Cycling the Island of Rhodes

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.5 Read 6 reviews

Visit the spectacular Crusader fortress, a UNESCO Heritage Site
Discover hidden coves and beaches on the island's NW coast
Stroll narrow alleyways between the charming white-washed houses of Lindos
Cycle the 'Valley of The Butterflies', a lush green gorge
Pedal through pine forests, fishing villages and along stunning coastlines

Rhodes is the largest Greek island in the Dodecanese, close to the coast of Turkey and one of the most beloved. Pedal through remote fishing villages, vast pine forests, past sparkling blue seas and many historic sites including the Crusader Fortress in Rhodes town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient city of Kamiros and the Acropolis of Lindos. In the evening relax as you watch the sunset perhaps savouring local wines, such as Athiri Vounoplagias. Fly into Rhodes and enjoy the convenience of an included transfer to the quaint village of Kalavarda from where you'll begin your adventure. From here, ride through the Valley of The Butterflies, a green gorge inhabited by thousands of butterflies between June and September. Spend two nights in the old town of Rhodes, with the same name as the island, and enjoy an optional ferry ride to the picturesque island of Symi, home to a beautiful Venetian harbour and the Panormitis Monastery. Alternatively, take a relaxed walk through the ancient town of Rhodes to see the Crusader Castle and spend time on the beach. Make your way south along the east coast, past ancient Turkish baths and the Tsambika Monastery, built on a clifftop to overnight in Archangellos. Ride further south to Lindos with its typically Greek white cubist houses, or simply enjoy relaxing beachside with a cool beer. On the final day of riding cross the island to the west coast as you cycle back to Kalavarda; en route discover the stunning frescoes in the Chapel of Fountoukli, along with the unique chapel in a cave at Silas and the Monastery of Agios Nektarios.

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What To Expect

Travel Restrictions

Discover one of the most treasured islands in Greece by bike. Easy stretches along the coast are interspersed with hillier sections through the interior. Cycle through picturesque and typically Greek villages and be surprised by a vast variety of landscapes. Historic sites are also on your route, plus chances to stop in beach tavernas for a well-deserved rest and a beer!

Trip Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent holiday.

Activity:

Inn to Inn Cycling, E-Biking | A classic point to point cycling holiday, staying in a different location each night, E-Bikes with electronic motors to assist available to hire on this holiday (subject to availability), to make things easier

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Mixed Abilities

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Wine, Whisky & More...
Coastal & Island

Inspiration:

Most Popular
Classic

Grade & Terrain

This tour is suitable only for regular cyclists comfortale in hilly terrain. Although there is some flat coastal cycling this is often combined with rolling terrain which adds up to considerable ascent/descent over moderate daily distances allowing you plenty of time to complete the rides. Most tracks are on tarmac but sometimes there are short distances on unpaved roads. In and around Rhodes town you will have short sections on major roads in order to link the routes.

Navigation

You will be provided with detailed route notes and a map to help you find your way. The majority of the time you will be cycling on small rural roads, so it will be relatively easy to find your way. We also supply GPX tracks on our Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app - simply mount your phone to the handlebars for easy route-finding.

Accommodation Information

During the high season you might be booked into alternative accommodations which are not listed in the main daily description. If those listed are unavailable the alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard than those described.

Single Rooms & Solo Cyclists

If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable. Solo cyclists are also welcome with a solo supplement.

Meals

7 Breakfasts are included.
1 Dinner is included at Hotel Vouras on Day 2.

You can either eat dinner in local restaurants or at your accommodations, some of which have a restaurant. For lunches, there are plenty of villages that you cycle through where you can buy goods for a packed lunch.

Included

7 Nights in 2* family-run hotels or guest houses
7 Breakfasts
1 Dinner on Day 2
Baggage transfers
Transfers to and from Rhodes Airport at the beginning and end of your tour
Information pack and route notes
Access to detailed maps, and GPS tracks in the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office and local partner

Excluded

Travel to / from the island of Rhodes
Bike hire
Lunches, dinners (excluding Day 2), drinks & snacks
Ferry to Symi for optional cycle
Entrance fees for attractions
Personal equipment
Travel insurance (required)

Extras

Additional nights along the route
Bike hire

When To Go

You can start this cycling tour anytime between April and October. From June to mid-September the weather is hot and sunny, sometimes with periods of intense heat especially from mid-July to mid-August. We would recommend trying to avoid this time of year, alternatively that you begin your cycle very early in the morning, to avoid the midday heat.

Weather and Climate

Greece is one of the world's most earthquake-prone areas, but serious damage and fatalities are very rare.

Getting to the Start

By Air: Rhodes Airport (Diagoras) is closest to Kalavarda and there are many airlines that fly here including Aegean Airlines, BA, easyJet, Ryanair and KLM. Airport transfrs are included in the trip costs and you will be collected from the airport and transferred to your Kalavarda accommodation. At the end of the holiday a return transfer from Kalavarda to the airport is also included.

Baggage Transfer

All baggage transfers are included. We request that you have only one piece of luggage per person and it should weigh only 20 kg.

Equipment

Our pre-departure information pack has detailed advice and a kit list on what to take.

Bike Rental

Bike rental can be added as an optional extra. Good quality Trek T-200 or Gazelle Medeo hybrid 24-gear bikes are supplied. Full details about the bike can be found in your information pack. All rentals include, rear rack with pannier, pump, puncture/tool kit, spare inner tube and a lock. Please note that helmets are not available so it is essential that you bring your own. An e-bike kit (that can be added to standard hybrid bikes) is also available as an upgrade subject to availability.

Please provide us with your height when booking bike hire so we can ensure you bike if the perfect fit.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.