Though the clifftop ruins of Kritinia Castle are of historic interest, it’s the panoramic views that really steal the show. The castle is sometimes visited as part of island-wide sightseeing tours, which offer a stress-free overview of Rhodes designed for first-time visitors; itineraries typically include visits to Rhodes Old Town, the ancient Acropolis of Rhodes, the art deco-style Kalithea Springs spa retreat, and the Profitis Ilias mountain-top viewpoint.
Bring your camera to capture the show-stopping view from the ruins.
The steps leading up to Kritinia Castle may prove challenging to travelers with mobility issues.
Keep a close eye on young children as there are some sheer drops.
There is a small rustic taverna near the car park that serves refreshments.
Kritinia Castle is on the west coast of Rhodes. Driving from Rhodes Town will take about an hour. If you don’t have a car, it’s best to go as part of a tour as public transport does not service the remote landmark.
The castle is open 24 hours a day. The ruins are most romantic at sunset, when the sun sinks over the distant islands of the Aegean.
If you follow the road from Rhodes Town down to the west coast to Kritinia Castle, you’ll find several other notable attractions Just south of Rhodes is Filerimos Hill, home to the Monastery of Filerimos and ancient temple ruins. A 30-minute drive farther south will take you to the ruined settlement of Ancient Kamiros, which remains remarkably intact given that it dates back to the 10th century BC.
