Rhodes & Lindos & Butterfly Valley - Private Half-day Excursion

5.0 (4 reviews) 5–7 hours Free cancellation Private tour

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4 reviews

5.0

Grand Master Palace — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Knight's Road — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

A special excursion specially made for cruise tourists who want to see everything from the beautiful island of Rhodes!

We will see the Old Town, Mandraki harbour together with the area where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood.

Then you will walk through the ancient Acropolis of Rhodes and you the ruins of the temple of Apollo, you will also enjoy the view from Monte Smith and you will take photos with the whole Aegean Sea on your back.

Then we will continue to the famous and unique Valley of the Butterflies. There you will have 1 hour at your disposal which is enough to see and feel the magic of this place.

Then we will continue to Pottery Factory. Rhodes is distinguished worldwide for its ceramic art.

After that, we will continue on the East coast of the island and reach the white village of Lindos, 50km away.

You will have more than an hour stay to explore its narrow streets and visit the beautiful Acropolis on the top. Then we will return back to your starting point.

Day Trips Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Ports of Call Tours Car Tours Shore Excursions Additional fees

At a glance

Duration: 5–7 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: YourTaxi Rhodes

What is included

Included

Included: Private transportation
Included: Bottled water
Included: On-board WiFi: WiFi on board
Included: Personalized Customer Service
Included: Snacks
Included: English-Speaking Knowledgeable Driver
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle
Included: Back to the Ship on Time - If you are a Cruise Ship Passengers

Not included

Not included: Meals/Food expenses
Not included: Entrance fee at Lindos Acropolis - 20 Euro/pp is not included in the tour price
Not included: Entrance fees: Valley of the Butterflies

Itinerary

Old Town of Rhodes

Passing by

We will start our excursion with a drive around the walls of the Old Town of Rhodes where you can take photos from outside the most important Gates. The biggest inhabited medieval town in Europe. It was built in 1300s from the knights of the order of St. John. The Medieval Town of Rhodes is inscribed in the World Heritage Sites List of UNESCO.

A) Due to a new traffic regulation, no vehicles are allowed inside the Old Town—only pedestrians. We can end the tour at one of the Old Town gates, allowing you to explore on your own and walk back to the ship. The walk from the Medieval City to the Cruise Port is an easy 5-minute stroll. This way, you save time and money, as you won’t have to pay for the driver’s waiting time.

B) No worries—our knowledgeable drivers can guide you on how to walk through the Old Town back to the ship. Just ask your driver!
Mandraki Harbour

15 min

Mandraki port is situated in the new part of the town where you will see some very impressive monumental buildings built by the Italians. Here at the harbour entrance is believed that once stood the great statue of the Colossus of Rhodes – one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World.

We will stop for pictures of the area and you will be able also to enter and see the Church of the Annunciation which is the most famous church in Rhodes Town. Located north of Mandraki, the old port of the town, this church was constructed in the 1920s, during the Italian occupation of the island.

The Church of the Annunciation celebrated on March 25th with a large religious festival.
Colossus of Rhodes

10 min

One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Colossus of Rhodes was a gigantic statue of the god Helios. Erected by the sculptor Chares of Lindos, it was under construction from 292 BC till 280 BC and was considered as the tallest building of its time, standing at 30 feet.

Built in memory of the defeat of the Roman Army, which was trying to take control of Rhodes, this giant statue represented a man holding a bow on one hand and a torch of light on the other. The statue of Colossus was put in the port, with its two feet standing on the edges of the entrance. The ships would pass under him.

But in an area prone to earthquakes, the inevitable soon happened. In 226 BC, only 56 years after its construction, an earthquake hit Rhodes and the statue fell down. Snapping at the knees, the statue fell onto the land and broke in giant pieces.

A sad end for what must have been a majestic work of art.
The Acropolis of Rhodes

20 min

Now we will continue through the city and see more of the great Italian architecture. We will stop for pictures also at the Northern tip of the island where the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas meet each other.

Then we will drive to Monthe Smith Hill where you can enjoy exceptional panoramic views of the city and the seashore, and also visit the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, the impressive open-air ancient Stadium and the Amphitheatre.
Valley of the Butterflies

one hour Admission not included

For the Summer period between the end of June and mid-September, we can substitute the stop at Filerimos Hill with the beautiful Valley of Butterflies. The valley is a natural reserve, unique of its kind.

The coolness of this place, the flowing waters and the shade of the trees make it ideal to rest, especially during the hot summer days. Small, wooden bridges cross the river and an uphill path leads to the Monastery of Panagia Kalopetra.
Stop 6

20 min

Upon request, during your tour, you can also have a stop at a pottery factory.

You will be able to see how beautiful ceramics are made. Rhodes has a long history of pottery going back many centuries at least to the time of the ancient cities.

Replicas of designs produced in those times are still been manufactured today together with new modern designs in a younger generation.
Stop 7

10 min

Little before we reach the beautiful village of Lindos we will stop at a place for a panoramic view of the village together with its Acropolis on the top.

Before the village we will also visit the picturesque St. Paul’s Bay. It is claimed that St Paul landed here in the year 51 AD to preach Christianity to the Rhodians. There is a small church built there after his name.

We will make a stop for pictures to capture this stunning view.
Lindos

1 h 30 min

You will have at least one hour stay to explore the village and to visit its famous Acropolis.

The Acropolis in Lindos is the second most popular Acropolis in Greece after the Parthenon in Athens.
Faliraki Beach

Passing by

On the way back, the last 14 km / 8 miles of our route follow the coastal road of Faliraki and Kallithea.

Faliraki is open only during the summer season and is designed solely to offer visitors an unforgettable vacation. Its beaches are mostly sandy, with crystal-clear waters as smooth as glass.
Kallithea Springs

Passing by

We head back to Rhodes Town, passing through Kallithea, a stunning natural landscape where the movie Escape to Athena, starring Telly Savalas and Roger Moore, was filmed. Additionally, some scenes from The Guns of Navarone were shot here as well.

Upon returning to Rhodes Old Town, you can enjoy independent exploration or head back to the ship (or your hotel). The Medieval City is just a 5 minute flat walk from the cruise port.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Michael Angelo Hotel
Costa Park City Hotel
Evdokia Hotel
Kokkini Porta Rossa
Zacosta Villa - a Heritage Hotel
Spartalis Hotel
Amphitryon City Hotel
Avalon Boutique Suites Hotel
Nikos Takis Boutique Fashion hotel
Camelot Traditional & Classic Hotel
The Wine Hotel
Residence Family & Fun

and 21 more pickup points

At the arrivals lounge of the Airport or Port the driver will be holding a sign with your name provided at the booking form. If the collection point is a hotel, the driver will meet you in the lobby or at the reception or outside the reception of the hotel. If collection point is a private home or apartment, you will have to wait at the point specified at the time indicated in the booking confirmation.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Specialized infant seats are available
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Optional lunch is available

Options

Car up to 4 people

UP TO 4 PEOPLE

Pickup included
Minivan up to 8 +LUNCH TIME

+TIME FOR LUNCH: Add an extra 2 hours to relax and enjoy a fabulous lunch in a fantastic Greek tavern, away from the crowds & near the sea.

Duration: 7 hours

UP TO 8 PEOPLE: Mercedes Vito Tourer 9-seater

Pickup included
Car up to 4 people +LUNCH TIME

+TIME FOR LUNCH: Add an extra 2 hours to relax and enjoy a fabulous lunch in a fantastic Greek tavern, away from the crowds & near the sea.

Duration: 7 hours

Car up to 4 people

Pickup included
Minivan up to 8 people

UP TO 8 PEOPLE: Mercedes Vito Tourer 9-seater

Pickup included