Lahania

Two plane trees, four water troughs, six tables. and undisturbed peace and quiet. Around you are the low white houses of the village with their blue doors and windows, their tile roofs and carved stone gateways. This is perhaps the most beautiful village on Rhodes and a total surprise for any visitor - a picture postcard setting, a scene of absolute tranquility and harmony. Most of the well-maintained traditional houses have been bought by foreigners (mainly Germans) or else by people from the town of Rhodes who are discriminating enough to appreciate the village and have settled here, creating a youthful and artistic community. The traditional café under the plane tree in the villagesquare offers cool shade throughout the day. There is another café on the road, the café of the priest, which is less picturesque but where there is interesting conversation and a chance to sample one of his omelettes.

The village square was used for filming a number of scenes for the 1989 movie "High Season of
forty" (with Jacqueline Bisset and Irene Papa), most of which is set in Lindos. On leaving Lachania you should carry on as far as Mesanagro, a tiny farming community which really only comes to life once a year during its big fete, on the Sunday after Easter .