Monastery Tsambika
Monastery Tsambika
4.5
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals
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  • Kad
    11 contributions
    Hike from Kolymbia to the monastery
    There are two ways to get to the monastery, take a car to the carpark and walk 300 steps (which is easy and you can do it in flip flops) or if you want a challenge, hike from Kolymbia (there is a gate to the trail just behind Casa Cook hotel). We took a trail. It was great, a bit steep, a bit slippery or confusing at points, but so worth it. It took us 40 minutes to climb up to the car park and then 15 minutes up the stairs. On the way back it was much harder and you need to be slow and careful, it took us 10 min to walk down the stairs and over an hour to walk down the rocky path. We had to walk backwards or hold onto the rocks at some point as it was the only way to do it safely. I am rather fat and not too fit, but generally strong willed and I had two children with me, 14 and 9 year old. We all needed two short water breaks when climbing up, just to let our pulses slow down a bit. I would not recommend hiking with young children (below 6 years old probably) or if you have some heart condition or high blood pressure. There were some unstable rocks on the way, and some goats, so definitely wear at least trainers and look where you are going. Take water with you. Don't rush. Go in the morning or in the evening to avoid the heat. Don't worry if you lose a track, it's always possible to walk down a bit and choose a different way. The views are worth the effort. You only need 15-30 minutes up there to enjoy the view and the monastery, so count 2.5-3.5 hours max for this trip. If you take a car up to the car park, I would say 1hr max. Anyway, if you are in Kolymbia, definitely do it and read the legend behind the monastery.
    Visited October 2022
    Traveled with family
    Written October 30, 2022
  • Bella986
    Rotherham, United Kingdom2 contributions
    The legend worked for me
    I visited this place in October not 2019 but in 2018 with my then partner I'd tried 4 lots of IVF, 1 x IUI endless operations and medication and suffered 4 miscarriages from the ifv cycles I'd pretty much given up hope of having my own child. I'd heard about this beautiful little chapel, spoke to my partner and he said let's go what's the worst that can happen...we have a lovely week in Rhodes so we went. In January 2020 I found out I was 5 weeks pregnant and I gave birth to my beautiful little boy september 2020 now of course this could be completely coincidental but the journey I went through to try for my own family then I visit here and soon after I'm pregnant with no meds, nothing and hes just the most perfect little thing I've ever seen. I'm yet to revisit to give thanks and maybe ask for help with another haha. It's also worth a visit for its amazing views and just how stunning and tranquil it is. Ps I did walk the 300 steps bare foot it's not pleasant but I'd walk a million steps if I'd known where I'd be now. Good luck
    Visited October 2019
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 7, 2020
  • Lambers2013
    Swanwick, United Kingdom770 contributions
    Fantastic views
    Whether you drive up to the car park and then climb the remaining 300 steps upto the Monetary, it is worth the effort just for the view. An absolute must if you are in the area. We have walked up there from Kolympia Town via the road before but its tough especially in the heat. Takes around 1hr 15 mins to walk up there but I believe there is also a footpath up the hillside but I've never found it. The easiest way is to drive up there, park at the car park and restaurant and then walk the 300 steps. Its still a challenging hot walk upto the monastry but by heck is it worth it. Recommended
    Visited October 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Toby S
2 contributions
Oct 2021 • Family
Well worth 300 steps for the beautiful church and views . My 13-year-old fell (running, not the site's fault) and grazed her hand and knee. Looking for First Aid we asked the shopkeeper, who shrugged and said as it was the end of season he had run out of plasters and antiseptic cream (yeah, right). He went back to watching TV. We looked for a toilet to wash the wounds, and walked through his shop again, trying to find it. He started shouting at me, and I quote "you do not listen. I keep saying 'hello, can I help you?' Because you do not listen you will never learn anything." We carried on looking, and he shouted "you come into my restaurant and do not listen. Get out, get out!" He broke off to tell some customers a price...customers we assumed he had been talking to. Bear in mind I had a child with me, and had done nothing wrong, speak a different language, and he was selling Christian icons. He was aggressive and angry and made my child feel unsafe, and didn't have basic first aid facilities in a restaurant. As it happens I'm a minister of a Christian church and I cannot believe what happened in this supposedly holy place. Shocked and disappointed by this hospitality.
Written October 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

gothgrl
Rhodes, Greece375 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Apparently this hike is rated as moderate to difficult. My daughter and I, however, found it really easy. We started from a bus stop (Tsambika Monastery) and then, after a short climb to the car park and then the 300 steps to the Monastery, we got to enjoy the most amazing views over the Tsambika beach and Faliraki on the other side. The trail was almost empty, with not many people around, which we loved 😊 Rhodes island in the spring really is something else - the Nature is just waking up, there were so many beautiful poppies and other flowers/plants on the way to the monastery, also the most beautiful birds of prey up in the sky.
We’d walked down to Tsambika beach after the hike to the Monastery (so empty and absolutely gorgeous) had a swim there, fed some stray cats, then took a bus back to Rhodes town for some much needed, delicious Greek food (all the tavernas around the Monastery and Tsambika beach were closed, so it’s advisable to bring water and snacks if you decide to do that hike in early spring).
Written March 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

WitchyYork
Strensall, UK964 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
The car park is up a v steep road, the steps which begin at the car park, although around 300, are not difficult but on the way down, my word were they slippery and I had sensible shoes on. We saw some people attempting the climb in flip flops (don’t want to even imagine how that turned out).
The church at the top is closed, as are the toilets but there is a small temple. The view is stunning but that’s about it.
There is a cafe for a drink near the car park and pay toilets (50cents).
Watch out for the goats too, lots of them.
Written October 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jaakko K
Helsinki, Finland8 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Short but steepish climb from Kolymbia (or i have understood from Tsambika). If you stick to the main path, easy to follow and walk.

The final 300 steps from the cafe are in the shades of the forest which makes it very convenient.

If you decide to branch off from the main trails, be sure to have a proper orienteering map. Even without, it is still hard to get totally lost .
Written July 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Silaghi O
263 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
Beautiful authentic church very close to the main road to Tsambika Beach.
One can go by car till the bottom of the hill, and climb about 292 stairs, until the top.
Take your time,bring water with you, the stairs are easy to climb if you have proper shoes, you can rest, there are a lot of pine trees to keep you shadow so it is not that difficult.
It is a blessed place for women who want babies, because after they pray at the Virgin Mary, many remain pregnant.This is why one can see a lot of wax babies near the painting of the Virgin inside the church as a sign of the answered prayers.
The view of Tsambika Beach is very nice, but the peace and the beauty of the church is unique!
Written September 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Suzanne.
8 contributions
Oct 2020
We walked straight up from our hotel (Casa Cook Rhodes) at the bottom of the hill, which was about a 15 minute climb to the top. It's quite steep, and not for the faint-hearted, but fine if you're in sensible footwear.

Our hike brought us out to a car park where there was a Taverna, and the 300 steps up to the monastery start.

The monastery is really pretty, the history of it is really interesting and the views from up there are beautiful.
Written October 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sav-k-sc
Afandou, Greece3 contributions
Jul 2021
If you are around tsampika beach you must stop and visit tsampika monastery. This is a life time experience, the view is breath taking and you can feel that this specific place is blessed even if you are not a believer. Warning 300 steps is always a good excersise but it is defenately worth it.
Written August 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Irene K
rhodes7 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
Panagopoulos Tsampika is a miraculous icon. She was found on the mountain top and returned to Cyprus only to reappear again. She is a haven for barren women around the world. She grants children to those who truly believe. She has made believers out of so many !
Written September 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kissi p
4 contributions
May 2022 • Family
It worked for us, we have a Tsambika.
Nine years ago I went up the hill and did the rest of the stairs on my knees to the top and to the Virgin, prayed and took some of the holy oil home. Next year our daughter was born.
It is a wonderfull and truly amazing place.

(My husband had forgotten that the last part is to be on your knees and though I'd gone mad! :) But none of the young local joggers in the stairs in the evening did not even blink an eye.)

This time only went half way with car and saw It from a distance, but still beautifull.(Had elderly people with us).
Written May 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sally
Bexhill46 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
We were staying in Kolymbia and took a taxi at 8am to avoid the heat. Ten minutes to get there, taxi drove us up the hill to the carpark. Then there are 300 steps to the top winding round the hill, nicely shaded by trees with a few goats watching on. The views from the top are spectacular with a small pretty chapel. Well worth a visit if you’re in the area and can do the steps (steps are wide and plenty of spots to pause on the way up though).
Written September 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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