Arrival at Rhodes, transfer to Paradisi

At Rhodes airport our driver will already be waiting for you and take you to the first hotel of your cycling vacation in Paradisi, located in quiet green grounds with a nice pool.

Overnight stay in Paradisi

Round trip Ialyssos (30/40 km)

You begin your cycling vacation with a light ride. You cycle Along the beach of Kremasti (great coffee break spot) to Ialyssos. In the outskirts of this town are beautiful old mansions. A wooded road brings in Pastida; a nice place for lunch. After Pastida, cycle through a rural setting to Damatria with its many Oleanders along the side of the road, back to the hotel in Paradisi.

For those who want a little more, add the ascent of Fileros (10 km extra). At the top of this over 200-meter-high hill was the city-state of Ialyssos in ancient times. In the Middle Ages, a monastery was built on the foundations. All of this is lush greenery where semi-wild peacocks attract attention.

Overnight stay in Paradisi

Paradisi to Rhodes Town (34 km)

The first goal during this stage is the butterfly valley of Petaloudes. In the stream valley here, from late June to mid-September, there are thousands of butterflies of the species Spanish Flag. You can walk through the valley to the Kalopetra Monastery. There is a café-restaurant at the butterfly valley.
A quiet forest road then brings you to Maritsa and Pastida, both with plenty of restaurants and stores.

Then you will cycle through the back door into Rhodes Town. On Monte-Smith Hill there are excavations some 2,000 years old and spectacular views of the coast and city. Hotel Saint Michel lies within the walls of the centuries-old city center that became great during the time of the Crusades. It is housed in buildings more than 500 years old.

Overnight stay in Rhodes Town

A day in town or an excursion to Symi (by bike if desired, 20 km).

There is very much to see in the old town of Rhodes, with its narrow alleys and cozy squares where large ficus trees provide shade. Worth seeing are the Knight's Castle (the Crusader stronghold) and the Knight's Street (where the Crusaders stayed). There is a wonderful archaeological museum. In the Jewish Quarter, the impressive synagogue can be visited. The numerous mosques from the time of Turkish rule have been beautifully restored but can only be viewed from the outside. A city walking tour is included in the travel documents.

Another option for today is a boat excursion to Symi. The boat leaves at 9 a.m. and sails first to the large, baroque Panormitis Monastery in the south of the island. After more than an hour, the boat continues its journey to the photogenic town of Symi in the north. In the late afternoon, the boat then sails back to Rhodes. Those who want to can take their bicycles, get off in Panormitis and cycle to Symi Town in just under 20 km via a 500-meter-high hill. There you will then take the boat back.

Overnight stay in Rhodes Town

Rhodes to Kolymbia (30 km)

You will cycle the first 10 kilometers today on a fairly busy road; unfortunately, there are no quiet exit roads on this side of Rhodes Town. However, you can leave this busy stretch briefly to visit the bathing pavilions of Kalithea. These were constructed by the Italians over 100 years ago in a fairytale style. A wooded winding road takes you back to the main road that you follow until you reach the center of the large seaside resort of Faliraki.
After that, there are only narrow and quiet roads and at the large beach of Afandou there is even a bicycle path. End point is the seaside resort of Kolymbia. Hotel Delfinia features a swimming pool and is not far from the sea.

Overnight stay in Kolymbia

Rest day in Kolymbia or bike ride to Lindos (64km)

After 4 days of cycling, spend a day in Kolymbia relaxing by the pool or the beach. For those who still want to do something, you can take an excursion to the white town of Lindos. It is definitely worth a visit, but then it is often very busy, often a little less in the afternoon than in the morning. You can take this excursion by scheduled bus, or rent a car. And for those who want, it can also be done by bicycle (there and back together 64 km, directions are in the travel documents).

Overnight stay in Kolymbia

Kolymbia to Embonas (39 km)

You are cycling inland today, which means more climbing. The first stop will be at the Seven Springs (Efta Piges). The springs are not very spectacular but are in a shady valley on a gurgling stream with many waterfowl (taverna by the stream). Archipoli is then a nice break spot after which it goes up to Eleousa. This village was built over 80 years ago by the Italians as a garrison town. After the war it became a Greek sanatorium and when that closed in the 1970s it fell into disrepair. Now there stands a photogenic ruin and a well-maintained church.

The route now keeps going up and down along the ridge of Profitis Ilias, a green ridge. Through the villages of Platania (taverna) and Apollona (stores and restaurants) it goes on very quiet roads to the wine village of Embonas.
Hotel Ataviros is beautifully situated against the flanks of the mountain of the same name and has a very nice swimming pool.

Overnight stay in Embonas

Round trip from Embonas (33 km)

From Embonas, a circuit around the Ataviros is on the program. Not very easy but very beautiful! The longest climbs are in the first 13 km to the village of Agios Isidoros with several nice café-restaurants. Then it goes down through vineyards and then a stretch high above the west coast. Here there is a kiosk with drinks, ice cream and sandwiches and tasty local products. Here you will have a beautiful view of the island of Chalki.
Another option for today is a visit to one or two wine cellars including tasting. Back at the hotel, it's time for a cooling dip in the pool.

Overnight stay in Embonas

Embonas to Theologos (42 km)

The route today is quite easy. In the beginning it goes down a lot and the second part is mostly flat with often a tailwind. After a few climbs in the beginning, the highest point is soon reached. The first descent takes you to the village of Kritinia with a nice square under plane trees and ficus trees. There is also a (free) folklore museum here. The second descent is briefly interrupted to climb to the castle of Kritinia. From the imposing walls you have a very nice view.
The last descent leads to the fishing port of Kamiros Skala (restaurants). The next coastal road is completely flat except for one climb. After the village of Mandriko (taverna), this coast is uninhabited for a while and the road leads directly by the sea. Those who want to visit the excavations of Old Kamiros must climb briskly for about a kilometer. Then the route goes to the seaside resort of Theologos.
Hotel Meliton is located just outside the village in a quiet place and has a nice swimming pool.

Overnight stay in Theologos

Tour of Theologos

During this final bike ride, there are two fairly strenuous climbs to be made. The first time between the butterfly valley Petaloudes (see day 3) and Psinthos and the second time between Archipoli and Eleousa (see day 6). On the first pass there is a nice coffee stop. There are also plenty of places to eat and drink in Psinthos and Archipoli. The trail between those two villages keeps going up and down, but always slightly more down than up, so it's not very difficult. Beautiful it is, however!
After Eleousa, you will cycle a bit on the flank of Profitis Ilias to the ancient Byzantine chapel of Fountoukli with its beautiful frescoes (source). A steep descent brings you to Dimilia and then it goes down ever so slightly to the west coast at Soroni. On the way is still the cave church of Agios Silas. Via small, partially unpaved roads you will return to Theologos.

Overnight stay in Theologos