Car Hire in Lardos

About Lardos

Lardos is a Greek village on the river Lardos, also called Fonias, in the eastern part of the island of Rhodes, South Aegean region. It is located 54 kilometres from the city of Rhodes.

Rhodes is the largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands and also the historical capital of the archipelago. In the past, the island of Rhodes was very famous for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The medieval old town of Rhodes has been declared a World Heritage Site. Today Rhodes is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.

The charming village of Lardos will not disappoint you. The pretty streets, traditional architecture and the iconic fountain in the middle of the village are just some of the reasons why you should visit this place. There are also some great restaurants and taverns in the village where you can enjoy delicious meals. We must not forget that Lardos also has stunning surroundings of the village. The beautiful nature makes this place a perfect destination if you are taking a road trip around Rhodes.

Although Lardos is a small village, it has everything that big tourist complexes offer. There is a doctor's office, a dentist, a pharmacy, a hairdresser, a currency exchange office, an international telephone network, a newsstand, a car, a motorcycle and a bicycle rental. So this place should be on your list of villages to visit on a Rhodes road trip.

Basic info and car hire in Lardos

• Location: Rhodes Island, Greece
• Population: 1380
• Official language: Greek
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Rhodes has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate  
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Lardos are in good condition.
• Car hire in Lardos: The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Lardos is at Lardos Downtown. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks before your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Lardos.

 Driving in Lardos

Driving on the island of Rhodes is not very demanding. If you want to explore the island properly, a rental car is the best solution for you. The roads on the island are mostly in good condition, traffic is relatively light and you will not be stuck in a traffic jam for hours. The only problem is finding a parking space during the summer season. If you want to explore a village or town, it's best to park your car outside the town or village and explore on foot.

Fines for breaking the laws and regulations are strict and expensive. Running a red light or ignoring a stop sign will cost you 700 euros. Not wearing a seat belt in a car is punishable by 350 euros. Talking on a mobile phone without a hands-free device is punishable by 100 euros. Driving under the influence of alcohol is punishable by a fine of between 200 and 1200 euros and a likely driving license suspension of between 10 days and six months, depending on how much the breathalyzer test reveals.

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in Greece is 18 years old. The minimum age to rent a car is 21 years old, and some rental companies for people over 75 years old. Young driver surcharges may apply to those under 25 with many rental companies.
• International Driving Permit:  Visitors need a valid driving license to drive a car in Greece legally. Drivers of motorcycles up to 125cc must be at least 18 years old, while drivers of mopeds (up to 50cc) must be at least 16 years old. Driving licenses issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted. With an International Driving Permit (IDP), you can legally drive in Greece and 174 other countries and present your valid driver's license. Only two organizations issue IDPs in the US: Automobile Association of America (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA), and you can order it online if there is no office near you.
• Additional papers: Identification (passport), a valid driver's license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to take out insurance with the car rental company if your policy does not cover you when driving in Greece). 
• Additional requirements: Warning triangle (mandatory in every vehicle), headlight deflectors (for vehicles from UK. Depending on the vehicle, you may either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually), fire extinguisher (mandatory in every vehicle), first aid kit (mandatory in every vehicle), warning triangles, spare wheels are required, and hands-free devices with hearing aids if you are talking on the phone while driving. 
• Children in the car:  A suitable child seat must be fitted for children under three years of age. Local authorities approve child restraint systems that comply with the ECE R44/03 standard. A suitable child seat should also be used for children between 3 and 11 years of age smaller than 1.35 meters. Adult seat belts are already approved for children over 12 years of age and over 1.35 meters tall. If you wish to fit a rear-facing child seat, you may do so because the front passenger airbag is deactivated.
• Driving side of the road: Right
• Lights: In poor daytime visibility, use low beam headlights. The use of high beams in cities is strictly prohibited.  
• General speed limits: Unless otherwise stated, the maximum speed on the motorway is 120 km per hour. On rural roads, you may drive 110 km/68 mi per hour. In residential areas, the speed limit is 50 km/31 mi per hour.
• Parking suggestions: Parking is prohibited in Greece: Within 5 meters (m) of intersections, within 15m of railway crossings, within 15m of bus and tram stops, within 3m of a fire hydrant, within 5m of a stop sign, or traffic light. In some streets, signs indicate which side of the road to park on. Parking fees vary from city to city, with meters usually operating between 30 minutes and two hours. In Athens, particular parking areas are reserved for tourists. EU disability cards should be recognized in Greece. However, to be on the safe side, you should apply for a card from the Institute for the Rehabilitation of Disabled People in Athens or from local prefects in other provinces.

What to see in Lardos

Lardos is a charming little village with lots of character. There are many great restaurants and tavernas where you can enjoy delicious local food. You can also admire the traditional architecture, walk through the charming narrow streets and relax in the main square with the picturesque fountain in the middle. The famous Blue Flag beach of Lardos is just 3 kilometres from the village and offers plenty of water sports for the whole family.

There are also organised excursions here in Lardos that you can join to explore other villages on the island such as the village of Lindos and the Acropolis of Lindos, trips around the island, shopping trips to Rhodes Town and the ruins of ancient Kamiros and the monasteries.

During your stay in Lardos, be sure to visit the remains of the Byzantine castle of Lardos or the Convent of the Virgin Mary.

Drive your rental car beyond Lardos

There are so many fantastic places to visit in this country that you will simply enjoy a trip through Greece. The roads are mostly in very good condition, so you will have to think carefully about which parts of the country you want to explore.

Greece or many would say the cradle of western civilization, is the southernmost country in the Balkan Peninsula. This perfectly situated country of over 2000 islands, around 170 of which are inhabited, has access to the whole world via the sea and also has a beautiful inland area full of mountains and volcanic soil, a rich culture, many historical and religious sites, delicious food and genuinely nice people - a place that every person should visit at least once in their lifetime. There are so many different things to see and do here that you are sure to find something for yourself.

If you are planning a holiday to Greece, you should make a good plan. A rental car is the best solution if you want to explore the country to see different places, try different foods and meet different people from different parts of Greece. First, you need to decide if you want to explore the islands or if you are more interested in the interior. For both options, there are plenty of activities you can do and plenty of sights you can visit.

Athens, the capital of Greece, is one of the cities you should visit if you are planning a road trip through Greece. Athens is something very different from Lardos, but no less interesting and exciting. Greece is a country that is a mixture of Europe, the Balkans, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It sits at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa and is the legacy of classical Greece, the Byzantine Empire and almost four centuries of Ottoman rule. All this gives the country a great religious, cultural, architectural and also political background that contributes to the diversity of the country.

The size of the country is equal to that of Great Britain and it is divided into six main regions: Central Greece: the Píndos Mountains, North-Eastern Greece: Makedonía and Thráki, Eastern Greece: Thessalía and Attikí, Southern Greece: the Pelopónnisos, Western Greece: Ípeiros and Akarnanía, The Islands of Greece. Each of these regions has something to offer you. It is best to rent a car and explore region by region. You will need time to explore this country well, so it may be best to explore the regions one by one. The roads in Greece are in good condition, the people are friendly, the country is beautiful, the food is delicious and the sights are breathtaking, so all you have to do is buckle up and drive safely.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Lardos

In the village of Lardos, there are many tavernas and restaurants where you can try different foods. You can enjoy the traditional local cuisine, have a perfect Greek meal or try dishes from other parts of the world. The special thing about the cuisine here is that mainly local ingredients are used, which makes the culinary here in Greece so special.

Lardos is not a party place, so you will not find lively nightlife here, but you can definitely have a great evening in one of the bars and drink some ouzos or maybe taste local wines in a winery.

Best restaurant in Lardos

Roulas Restaurant

Il Gelso

Periklis

Valantina's

Savvas

Popis Garden