Hire a Car in Kiotari and Explore Rhodes from the Southeast Coast
Kiotari is a quieter alternative to the big resorts of Rhodes. It sits on the southeast coast, a long strip of shingle and sand backed by hotels and apartments that never quite reach the intensity of Faliraki or Rhodes Town. The beach is clean, the water is warm, and the pace is slower. There are restaurants along the shore road and a handful of shops, but the village does not pretend to be a nightlife destination. What it offers instead is space and proximity. Kiotari is well placed for exploring the southern half of the island, from the windsurfing beach at Prasonisi to the white-washed village of Lindos and the hidden coves along the east coast. Public transport exists but is limited, especially outside the peak months. A hire car turns Kiotari from a pleasant beach base into a launchpad for the whole of Rhodes.
Most visitors who stay in Kiotari hire a car for selected days of their stay. The reason is simple: the best of Rhodes south of Lindos is not reachable by bus. Prasonisi, where the Aegean and Mediterranean meet across a sandy isthmus, is reached by rural roads that public transport does not cover. The mountain villages of the interior, the monasteries and the west-coast viewpoints are also easier to plan with a car. Even Lindos becomes more enjoyable when you can arrive early, leave late and stop at beaches along the way. A compact car or small SUV is a practical size for Kiotari. The village streets are not wide, and rural roads south can be narrow or rough, so a larger vehicle may make parking and passing harder than necessary.
Rhodes (Dodecanese, Greece)
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South Rhodes beaches, Lindos, Prasonisi, mountain villages
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Good coastal road north; rural roads south narrow and rougher
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Compact car or small SUV for village and rural lane access
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Match collection to the actual itinerary
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Pick-Up at Rhodes Airport
Diagoras International Airport is on the northwest coast of Rhodes, roughly an hour's drive from Kiotari. Collecting your hire car at the airport is the most efficient option if you are flying in, especially since it avoids the need for a separate transfer to the southeast coast. The rental desks are inside or near the terminal, and the handover follows the standard process: voucher check, car inspection, fuel confirmation, and insurance review. Photograph any existing damage and confirm the drop-off point. If you are returning to the airport at the end of your trip, allow extra time for the drive; the coastal road can be busy in peak season, and the airport approach involves several roundabouts.
Resort Delivery to Kiotari
Some suppliers offer delivery to hotels and apartments in the Kiotari area. This suits visitors who want to settle in first and arrange a car later in the week for specific day trips. It is also useful for families with young children who do not want to deal with car seats and luggage at the airport. Delivery terms vary: some suppliers include it, others charge a supplement depending on distance from their depot. Confirm the handover time, location, and any extra cost when you book. The voucher controls these details.
Plan the handover, price and first drive
Kiotari does not shout. It is not Faliraki, and it is not Rhodes Town. It is a long beach, a few restaurants, and a row of apartments that catch the morning sun. Most people who come here do so because they have been to Rhodes before and they want something quieter. The beach is shingle in places, sand in others, and the water is warm enough to stay in for an hour without noticing. The restaurants along the shore road serve the same dishes you will find everywhere on the island, but the pace is slower and the owners have time to talk.
The hire car changes the shape of the week. One morning you drive north to Lindos, arriving early enough to climb the acropolis before the coaches arrive. From the top, you can see the whole sweep of the east coast, from Rhodes Town in the distance to the hazy outline of Turkey beyond. You walk down through the village, swim at St Paul's Bay, and drive back to Kiotari in time for dinner.
Another day, you head south to Prasonisi. The road gets rougher as you go, and the wind picks up, but the beach is worth it. Windsurfers race across the water, and you walk across the sandy strip to the other side, where the sea is calmer and the view is uninterrupted. On the way back, you stop at a cove you saw from the road, swim, and decide this is the best beach you have found all week. That is the point of the car. It turns a beach holiday into something larger, something you choose rather than something chosen for you.
Check the conditions behind the price
The selected supplier’s terms and booking voucher control the rental. Review them before payment and again before collection.
Total payable price
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Deposit and payment card
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Excess and cover
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Fuel policy
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Mileage and territory
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Extras and return
Price additional drivers, seats, after-hours service and one-way return before payment.
Choose for people, bags and roads
A category normally represents a group of similar cars, not a promise of one exact model.
- Compact: convenient for couples and tighter parking.
- Intermediate: more room for bags and longer journeys.
- Family or SUV category: useful only when the required capacity justifies it.
- Transmission: select automatic explicitly if manual is unsuitable.
Practical planning before departure
Driving Around Kiotari and Southern Rhodes
Kiotari itself is low-traffic and easy to navigate. The main coastal road runs through the village, and side streets are mostly residential. Heading north towards Lindos, the road is good but busy in summer. Heading south towards Prasonisi, the road narrows and the surface becomes rougher. The final stretch to Prasonisi is a dirt track in places, and the wind can be strong enough to make driving a challenge. Allow extra time for this route and check the current road conditions before you set out. Fuel stations are available in Lindos and along the main east coast road, but scarce south of Kiotari; fill up before heading south.
Parking at Beaches and Villages
Parking in Kiotari is generally easier than in the big northern resorts, but hotel spaces can still be tight in peak season. Ask about parking when you book your accommodation. At beaches along the coast, parking is usually informal: pull off the road where there is space, but do not block access or drive onto the beach itself. At Lindos, parking is at the bottom of the hill outside the village; cars are not permitted inside. At Prasonisi, there is a dirt lot near the beach that fills quickly on windy days when the windsurfers arrive. Keep valuables out of sight and lock the car.
What to Check Before You Drive Away
Rhodes rentals usually operate on a full-to-full fuel policy. Photograph the gauge at collection and refuel before return. Inspect the car for existing damage, especially to the tyres and underside if you plan to drive on rural tracks. Check the spare tyre and jack. Confirm the insurance excess and whether you have purchased excess reduction. Ask about the breakdown procedure, especially if you are planning to drive to remote areas like the south coast. Late returns can trigger extra charges, so build buffer time into your final day. The voucher, not this page, controls the exact terms.
Local access, road and operating conditions can change. Check current signs, your supplier instructions and the linked source before travelling: Visit Greece Rhodes guide.
Build a realistic first journey
Kiotari to Lindos
Lindos is the most photogenic village on Rhodes, a tumble of whitewashed houses beneath an ancient acropolis on the east coast. The drive from Kiotari heads north along the coastal road, past a series of small beaches and resorts, before reaching the village. Parking is at the bottom of the hill; from there you walk up through the lanes to the acropolis. The climb is steep but short, and the views from the top are extraordinary. Lindos gets extremely busy in peak season, so an early start is essential. Combine the visit with a swim at St Paul's Bay, just below the village, where the water is calm and clear.
Kiotari to Prasonisi
Prasonisi is the southernmost point of Rhodes, a sandy isthmus where the Aegean and Mediterranean seas meet. On windy days, it is one of the best windsurfing spots in Greece. The drive from Kiotari takes you south through rural landscapes and small villages, then along increasingly rough roads to the coast. The final approach is a dirt track in places. The beach itself is beautiful, with shallow water on the lagoon side and waves on the seaward side, but the wind can be fierce. There are a few snack bars and equipment rental shops in summer. This is a half-day trip at least, and the drive back gives you time to stop at quiet coves along the east coast.
Kiotari to Monolithos Castle
Monolithos sits on the west coast of Rhodes, about an hour and a half from Kiotari by car. The route takes you across the island's mountainous interior, through pine forests and traditional villages where time seems to move more slowly. The castle itself is a medieval ruin perched on a rock above the sea, and the approach involves a steep climb from the car park. The views are spectacular, and the atmosphere is quiet and remote. This is a full-day trip that pairs well with lunch at a village taverna and a stop at one of the west coast viewpoints on the way back.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Kiotari?
Kiotari itself is small and walkable, but to see the rest of Rhodes — Lindos, Prasonisi, the mountain villages, and the west coast — a hire car is essential. Public buses connect Kiotari to a few northern spots, but they do not reach the southern beaches or the interior. A car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Is driving in southern Rhodes difficult?
The main coastal road north is straightforward. The roads south of Kiotari are narrower and rougher, especially the final stretch to Prasonisi. If you are comfortable with rural driving, you will be fine. If not, stick to Lindos and the main coastal route, and consider an organised excursion for Prasonisi.
What is the minimum age for car hire in Kiotari?
Most suppliers require the main driver to be at least 21 with a full licence held for at least one year. Drivers under 25 may incur a young-driver surcharge. Check the specific terms on your voucher before you book.
Can I take the rental car to other islands?
Generally no. Most Rhodes rental agreements restrict driving to the island itself. Taking the car on a ferry to another island or to the Turkish mainland usually violates the terms and voids the insurance. If you need inter-island transport, return the car and hire again at your next stop.
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