I would strongly suggest leaving the car behind when you go to Rhodes Town - parking is a nightmare and there are regular buses to and from Lindos!

Otherwise the main coast roads are OK - but be extra careful - lots of tourists learning to drive on the right and the usual Greek driving style do not add up to a relaxing experience!

Agree with all Elenitsa says, the Greeks are not the best drivers. Would drive to somewhere outside the town and get a taxi/bus for the last bit of the journey.There are wonderful places to see on the island. If you go to Profitis Ilias ask Bobby in the cafe to show you the way to the old Italian governor's house, a step back in time though, sadly full of graffiti now.The Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes) is a lovely trip too. I could go on and on! Have a lovely holiday.

I am not a big fan of driving abroad, however it wasn't all that bad at all. I found it very easy to drive. I was stationed in Pefkos and regularly travelled to surround areas and did drive upto Rhodes Town. That was very busy, however I was lucky and managed to find a parking space.

There's not much in terms of lights, I think the first I spotted was in Faliraki.

FD

Thanks to all for replying- I think I shall do as suggested and hire a car for trips around Lindos only. The bus sounds like the best option for Rhodes Town!

Many thanks again.

I've only driven twice in Rhodes and the best advice I could give to anybody is to drive ANTI-CLOCKWISE round the island.

There are so many beaches and villages to stop off at and see the sights, you don't have to cross the flow of traffic to rejoin from the beach and it is VERY busy. You can easily drive around the island in a day and see lots, but it's well worth taking 2 or 3 days to get a good look round, then pick out the spots you want a better look at.

Parky
(Envious Smiley)

There are a set of Traffic lights as you approach Lindos from Pefkos - next ones Falaraki!
Avoid rhodes Town like the plague, watch the junction at Lindos (buses and taxis ******) otherwise its just the Goats
I don,t like driving on Hols but Rhodes was one of the easiest.

Oh that's good to know about the new traffic lights (well since 2001). I'm going there next month to get married so will need to note that down.

FD

Hi Azulita - sent you a p/m with a bit more info on driving on Rhodes.

driving in rhodes is easy some of the roads a bit bumpy but its ok parking in rhodes town its free in 2 places i know of but be there early 1 is on the dock front by the windmill the other is at the other end of town by the church / behind it where the coach busses park to the left of that
most reps will give you this info

I was in Pefkos in Sept last year and hired a car for a few days. Once I got the hang of the fact the gear stick was at the right I was away. My first trip was Pefkos to Prassonissi in the south (via a petrol station near Lardos....check out where they are before you drive off, I didn't and had a few minutes of panic before I came to one)
We also drove to Rhodes town through Lindos and to the water park at Falaraki.

Being Sept perhaps, we had no probs parking in Rhodes town although I went round the block a few times trying to get out of town.

Lindos has traffic lights at the big coach stop and there are quite a few in Falaraki.

I would say drive somewhere quieter the first time, to get the hang of it all. I found that keeping an eye out for local drivers and getting out of their way helped as well. Take your time and enjoy the island, it is lovely.

To all of you - thanks for all your hints and tips. We hired a car for 6 days and drove EVERYWHERE - (except Rhodes Town - this really was good advice). The roads were quite reasonable in most places and the majority of greek drivers were polite. I would highly recommend this. We travelled to Seven Springs, Ancient Kamiros, Butterflies, Kalithea Bay, Parassonissi to stand with one foot in Mediterranean and one foot in Aegean. Absolutely brilliant - thanks again.

Glad you had a wonderful time - only 11 weeks 6 days to go!

hi Rhodes was the first place that i drove outside of the UK, we were staying just ouside of falaraki, and we had a fiat. I tend to agree that rhodes town does take skill and patience and parking is very poor, but away from there, it is great driving round this lovely island, my advice would be to explore the wilder west coast, and the mountains as well by car,also we only realised that the small roundabout in Lindos was there to enable drivers to turn round and be able to take the road down the hill to the beach!