water. Entry tickets to the Acropolis and monastery must be paid separately.
Private tour of Rhodes including the Valley of the Butterflies and Lindos Acropolis, lasting up to 6 hours.
The price for 4 adults is 550 euro (minimum booking for four people).
The price includes comfortable transport with an English-speaking driver, bottled water, and an audio guide (this must be specified at the time of booking). Entry tickets to the sights must be purchased separately on the spot.
Private full-day trip to Lindos and the main sights of Rhodes, lasting 7 hours.
Tours run from April to October; the price for a group of 6 adults is 600 euro (minimum booking for six people).
The price includes modern air-conditioned transport, an experienced English-speaking driver, and an audio guide (in English) — so be sure to bring headphones and a charged phone. Also included are drinks and bottled water, a free map of Lindos with full information, and child seats (available on request).
Lunch at the Argo restaurant and entry tickets to the Acropolis museum (12 euro per adult) are paid separately.
What to consider when visiting the Acropolis
Since September 4, 2023, the Acropolis has introduced quotas for visits: now, per day, the site will receive no more than 20,000 people, while previously it received up to 23,000 visitors per day. Thus, the Greek authorities want to solve the issue of crowds of tourists and prevent the destruction of the monument, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
At first, the restrictions are introduced in test mode. The system will finally work from April 1, 2024: will be introduced pre-booking visits, and the flow will be evenly distributed throughout the day, as previously most tourist groups preferred to climb the famous mountain before noon.
At the same time, the time that tourists will spend in the Acropolis is not going to be limited. According to statistics, most visitors do not stay on the hill for more than 45 minutes.
If the experiment is recognized as successful, it will be extended to other particularly popular Greek sights.
Useful tips for those who want to visit the Acropolis in Lindos
- Climbing the 116 meter high hill where the Acropolis of Lindos is located is quite time consuming. Crowds of tourists are half the problem, it is wise to go to see it in the morning, staying the day before in one of the hotels nearby.
- By the way, there are no hotels in Lindos itself, and traveling around the city is possible only on foot or on local donkeys.
The Acropolis can be climbed on foot or by donkey
- It is better to descend the hill on foot: the stairs are quite slippery, and poor animals often gallop down them in anticipation of the tasty carrots that await them at the bottom.
- In any case, before climbing should buy a bottle of water, wear comfortable shoes, preferably on rubberized soles (to avoid slipping), and generously smeared with sunscreen.
- At the top of the rock, especially in summer, it is very hot, there is practically nowhere to hide from the scorching rays, there are no stores selling water. But, in addition to seeing the Acropolis, you can look at the beautiful views of the surrounding area.
Combine the experience of ancient Lindos with the flavours of Rhodian cuisine: tours with tastings
Tours of Rhodes with tastings of local cuisine and wines — I love this kind of tour, because it’s a wonderful way not only to see the beauty of the island but also to immerse yourself in its rich gastronomic culture.
And there are plenty of tours here that include visits to traditional tavernas or family wineries, where you can taste the freshest seafood, juicy meat dishes, aromatic cheeses, and other local delicacies. What’s more, you don’t just eat — you learn the history of each dish, its particular characteristics, and what it pairs best with.
When choosing among tours of this kind, in my view the following offer an excellent balance of price, quality, and experience:
The first tour I liked accommodates a maximum of 10–11 people and combines a visit to Lindos with an unforgettable evening.
The ticket price for one adult is 60 euro. Dinner with drinks, which the group heads to at the end of the trip, is paid separately.
The trip begins at 16:00 with a convenient hotel transfer in a luxurious 12-seat Mercedes Benz Sprinter. The tour is accompanied by a local driver who speaks fluent English and is happy to share his impressions of the area.
On arrival, you’ll have free time to explore the Acropolis at your own pace.
At 19:00, the group heads to Charaki for a wonderful dinner at the Argo restaurant, located right by the sea. The trip lasts just 6 hours, but in that short time you can soak up the atmosphere of Lindos in the evening — which, in my view, will definitely leave lasting memories.
Deluxe tour of Rhodes, including Lindos, the Old Town, and a wine tasting, lasting up to 6 hours.
The price for one adult is 99 euro; tours run year-round.
If you want to see the Acropolis, the entry ticket must be purchased separately (12 euro). However, free time in the Old Town and Lindos, olive oil/honey/wine tasting — all of this is included in the price.
A comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, a licensed guide, and timely transfer from the port to your hotel — everything is thought through to the last detail, so all you need to do is relax and enjoy.
Other useful links and interesting information:
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- Things to do in Santorini: Exploring Blue-Domed Churches, Black Sand Beaches, Local Cuisine and Ancient Ruins on this Stunning Greek Island