Area guide
Apollona guide: what to know before you go
Make Apollona a village-and-lunch stop, not a quick photo stop between attractions. Its olive-growing traditions, two distinct museum collections and Holy Cross Church give you reasons to explore before sitting down at a mountain taverna.
For most visitors, it works best as a day trip by car. You come here for inland Rhodes and village cooking, not beach access or a resort-style evening.
Where Apollona is — and whether to stay here
Apollona lies in the interior of Rhodes, on the eastern slopes of Mount Profitis Ilias, close to the island’s centre. Olive cultivation and wine production are part of its working landscape. Away from the main gathering places, narrow lanes contain traditional houses and gardens rather than a continuous strip of visitor businesses.
Choose it as a holiday base only if village life is the point of your trip and you are happy to drive for outings. For a first Rhodes holiday built around swimming, sightseeing and easy transport, stay elsewhere and visit Apollona for the day. A central position on the map does not mean quick access to every coast.
Use the Rhodes Island Guide to plan the wider trip, and Areas of Rhodes to compare places before committing to an inland stay.
Apollona’s Holy Cross Church, museums and castle remains
Start with the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Built in 1858, it has a five-storey bell tower, decorative pebble paving and an elaborate 19th-century wooden iconostasis. These details reward a closer look; do not treat the courtyard as the whole visit.
Apollona’s name is linked to an ancient temple of Apollo. For a more tangible introduction to its history, prioritise the church and museum collections rather than expecting a substantial standing ancient temple.
The parish museum beside the church
The ecclesiastical collection preserves religious objects associated with the village, including a 12th-century parchment codex. The church also holds a carved wooden cross dated to the 10th–11th century, revered as containing a fragment of the True Cross. Do not assume every important relic will be on public display during an ordinary visit.
The folklore museum and archaeological remains
The folklore museum is a separate collection focused on domestic and agricultural life. Look for the old olive press with its large millstones, farming tools, traditional clothing and musical instruments: they explain the village’s working traditions better than a list of historical dates.
Its garden contains Byzantine castle remains, remnants of an early Christian church, Roman sarcophagi and ancient column fragments. Expect archaeological remnants, not an intact fortress. Check access locally before making either museum the sole reason for your journey.
Apollona’s Holy Cross festival in September
The village’s main religious celebration is the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on 14 September. Vespers on the eve draw people from across Rhodes, with cultural celebrations accompanying the religious observance. This is a pilgrimage as well as a village gathering.
Apollona also has a tradition of September Cultural Evenings organised by its New Horizons cultural association, featuring music, dance, theatre and exhibitions. Check the current programme locally rather than assuming the same performances run every year.
If the celebration is your priority, plan your return transport before arriving. If you want a quiet look inside the church and time with the collections, choose another day: the festival offers atmosphere, not the same sightseeing conditions.
Eating in Apollona: tavernas, village pies and local products
Lunch is a strong reason to come. Apollona is a good choice for generous village-taverna portions and better value than many resort-facing options. Meat dishes feature in its tavernas, but there is no need to make every plate a grilled-meat order.
Start with pitaroudia, Rhodian chickpea fritters made with tomato, onion and herbs. Apollona is a particularly good village to try them. Add bread and a vegetable dish, then ask what has been cooked that day before choosing a main.
For an earlier stop, village bakeries are worth considering for spanakopita or tiropita. Local products sold in the village include bread, sweets, food specialities and embroidery; ask what is locally made rather than assuming every item is.
Treat shopping as a small part of the visit, not the main attraction. For an overnight stay, check the practical essentials with your host beforehand, especially food shopping and any medical needs.
Mount Profitis Ilias, Embonas and sights near Apollona
Mount Profitis Ilias is the simplest addition to an Apollona outing: it is only 5.8 km away by road. Make the mountain your other main stop and leave room for the village itself.
For a village-focused drive, combine Apollona with Embonas. Both are good mountain-taverna choices, so decide which gets your main meal rather than planning two substantial lunches.
For a history-focused day, choose Ancient Kamiros or the castle near Kritinia. Each is 26 km from Apollona by road. They are alternatives for a manageable outing, not a checklist you need to finish before lunch.
Another option is the 15th-century church of Saint Nikolaos at Fountoukli, in the wider Eleousa area. It makes a more coherent addition to a church-focused visit than crossing the island simply to add another famous attraction.
Beaches from Apollona: plan a separate coastal stop
Apollona is inland and has no village beach. If daily swimming is central to your holiday, that is the clearest reason not to base yourself here. A beach visit requires a deliberate drive, not a walk downhill after breakfast.
One workable sightseeing-and-swimming combination is Lindos, measured at 29 km and 40–55 minutes from Apollona. That figure is to the village, not to a sunbed: allow separately for parking and reaching the shore. Use the Lindos Beach Guide: Main Beach & Pallas Beach Rhodes to choose your swimming stop.
For a relaxed day, choose either a substantial village lunch or a long beach session as the priority. Trying to fit museums, mountain stops, Lindos sightseeing and swimming into one outing leaves little time for any of them.
Road distances and driving times from Apollona
Use these road measurements to keep your route realistic. Typical drives exclude sightseeing stops, parking and time spent walking from the car; allow extra flexibility on a festival day.
| From Apollona to | Road distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Profitis Ilias | 5.8 km | 10–15 min |
| Embonas | 14 km | 15–20 min |
| Ancient Kamiros | 26 km | 30–40 min |
| Kritinia Castle | 26 km | 30–40 min |
| Valley of the Butterflies | 28 km | 30–40 min |
| Lindos village | 29 km | 40–55 min |
| Kamiros Skala | 29 km | 30–40 min |
| Rhodes Airport | 30 km | 35–45 min |
| Rhodes Old Town (Mandraki) | 45 km | 55–70 min |
Getting to Apollona by car, bus or taxi
A rental car is the practical choice for Apollona, especially if you want to combine lunch with a mountain or historical stop. You do not need one for your entire holiday just to make this outing worthwhile. Download offline maps before setting out, carry water and avoid beginning an inland drive with a nearly empty fuel tank.
RODA route 71 links Apollona with Rhodes Town. Services are limited, so check both directions in the live Rhodes bus timetables before planning a day trip. An outward connection alone is not enough: make sure the return gives you a useful visit.
A taxi can work if you prefer not to drive, but arrange the return rather than counting on finding one when lunch finishes. Consult Rhodes taxi prices for planning and agree the journey details with the operator, including any waiting or extra stops.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Apollona from Rhodes Town?
Apollona is 45 km by road from the Rhodes Old Town (Mandraki) reference point, with a typical drive of 55–70 minutes. Allow separately for parking and traffic.
Is Apollona worth visiting just for lunch?
Yes. It is a strong choice for generous village-taverna food, particularly if you are already exploring inland Rhodes. Try pitaroudia and leave time for the Holy Cross Church rather than making it only a meal stop.
Are Apollona’s folklore museum and church museum the same place?
No. The folklore collection focuses on village life, farming and traditional clothing, while the parish museum beside the Holy Cross Church preserves religious objects. Check access to each locally.
When is Apollona’s main festival?
The Holy Cross feast day is 14 September, with vespers and celebrations on the eve. Check locally for the current cultural programme and event arrangements.
Can you visit Apollona without hiring a car?
Yes, by bus or a pre-arranged taxi. Bus services are limited, so confirm a workable return before travelling; a car is much easier for combining Apollona with other inland stops.
Plan where to stay in Rhodes
- Where to Stay in Rhodes — All 16 main areas and every village guide
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- Top Hotels in Rhodes — My curated hotel picks, area by area
- Where to Stay Without a Car — Walkable bases with good bus links
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