What to See at the Acropolis of Lindos
The Temple of Athena, the Hellenistic stoa, the Knights' castle, the rock-cut ship and the church — a walk through three thousand years.
The Acropolis of Lindos packs three thousand years onto one cliff — a Greek sanctuary inside a medieval castle, above one of the loveliest villages in the Aegean. Here's what to seek out as you climb from the gate to the temple.
Through the Knights' castle
You enter through the medieval fortifications of the Knights of St John, who fortified the acropolis when they ruled Rhodes — walls, gates and the commander's residence wrapped around the ancient sanctuary. It's a striking way in: a crusader castle guarding a Greek temple.
Lindos was one of the three great cities of ancient Rhodes, and its acropolis has been sacred for some three thousand years.
The stoa, the staircase and the temple
Inside, the long Hellenistic stoa and a monumental staircase climb through the sanctuary toward the summit, several columns re-erected. At the very top stands the Doric Temple of Athena Lindia, dating in its present form to the 4th century BC — small, but unforgettable with the Aegean falling away on three sides.
The trireme relief and the church
At the foot of the great stairway, set into the living rock, is the famous relief of a Rhodian trireme — the stern of a warship carved around 180 BC, which once carried a statue of a naval commander. Among the ruins stands the small Byzantine church of St John, marking centuries of Christian worship on the rock.
The view over the bays
Save time for the view from the walls: the white, car-free village directly below, the curve of the main harbour, and the near-enclosed horseshoe of St Paul's Bay round the headland. It's one of the great panoramas of the Aegean and the reason many rank Lindos the highlight of Rhodes.
Frequently asked
How long does it take to see the acropolis?
Allow about 1 to 1.5 hours at the top, plus the climb up and down and time in the village.
What's the single must-see?
The Temple of Athena Lindia on the summit — though the view down to St Paul's Bay and the trireme relief run it close.
Where is the carved ship?
At the foot of the main stairway, cut into the rock — easy to walk past, so look for it on the way up.
Why is there a castle?
The medieval Knights of St John fortified the ancient acropolis, so you pass through their castle to reach the Greek temple.