South Rhodes reveals its best side from the back roads: wide island views, quiet chapels, forest tracks, and cliff-top ruins that are hard to reach on a standard sightseeing bus. This 7.5-hour 4×4 outing links those places with a long Greek lunch in Monolithos.

I like the small vehicle format, limited to six guests per jeep, and the mix of natural viewpoints with local culture. I also like that lunch is included, with traditional Greek platters rather than a rushed snack. The tradeoff is a bumpy day with some height exposure, and the tour is not suitable for children under seven, pregnant women, or anyone with back, heart, mobility, or motion problems.

Key points at a glance

• Gadoura Dam begins the sightseeing: Take photos of Rhodes’ main water reservoir and pass the Italian Arch Bridge on the way into the interior.
• Artamitis Monastery adds a quiet cultural stop: You have about 20 minutes to visit, take photos, or enjoy the peaceful setting.
• Koufou Forest brings the biggest views: The viewpoint in Jacob’s Canyon looks toward the Aegean Sea and nearby islands.
• Monolithos Castle is the dramatic finale: A short visit gives you cliff-top ruins and broad coastal views.
• Lunch lasts 75 minutes: Eat traditional Greek food in a village taverna in Monolithos, with drinks such as coffee, wine, beer, and soft drinks paid separately.
• Pickup covers much of the southeast: Collection is offered from Rhodes Town, Lindos, Pefki, Kiotari, Gennadi, Lardos, Kalathos, Charaki, Archangelos, Plimmiri, Lachania, and Theotokos.

Why this South Rhodes safari is different

Rhodes is easy to picture as beaches, resort pools, and the medieval Old Town. The southern interior offers another island entirely. Here, the roads lead through traditional villages, wooded hills, religious sites, and open viewpoints where the sea seems to stretch in every direction.

The 4×4 matters because part of the route leaves the ordinary paved road. You are not simply riding from one attraction to the next. The route includes off-road sections through the island’s interior, and the vehicle is driven by a multilingual escort-guide who handles the road while explaining what you see.

The group size is a practical advantage. With up to six people in each vehicle, this feels more personal than a large coach tour. You can see out of the sides more easily, ask questions without shouting, and spend less time loading and unloading a big group. The included vehicle is described as a seven-seater, with the tour operating for a maximum of six guests per jeep.

The experience costs $159 per person. That is not a bargain-priced outing, but the price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the 4×4 transport, a driver-guide, lunch, liability insurance, and local taxes. For you, the value comes from combining transport, remote sightseeing, guiding, and a full meal in one day. If you only want a few scenic photos, it may feel expensive. If you want to see places that are awkward to reach independently, the package makes more sense.

Morning pickup and the road inland

Pickup times begin at 8:25 a.m. in Plimmiri and move through the resort areas during the morning. Lachania is scheduled for 8:35, Gennadi at 8:45, Kiotari at 8:50, Lardos at 9:00, Pefki at 9:05, Lindos at 9:15, Theotokos at 9:20, Kalathos at 9:25, Charaki at 9:35, and Archangelos at 9:45.

Rhodes Town is also included among the pickup and drop-off areas, though an exact time is not provided. You need to wait outside your hotel reception ten minutes before the scheduled pickup. The vehicle carries the company logo, and the driver wears branded clothing, which helps you identify the correct pickup.

The driver waits no longer than five minutes after the appointed time. That rule is worth taking seriously, especially at larger hotel complexes where the vehicle may stop outside rather than at the main entrance. If the 4×4 cannot reach your hotel, you are told the nearest pickup point by email.

The first road section lasts about 35 minutes. Along the way, you pass the Italian Arch Bridge, a remnant of the Italian period in Rhodes. You view it from the vehicle rather than making it a separate walking stop, so think of it as a pleasant historical detail on the route, not a major attraction with an extended visit.

Gadoura Dam and Rhodes’ water supply

The first scheduled stop is Gadoura Dam, about 15 minutes for photos, a short break, and views over the reservoir. The dam is less about monuments and more about scale. It gives you an early sense of the island’s inland side, with open hills and quiet water replacing hotel strips and busy beaches.

This is a useful first stop because you can get your bearings before the rougher portions of the journey. Bring a camera, but also bring sun protection. The information provided does not promise shade, and the supplied packing advice sensibly calls for sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen.

You will spend another 35 minutes in the jeep after the dam. The rhythm of the day is clear by this point: ride, stop for views or culture, then continue along a mixture of paved and rough roads. Anyone expecting a continuous adrenaline ride should adjust expectations. This is primarily a sightseeing day with off-road sections, not a driving lesson or a high-speed adventure.

Artamitis Monastery near Laerma

The route continues through Laerma, a traditional village, before reaching the Monastery of Artamitis. You have about 20 minutes here for a visit, photos, and free time.

A monastery stop changes the tone of the day. After the open view at Gadoura, this is a quieter place tied to the religious life of the island. You can pay attention to the site, listen to the guide, or simply enjoy the calm surroundings before returning to the vehicle.

The stop is brief, so do not expect a long guided tour of every detail. The attraction lies in the setting and the pause itself. Modest clothing and respectful behavior are sensible whenever visiting a religious site, though no specific dress code is provided for this tour.

After the monastery, the drive takes about 25 minutes. The route passes through Agios Isidoros before entering the Koufou Forest area. The changing scenery is part of the appeal here. You move from village roads to wooded tracks and then toward a much more open viewpoint.

Koufou Forest and the Aegean panorama

Koufou Forest, also called Jacob’s Canyon, provides one of the strongest photo stops of the day. The viewpoint looks out toward the Aegean Sea and nearby islands, giving you the broadest sense of South Rhodes’ position in the wider sea.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes, including photos and an off-road section. That is enough for a quick walk and a camera break, but not enough for a long hike. Wear proper shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are specifically not allowed, and comfortable footwear is important on uneven ground.

This may be the point where people who dislike heights feel most uncomfortable. The tour is not suitable for anyone afraid of heights, and that warning should be taken literally. You do not need to be an experienced hiker, but you should be comfortable standing near a high viewpoint and riding on rough roads.

The forest name and canyon setting add character, yet the main reward is the view. If the weather is clear, you should have the best chance of seeing the sea and nearby islands from above. Weather can change the timing and conditions, so the exact feel of this stop is not guaranteed on every departure.

Monolithos Castle on its rocky perch

From Koufou Forest, the 4×4 ride continues for about 30 minutes to the Castle of Monolithos. You get around 20 minutes for photos and sightseeing.

The castle’s position does much of the work. It sits high on a rocky outcrop, with views that explain why the site was chosen. The ruins are not presented as a long archaeological visit, but they provide a memorable historical stop and one of the most recognizable scenes in southern Rhodes.

The setting also means uneven surfaces and exposure to height. Good shoes are essential, and anyone with mobility limits should think carefully before booking. Wheelchair users cannot take part, and the tour is also unsuitable for people recovering from recent surgery or those with serious back problems.

The castle is close to the lunch village. After another short five-minute ride, you reach Monolithos. That efficient transfer is welcome. You do not spend another long stretch in the vehicle just to reach the meal.

A long Greek lunch in Monolithos

Lunch is scheduled for 75 minutes at a traditional taverna in Monolithos. This is more than a quick stop between sights. You have time to sit down, eat, and let the day slow down.

The meal consists of traditional Greek food served as platters. Dietary restrictions and food allergies can be handled with advance notice, so include that information when booking rather than waiting until you sit down. Coffee, wine, beer, and other refreshments are not included, so carry cash for those extras.

The lunch is one of the strongest value points in the day. You are not being sent to find food on your own, and the long break gives you a chance to recover from the vehicle ride. A full meal also makes the $159 price easier to justify, particularly if your hotel is in one of the farther pickup areas.

A practical note: food and drinks are not allowed inside the vehicle, and smoking is prohibited. That may sound obvious, but it helps explain why the day is organized around proper stops rather than casual snacking on the road.

The ride home and the realities of a 4×4 day

After lunch, the return ride lasts about one hour. Drop-off is available at the same broad range of areas, including Rhodes Town, Lindos, Pefki, Kiotari, Gennadi, Lardos, Kalathos, Charaki, Archangelos, Plimmiri, Lachania, and Theotokos.

The ride home is not a sightseeing stop in itself, but it completes a fairly full day. The earlier start and long route mean you should not plan an important evening reservation too tightly after the tour. Schedules may shift with group size and weather.

A 4×4 can make rough roads accessible, but it cannot make them smooth. Motion sickness is listed among the reasons not to take this outing. If you are prone to nausea, a full breakfast, water before pickup, and a seat with a clear forward view may help, but the tour provider does not promise a particular seat. If motion sickness is a serious problem for you, choose a gentler excursion.

The day is also unsuitable for anyone over 200 centimeters tall or 130 kilograms, and people with high blood pressure, heart problems, recent surgery, or significant mobility restrictions should not book. Children under seven are excluded, while anyone under 18 may not consume wine.

The driver-guide can shape the day

The tour is offered in English and German. The driver-guide is not just a chauffeur, since the vehicle is operated by multilingual escort-drivers who lead the route and provide information along the way.

One guide specifically associated with the experience is Dimitri. A personal touch from the day includes his relaxed manner and Ouzo candies for the group. Small details like that can make a long shared ride feel easier, though you should not assume Dimitri will be assigned to every departure.

The guide’s role matters most on the remote sections. At Gadoura Dam, Artamitis Monastery, Koufou Forest, and Monolithos Castle, the explanation helps connect scenery with local places instead of leaving you with a series of disconnected photo stops. The tour is informative but still allows free time at the main stops.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Pack light. Large bags and luggage are not allowed in the vehicle, so this is not a good option for moving between hotels with your suitcases. A small personal bag is the practical choice, subject to the operator’s restrictions.

Bring:

• Comfortable closed shoes
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Sunscreen
• A camera
• A light jacket
• Cash for drinks at the taverna

A jacket is sensible even in warm weather because the forest and higher viewpoints can feel different from the coast. The tour also specifically prohibits high heels, sandals, flip-flops, pets, smoking in the vehicle, alcohol and drugs, and food or drinks inside the 4×4.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The group needs a minimum of four people to start, so availability can depend on the departure date.

Who should book this South Rhodes tour?

I would choose this safari if you want to see the island beyond its resort coastline and prefer a guided day to arranging a rental car. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who enjoy viewpoints, village stops, historic places, and a proper meal.

It is also a good choice if you are staying in the south or southeast of Rhodes. The broad pickup network covers many of the main resort areas, reducing the need to arrange a separate taxi or drive to a meeting point.

I would not choose it for a relaxed beach day, a museum-focused history tour, or a gentle sightseeing trip. The route includes off-road driving, a high castle site, several hours of transport, and a fixed schedule. People with back trouble, motion sickness, mobility impairments, height anxiety, or the listed medical conditions should select another activity.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your ideal Rhodes day combines inland scenery, local food, and hard-to-reach viewpoints. Gadoura Dam, Artamitis Monastery, Koufou Forest, and Monolithos Castle give the route useful variety, while the 75-minute lunch keeps the day from becoming a string of rushed stops.

The $159 price is fair when you use the included pickup, 4×4 transport, guide, lunch, insurance, and taxes. It is less appealing if you mainly want a quick castle visit or dislike bumpy roads. Wear proper shoes, confirm your hotel pickup, report dietary needs in advance, and keep your evening plans flexible.

FAQ

How long does the South Rhodes safari last?

The tour lasts 7.5 hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off, sightseeing stops, off-road driving, and lunch.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Gadoura Dam, Artamitis Monastery near Laerma, Koufou Forest, also called Jacob’s Canyon, the Castle of Monolithos, and Monolithos village.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch with traditional Greek food at a taverna in Monolithos is included. Coffee, wine, beer, and other refreshments are not included.

How many people ride in each vehicle?

The tour uses seven-seater 4×4 vehicles and allows up to six guests per vehicle.

Which languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English and German.

Where is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are offered in Rhodes Town, Archangelos, Plimmiri, Kiotari, Kalathos, Gennadi, Pefki, Charaki, Lachania, Lindos, Theotokos, and Lardos. If the vehicle cannot reach your exact hotel, you will be given the nearest pickup point.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, a camera, a jacket, and cash. High heels, sandals, flip-flops, large bags, luggage, pets, smoking, alcohol, and food or drinks inside the vehicle are not allowed.