Scenic island tours
Rhodes Back-Country Jeep Safari
The mountainous, non-touristy side of Rhodes, reached by semi-private jeep.
A small-group jeep excursion into the wooded, mountainous interior of northern Rhodes, mixing on- and off-road driving with stops in small villages, monasteries and chapels most coach tours never reach, plus a lunch stop in a traditional village.
Vehicles carry up to six passengers each, which keeps the group loose enough to take quieter back roads through pine forest and farmland that larger coaches can't use. Your guides point out villages, monasteries and chapels along the way.
A stop at a traditional village for lunch breaks up the driving and gives a look at local life away from the resort towns on the coast. Expect home-style Greek food rather than a formal restaurant setting.
The route is designed to show off the north, east and west of the island from height, so allow for a full and fairly physical day in the vehicle even though there's little actual walking involved.
Highlights
- Off-road and back-road driving through Rhodes' mountainous, non-touristy interior
- Stops at small villages, monasteries and chapels along Profitis Ilias
- A village lunch included as part of the day
- Panoramic viewpoints over northern, eastern and western Rhodes
What a good tour includes
- Semi-private jeep transport (up to six passengers per vehicle, per supplier)
- English-speaking guide
- Lunch at a traditional village
Getting there from the cruise port
Cruise ships calling at Rhodes typically berth at the Tourist Port, within a short walk of the Old Town's medieval walls for most berths, though some calls use the outer Commercial Port and a handful of tours meet a few minutes' walk from the pier rather than directly alongside it. Always confirm your exact meeting point and pickup location from your booking confirmation, since this is set per tour and can vary from ship to ship. The Old Town itself is comfortably walkable from most berths — allow 10–20 minutes — so a guide is optional if you only want the medieval quarter. Lindos, the beaches at Anthony Quinn Bay and Kallithea, and the island's mountainous interior all require coach, taxi or private transport; there is no practical walking option. Whichever excursion you choose, plan your day backwards from the ship's stated all-aboard time rather than its published departure time, and build in a buffer for Rhodes' summer traffic on the coastal road to Lindos.
Tips for cruise passengers
- Tell the operator about any dietary restrictions before booking, as the supplier asks for this in advance
- The supplier does not recommend this tour for guests with motion sickness, mobility issues, fear of heights, back problems, or children under 7 (no baby seats provided)
- There are also stated height and weight guidelines — check these against the supplier's listing if they might apply to you
Typically not included
- Alcohol for guests under the supplier's stated minimum age of 18
- Any dietary substitutions not flagged in advance
Check dates and availability
Live pricing and departure times are confirmed on our excursion partner's booking page. We may earn a commission from qualifying bookings at no extra cost to you.
Operated by Shore Excursions Group · Product eurhjeepsaf. We do not operate this tour ourselves.
Related excursions
Profitis Ilias Mountain Hike
A genuine woodland hike into the island's highlands, with sea views from the top.
Butterfly Valley and Rhodes Wine Tasting
A shaded valley thick with moths, followed by a proper sit-down tasting of local wine and produce.
Private Vehicle Hire: Full Day Rhodes
Just the vehicle and driver for a full day — you set the route.
Rhodes Back-Country Jeep Safari — FAQs
Is this a good fit for anyone prone to car sickness?▼
The supplier specifically advises against this tour for guests with car sickness, given the mix of on- and off-road driving over several hours.
Is lunch included?▼
Yes, per the supplier — a lunch stop at a traditional village is built into the seven-hour itinerary.
How many people are in each jeep?▼
The supplier describes this as a semi-private tour with up to six passengers per vehicle, rather than one large coach group.