The Greek island quieter than Crete and Santorini – and much cheaper as well
THE streets of Lindos Old Town snake in a pebble-dashed maze, lined by sparkling white buildings full of smart shops, swish restaurants and hidden roof-top bars.
Set on Rhodes’ east coast it’s full of historical charm and just so happens to be one of the hottest parts of Greece, with guaranteed blue skies and 13 hours of sunshine per day in the summer.
Tourism in Lindos has built up steadily since the 1980s, thanks in part to Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour who recorded some of the band’s music there after buying a house on the island.
Spring is one of the best times to visit, before the summer crowds and sizzling temperatures.
Plus, it’s quieter and cheaper than other islands like Crete and Santorini but still offers all you would want from a Greek island with world-class dining, history and relaxing beaches.
By night, it takes on a magical feel. Sample cocktails at Cozze, a cute rooftop bar, and splash out on fine dining at the Mystilli Roof Garden.
The village’s steep streets lead up to its crowning glory — the towering cliff-top Acropolis. Best tackled early, before the day heats up, it is a fairly steep climb but the rewards are obvious.
My guided tour offered an insight into the rich and ancient history of the area — and the importance of its location, sitting closer to mainland Turkey than Greece.
Inside the stone walls of the ancient settlement — built in 300BC — you can see remains of the Roman temple of Athena from 300AD.
There is also the ruins of a 14th-century Greek Orthodox Church and the carving of a Rhodian warship from 180BC as you start your climb.
From the summit of the Acropolis — built on the highest point of the island — I was able to see Lindos’ natural harbour which made the town a successful naval facility throughout the centuries.
And just the other side of this buzzing harbour was my home for the week, the luxurious Lindos Village Resort and Spa.
The family-run hotel is one of the oldest on the island, having opened in 1985, but it relaunched last year as an adults-only all-inclusive after a top-to-toe refurb.
The sprawling resort’s whitewashed classic Grecian buildings tumble down from a cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea.
And it has a huge beach surrounded by rustic hillside, offering stunning views as you relax in the crystal-clear waters.
The grand reception area set the tone for my holiday and exudes minimalist luxury, with marble and sleek furniture, while my room was modern and styled in blue and white — the colours of the Greek flag — with a balcony overlooking the sea.
Although the exterior of the the 190-room complex is classically Greek in its style, it dishes up some seriously contemporary cuisine in its six restaurants.
Guests can feast on local produce at high-end Gia Ouzaki while enjoying sweeping views of Vlycha Bay.
I dined there on my first evening and was wowed by local dishes such as octopus served with mashed chickpeas, and tiropitakia — a light pastry stuffed with feta cheese and drizzled in honey.
“It is difficult to argue with the belly, as it has no ears”, is a Greek proverb that seemed apt for my short stay.
Squid-ink risotto
By the pool, the casual Ydor served up sandwiches, salads and tortillas while there were barbecue options at Burger & Hot D.
By night, you could also choose from Asian cuisine at Ginger Root or help yourself at the Mediterranean-inspired Ambrosia all-day buffet restaurant.
The all-inclusive element is taken up a notch with sweet treats at the Creperie and Gelateria, plus traditional Greek coffee and cakes at Glyka Mou and unlimited juices, soft drinks, cocktails, wine and beer, with the resort’s three bars serving only premium alcohol brands.
If you do decide to venture out for something special, the island’s famous Mavrikos is a must. Established in 1933, it serves spectacular local food, from a squid-ink risotto, which was deeply rich, to traditional meatballs drizzled with yoghurt, which tasted mindblowing.
Aside from indulging in the amazing food scene, you won’t even need to leave the resort for your night-time entertainment if you don’t want to.
The hotel’s Eros Cocktail Lounge undergoes a nightly transformation with live performances, from jazz and acoustic jam sessions to soprano renditions.
And for some proper indulgence, the hotel’s spa has an indoor pool and Jacuzzi, a sauna and offers all manner of treatments from massages to facials.
On my second day I was treated to a soothing full-body massage after my breakfast in the hotel’s spa area.
My blissful visit ended with a boat trip to the surrounding bays — no better way to say goodbye to Rhodes.
From there we could soak up spectacular views of the landscape and I was able to jump off the boat and enjoy the clear waters of the Greek sea with the shoreline in the distance. It was an unforgettable experience.
GO: Rhodes
GETTING THERE: Ryanair flies direct from London to Rhodes from about £160 in the summer. See ryanair.com.
STAYING THERE: One night’s ultra all-inclusive at Lindos Village Resort and Spa costs from £343 (€398), based on two people sharing a deluxe double room with a garden view.
See lindos-village.gr.