Beaches in Southern Rhodes

Southern Rhodes is home to some of the island’s most beautiful beaches, ranging from the famous bays around Lindos to long stretches of coastline further south with far fewer visitors. Compared with many of the busier beaches in northeastern Rhodes, the atmosphere is generally more relaxed, and the scenery often feels wilder and more natural.

This part of the island offers something for almost everyone. You will find family-friendly beaches close to holiday resorts, hidden coves away from the crowds and spectacular natural landscapes shaped by the wind and the sea.

Beaches around Lindos

Lindos is one of the most visited places on Rhodes, and the beaches around the village are among the most photographed on the island. The two main beaches lie below the whitewashed houses and the ancient Acropolis, offering golden sand and clear, shallow water.

Just around the headland is St Paul’s Bay, a beautiful sheltered bay with two small beaches. The southern beach is the larger and better-known of the two, while both offer clear water and a spectacular setting. The combination of turquoise water, dramatic cliffs and views towards the chapel makes St Paul’s Bay one of the most memorable places to swim on Rhodes.

A short distance north of Lindos, Vlycha Beach offers a quieter alternative. The beach is long, well organised and popular with visitors staying in the nearby hotels. The beach may not have the dramatic setting of Lindos itself, but its calm atmosphere, generous space and easy access to the sea make it a favourite with many beachgoers.

Lardos and Pefkos

South of Lindos, the beaches of Lardos and Pefkos offer a more relaxed holiday atmosphere. Both resorts are popular with families and couples looking for good beaches without the crowds often found around Lindos.

Lardos Beach is long and spacious, with a mixture of sand and pebbles and plenty of room even during the summer months. Several tavernas and beach bars can be found nearby, making it easy to spend a full day by the sea.

Pefkos has several smaller beaches and sheltered bays within walking distance of the resort centre. The water is usually calm, and the relaxed atmosphere has helped make Pefkos one of the most popular holiday resorts in southern Rhodes. In our opinion, Pefkos has retained more traditional Greek charm than many of the larger resorts on Rhodes.

Kiotari and Glystra

Further south, Kiotari has developed into one of the larger holiday areas in this part of Rhodes. The beach is long, partly organised and lined with hotels, yet it rarely feels overcrowded.

One of the highlights nearby is Glystra Beach. Located within walking distance of parts of Kiotari, Glystra is a small sandy beach with shallow water and a peaceful atmosphere. It is especially popular with families and visitors looking for a quieter and more sheltered alternative to the larger beaches at Kiotari.

Hidden Gems of Southern Rhodes

Not all of the best beaches in southern Rhodes are found near the main holiday resorts. Some of the most memorable are hidden away along the coast and remain unknown to many visitors.

Fourni Beach is one of our personal favourites on Rhodes and a place we always enjoy returning to. Surrounded by rocky scenery and clear water, it feels much more remote than many of the island’s better-known beaches. Even during the summer season, the atmosphere is often peaceful and relaxed.

Limni Beach is even less known. This small and secluded beach is easy to miss if you do not know it is there. Visitors looking for a quiet beach away from the crowds will often find exactly that here.

Prasonisi

At the southern tip of Rhodes lies Prasonisi, in our opinion the most spectacular natural beach on the island. This unique place is famous for the narrow strip of sand that connects the mainland to the small island of Prasonisi.

The constant wind has made Prasonisi Beach one of the most important windsurfing and kitesurfing destinations in Greece, attracting visitors from around the world. Even if you have no interest in water sports, the scenery alone is worth the journey. If you feel like exploring a little further, the walk to the lighthouse at the southernmost tip of Rhodes offers some wonderful views over Prasonisi and the surrounding coastline.

With powerful waves on one side, calmer water on the other and dramatic views in every direction, Prasonisi is unlike any other beach on Rhodes and provides a fitting finale to a journey along the island’s southern coast.