Perched on a hilltop overlooking a picturesque bay, Lindos, a fishing village on the Greek island of Rhodes, attract throngs of tourists every year.
Dubbed by travellers as “beautiful but overrun with tourists,” one person on Tripadvisor said: “Would love to visit in the off-season. The visit was spoilt by literally too many people. What we did see was indeed beautiful.”
While another added: “It is very busy with buses full of American tourists. Very hot very hilly.”
Another visitor, who stayed at a hotel just 10 minutes from Rhodes this month, told Express.co.uk: “Lindos is absolutely stunning but even in the off season, it is jam-packed with tour buses.
“I went early in the morning to visit the acropolis overlooking the village, which charges 12 euros per entry. We just about beat the queues to go in but when we were coming out, there were hundreds of Americans as well as other tourists queuing to get in.
“The streets are very narrow so it takes a while to get from A to B. I would highly recommend visiting in the morning.”
The Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) has gone as far as to reveal that Rhodes alone accounts for 6.5 percent to the country’s accommodation and catering turnover.
Despite its stunning landscapes and rich history, with the iconic Lindos Acropolis at the very heart of the itinerary, visitors are calling the village “hell on Earth,” unimpressed by the sheer number of people worming their way through the streets.
They said: “This town is a very old traditional Greek town with buckets of charm and history. However, due to this it is absolutely packed with tourists and it is hell on Earth. It’s hot and crowded. There are loads of places to eat and drink but I found it all far too crowded and unpleasant.”
“The place is jam packed and you’ll be forever saying ‘excuse me’,” attested another user on Tripadvisor.
Many opt to reach Lindos by ferry or catamaran, adding to the unique charm of this ‘must-visit’ destination.
A tourist shared: “I thought the line of people getting off of boats was not going to end! As well as them, there is a coach park full of buses in the square at the top.”
“The streets in Lindos are lovely, charming-full of local craft but only wide enough for two people side by side so if someone stops to look at something, you all have to stop. There are poor donkeys negotiating the slopes with passengers on their backs,” they added.
While traditional donkey rides offer an eccentric way to navigate the steep hills in the town, the mode of transport has proven to be particularly tricky during peak summer months.
“We visited relatively early morning and it was still quite busy, but when we were leaving the queue to get into the acropolis was really long… it was becoming ridiculously busy around 11:30am and wouldn’t have wanted to be starting our visit then. It obviously very touristy but still worth a visit if you choose your time carefully,” a Tripadvisor user advised.
Following the aftermath of the 2023 wildfires, as well as the pressures of overtourism with efforts from the Greek government to aid economic recovery, the balance between preserving the town’s charm and accommodating its popularity remains to be addressed.