When we visited Lindos, I knew I wanted to see the Acropolis of Lindos, one of the most famous landmarks on Rhodes.

From the village below, it towers above the whitewashed rooftops, perched high on the rocky hill like something out of another world.

You can see it from almost everywhere in Lindos, and it feels impossible not to want to climb up and see it properly.

But visiting wasn’t as straightforward as I’d imagined.

Deciding Whether To Go Up

We first spotted the queue while eating lunch at T-Veg, the vegan rooftop restaurant in the heart of Lindos. From where we sat, we could see a steady stream of people making their way up the path towards the Acropolis, and honestly, it looked slow.

My husband hates queuing, and the kids, aged 10 and 13 at the time, were already saying how “boring” ancient ruins sounded.

For a moment, I thought we might skip it altogether.

After lunch, though, we started wandering through the streets of Lindos again and found ourselves following one of the paths that leads towards the Acropolis. The closer we got, the more impressive it looked.

And, to our surprise, when we reached the entrance, there was no queue at all. It was around 2.30pm by then, and the crowds had completely cleared.

It felt like a sign that we were meant to go in after all. The kids were free, and entry for adults was €20 each. So I made the decision – we were doing it.

The Walk Up

The climb to the Acropolis isn’t too long, but it’s steep in parts. You’ll want comfortable shoes, especially as some of the paths are uneven and cobbled. We took it slowly, stopping now and then to look back at the views over Lindos Bay.

As we got closer, the ruins seemed to grow larger with every step. The stone walls and fortifications are huge, and it’s incredible to think they were built so long ago.

Parts of the path are shaded by trees, while other sections are completely exposed to the sun, so I’d recommend bringing water and a hat if you visit on a hot day.

Inside The Acropolis

Once you reach the top, the first thing you notice is the view. You can see the whole of Lindos stretched out below – the maze of white Rhodian houses, the turquoise sea, and both bays (Lindos Bay and St Paul’s Bay) curving around the coast. It’s absolutely worth the climb just for that.

Inside the Acropolis itself are the remains of ancient temples, walls, and columns. Some have been restored or are supported by scaffolding, while others lie in neat piles of stone waiting for preservation work, or simply laid out like a museum artefact, for all to see.

The Temple of Athena Lindia, dating back to around 300 BC, is one of the most significant ruins here.

We noticed ancient Greek text carved into some of the stones, and fragments of old columns lying on the ground.

There’s even a large ship relief carved into the rock face near the entrance – a depiction of a Rhodian warship from around 180 BC. It’s not a real boat, but an ancient carving dedicated to naval victories.

The kids, aged 10 and 13, weren’t exactly thrilled about another walk. We’d already taken them around Rhodes Old Town earlier in the week and to Seven Springs for a forest hike, so their enthusiasm for “more walking and old ruins” was pretty low by this point!

I think they were ready for chilling at our Zen Club Villa. Even if they weren’t overly impressed by the history, they loved the views and I’m sure they had fun exploring some of it!

Walking around the site, it’s easy to feel small – both from the height above the sea and the sheer scale of the structures. It’s hard to imagine the effort it must have taken to build such a fortress on top of a rocky hill without the modern machinery we have today.

The Views From Above

From the edge of the Acropolis, the panorama is breathtaking. To one side, you can see Lindos Bay, calm and turquoise, with small boats dotted across the water.

To the other, St Paul’s Bay curves in like a crescent of gold. The contrast between the ancient stone ruins and the vivid blue sea is incredible.

It’s one of those moments where you just have to stop and take it all in.

Even the kids, who had started out groaning about “old ruins,” admitted it looked impressive from the top. They were more interested in spotting boats and trying to spot the rooftop restaurant (T-Veg) we had eaten in for lunch in Lindos than in the history, but they still enjoyed some of the exploration and the views.

Crowds And Timing

If you visit earlier in the day, expect queues. We saw how long they were at midday, barely moving, but by mid-afternoon, it was much quieter. Visiting around 2.30pm was ideal – we walked straight in, had space to explore, and didn’t feel rushed.

It’s also worth noting that it can be very hot at midday, especially in summer, as there’s little shade once you’re inside. Later in the day, the light softens and the temperature drops slightly, making the experience much more comfortable.

Restoration Work and Stone Piles at Lindos Acropolis

If you visit the Acropolis of Lindos today, you’ll see that it isn’t just a collection of untouched ancient ruins. The site is part of an ongoing conservation and restoration programme overseen by the Greek Ministry of Culture.

Some of the columns, stairs, and entrance pillars look newer, and that’s because they are. Many of these areas have been partially reconstructed or stabilised using a mix of original marble fragments and new stone. The lighter, smoother pieces show where modern work has been added to protect the original structure and give visitors a better sense of how the Acropolis once appeared.

You may also notice scaffolding or machinery around parts of the site. Restoration has been happening here for decades, often in stages, to preserve the Temple of Athena Lindia, the Propylaea (the grand entrance), and other key sections. The project to restore the marble staircase of the Propylaea, for example, is still underway.

All around the Acropolis, you’ll spot neatly arranged piles of stones, column drums, and carved fragments. These aren’t random rubble. Each piece has been catalogued and set aside by archaeologists as part of the conservation process.

Some fragments are too damaged to return to their original places, while others may be used in future restoration work once their exact positions are confirmed.

It’s a fascinating combination of ancient history and modern preservation — standing here, you can literally see the layers of time, from stones that have weathered two thousand years of history to those carefully restored to help protect this remarkable site for generations to come.

Final Thoughts

I’m so glad we decided to go in. Even though the kids weren’t thrilled about it, it’s one of those places you’d regret skipping once you’re home. The Acropolis of Lindos is such an iconic part of Rhodes’ history and landscape.

Seeing the ruins up close, the ancient carvings, and those sweeping views gives you a real sense of how important this place once was. It’s both a historical site and a natural viewpoint, combining two sides of what makes Rhodes so special – its rich past and its breathtaking beauty.

Would I go again? Probably not, now that I’ve seen it. But it’s definitely something I’d recommend doing at least once, even if just for the views from the top.

If you plan to visit, wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and maybe wait until after lunch when it’s quieter. The Acropolis of Lindos in Greece is one of those experiences that gives you a deeper appreciation of just how much history this small island holds.

To see the Lindos Acropolis by boat, check out my Hippo submarine boat review in Rhodes!

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My Husband’s Lindos & Acropolis Video on YouTube!

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More days out and things to do in Rhodes:

• Is it Worth Visiting Butterfly Valley Out of Season?
• Chalki Island & Butterfly Valley Review
• Sunset Evening Walk with Views Across Kolymbia Harbour from Theotokos Hills
• Tsambika Mountain Hike from White Rock Beach in Kolymbia, Rhodes
• 10 Reasons to Visit Rhodes in October