Acropolis of Lindos visitor guide — everything you need to know before visiting

At a glance

Address

Acropolis of Lindos, Lindos, 851 07, Rhodes, Greece

Hours

Open daily; summer (approx. Apr–Oct) ~08:00–20:00, winter shorter (~08:00–15:00); last entry −30 min. Confirm seasonally.

Sanctuary

Athena Lindia; the Doric temple dates to the 4th century BC

Medieval castle

Fortified by the Knights of St John (Hospitaller)

Elevation

About 116 metres on a cliff above the Aegean

Access

Steep stepped climb from the car-free village; not wheelchair accessible

Ticket validity

Dated — reserved for the single day you choose

A sacred rock for three thousand years

Lindos was one of the three great cities of ancient Rhodes, and its acropolis has been a place of worship since at least the Bronze Age. The cult of Athena Lindia drew pilgrims from across the Greek world; the temple you see on the summit dates to the 4th century BC, rebuilt after an earlier shrine burned. Its dramatic clifftop setting, approached by ceremonial staircases, made it one of the most striking sanctuaries in Greece.

The Temple of Athena Lindia and the stoa

At the highest point stands the Doric Temple of Athena Lindia, small but perfectly placed, with the sea on three sides. Below it spread the great Hellenistic stoa — a long colonnade — and a monumental staircase that climbs through the sanctuary to the temple. Several columns have been re-erected, giving a vivid sense of the processional approach the ancient pilgrims took.

The castle of the Knights of St John

In the medieval period the Knights of St John, who ruled Rhodes, fortified the acropolis, wrapping the ancient sanctuary in defensive walls and building the residence of the local commander. To reach the Greek temple today you pass through this crusader castle — a layering of classical and medieval that makes Lindos unlike any other Greek acropolis.

The trireme relief and the church of St John

At the foot of the great stairway, look for the relief of a Rhodian trireme — the stern of a warship — carved directly into the living rock around 180 BC, which once carried a statue of a naval commander. Higher up, among the ruins, stands the small Byzantine church of St John, a reminder of the centuries of Christian worship on the rock.

The village, the harbour and St Paul's Bay

Part of the magic of Lindos is the view down from the walls: the maze of the white, car-free village with its captains' houses; the curve of the main harbour; and, round the headland, the near-enclosed horseshoe of St Paul's Bay, where tradition says the apostle landed. The acropolis and the village together make one of the most photographed scenes in the Aegean.

Getting there and the climb

Lindos is about 47 km (roughly 50 minutes) from Rhodes Town by car or the frequent KTEL bus. Cars are left in car parks outside the car-free village. From the village it is a steep 10–20 minute walk up stepped lanes and a stairway to the acropolis gate, with little shade — sturdy shoes, a hat and water are essential, especially in summer. The site is not suitable for wheelchairs or those who cannot manage steps.

Read the full guide: How to Get to Lindos from Rhodes Town →

Opening hours and the dated ticket

The Acropolis of Lindos is open daily, year-round, with longer hours in summer (roughly 08:00–20:00) and shorter ones in winter, and last entry about 30 minutes before closing. Online tickets are dated — you choose your day and we reserve your entry for it — so you can wait for the calmest, coolest conditions and the best light over the sea.

Frequently asked questions