Kiotari, Lardos, Lindos: High Speed Boat Trip to Rhodes Town

Rhodes Town is a long way from the island’s southern resorts, but this high-speed boat trip turns the journey into part of the day. From Kiotari or Lardos, you skim north along the east coast, passing Lindos, Archangelos, Kolymbia, Afandou, Faliraki, and Kallithea from a fresh seaward angle.

I like two things in particular: you get six full hours in Rhodes Town, and the boat saves you from spending roughly two hours each way on a bus. The coastal views are another strong point, with toilets and shaded cover available on board. The trade-off is simple: this is a long nine-hour day, and six hours requires careful choices if you want to see both the Old City and the New Town.

Key points to know before booking

• A practical southern-Rhodes connection: Pickup is available from beach points in Kiotari and Lardos, making this especially useful if you are staying in the island’s south.
• Six hours in Rhodes Town: You have enough time for a focused visit to the Medieval City, shopping, lunch, and one extra stop, but not everything.
• The boat ride is part of the attraction: The route follows the east coast, with views toward Lindos, Faliraki, Kallithea, and other well-known places.
• You arrive at Mandraki Harbour: From here, you can walk toward the Old City, New Town, Elli Beach, the Aquarium, and several museums.
• A faster alternative to the bus: The outbound and return boat crossings each take about 1.5 hours.
• Useful onboard comforts: Toilets and covered areas are available, and the crew speaks Greek, English, and German.

Why the speedboat makes sense from southern Rhodes

Rhodes is a large island, and the medieval center sits far north of Kiotari and Lardos. If you make the trip by road, much of the day disappears in transit. This excursion uses the sea instead, giving you a scenic crossing and a direct arrival at Mandraki Harbour.

The boat ride takes about 1.5 hours each way. That is not a quick ferry hop, but it compares well with a long road transfer. You can sit back, watch the coast pass, and arrive with the main sightseeing time still ahead of you.

I especially like the change in viewpoint. From land, Lindos and the east coast appear as road stops or hotel areas. From the water, you see the island as a long sweep of bays, cliffs, beaches, and historic settlements. The route is part transportation and part sightseeing, though the experience depends on weather and sea conditions.

The boat is equipped with toilets, and covered areas let you get out of the sun. Bring sunscreen anyway. The open deck is the best place for views, but the Greek sun can be sharp, especially during a full day outdoors.

Picking up in Kiotari or Lardos

There are three stated pickup points around Kiotari and Lardos. These are beach access points rather than a general door-to-door hotel pickup service. The listed locations include the red steps on the beach below Rodos Maris Hotel, the beach between Stafylia and Lindos Imperial Hotel, and the beach below Costa Lindia Hotel in Lardos.

Check your exact meeting point before the day of departure. The pickup information refers to beach locations, so allow enough time to walk from your accommodation to the correct access point. This is one detail worth confirming early, especially if you are staying at a large resort complex with more than one route down to the water.

The tour leaves in the morning, with one reported departure from Kiotari at 9 am. Exact times can vary, so check availability when booking. After collecting passengers from the southern pickup points, the boat heads north.

The east-coast crossing, from Lindos to Kallithea

The boat route follows the same broad corridor once used by Crusaders and Barbary pirates, though today the mood is much more relaxed. You are not visiting each coastal town, but you get a moving view of the island’s eastern side.

Lindos is the most recognizable point along the way. Its white buildings and hilltop Acropolis are easy to appreciate from the sea, where the settlement’s position becomes clear. Archangelos, Kolymbia, Afandou, Faliraki, and Kallithea follow farther north, each tied to its own local stories and coastal setting.

This section works best when you treat it as a scenic transfer rather than a narrated sightseeing cruise. The supplied information does not promise a full commentary or a guided tour of each place. You are mainly there to enjoy the view, sea air, sunlight, and the changing shoreline.

The crossing can also be a useful rest period. You have a full afternoon in Rhodes Town, so using the boat ride to sit quietly, take photos, or simply watch the water may help you make better use of your limited city time.

Six hours at Mandraki Harbour

The boat docks at Mandraki Harbour, a useful starting point for Rhodes Town. You have six hours of free time, with no fixed walking tour or single required route. That freedom is helpful, but it also means you need a basic plan.

The Old City is the main reason to make the trip. The Medieval City of Rhodes is a UNESCO World Heritage site and remains a living part of the city, not a preserved shell visited only for display. People live and work inside its walls, and the lanes lead past historic buildings, museums, shops, cafes, and churches.

You can spend hours simply walking through the Old City, but the stone streets can be uneven and tiring. Wear sensible shoes and keep your pace realistic. Six hours sounds generous until you combine the Old City with lunch, shopping, a museum, and a walk back to the harbour.

The city is easy to divide into two parts:

• Old City: Medieval streets, historic walls, museums, and atmospheric lanes.
• New Town: Modern shops, cafes, international chains, the Aquarium, and access to Elli Beach.

Trying to cover both areas in equal depth may leave you rushing. I would give the Old City the largest share of your time, then use the New Town for shopping, the Aquarium, or a swim and seaside break.

What to do inside the Medieval City

The Old City rewards unhurried wandering. Its importance is not only in individual monuments, but in the way the whole fortified center still functions as part of Rhodes. You can move from major historic streets into quieter lanes, then stop for food or browse local shops without leaving the old walls.

Several museums focus on history and art. The activity does not include museum admission, so allow for any entrance fees if you decide to go inside. The same applies to optional attractions such as the Aquarium and 9D cinema.

You will need to choose your priorities. If this is your first visit to Rhodes Town, I would focus on the Old City itself rather than trying to collect every attraction. Walk the main historic areas, take in the fortifications, and leave time to sit down. A rushed visit can turn a pleasant city day into a checklist.

The six-hour window is particularly workable for families. One reported outing included an eleven-year-old, and the available time was considered enough for the family to enjoy Rhodes Town without making the day unmanageably long. Children may appreciate the freedom to break up historic walking with food, shopping, the Aquarium, or the 9D cinema.

New Town shopping, Elli Beach, and the Aquarium

The New Town gives you a sharp change of mood. Instead of medieval walls and narrow lanes, you find modern shopping, cafes, international brands, and familiar names such as Starbucks and McDonald’s. That may not be the main reason to visit Rhodes, but it can be useful when you want air conditioning, a quick meal, or a simple break from historic sightseeing.

Shopping is one of the stated purposes of the free time. You can browse designer stores and modern retail streets, though the value depends on what you want to buy. This is not a shopping tour with special discounts or a personal shopper, so treat it as independent city time.

Elli Beach is another option near the northern end of town. You can use it for a seaside pause, provided you keep an eye on the return time. The Aquarium of Rhodes is also listed as a possible stop. It offers a different kind of visit from the Old City, but you should check opening hours and admission details separately because they are not included in the trip information.

The 9D cinema and museums add more indoor choices. These are useful if you want shelter from the sun or need an activity that does not involve more walking. With only six hours, pick one or two extras rather than trying to fit them all in.

Is $79 a fair price?

At $79 per person, the value rests on convenience and time. You are paying for the return speedboat transfer and six hours in Rhodes Town, not for a guided tour, museum tickets, meals, or a packed schedule of attractions.

For someone staying in Kiotari or Lardos, that can be a sensible price. The alternative is arranging a long road trip yourself, spending a large part of the day in a bus or car, and then dealing with parking or transport in Rhodes Town. The boat also gives you a more memorable approach to the city.

The price is less compelling if you only want a short look at Rhodes Town or dislike long days on the water. You should also budget for food, drinks, entrance fees, and shopping. The trip is best value when you want a full day in the capital and appreciate the coastal crossing as part of the outing.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The remaining payment arrangement should be checked when booking, as one account describes paying a deposit first and the balance on the boat by card or cash.

The return trip and the long day factor

The boat leaves Rhodes Town after the six-hour visit. One reported schedule departed at about 5:30 pm and reached Kiotari around 7:20 pm, though your exact timing may differ.

That makes this a full-day commitment, roughly nine hours from pickup to return. You should not plan another major activity that evening. The return crossing may feel longer than the morning trip because you are tired, sun-exposed, and ready to reach your accommodation.

Still, the boat has practical advantages. Toilets are available, and covered sections offer a break from direct sun. If you are prone to discomfort on boats, consider that the crossing is substantial rather than a short transfer. The trip information does not provide a specific sea-sickness policy or boat size, so bring only what you need and follow the crew’s instructions.

Who will enjoy this day trip most

This excursion fits you well if you are staying in southern Rhodes and want to see the island’s historic capital without arranging transport yourself. It is also a good match if you enjoy scenic transfers and prefer a little independence once you arrive.

Families can make good use of the flexible six-hour period. You can combine a shorter Old City walk with lunch, shopping, the Aquarium, or the beach instead of following a demanding guided schedule.

It may suit you less if you want detailed historical explanations throughout the day. The included service is transportation and free time, with hosts or greeters speaking Greek, English, and German. You should not expect a full guided tour of the Old City unless that is separately arranged.

The trip is also not ideal for anyone who wants to see every major site in Rhodes Town. Six hours is enough for a satisfying introduction, but the city has more museums, streets, shops, and attractions than you can cover in one visit.

My practical plan for the six hours

I would begin in the Old City while you have the most energy. Spend two to three hours walking, seeing the main historic areas, and allowing time for photos and a relaxed meal.

Next, move toward the New Town. Use this part of the day for shopping or a short visit to the Aquarium, depending on your interests and opening times. If you prefer a slower day, replace one of those stops with Elli Beach.

Keep the final part of your visit flexible. Return toward Mandraki Harbour with time to spare rather than squeezing in one last shop or museum. The boat cannot wait for late arrivals, and the return crossing is part of the scheduled experience.

Should you book the Kiotari to Rhodes Town boat?

Book it if you are staying in Kiotari or Lardos, want a full day in Rhodes Town, and like the idea of seeing the east coast from the water. The six hours of independent city time and the faster alternative to a long bus ride are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Skip it if you want a guided historical tour, dislike boat travel, or prefer a slower visit with no fixed return. For most southern-resort visitors who have not yet seen the Old City, the $79 fare is reasonable because it combines transport, scenery, and a useful amount of time in the capital. Just confirm your beach pickup point, bring sunscreen, and plan your six hours before you step ashore.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat trip take?

The boat ride takes about 1.5 hours each way. The full activity lasts about nine hours, including pickup, six hours in Rhodes Town, and the return journey.

Where can I board the boat?

Pickup is available from beach points in Kiotari and Lardos. Listed locations include the beach below Rodos Maris Hotel, the beach between Stafylia and Lindos Imperial Hotel, and the beach below Costa Lindia Hotel.

How much free time do I have in Rhodes Town?

You have six hours of free time in Rhodes Town.

Where does the boat arrive?

The boat arrives at Mandraki Harbour in Rhodes Town.

Can I visit the Old City of Rhodes?

Yes. The six-hour stop is intended to give you time to visit the UNESCO-listed Medieval City of Rhodes, along with other parts of town.

Can I go shopping during the trip?

Yes. You have free time to visit the New Town, where designer shopping and familiar international chains are available.

Are the Aquarium and Elli Beach included?

They are listed as places you can visit during your free time. The activity information does not state that admission fees are included.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter languages are Greek, English, and German.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, according to the activity terms.