Best Rhodes Beaches and Day Trips from the Cruise Port
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Rhodes is one of those islands that stays with you.
I’ve been here both on a longer trip and on a cruise stop, and it’s clear there’s much more to see beyond the Old Town.
If your ship docks in Rhodes, the medieval Old Town is right next to the port and easy to explore on foot.
But if you want to get out of town, there are plenty of beaches and day trips you can do even with limited time.
This guide focuses on the best Rhodes beaches and day trips from the cruise port — including what’s realistic if you only have one day.
👉 If you’re coming on a cruise, start with my Rhodes Cruise Port Guide, where I cover the port, how to get around, and the best things to do in Rhodes Town.
What’s Most Cruise-Friendly?
If you’re short on time, these are the easiest options:
- Very close (walk/taxi): Elli Beach, Kallithea Springs
- Easy half-day trips (20–40 min): Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, Faliraki, Tsambika
- Full-day options: Lindos
Further places like Prasonisi, Monolithos, Kritinia, and Symi are better for longer stays.
👉 Most of these places are best reached by car. For a clear route, check my Rhodes 3-day itinerary — Day 1 works perfectly as a cruise-friendly plan with step-by-step stops.
Best Rhodes Beaches Near the Cruise Port
Elli Beach
Elli Beach is the main beach in Rhodes Town, about a 15-minute walk from the port.
It’s wide and well-organized, with beach bars, sunbeds, showers, and everything nearby.
During my stay, this was our go-to spot.
We usually rented sunbeds at Elli Beach Club, but there are cheaper options along the beach.
💡 Cruise note: The easiest beach option if you don’t want to leave town.
Faliraki Beach
Faliraki is about 20 minutes’s drive from Rhodes Town and one of the largest beach areas on the island.
It has long stretches of sand, plenty of beach bars, and lots of space, even in summer.
Nearby, you’ll also find smaller beaches and the island’s biggest water park.
I only passed through, but it’s a good option if you want a lively beach with everything in one place.
💡 Cruise note: Easy to reach by taxi or bus, good for a half-day trip.
👉 Book the Faliraki Waterpark admission ticket
Anthony Quinn Bay
About 30 minutes from Rhodes Town, Anthony Quinn Bay is one of the most scenic spots on the island.
It’s a small, rocky cove with clear emerald water, ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
It gets crowded in summer, so go early or later in the day.
When I visited, I walked up the surrounding rocks — the views from above were incredible.
💡 Cruise note: Doable on a cruise stop, but plan your timing.
👉 Explore guided tours that include Antony Quinn Bay
Ladiko Bay
Just a short walk from Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko is smaller but more relaxed — and I actually preferred it.
It has clear water, a mix of sand and pebbles, and good facilities.
You can easily visit both beaches in one stop.
💡 Cruise note: Combine with Anthony Quinn Bay.
Tsambika Beach
About 40 minutes from Rhodes Town, Tsambika is one of the best beaches on the island.
It’s wide, sandy, and less crowded than Faliraki, with shallow, clear water and plenty of facilities.
Above the beach sits Tsambika Monastery, reached by climbing 298 steps.
The views from the top were one of my highlights.
💡 Cruise note: Possible on a cruise, but allow enough time for travel.
Prasonisi Beach
Prasonisi sits at the southern tip of Rhodes, about 1.5 hours away.
A sandy strip creates two beaches — one windy and popular for watersports, the other calmer for swimming.
It’s a unique place, but too far for most cruise visits.
💡 Cruise note: Not realistic for a short port stop.
👉 Rhodes Beach Excursions
If you’d like to visit Rhodes beaches on a tour instead of arranging transport yourself, check options on Viator or GetYourGuide — my favorite platforms for booking reliable excursions.
Best Rhodes Day Trips from the Cruise Port
Lindos
Lindos is about an hour from Rhodes Town and one of the island’s top sights.
The white village sits below the Acropolis, with narrow streets, shops, and great views over St. Paul’s Bay.
The walk up takes about 10 minutes.
I’d recommend going by car or by tour to save time.
💡 Cruise note: Doable in a full day, but it will take most of your time.
👉 See the top-rated Lindos tours and activities
Kallithea Springs
Just 15 minutes from Rhodes Town, Kallithea Springs is one of the easiest trips.
This restored spa complex has beautiful architecture, shaded courtyards, and small coves for swimming.
It’s a relaxed stop and easy to combine with a beach visit.
💡 Cruise note: Perfect half-day trip.
👉 Check out Kalithea Springs tours and cruises
Butterfly Valley
About 40 minutes away, Butterfly Valley is a shaded nature reserve with walking paths, bridges, and small waterfalls.
In summer, butterflies gather here, but outside peak season, there may not be many.
I enjoyed the walk, but it’s not a must if you’re short on time.
💡 Cruise note: Doable, but best in July–August.
👉 Explore Butterfly Valley tours and activities
Seven Springs
Seven Springs is a green area about 40–45 minutes from Rhodes Town.
It’s known for its shaded paths and a narrow water tunnel you can walk through.
Even without it, it’s a nice quiet stop.
I didn’t visit myself, but it’s often recommended.
👉 Browse Seven Springs tour options
Kamiros
Kamiros is an ancient city on the west coast, about 50 minutes away.
The ruins spread across a hillside with views of the sea.
Plan about an hour for the visit.
💡 Cruise note: Possible, but better for longer stays.
Kritinia Castle
About an hour from Rhodes Town, Kritinia Castle overlooks the west coast.
It’s a short walk up, and the views over nearby islands are the highlight.
I stopped here after Kamiros — they pair well together.
💡 Cruise note: Best with a rental car and a full-day plan.
Monolithos Castle
Further south, Monolithos Castle sits on a high rock above the sea.
It’s about 1.5 hours from Rhodes Town.
The walk up is short, and the views are some of the best on the island.
💡 Cruise note: Too far for most cruise stops.
Symi Island
A boat trip to Symi takes about 1 hour 20 minutes from Rhodes.
The island is known for its colorful houses and small bays.
Most tours also stop at Panormitis Monastery, a famous 18th-century pilgrimage site dedicated to Archangel Michael.
Is It Worth Leaving Rhodes Town on a Cruise?
Rhodes has a great mix of beaches, history, and easy day trips.
If you’re visiting on a cruise, you don’t need to stay in the Old Town all day.
With a bit of planning, you can still see some of the island’s best spots.
For more ideas, check out:
- Rhodes 3 Day Itinerary by Car (Day 1 Cruise-Friendly Option)
- Rhodes Cruise Port Guide
- 7 Great Rhodes Restaurants That I Highly Recommend
For official updates and more ideas, visit the Rhodes tourism board.
Planning more cruises? You can browse all my regional cruise port guides here: Mediterranean • Caribbean • Northern Europe • USA & Canada • Australia & New Zealand • Middle East
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