The Thorough Guide to Rhodes Town
The 12 best things to do, how to get here, what to eat, where to stay, interactive map and more!
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Rhodes Town (Ródos) dates back to 408BC and is situated on the northern tip of Rhodes Island, which is the largest of the Dodecanese islands. Rhodes’ nickname is The Island of the Knights, named after the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, who ruled the island from 1310 to 1522. Throughout history, Rhodes was also held by the Greeks, the Ottoman Turks and the Italians, resulting in a mix of stunning architecture from Medieval to Ottoman to Italian. With excellent links to the rest of the island through the KTEL bus, there’s no excuse not to visit the capital and immerse yourself in the rich cultural history of the island. It’s so compact, you can easily visit Rhodes Town in a day!
Time needed: 1-2 days.
When to go: June or September for glorious sunshine and to avoid the school holidays.
Weather: Averages of 10°C-17°C in the Winter and 20°C-35°C in the Summer.
Language Spoken: Greek.
Currency: Euro.
Things to do
1) Colossus of Rhodes Memorial
Once a 33 metres (108 feet) high statue of the Greek sun-god Helios straddling the entrance to Mandraki Harbour, the Colossus of Rhodes is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Built in 280 BC the statue was constructed to celebrate the successful defence of Rhodes city against an attack by Demetrius Poliorcetes. It unfortunately collapsed during the earthquake of 226 BC and now in it’s place stands a memorial – two bronze statues, one a stag and one a doe, on top of columns guarding the Mandraki Harbour entrance.
Here you’ll also find the Fort of Saint Nicholas. Built between 1464 and 1467 by the Grand Master Zacosta, this fortress strategically guards the entrance to the town. Now a lighthouse, the fort forms part of the Fortifications of Rhodes. Stroll the 2.5km battlements to see more of the Medieval fortifications and take in impressive views of the city.
2) Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes
Also known as the Kastello, the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes is an impressive medieval castle at the highest point in Rhodes Town and one of the few examples of Gothic architecture in the whole of Greece. Previously a citadel of the Knights Hospitaller that functioned as a palace, headquarters and fortress, the palace is apparently built upon the foundations of an ancient temple of the Sun-god Helios. Today visitors can tour the castle and museum with an audio guide or visit one of the frequent exhibitions or performances that take place.
Hours: Winter: Wednesday to Monday: 08:30 – 15:30, Tuesdays: closed / Summer: Daily 08:00 – 20:00 / Closed: 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Easter Sunday, 25 December, 26 December
3) Archaeological Museum of Rhodes
Housed in the monumental edifice that was the hospital of the Knights of Saint John, this museum contains various collections of archaeological artefacts from various parts of Rhodes and the neighbouring islands. Don’t miss the famous Statue of the Crouching Aphrodite (1st century BC) and Head of Helios.
Hours: 08:00-20:00 daily / Epigraphic Collection and Vilaragut Mansion: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 09:00 – 17:00 / Prehistoric Collection: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday 09:00 – 17:00 / Small display of archaic pithoi: Sunday 12:30 – 15:00.
4) Acropolis of Rhodes
The Acropolis of Rhodes stands tall on a hill known as Monte Smith. This vast archaeological sites is dated between 5th–3rd century BC and sits 3km from the city centre. Part of the site is partially reconstructed and contains Temple of Apollo, below which is a stadium and a small theatre.
5) Old Town
Within the city walls lies the The Medieval Old Town of the City of Rhodes. Upon entering the walls you set foot into the oldest inhabited Medieval city in Europe! Take some time to wander the streets of this UNSECO World Heritage City, looking out for Medieval buildings, Byzantine and Gothic churches, mosques with oriental motifs, traditional fountains, shops, cafés and more! There are roughly 200 little streets to explore and you may discover the Street of the Knights of Rhodes, which is lined with the buildings where the holy warriors spent their time in prayer or military practice.
Don’t miss:
Castle of the Old Town – An impressive Medieval castle in the heart of the city.
Temple of Aphrodite – Dating back to the 3rd century B.C, this temple is situated near Madraki Harbour as it was believed that Aphrodite was the patroness of ports.
The Lady of the Castle church -A Byzantine Church originally built in the 11th century AD, this church is located at the eastern end of the Street of the Knights. For centuries people from all over the world have made a pilgrimage to this Byzantine, Chivalric and Turkish Holy Place.
6) Throne of Helios
A 9D Special Effects Cinema, this immersive experience will give you a full understanding of the history of the island on a wild ride through time. Available in 13 languages, choose between the classic film inspired by the ancient Greek God of Sun Helios or the adrenaline packed chariot race, or both! You can buy your ticket here.
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 12:00-20:00 every 30 minutes, Sunday: Closed.
7) Museum of Modern Greek Art
The Museum of Modern Greek Art is a non-profitable foundation, presenting a wide range of painting and engraving collections not to mention numerous sculptures, drawings and documents of great historical value.
Hours: Daily: 09:00 – 16:00, Tuesday: Closed
8) Paralia Elli
Elli beach sits on the Mediterranean side of Rhodes at the northern most tip of the island. Umbrellas and sunbeds are available to hire for €5 and cafés, restaurants and beach bars are close by. Climb the stairs to nowhere, a 6m platform, and jump straight into the blue waters of the Aegean Sea.
9) Take a boat trip
The perfect way to finish a day of exploring is to see Rhodes Town from the water. From yachts, to glass-bottom boats to submarines, there are a variety of boat trips available to choose from, all of which depart from the harbour and sail out of the entrance where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood.
10) Kahal Kadosh Shalom Synagogue
Kahal Kadosh Shalom Synagogue is the oldest in Greece and the only one remaining in Rhodes. Guided tours are available upon arrangement from June to October and visits are possible upon arrangement between November-March. Consider taking this private tour, which includes a visit to the the synagogue with a guided tour of Rhodes Old Town and a visit to The Jewish Museum of Rhodes, where you will learn about the La Juderia people who made Rhodes their home.
Hours: April to October: Sundays to Friday: 10:00-15:00, Saturdays: closed
11) The Suleymaniye Mosque
The Mosque of Suleiman is a mosque originally built after the Ottoman conquest of Rhodes in 1522. Reconstructed in 1808, the mosque sits on top of an old Turkish bazaar. Although closed to visitors due to restoration work since 2014, you can still take it in from the outside.
12) Day trip
If you’re based in Rhodes Town, why not venture further afield and explore the rest of the island? Avoid expensive taxi charges by renting a car or take advantage of the local KTEL bus. One must-see destination is the little town of Lindos – winding streets, classic white-stone buildings and of course, the dramatic hill-top archaeological site that is Lindos Acropolis. This highly-rated tour to Lindos is the perfect way to get to and see Lindos from Rhodes Town.
Or Island hop to the neighbouring Symi Island, one of the most traditional and colourful islands in the Aegean Sea.
Read next: Thorough Guide to Lindos
Other incredible destinations in Rhodes include:
- For banging nightlife head to Pefkos or Faliraki.
- For rural countryside road-trip to Rhodes’ West Coast and visit the ancient Kritinia Castle.
- For the quietest and most secluded beaches head to Rhodes’ South Coast.
- To escape the heat, cool down at Faliraki Water Park.
Hours: May, September & October: 10:00 – 18:00, June, July, August: 10:00 – 19:00, November-April: closed.
Prices: 1 Day Ticket: Adult 12+: €24, Children 3-12: €16/0-3: Free. Special offers for 2 & 3 days. - Take a hike to Tsambika Monastery. Perched on top of a large hill surrounded by a national park, this leisurely hike to the top will reward you with some of the best views on the island.
Interactive Rhodes Town Map
Getting around Rhodes Town
It’s super easy to get around Rhodes Town on foot but if you do tire of walking you can take a taxi. To explore further afield you can hire a car or take the KTEL bus from the main road. There’s also a Hop-on Hop-off Bus, which is a great option for those who are less mobile, or simply wish to escape from the heat and sightsee with a breeze.
Bikes and electric Trikkes can be hired at various points around the city on guided tours, which are great ways to get between the most interesting points of the Old and New Towns. It’s also possible to inject some joy into your travel. Those looking for something unique should consider joining a Segway Tour of the Medieval City, while adventure seekers might wish to explore further afield on their own quadbike on a guided ATV Tour.
How to get to Rhodes Town
Plane
The easiest way to get to Rhodes is to fly. Many major European flights will fly directly into Rhodes International Airport “Diagoras”. Those that don’t will often require a change in Athens or Thessaloniki, which offer direct flights to Rhodes.
We travelled to Rhodes with TUI, who offer captively priced ATOL protected packages for every budget.
Ferry
If flying’s not for you, you can take the ferry. From the mainland you would need to go from Piraeus port, near Athens. Ferries also go from Santorini, Crete, Kos, Patmos, Leros and Simi.
Beware, some ferries can be slow and take a long time. It’s best to book in advance and consider reserving a seat or shared/private cabin, all of which can be booked for an extra fee.
Best Restaurants in Rhodes Town
You cannot go to Greece without trying the following foods:
- Taramasalta, houmous, tatziki – with pitta bread
- Gyros
- Calamari, octopus & fresh seafood
- Fresh olives
- Dolmades
- Moussaka
- Greek frozen yogurt
- Ouzo
To sample Greek wine, consider a Winery Tour and Tasting Experience, where you’ll visit a family-owned winery and sample around 5 different wines, with snacks, all guided by a friendly local winemaker.
Kontitki – A floating restaurant in Mandraki Harbour with views of the port, this restaurant does most amazing calamari and feta chips.
Kerasma – For local twists on traditional recipes, this is the place to go. Try The Acid Octopus, an octopus dish served in a homemade sauce of vinegar and honey.
Hatzikeli’s – This world-class, award winning seafood restaurant is frequented by celebrities, and for good reason. Enjoy dinner in the outdoor courtyard complimented by views of the ruined Church of the Virgin.
Marco Polo Restaurant – Situated in the Marco Polo Mansion, a lavish hotel in the heart of the old Turkish Quarter of Rhodes Town, this restaurant offers dining amongst the exotic garden of fruit trees.
Rhodes Town Accommodation
There is a wide range of accommodation in Rhodes town, from 1-5 star hotels to self-catering villas there’s something for everyone! Check out the links below to find the accommodation that’s perfect for you.
Find affordable accommodation in Rhodes Town on Hostel World!
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