The Anthony Quinn Bay is one of the most famous bays in Rhodes. With its crystal clear water, framed by lush nature and rugged rocks, it is a true postcard motif and one of the highlights of the island.
“The bay was named after the actor Anthony Quinn, who shot a Hollywood film in Rhodes in the 1960s.”
But is the trip really worth it? And what should you keep in mind so that your visit doesn’t turn into a parking lot odyssey? In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about Anthony Quinn Bay on Rhodes — from how to get there to tips for viewpoints and other beautiful beaches nearby.
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#1 Getting to Anthony Quinn Bay
Anthony Quinn Bay is located on the east coast of Rhodes, about 15 km south of Rhodes Town and only about 4 km from the popular resort of Faliraki. The distance from Lindos to Anthony Quinn Bay is 35 km.
The best way to get to Anthony Quinn Bay is by rental car. This gives you flexibility and allows you to decide for yourself how long you want to stay and whether you want to discover other highlights along the way. After about 10 km along the well-developed Rhodes Island Highway (E 95), you turn off towards Anthony Quinn Bay. The turn-off is at the level of the Lelis Taverna — after 1.5 km you are at the sea.
For a cheap car hire for Rhodes you can check our partner Discover Cars*:
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Parking at Anthony Quinn Bay
There are several parking areas near Anthony Quinn Bay where you can park your rental car for free. However, the car park directly at the bay fills up very quickly, especially in high season, so many cars end up parking along the narrow access road, which makes manoeuvring a bit challenging.
The main car park is located behind the Kounna Beach Bar, from where it is only a few metres down to the sea. If it is full when you arrive, there is an alternative parking area at the neighbouring Ladiko Beach and another at the Ladiko Suites Hotel above it.
💡 Best time to visit: Anthony Quinn Bay is one of Rhodes’ top excursion destinations. In July and August, motorboats and sailing boats enter the bay every few minutes, and the car parks are completely overcrowded. In high season, you should aim to be at Anthony Quinn Bay before 9 a.m., as it gets busy by 10 a.m. at the latest. This way you not only secure a parking space, but also a good spot by the water.
By bus to the bay
It is also possible to reach Anthony Quinn Bay by bus. In high season from June to the end of September, a bus runs from Rhodes Town to a car park above the bay, from where it is only about 500 metres down to the sea.
However, you are much less flexible by bus in Rhodes, as it only runs a few times a day and exploring the surroundings of the bay is not as easy this way. In addition, expect to queue at the bus stop in the afternoon — you won’t be the only one who came here by bus.
Current timetables for the bus to Anthony Quinn Bay can be found here: KTEL Rodou
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#2 Anthony Quinn Bay Tours
If you don’t have a car or prefer to reach the bay by water, you can book a boat trip to Anthony Quinn Bay. Tours are offered from both Rhodes Town and Faliraki, with a choice of different lengths and services.
Most tours last between three and six hours, but full-day trips of eight to nine hours are also available — for example, Anthony Quinn Bay tours on large wooden ships or even speedboats. A semi-submarine tour is also a special experience, allowing you to discover the underwater world of Rhodes from a glass cabin.
Many excursions include not only a swimming stop in Anthony Quinn Bay, but also stops at Kallithea Bay and the Traganou Caves. Snorkelling equipment is usually available on board, and many tours also include lunch and cold drinks.
If you prefer to paddle yourself, you can also join a guided kayak tour to Anthony Quinn Bay or simply rent your own kayak. If you want to include a swim stop in the bay, it is best to rent the kayak from Faliraki for at least three hours — that way there’s no rush.
- Information about Rhodes tours: Prices from 45 euros including free drinks and small snacks (duration: approx. 3 hours) | Day trips from 65 euros (all-inclusive with BBQ)
The easiest way to book trips to Anthony Quinn Bay is via our partner GetYourGuide*:
➲ To the all-inclusive day trip*
➲ To the classic boat tour (3h)*
➲ To the kayak tour along the east coast*
Motorboat for Anthony Quinn Bay
Alternatively, you can rent your own small motorboat without a boat licence and spend a wonderful day on the water exploring Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay and the Traganou Caves. You can decide for yourself whether you want to rent the boat for just a few hours or for the whole day.
For a trip by motorboat to Anthony Quinn Bay, these providers are recommended:
- Rodos Boats in Afandou: rodosboats.gr
- Rock My Boat in Faliraki: rockmyboat.gr
#3 Is Anthony Quinn Bay worth visiting?
If you head to the bay, don’t expect a wide, soft sandy beach where you can splash around in shallow water. The bay is relatively small, Anthony Quinn Beach is rocky, and the stones and sea urchins in the water mean you need to take care when entering — it is best to wear water shoes (Link to Amazon*).
That said, it is not without reason that this wind-protected bay is considered one of the most impressive on the island. With its crystal clear waters, large rocks and fish-rich underwater world, it has a very special natural beauty. It is of course no longer an insider tip, which means you have to share the bay with many others, especially in midsummer — which can put a damper on the idyll.
If you want to go snorkelling at Anthony Quinn Bay or swim in peace, it is best to come early in the morning. From around 4 p.m. onwards it begins to empty again, but by then the bay is mostly in the shade. The most relaxing experience is either in the shoulder season or when you arrive by rented kayak or boat.
Due to the narrow, stony beach and the rocks, Anthony Quinn Bay is not very suitable for children. The bay is popular with divers, and the house reef is considered one of the most beautiful on the island. There are several scuba diving centres in Faliraki that offer the chance to explore the stunning underwater world of the east coast and Anthony Quinn Bay.
💡 Rhodes Insider Tip: If you really want to see Anthony Quinn Bay but don’t feel like spending a day surrounded by crowds, simply plan a short swim stop before 10 a.m. and take in the scenery. Early risers can get here even earlier — Anthony Quinn Bay is on the east side of Rhodes, which means it catches the sunrise (around 6:30 a.m. in August). At that hour, all the sun loungers are still empty and the bay is bathed in a warm, golden light. A truly magical moment!
#4 Nearby Rhodes beaches
If Anthony Quinn Beach is too crowded for you, Ladiko Beach right next door is a great alternative — only about 400 metres further along. There is a beach restaurant with a view of the turquoise sea and equally clear water that invites you to snorkel. Here too, however, it gets busy in midsummer.
Beautiful beaches of Rhodes: We have put together our personal favourite swimming spots here → Rhodes Beaches
Another alternative to Anthony Quinn Beach is Faliraki Beach, right next to the popular resort of the same name. With its long, gently sloping shoreline, it is ideal for families and children. Along the promenade there is a wide variety of restaurants and plenty of water sports on offer.
Traganou Beach, about 3 km from Anthony Quinn Bay, is a lovely alternative. In addition to crystal-clear water that invites you to snorkel, it also offers freely accessible sea caves. The beach is pebbly, so water shoes are recommended here too. Loungers can be rented on site or you can simply spread your towel on the stones.
#5 Anthony Quinn Bay Viewpoint
For an overview of Anthony Quinn Bay, you can drive up to a viewpoint above the bay. The road up is quite steep and narrow, but manageable with a reasonably powered car.
If you don’t want to drive all the way to the top, you can park your car partway up and walk the last stretch. Avoid the midday heat, wear sturdy shoes and bring water. The viewpoint is about 15 minutes on foot, but the path is extremely steep.
At the top, the white and blue Profitis Ilias Chapel awaits you — a perfect photo motif with seating that invites you to linger. Light a candle if there are any left, and enjoy the meditative silence of this special place. The popular viewpoint is located directly behind the chapel.
From here you have a wonderful view of Anthony Quinn Bay. To the north you can see as far as Faliraki, and to the south the coastline of Afandou stretches out before you. Even in midsummer it is not as crowded here as down in the bay itself, and in the afternoon in particular the sea glitters especially beautifully.
💡 Origin of the name Anthony Quinn Bay: The bay was named after the famous Mexican-American actor Anthony Quinn, who filmed “The Guns of Navarone” here in the 1960s. There are various theories as to how exactly the bay got its name. One says that Quinn wanted to buy the bay and then named it after himself. Another story says that the Greek government of the time gave Quinn the bay — then known as “Vagies Bay” — as a gift, in recognition of the tourism boost generated by his films shot in Greece (including “Zorba the Greek”). Either way, the name “Anthony Quinn Bay” has endured to this day, and a visit is on the must-do list for many Rhodes holidaymakers. You can watch the film here: PrimeVideo*
#6 Places of interest in the area
After visiting Anthony Quinn Bay, there are more highlights along the east coast of Rhodes worth exploring at your own pace. Since many visitors only make a brief photo stop here due to the crowds, and you are in the area anyway, it is well worth taking a detour to these nearby spots — easily reached with a rental car on Rhodes:
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Traganou Caves
The Traganou Caves are natural grotto formations on the beach of the same name. They can be reached by car from Anthony Quinn Bay in just a few minutes and promise a little adventure surrounded by crystal clear water.
Visit to Afandou
The traditional Afandou Village is one of the oldest settlements on Rhodes and is located about ten minutes by car from the bay. Away from the tourist bustle, quaint tavernas, craft shops and inviting cafés await you. Particularly interesting is the village square (next to Taverna Gummersbach), which serves as a reminder of the time when many Rhodians moved to Germany as guest workers.
Have a drink in Faliraki
Faliraki is an extremely popular holiday hotspot with bars, restaurants and a long beach. The resort offers plenty of holiday fun and can serve as a base for exploring more of Rhodes — for example via the colourful tourist train Little Train, which runs different routes and allows you to visit the Kallithea Thermal Baths or the traditional village of Koskinou even without a rental car.
Kallithea Thermal Baths
Just ten kilometres to the north lies this historic bathing facility with Moorish flair, which has been extensively renovated in recent years and is well worth a visit. The former healing spring has since dried up, but at Kallithea Beach you can still refresh yourself in the clear sea water and enjoy a drink at the Kallithea Restaurant.
Kallithea Thermal Baths: Everything you need to know about this destination can be found in our separate article → Kallithea Springs
Tsambika Beach and Monastery
About 15 kilometres south of Anthony Quinn Bay lies Tsambika Beach. On a steep mountain above it sits a snow-white chapel, and in the hinterland stands the venerable Tsambika Monastery. The combination of spiritual pilgrimage site and lively beach with a wide range of water sports is perfectly representative of the two very different sides of Rhodes.
Tsambika Monastery: Everything you need to know about this destination can be found in our separate article → Tsambika Rhodes
#7 Restaurants and cafes nearby
There is a stylish beach bar right at Anthony Quinn Bay called Kounna Beach & Resto Bar, with a comprehensive food and drinks menu. Physical well-being is well catered for, and sun loungers and umbrellas can also be rented on the beach. The view from the terrace across the bay is wonderfully relaxing, though you should expect to wait for a table during busy periods.
Restaurants in Faliraki & Co: Where to eat really well on Rhodes → Rhodes Restaurants
If you walk east along the narrow Anthony Quinn beach and follow the music, you will reach the hippie bar The Greek Bush. Here, a laid-back Greek crew has created an idyllic spot for a break. The owner and his dog are great fun, the mojitos are delicious, and the view of the bay is priceless.
On Ladiko Beach you will find the eponymous Ladiko Restaurant Beach Bar, which rents out sun loungers and serves typical Mediterranean dishes as well as cold drinks. Unfortunately, the prices are on the high side, the staff push for a minimum spend, and the service leaves something to be desired. A shame, as the view of the open sea is truly inviting.
#8 Hotel tips at Anthony Quinn Bay
In the area around Anthony Quinn Bay there is a wide range of hotels close to the sea as well as cosy holiday homes in the nearby hinterland. The coastline around the resort of Faliraki is particularly popular with holidaymakers. Click on the Booking.com* links to see prices and availability:
Best Rhodes Hotels: Our personal top hotels and the most beautiful places to stay on the island can be found here → Rhodes Hotels
- Ammades All Suites Beach Hotel & Spa*, Faliraki
- Koskinou Traditional Houses*, Koskinou
- Ladiko Suites*, Ladiko Beach
- Marini Seaside*, Faliraki
- White Passion*, Traganou Beach
About the author:
Farina Fontaine loves to travel and has a special place in her heart for Greece. On her Instagram channel @stadtlandreisen, she takes her community on discoveries off the beaten track. Farina has a professional background in marketing and communications, where she developed a talent for telling stories in an engaging way. Today, she combines this flair with her wanderlust to create inspiring content for Greece Moments that sparks the travel bug.
→ More helpful articles about the island and numerous Rhodes travel tips can be found here:
- Rhodes Highlights – the most beautiful sights
- Rhodes Resorts – Top 11 resorts on the island
- Lindos in Rhodes
- Rhodes with children
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