Around The Hotel – Olivegarden

Beaches

Lothiarika beach

Lothiarika Beach with sand and pebbles and crystal clean sea water runs about 1 km long. It is located on the south east side of the island 56 km away from the capital of Rhodes and about 4 km away from the small village of Lardos, bordering with the village of Pefkos. There are narrow roads that lead to the beach from the main street that connects Lardos to Lindos. The beach offers sunbathing and water sports facilities such as jet skiing, banana ride, rings, windsurfing, water-skiing and glass bottom boat rides.

Lee Beach

Lee (Main) Beach is by far the busiest and most popular beach in Pefkos. It has soft golden sand, backed by pine trees and plenty of sun beds with parasols for hire. You can hire boats, Jet Ski and pedaloes from Pefkos Waterfun at the Western end of Lee Beach. For lunch and drinks consider Flyers bar (the one with the plane on the roof). Lee Beach Bar is really popular at lunch time and the food is highly recommended. As you move East down the beach you’ll find the steps to Philosophia, which is again popular and has stunning views from it’s cliff top position. To many, this beach is simply ‘Pefkos Beach’.

Lindos main beach – Megali Paralia

Megali Paralia is the main beach in Lindos enticing the majority of visitors in Lindos. The beach can be easily reached from the main square. There is a long stretch of golden sand, fringed by many taverns all serving chilled drinks and local cuisine. Plenty of sun beds and umbrellas are available for hire. You can also hire small motor boats and pedaloes when you want to leave the shore.

Pallas Beach

For more tranquility and a less crowded beach head for the Lindos Pallas beach, just perfect for families with children where the sea is shallow and very clean. Situated in the same bay as the main beach, the smaller Pallas Beach is popular with Lindos regulars and locals. Colourful umbrellas and sun beds are available to rent. For the adventurous type water sports are available, or for the quieter option there are lots of café bars for a relaxing drink and plenty of taverns offering fresh fish or traditional Greek meze. Check out the water sports and glass bottom boat from the jetty too.

St Paul’s Bay

St Pauls Bay is a picturesque bay just south of Lindos. It is claimed that St Paul landed here in the year 51 AD to preach Christianity to the Rhodians. The small church built on the hillside is a very popular wedding location, with beautiful views of the bay and Lindos Acropolis.

An aerial view shows St Paul’s Bay as shaped like a heart and with many people falling in love (and marrying) here, it’s easy to see why. There are two beaches in the bay. The large beach in the southern end is a manmade beach with golden sand. The smaller beach at the northern end of the bay is a mix of sand and gravel. Facilities at both beaches include sun loungers and sun shades. Both the beaches have their own taverna serving fantastic fresh food (and plenty of ouzo!). Parking is possible close to the beaches. The beaches in St Paul’s Bay are relatively uncrowded and very relaxed. With rocky coves, the bay is a great place for snorkeling. You can also dive in the deep end of the bay. There are also cafe, bars and restaurants aplenty at the fascinating Lindos village, with it’s winding paths and cobbled streets.

Vlicha Beach

Vlicha (or Vlycha) beach is situated approximately 3km north of Lindos and is a very long stretch of beach with a mix of sand and shingle. There are plenty of sun beds, a few taverns and water sports for the more energetic. The beach never seems to get too crowded and is lovely for an early evening swim too.

Navarone Bay

The Navarone Bay region is situated south of Lindos en route to Pefkos and was named after the (1961) movie ‘The Guns of Navarone’ which was filmed there. Also known as Psaltos region of Lindos, the main beach fringes the two luxury hotels, the Lindos Aquagrand Resort and the Lindos Memories. The sea in this area is one of the clearest and bluest around and a popular swim stop for day cruises.

Villages

Lardos Village

Lardos village is located 54 km from the town of Rhodes. It is a pretty village with a fountain of water in the middle of the village, with many taverns and kafeneia and local shops. It is worth taking a walk through the small paths and the olive groves that compose the beautiful environment of this village. Lardos is a place with great archaeological interest and it is worth seeing the remains of the Byzantine Castle of Lardos or the female Monastery of Virgin Mary. Lardos has all kinds of facilities where a visitor could easily find in a modern holiday destination.

Pefkos Village

Pefkos (Pefki) name is derived from the abundance of pine trees surrounding the village. Set in a beautiful bay, the locals are rightly proud of their home. Pefkos is more laid back than its neighbour Lindos. But Pefkos offers everything you can wish for, beautiful beaches, a great selection of traditional and European restaurants and bars.

Lindos Village

The lovely village of Lindos is one of the most attractive and beautiful villages of Rhodes, and is located south of the capital, on the eastern coast of the island. It is dominated by a magnificent and imposing acropolis which can be visited. The beauty of Lindos is due to its beautiful location on the slope of a hill, dominated by the acropolis, and overlooking a picturesque bay, but also to the village itself which has been built amphitheatrically and is full of whitewashed houses with pebble-paved courtyards, narrow alleys and buildings influenced by Byzantine, medieval, Arab and Rhodian architecture. Apart from the beautiful acropolis that can be reached by foot or donkey, the old theatre of Lindos, carved from a rock, and the Doric sanctuary of Athena Lindia are also worth-seeing.

Eateries

In small taverns you will find traditional island dishes. In the old cellars of the mountain villages you will sample the same Rhodian wine which used to travel to all the shores of the southeastern Mediterranean.

Within a short distance to the hotel you will find Greek Taverns offering traditional Greek cuisine, bars and restaurants that serve international/ European cuisine, as well as quaint cafes. Some of the places around worth a visit are Gallery Cafe Bar, Mare Motto (Restaurant/Pizza), Periklis (Greek Traditional Taverna), Cocktails & Dreams Bar, Popi’s Garden Restaurant & Cocktail Bar and Happy Days Bar.

The traditional way Greeks eat out is usually by eating mezedes (appetizers in greek), that goes well with ouzo, retsina or beer, and is basically a set of appetizers with no main course, and everybody shares everything which is set at the middle of the table.

The Original Greek Salad
Tzatziki Appetizer
Saganaki Cheese Appetizer
Mixed Grill Fast Food plate
Beef Patties (Biftekia)
<Greek Mousaka

Greek Pastitsio
Greek Stuffed Vegetables
Ntolmadakia (Dolmades) Appetizer
Soutzoukakia (meat balls)
Charcoal Grilled Fish
Cafe Frappe

Activities

Unforgettable moments of fun and enjoyment – Keep yourself active and alive.

Lardos Folklore Museum

Regular visitors to Pefkos will probably have bought Panagiotis Loukaras’s book ‘Lardos Village, History Traditions and Customs Municipality of Lindos Rhodes’. Now one man’s labour of love has borne fruit in the shape of the newly opened Lardos Folklore Museum. If you want to know more about the history of the local area around Pefkos, Lardos and Lindos this is certainly worth a visit.

Lardos Go Karts

Lardos go karts is popular among tourists looking for some excitement and fun. The go kart site caters to children aged 8 and above as well as adults. It is enjoyed by all whether taking part or watching with a cold drink. Do make time to have a go at the Lardos Go-karts; it will create memories to cherish.

Hellas Mini Golf

Hellas mini Golf is on the cross road of Lardos-Pefki, 400m away from Lardos village. The site has 18 standard courses of Swedish type recognized by the W.M.F. (World Minigolf Federation). The site is open every day from 10 am till late at night.