When people picture a road trip, a small Greek island like Rhodes rarely makes the shortlist. It’s more often associated with all-inclusive resorts, lazy beach days, and an alarming amount of souvlaki. But after road-tripping Albania and Croatia, I’ve learned one thing: if I want to understand a place properly, I need wheels.
I’m not very good at sitting still. I’d much rather tell someone what a country actually feels like than say, “the hotel was nice.” So when I realised that hiring a car for the week in Rhodes would be cheaper than staying put in one resort — and far cheaper than taxis or guided tours — the decision was easy. We booked the car and built the trip around it.
And honestly? It was the best way to see the island.
Why a Car Changes Everything
The biggest win with hiring a car is freedom. No worrying about bus routes, taxi prices, or rushed tour schedules. You go door to door, stay as long as you want, and change plans on a whim. The second, underrated benefit? Mobile storage. Wet towels, spare clothes, beach bags — chuck it all in the boot and forget about it.
In Rhodes, the roads are smooth, wide, and surprisingly stress-free. Even off the beaten track, everything felt manageable. This island is made for exploring.
Picking Up the Car & First Night
We landed late at night and were picked up as part of the car hire fee and taken to a nearby lot — essentially a car park with a few storefronts and a petrol station. Despite the late hour and dark roads, the process was quick and friendly, and we were handed the keys to a modern Toyota Yaris that would become our home for the next ten days.
Because we landed late (a tactic we use often to save holiday days and money), we stayed nearby at Sunday Hotel Rhodes. It was ideal for a first night: self check-in, street parking, a pool, and a café. The next morning, with the heat already climbing, we eased into the trip with a swim and breakfast before heading into Rhodes Old Town.
Rhodes Old Town: History, Cats & Rooftop Views
After a short coastal drive, we found street parking near the Old Town — plentiful if you’re patient — and carried our bags to Amalia Apartments. We were lucky enough to stay in the top-floor apartment with a rooftop terrace overlooking the beach, complete with bean bags and sunbeds. Genuinely one of the best places we stayed.
Amalia Apartments – Our Private Roof Terrace
Rhodes Old Town is beautiful. Almost fully enclosed by medieval walls, it blends ancient streets with modern life effortlessly. One minute you’re walking cobbled lanes lined with cats and souvenir shops, the next you’re passing Zara and McDonald’s. It’s chaotic, charming, and very walkable — just bring sturdy shoes, because the cobbles are no joke.
If you find your way to Hippocrates Square, head up to one of the rooftop bars overlooking the fountain. It’s the perfect place to rest your feet and watch the Old Town tick along below.
Food recommendation: Kimino sits right in the heart of Old Town and serves an excellent mixed Greek platter — scenic, central, and reliably good.
Nightlife recommendation: Ronda Beach Bar. This one deserves its reputation. Incredible food, then around 9pm the sparklers come out, napkins start flying, fire dancers appear, and suddenly the restaurant becomes a full-blown party with people dancing on tables. It’s not cheap — expect €80–150 for two — but it’s a proper experience. Book ahead.
Farma: The Surprise Highlight
One of the best days of the trip was a half-hour drive back toward the airport to FARMA Petting Zoo. For €17 entry (plus €3 per pot of animal food), you can roam freely feeding everything from ducklings and donkeys to goats and ostriches.
But the real reason to go? Lemurs.
Farma is one of the few places in Europe where you can enter a ring-tailed lemur enclosure in small groups, feed them, and interact up close. It’s genuinely special. Go early — they’re nocturnal and tend to nap after midday.
Tsampika Beach: The Best Beach on Rhodes
Now for the standout location of the entire trip.
We discovered Tsampika Beach by chance. While picking up the car, we chatted with a Greek family who were regular visitors to Rhodes. I asked where they’d recommend. Without hesitation: Tsampika Beach.
It happened to be right on the main road to our next stop, Lindos, so we took the turnoff. A winding but well-maintained road leads down to a wide, open bay surrounded by mountains — and the moment you arrive, you know you’ve made the right decision.
There’s loads of free parking, modern beach bars, and something rare for Rhodes: soft sand. We parked near Monamo and struck gold. Incredible food, great cocktails, local beers, €30 for two sunbeds and a parasol for the entire day, full table service, and crystal-clear, warm water.
Monamo Food – 10/10
It was so good we came back again later in the trip. That should tell you everything.
Lindos: Iconic, Busy & Pricey
Lindos is the postcard Greece everyone imagines: whitewashed walls, narrow streets, and an Acropolis towering above it all. Parking is easy enough in nearby car parks (around €10 for the day), but go early — space fills quickly, and late arrivals mean a steep uphill walk.
Head up to the Acropolis first, before the heat kicks in. The walk takes about 15 minutes but can feel longer when you’re part of a slow-moving queue. Tickets cost €20 per person, which I’ll be honest about: unless you’re really into historical sites, it’s hard to justify the price.
Next to Lindos is St Paul’s Bay, a stunning swimming spot if you can get space. It’s small, busy, and popular — early birds win here.
Accommodation honesty time: We stayed at Belmare Hotel near Lardos. Do not stay here. The all-inclusive food was cold and awful, drinks were weak, and while the rooms were fine, it wasn’t worth it. Lardos itself is a decent base for Lindos, but pick somewhere else.
Faliraki: Resort Central
Our final stop was Faliraki, Rhodes’ main resort hub. We booked Cyprotel Faliraki, a family-friendly all-inclusive with a water park, swim-up bar, and decent rooms. The water park was genuinely great, cocktails were solid, and the hotel was walkable to town.
That said, it wasn’t really our scene. Too family-focused, not enough adult-only areas. Faliraki has everything you’d expect — bars, clubs, mini golf, beach restaurants — but if you’re an adventurer, you’ll get more value elsewhere. This is a “stay put” destination, and Spain offers the same experience with a shorter flight.
Unsurprisingly, we found ourselves back at Tsampika Beach instead.
Final Thoughts & Practical Tips
We returned the Yaris at the airport (hired via AbbyCar through Discover Cars) for £158 for 10 days — absolute value. Just don’t make our mistake: many petrol stations close around 8pm. Plan ahead.
Would I recommend Rhodes as a road trip destination?
Absolutely. It’s a great resort island — but it’s a brilliant one with a car.
Top Tips
- Always check accommodation parking (and read reviews carefully)
- Go off the beaten track — the best places often aren’t planned
- Fill up with petrol early in the evening
Must-Do Stops
- FARMA
- Tsampika Beach
- Ronda Beach Bar
If this kind of trip sounds like your thing — or you want help planning your own — my socials are always open. Ask questions, steal ideas, or just say hi.
Travel smarter. Spend less — see more.
If you’re thinking about planning your own trip to Rhodes, I’ve put together a separate, no-fluff travel guide covering the practical stuff I wish I’d known beforehand — including where a car really makes a difference, how to structure a 10-day itinerary, and what kind of holiday Rhodes actually suits best. You can read the full Rhodes travel tips guide here.
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