Overview
An eight day Rhodes cycling holiday, staying in mostly small, locally-owned hotels, and exploring the largest island in the Dodecanese archipelago, at your own pace. Take in ancient sites such as the Acropolis of Lindos or ruined city of Kamiros, as well as remote villages and coastal trails. This is an easy-to-moderate cycling holiday, and e-bikes are also available, so it’s perfect for mellowing out on the roads, on Rhodes. This tour also includes two nights in the Old Town of Rhodes, giving you the additional option of taking your bike out to the nearby island of Symi.
- Rhodes Old Town and Crusader fortress
- Kamiros
- Hidden coves and beaches
- White-washed houses of Lindos
- Petaloudes (Valley of the butterflies’)
- Optional trip to Symi Island
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Kalavarda
You are transferred from Rhodes airport to to Kalavarda, a coastal village near the ruins of ancient Kameiros. If you arrive in good time, take an afternoon cycle trip around the area or just chill out at the beach.
- Accommodation: Hotel Vouras (Kalavarda) or similar
Day 2: Day ride from Kalavarda | 37km
Your first day of cycling is along coastal roads to the ancient site of Kameiros, where we recommend stopping for a visit, before continuing on to Mandriko. There’s a lovely traditional cafe, or kafenion, in Mandriko which is perfect for a break, with a beautiful church opposite. After continuing up a gentle hill, you then descend to the small fishing port of Skala Kamiros. Small ferries leave from here to the island Chalki. From Skala, you make a loop to the medieval fortress of Kritinia, with great sea views out to Chalki and other uninhabited islands. Cycle back to Skala and, from there, follow the same route back to Kalavarda. Dinner is included at your hotel tonight.
- Cycling for the day: 37km, ↑440m ↓440m
- Accommodation: Hotel Vouras (Kalavarda) or similar
Day 3: Petaloudes (Valley of the butterflies) to Rhodes Town | 43km
Start cycling northwards parallel to the coast to the village of Fanes, where colourful houses are a delightful addition to the view. You then head inland to Petaloudes (Valley of the butterflies), a luscious gorge famous for its many butterfly species between June and September. Cycle through a wooded area to Maritsa, continuing on to Pastida, the latter boasting some excellent tavernas. Your final stop is the Old Town of Rhodes, cycling through the city gate into this medieval town to your hotel.
- Cycling for the day: 43km, ↑385m ↓385m
- Accommodation: Hotel Saint Michel (Rhodes Town) or similar
Day 4: Free day in Rhodes Town or optional boat trip and cycling on Symi Island | 23km
Today you can choose to take a 6km walking tour through Rhodes Town or a short but challenging 19km bike ride (graded moderate to strenuous) on Symi Island*, a quick ferry ride from the town. This optional cycle ride includes a cycle to Panormitis Monastery before taking on a 500m climb to the island’s highest point.
*Note that the ferry to Symi is not included in the price (approx. 40EUR return ticket). More details on the optional trip are included in the pre-departure info materials.
- Cycling for the day (optional): 23km, ↑520m ↓520m
- Accommodation: Hotel Saint Michel (Rhodes Town) or similar
Day 5: East coast cycle to Archangellos | 39km
Today’s trip takes you along the east coast, with highlights including the ancient Turkish baths in Kalithea, followed by some quiet beaches in Afandou. You can’t miss Tsambika Monastery, built on the summit of a 300m high cliff. Your day comes to a close in Archangellos, a lively traditional Greek village, with the church of the Archangel Michael at its heart.
- Cycling for the day: 39km, ↑375m ↓200m
- Accommodation: Hotel Rosmari (Archangellos) or similar
Day 6: Cycle to Lindos | 52km
Today you have two choices: cycle to Stegna beach (3km) for a day by the sea, or visit the ancient site of Lindos, which you can cycle to or take a bus. Lindos is a beautiful little village of white cubist houses at the foot of a vertical rock crowned by the ancient Acropolis of Lindos which is a must-see. There are two small ports on either side of the village.
- Cycling for the day (optional): 52km, ↑470m ↓470m
- Accommodation: Hotel Rosmari (Archangellos) or similar
Day 7: West coast cycle and Kalavarda | 40km
A great day of cycling with plenty of time to take in the sights along the way. Such as Eta Piges, a beautiful place in the forest with seven springs and a taverna where peacocks roam, Or Agios Nektarios monastery, and the Italian village of Eleousa. Follow mountain roads to Rhodes’ oldest Byzantine chapel at Fountoukli and, from here, begin your descent to the island’s west coast, passing Silas cave church en route to Soroni. Pedal along the coast to Kalavarda for your final overnight at the same hotel where you spent the first two nights.
- Cycling for the day (optional): 40km, ↑500m ↓600m
- Accommodation: Hotel Vouras (Kalavarda) or similar
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to the airport (included) and departure. If you are lucky to have a late departure, you can still use your rental bike for a trip around Kalavarda.
What to expect
Accommodation
The hotels in Kalavarda and Archangellos are small, simple Greek family hotels, all with air conditioning. In Rhodes town, your hotel is more luxurious and located within the Old Town walls. Our accommodation has been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Saint Michel (Rhodes Town)
- Hotel Rosmari (Archangellos)
- Hotel Vouras (Kalavarda)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
This holiday is on a bed and breakfast basis. You can buy lunch ingredients for picnics at local mini markets in all villages, or stop at a local taverna for lunch. In most hotels you can also order a packed lunch, paid for locally. There is no shortage of tavernas for dinner, and some of your accommodations will also serve dinner.
Difficulty and terrain
While not too demanding, this tour is suitable for regular cyclists comfortable in hilly terrain. Although there is some flat coastal cycling this is often combined with a rolling terrain which adds up to considerable ascent/descent over moderate daily distances allowing you plenty of time to complete the rides. Some of the hardest stretches are optional, though. Most tracks are on tarmac, sometimes short distances on unpaved roads. In and around Rhodes town you will have short sections on major traffic roads (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. We are also using a specialised app for walking and cycling holidays. We recommend all guests to download the app and create an account on which we can upload all the information needed for the trip routes.
When to go
You can start this cycling tour on any day between April and October, except Mondays.
From June to mid-September the weather is hot and sunny, sometimes with periods of intense heat especially from mid-July to mid-August. We would recommend trying to avoid this time of year. If you do, we highly recommend that you begin your cycle very early in the morning, to avoid the midday heat.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
Our recommended airport for this tour is Rhodes (RHO).
- Rhodes Airport (Diagoras) is closest to Kalavarda, and many airlines fly here, including Aegean Airlines, BA, EasyJet, Ryanair and KLM.
- Airport transfers are included in the trip costs, and you will be collected from the airport and transferred to your Kalavarda accommodation. At the end of the holiday, a return transfer from Kalavarda to the airport is also included.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights accommodation (private en-suite)
- 7 breakfasts
- Dinner on day two
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- Luggage transfers when changing hotels
- All the needed navigation materials in digital format
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches (except day two), dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Bike and e-bike rentals
- Extra nights are available upon request
Rental bikes
Option 1: Hybrid (Trekking) Bikes: 24-speed, lock, pump, puncture repair kit including spare inner tube, rear luggage rack with panniers, bottle holder (no bottle), computer.
- Bike model: TREK T-200 or Gazelle Medeo
- Bike type: Hybrid trekking bike with alu frame and 28″ wheels and V-brakes
- Gears: Adult bikes: 24 gears
- Suspension: No (some bikes YES)
- Frame sizes: (Women): 45-50-55cm (Men): 50-55-65cm
Option 2: E-bikes: 24-speed, lock, pump, puncture repair kit including spare inner tube, rear luggage rack with panniers, bottle holder (no bottle), computer.
- Bike model: TREK T-200 E-bike
- Bike type: E-bike with alum frame and 28″ wheels and V-brakes
- Gears: Adults bikes: 24 gears
- Suspension: No (some bikes YES)
- Frame sizes: (Women): 45-50-55cm (Men): 50-55-65cm
Gallery
