EAST COAST

Most visitors of the island's east coast flow to Lindos (47 km from the city of Rhodes), built on the ruins of the ancient Doric town of the same name. In medieval times Lindos was the second most important centre of the island, after the city of Rhodes itself. The ancient Acropolis was then built into a castle. It is said that St. Paul the Apostle landed here when he came to the island of Rhodes; accordingly, the tiny harbour on the other side of the village has been named "Agios Pavlos". Under the steep cliff of the Acropolis lies the present townlet, charming with its whitewashed houses and pebbled courtyards. Houses retain traditional interiors, heavy ironwork on balconies and brown windows. Some 15th century houses have been officially declared traditional buildings to be preserved. One should also visit the church of the Virgin Mary (Panagia) of Lindos and the chapel of Agios Pavlos. A series of steps leads to the Acropolis. Inside the main gate we discern the ruins of the Knights' Lodge and the byzantine church of St. John. Outside the Doric Stoa the prow of a Lindian Hellenistic trireme has been carved in a rock (4.5m x 5m). We cross the Doric Stoa (5th century BC) with its 42 columns (20 have been restored) and climb the majestic staircase to a higher terrace with Propylaean ruins (5th century BC). From this point we reach the Sanctuary of Lindian Athena, with its elegant bi-prostyle temple on the edge of the cliff (4th century). Ruins of an ancient theatre have been found on the slope of the Acropolis. There are other beauties on this part of the island besides antiquities. Koskinou (10 km) is an inland village with charming traditional houses. Kalithea (10.5 km.) is built around a colourful pine-covered bay with old spas; Faliraki (14 km) is a cosmopolitan resort with an exquisite beach, Ladiko boasts a beautiful coast, Afandou (21 km) is an old Rhodian village with an interesting church and a golf course. To the right of the Kolimbia coast d road leads to the enchanting Seven Springs (Epta Piges), a cool oasis with pine and plane-trees and crystal clear waters. Tsambika is a beautiful sandy coast but also a mountain, with a Virgin Mary monastery on its top. Arhangelos (29 km) is noteworthy for its beautiful traditional houses, ceramics and carpet workshops. Haraki, a charming fishing village, lies on the beginning of the marvellous coast which leads to the Vliha Bay, and includes the medieval castle of Faraklos. To the south of Lindos we meet traditional villages and charming coasts here and there, until the road abandons the coastline and turns left towards Katavia (80 km), a major village of southern Rhodes. But the journey is not over yet. It's worthwhile to follow the unpaved earth road leading to the Prassonissi peninsula, full of sand dunes and accessible only in the summer, as the sea transforms it into a true island in winter.