Why the car-free coastal town Lindos in Rhodes is one of Greece's best family breaks

Roman, Turkish, Italian and Byzantine rulers have all left their architectural mark on Lindos, but it’s the Greek influence that your kids will remember as you all gaze up at the ruined acropolis overlooking the village. The Unesco-listed coastal community and adjoining Vlycha Bay make an ideal hub for a family trip combining layered culture, local cuisine and golden-sand beaches.

Situated on a large bay on the east coast of Rhodes, Lindos’s car-free cobbled streets and whitewashed houses provide a scenic backdrop for a day of wandering. There are beautiful churches to light candles in, dripping with gold and decorated with mosaics, such as the Church of the Panagia; sea-view tavernas where kids can feast on tender souvlaki; and an atmospheric night market.

The area is also a good starting point for an easy road trip around southern Rhodes. Drive through refreshing pine forests to reach the village of Lardos, overlooked by hills and mountains. Threading west on rural roads, you could then stop at slow-paced Agios Isidoros to enjoy a frappe or ice cream at Ataviros Taverna under a rustic grape-vine canopy pergola. A 15-minute drive from here takes you to the scenic mountain village of Siana. Seek out Acrimitis Christina, a local produce shop framed in dark wood, stocking the village’s famed wildflower honey. Kids will enjoy sampling the different flavours, including pistachio, orange and thyme varieties. Olive oil can also be bought here, along with freshly harvested oregano to try making your own souvlaki with.

Monolithos is another beautiful village, less than 10 minutes’ drive south west of Siana. It’s perched high on a hill and offers epic views — climb up to scramble around the ruined 15th-century medieval castle before driving towards the southern tip of the island for lunch in Kattavia. This quiet, traditional village serves as a key access point for the famous windsurfing and kitesurfing beach, Prasonisi. Two seas meet here — the Aegean is ideal for advanced surfers, while the Mediterranean has flatter water and is better suited to beginners. The laid-back beach is long, vast, flat and sandy — a perfect reward for the family to cool off and enjoy the sea after the road trip.

(Related: The Mediterranean’s most family-friendly islands to visit now.)

Beach time

Try Lindos Beach, a sheltered bay with turquoise waters. To the north of the village, there’s also Pallas, well stocked with sunbeds and a watersports centre. Or drive to unspoilt Agia Agathi, 25 minutes north of Lindos, which is a local secret; take your own supplies, towels and provisions.

Where to eat

Try traditional Greek cuisine on the rooftop of Arhontiko restaurant — built in 1605, it’s one of the village’s best preserved ship captain’s houses. It serves up traditional food, such as Greek salad, sea bream dressed in lemon and olive oil , calamari, souvlaki and more. Outside of Lindos, book ahead for Taverna Costas & Elena in the fishing village of Charaki, which has outdoor seating with a direct view of the small harbour.

After dark

Head to the winding streets near the Acropolis to shop for trinkets, leather goods, handcrafted jewellery, clothing and much more.