Rhodes 3 Day Itinerary by Car (Day 1 Cruise-Friendly Option)
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If you’re planning a Rhodes 3 day itinerary, this is the route I followed during my stay on the island.
Rhodes has a great mix of history, beaches, and easy drives.
Old Town is right by the cruise port, but places like Lindos, Kallithea Springs, and Tsambika Beach are best explored by car.
I spent 12 days based in Rhodes Town and used this exact plan to see the island.
If you’re visiting on a cruise, you can easily turn Day 1 into a one-day itinerary and still see the main highlights.
3-Day Rhodes Itinerary by Car: At a Glance
This itinerary starts in Rhodes Town and focuses on exploring the island by car.
If you’re on a cruise, you can combine a short walk through the Old Town with Kallithea Springs and Lindos.
If your ship stays late, you can also add Anthony Quinn Bay.
Day 1 – Kallithea Springs, Anthony Quinn Bay / Ladiko Bay & Lindos (cruise-friendly)
Day 2 – Butterfly Valley, Archangelos & Tsambika
Day 3 – Kamiros, Kritinia Castle, Monolithos & Prasonisi
💡 Car Rental Tip:
We rented our car in Rhodes Town without booking, as we visited in September.
In July and August, prices are higher and cars sell out, so it’s better to book in advance.
👉 I recommend checking DiscoverCars to compare options and secure a vehicle.
Day 1 – Kallithea Springs, Anthony Quinn Bay & Lindos (Cruise-Friendly)
Route: Rhodes Town → Kallithea Springs → Ladiko Bay / Anthony Quinn Bay → Lindos
Driving times:
Rhodes Town → Kallithea Springs: 20 min
Kallithea → Anthony Quinn Bay: 15 min
Anthony Quinn Bay → Lindos: 40 min
Lindos → Rhodes Town: 1 hour
Kallithea Springs
Our first stop was Kallithea Springs, about 20 minutes from Rhodes Town.
It’s easy to find, with clear signs and parking right by the entrance.
The site has whitewashed buildings, shaded gardens, a small beach, and sea views, plus a few short paths to coastal viewpoints.
It’s a simple, relaxing start to the day.
Anthony Quinn Beach & Ladiko Bay
From Kallithea, it’s about 15 minutes to Anthony Quinn Beach.
It’s a small, rocky cove with very clear water, surrounded by pine trees.
The road is well marked, but parking fills up quickly in summer.
Ladiko Bay is just next door, about a five-minute walk, so you can visit both without moving the car.
We spent a couple of hours here swimming and relaxing.
Lindos
From Anthony Quinn Bay, it’s about 40 minutes to Lindos.
The views on arrival are great — it’s worth a quick photo stop above the village.
We went in the afternoon, which worked better than the heat of the morning.
The walk up to the Acropolis takes around 10 minutes and has great views over St. Paul’s Bay.
Afterward, we wandered the streets, did a bit of shopping, and stopped for something sweet before heading back.
The drive back to Rhodes Town takes about an hour.
If you are visiting on a cruise, with a full day, you can cover Old Town, Kallithea Springs, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Lindos.
If you’re short on time, do Old Town + Lindos or Anthony Quinn Bay + Lindos.
👉 Lindos is one of the most visited places on Rhodes. If you’d rather go with a guide, check Viator or GetYourGuide — both are reliable and widely used by cruisers.
Day 2 – Butterfly Valley, Archangelos & Tsambika
Route: Rhodes Town → Butterfly Valley → Archangelos → Tsambika Beach → Tsambika Monastery
Driving times:
Rhodes Town → Butterfly Valley: 40 min
Butterfly Valley → Archangelos: 35 min
Archangelos → Tsambika Beach: 10 min
Tsambika → Rhodes Town: 35 min
Butterfly Valley
On Day 2, we drove about 40 minutes to Butterfly Valley.
A 1.5 km path runs through shaded greenery with bridges and small waterfalls.
You’ll need to walk back the same way.
We spent about two hours here, but in early September, there weren’t many butterflies — they’re most visible in July and August.
Nice if you enjoy nature, but not essential if you’re short on time.
👉 If you prefer visiting with a guide, check out the top-rated Butterfly Valley tours on Viator.
Archangelos
We stopped briefly in Archangelos on the way to Tsambika.
It’s a traditional village with narrow streets and local cafés.
We grabbed a coffee and some snacks — prices here were lower than in tourist areas.
A quick, easy stop before the beach.
Tsambika Beach
About 10 minutes from Archangelos, Tsambika Beach is wide, sandy, and easy to reach, with parking right by the beach.
The water is shallow and clear, with beach bars and water sports available.
We spent a few hours here swimming and relaxing.
Tsambika Monastery
From Tsambika Beach, it’s a short drive uphill, followed by a climb of 298 steps to reach the monastery.
The chapel itself is small and simple, but the views over Tsambika Beach and the coastline are some of the best on the island.
Day 3 – Kamiros, Kritinia Castle, Monolithos & Prasonisi
Route: Rhodes Town → Kamiros → Kritinia → Monolithos → Prasonisi
Driving times:
Rhodes Town → Kamiros: 50 min
Kamiros → Kritinia: 30 min
Kritinia → Monolithos: 40 min
Monolithos → Prasonisi: 40 min
Return: 1.5 hours
Kamiros
On Day 3, we visited Kamiros, about 50 minutes from Rhodes Town.
The ruins are spread across a hillside, with remains of houses and public buildings, plus sea views.
Plan about an hour for the visit.
Kritinia Castle
Next was Kritinia Castle, a short drive south.
It’s a quick walk up from the parking area, with no entrance fee and great views over the coast and nearby islands.
We stayed about 20 minutes.
Monolithos Castle
From Kritinia, we drove inland through the mountains to Monolithos.
The castle sits on a steep rock above the coast and, although mostly in ruins, the views are what make it worth the stop.
It’s a short 5–10 minute walk from the parking area up uneven steps.
At the top, there’s a small chapel and wide views over the coastline.
We spent about 30 minutes here before continuing south.
Prasonisi
Our final stop was Prasonisi, at the southern tip of Rhodes.
A narrow sandy strip connects the peninsula to the island, creating two very different beaches — a windy side popular for windsurfing and kitesurfing, and a calmer side for swimming.
It’s a unique landscape and a great place to end the day.
Final Thoughts on My Rhodes 3 Day Itinerary
Rhodes is ideal for a short road trip.
In three days, you can see ancient sites, castles, beaches, and the island’s southern tip.
If you’re visiting on a cruise, you can turn this into a one-day plan by combining Rhodes Old Town with Lindos and either Kallithea Springs or Anthony Quinn Bay, depending on your time.
For more details, check out my other guides:
- Rhodes Cruise Port Guide – port info plus the best highlights near your ship.
- Best Beaches & Day Trips from Rhodes Town – ideas if you want to explore beyond the city.
- 7 Great Rhodes Restaurants I Recommend – my favorite spots for local food and drinks.
Planning more cruises? You can browse all my regional cruise port guides here: Mediterranean • Caribbean • Northern Europe • USA & Canada • Australia & New Zealand • Middle East
