Car Hire in Rhodes: The Good, The Bad and the Rediculously Scenic!

Ah, Rhodes. The land of golden beaches, ancient ruins, and enough winding mountain roads to make even your sat-nav give up.

If you’re visiting this stunning Greek island, chances are you’ll need a car—unless you fancy spending your entire holiday waiting for a bus that’s “coming soon” (Greek time = maybe today, maybe next week).

So, should you hire a car in Rhodes? Absolutely. But before you speed off into the sunset, here’s everything you need to know about the good, the bad, and the ridiculously scenic world of Rhodes car hire.

🚗 Need a car? Check out the best car hire deals in Faliraki – we’ve got you covered!

The Good: Why Renting a Car in Rhodes is the Best Idea You’ll Have All Holiday

1. You Get to See the Real Rhodes (AKA the Places No Tour Bus Goes)

Sure, you could stick to the main tourist spots, but where’s the adventure in that? Some of Rhodes’ best beaches, hidden villages, and epic viewpoints are miles away from public transport routes. With a car, you get to explore the real island—not just the bits Google Maps thinks you should see.

🌊 Hidden gems you can only reach by car:
✅ Agathi Beach (because why fight for sunbeds in Faliraki?)
✅ Monolithos Castle (ancient ruins + zero crowds = perfect)
✅ Red Sands Beach (only accessible by boat or a sneaky drive + hike)
✅ Profitis Ilias Mountain (cool air, pine trees, and eerie abandoned hotels—what’s not to love?)

📍 Related Read: 10 Hidden Gems in Rhodes That Google Won’t Tell You About

2. Greek Roads = Spontaneous Road Trips & Sunset Chasing

Rhodes is driving paradise. Wide open roads, stunning coastal routes, and mountain drives so scenic they should come with a warning: "May cause frequent photo stops."

Best scenic drives in Rhodes:
🛣️ The East Coast Road: Faliraki → Lindos → Prasonisi (epic sea views)
🏞️ The West Coast Route: Kamiros → Monolithos → Fourni Beach (mountains, castles & no traffic)
🌅 Sunset Route: Faliraki → Kritinia Castle → Watch the sun disappear into the sea

🚗 Want a hassle-free car hire experience? Check out our recommended car rental options here.

3. It’s Surprisingly Affordable (If You Know Where to Look)

Rhodes is not like Santorini or Mykonos, where car hire prices make you question your life choices. If you book in advance and avoid the airport rental traps, you can get a decent car for as little as €25 a day.

💡 Money-saving tips for hiring a car in Rhodes:
✔️ Book early – Prices double in peak season!
✔️ Pick it up in town – Airport rentals = hidden fees.
✔️ Avoid “cheap” companies – €10 per day sounds great until they charge you €500 for “a scratch that was already there.”

📍 Related Read: The Best Car Hire Companies in Faliraki

The Bad: Things No One Tells You About Driving in Rhodes

1. Greek Drivers Follow Their Own Set of Rules (Or Lack of Them)

Ever heard of the phrase “driving like a Greek?” Well, you’re about to experience it firsthand. Here’s what to expect:

🚦 Traffic lights? More of a suggestion than a rule.
🏎️ Speed limits? Only apply if there’s a police car in sight.
📱 Indicators? Optional.
🅿️ Parking? Anywhere that fits, including sidewalks and roundabouts.

😅 Pro tip: Stay calm, drive defensively, and assume everyone is about to do something unexpected.

2. The Roads Are… Let’s Call Them "Adventurous"

While the main roads are fine, some rural routes look like they were last maintained during the Ancient Greek era. Expect potholes, surprise dirt roads, and the occasional herd of goats blocking your path.

🛣️ Roads to watch out for:
⚠️ The road to Agathi Beach – half-road, half-sand dune.
⚠️ The drive up to Profitis Ilias – twisty mountain roads + no barriers = a mild heart attack.
⚠️ The “shortcuts” Google suggests – unless you enjoy off-roading in a Fiat Panda.

3. Petrol Stations Close at… Whenever They Feel Like It

Need fuel? Better plan ahead, because most petrol stations in Rhodes close early, especially outside of tourist areas. Oh, and some only accept cash.

😅 Pro tip: Fill up when you see a station, not when you’re running on fumes.

📍 Related Read: What to Know About Driving in Rhodes

The Ridiculously Scenic: Drives That Will Blow Your Mind

If you love a good road trip, Rhodes delivers big time. These are the routes where you’ll want to roll down the windows, blast some music, and stop every five minutes to take a photo.

1. Faliraki to Lindos (The Ultimate Coastal Drive) 🌊

⏳ Time: 45 minutes (if you don’t stop… but you WILL stop)
📸 Highlights: Anthony Quinn Bay, Tsambika Beach, Lindos Acropolis
🥤 Pit stop: Grab a Freddo espresso in Kolymbia – trust us, you’ll need it.

2. Rhodes to Monolithos (Castles, Mountains & Zero Tourists) 🏰

⏳ Time: 1.5 hours
📸 Highlights: Kritinia Castle, Monolithos Castle, the wild west coast
🥾 Bonus adventure: Hike down to Fourni Beach for an epic sunset.

📍 Related Read: Best Sunset Spots in Rhodes

3. The Ultimate Island Loop (For Hardcore Road Trippers) 🚗

⏳ Time: 4-5 hours (or make a day of it!)
📸 Route: Faliraki → Rhodes Town → Ancient Kamiros → Monolithos → Prasonisi
🥤 Pit stop: Try Greek mountain honey at a roadside stall in Embonas.

Final Thoughts: Is Car Hire in Rhodes Worth It?

100% YES. Hiring a car in Rhodes means freedom, adventure, and the chance to see the island beyond the tourist hotspots.

🚗 Thinking of renting a car? Check out our recommended car hire deals in Faliraki here.

📍 Tell us in the comments – what’s the best (or scariest) driving experience you’ve had on holiday?