The 10 best Things to Do in Rhodes Town, Greece

Rhodes Town › The 10 best Things to Do in Rhodes Town, Greece

Explore the best things to do in Rhodes Town, Greece, where ancient history meets incredible food, beautiful landscapes and the warmest of welcomes. Follow me to explore ancient palaces and hidden caves, wine tastings, boat trips, and blue skies

Rhodes Town is the capital of Rhodes, one of Greece’s most popular travel destinations. Located on the island’s north coast, the town is a major tourist attraction thanks to its old, medieval city center. Rhodes Town is also a great choice for a laid-back beach vacation; the new part of town is full of sparkling sandy beaches, trendy resorts, and plenty of entertainment options. Wondering if a holiday in Rhodes Town is right for you? In this blog post, I’ll introduce you to the best sights and things to do.

Table of Contents

Is Rhodes Town a beautiful city?

Rhodes Town is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It’s a wonderful place to take a stroll, sit on a terrace, and immerse yourself in the island’s history.

Rhodes Town is especially bustling in the summer, but if you get up early, you’ll be rewarded with empty streets and plenty of space for great photos.

What is there to do in Rhodes Town & Surroundings?

Rhodes Town is a very enchanting destination. You can spend hours strolling through the historic center and soaking up the culture, take a boat trip from the harbor, or sip a cocktail at one of the beach clubs. It’s simply whatever you feel like doing.

Whether you’re just in Rhodes Town for the day, or you’re making it your base for a few days, the cobblestone streets within the medieval city walls have more than enough to keep you entertained. Heading to Rhodes Town? With my tips below, you’ll be well-prepared for your trip.

The Medieval City Center

Rhodes Town is one of the oldest—and most beautiful—cities on the island. This is evident both on the Acropolis on the outskirts of the city and in the historic center. The historic center, located by the harbor, is also known as the “Old Town,” or “Medieval City.” Characteristic of the Old Town of Rhodes are the completely enclosed walls, the narrow alleys, and the many impressive buildings from the Middle Ages.

You can enter the Old Town through one of the 11 ancient city gates. Many people prefer the Amboise Gate and the Freedom Gate. Inside the city walls, the best part is simply wandering around, because a new surprise awaits around every corner! Some of the most photogenic spots in the Old Town are:

• Hippocrates Square: A central square with a fountain in front of the Marine Gate. This square is home to numerous restaurants with lovely terraces. It’s often very crowded here, especially in the summer.
• Odos Ippoton, or Knights’ Street. Located between the harbor and the Palace of the Grand Masters, this street was the meeting place for knights in the Middle Ages when the city had to prepare for battle.
• The Medieval Moat Path: A walking path that runs between the city walls of the Old Town and circles about three-quarters of the city. The path begins just before the Acandia Gate and ends at the Freedom Gate.

Rhodes New Town

Rhodes has not only an “Old Town” but also a “New Town.” Most hotels and tourist facilities are located in the New Town. These include shops, restaurants, and entertainment.

The city’s most popular beaches are also in the New Town. Anyone who didn’t know better would think they were in a Mediterranean seaside resort. The new part isn’t super authentic. It was built from scratch in the second half of the last century to promote tourism.

Things To Do in Rhodes Town

Socrates Street and Hippocrates Square

• Location: Hippocrates Square (Πλατεία Ιπποκράτους)

Socrates Street runs right through the historic old town, parallel to the historic Knights’ Street. The motto: shop and feast. Here, small souvenir shops line up next to cozy restaurants and charming cafés. In the shops on Socrates Street, you’ll find Greek specialties, jewelry, fresh roasted coffee, and even knight’s armor.

Roughly in the middle of the street is Mevlana, the island’s oldest coffee bar. It’s worth stopping here for a freshly brewed mokka. If you then follow Sokrates Street toward the harbor, Hippokrates Square awaits you at the end of the street. Around the Owl Fountain, you can feast at delicious restaurants in a cozy Greek atmosphere.

The City Walls and the Grand Master’s Palace

Originally built by the Byzantines, later expanded by the Crusaders, and now used as a monumental tourist attraction: the city walls are the central highlight of Rhodes Town. With a total length of 5 kilometers, they encircle the entire Old Town. From the top of the wall, you have a wonderful view over parts of Rhodes Town and the harbor.

And if you follow the city walls, you’ll come across the Grand Master’s Palace in the north of the Old Town.

A place with a long history: Built in the 14th century, it served as a royal palace, seat of government, and prison.

Both the city walls and the Grand Master’s Palace are open to the public—allowing you to immerse yourself for a moment in the lives of its former inhabitants. A must-see for your trip to Rhodes Town.

• Location: Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes

• Opening hours Palace of the Grand Master Rhodes: daily 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Visit Duration: Most visitors spend 70–100 minutes exploring the palace
• Admission: 20€ on site, nline tieckets from 26€
• Tickets: Official Website

Mandraki Harbor

There is plenty to see and discover in Rhodes Town. All the more reason to treat yourself to a break at Mandraki Harbor. Right on the water, where the Colossus of Rhodes is said to have once stood, you can enjoy a moment of peace with a cup of coffee or a cool drink and relax while watching the colorful hustle and bustle of the idyllic harbor. A particularly popular spot at Mandraki Harbor are the three windmills and Fort St. Nicholas.

These popular photo spots stand on a small pier jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea, creating a barrier to the sheltered harbor basin. Follow the two piers to the end, and you’ll find the statues of a doe and a stag. It is said that the Colossus of Rhodes once stood at this very spot, welcoming arriving sailing ships.

The Street of the Knights

Cobblestones, lanterns, and the constant, joyful anticipation that a knight might be waiting around the next corner: this is the famous Street of the Knights in Rhodes Town that follows downhill from Cleoboulus Square. The street, known in Greek as Oddos Ippoton, runs straight through the historic Old Town and connects the Archaeological Museum—a former hospital—with the Grand Master’s Palace. Dating back to the time of the Order of St. John in the 14th century, Knights’ Street is today arguably one of the most photographed streets in Rhodes.

Even today, coats of arms adorn the individual facades, marking the hostels of the various nations that once lived here. Like the rest of the Old Town, the Street of the Knights is free of car traffic—so you can stroll along the medieval street at your leisure and enjoy one of Rhodes Town’s most famous sights.

Archaeological Museum of Rhodes

Housed in the former hospital of the Knights of St John, the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes is well worth a visit. It offers a comprehensive insight into the history of the island and contains exhibits spanning many different eras, including finds from neighbouring islands.

• Opening hours Rhodes Archaeological Museum: daily 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• Admission: 10 €

Visit the Acropolis of Rhodes and Mount Smith

A visit to Rhodes Town wouldn’t be complete without seeing the Ancient Stadium and Acropolis. The Acropolis of Rhodes is the acropolis, or upper town, of ancient Rhodes dating from the 5th century BC and located 3 kilometers Southwest from the centre of the city.

• Location: Acropolis of Rhodes (Ακρόπολη Ρόδου)

Put on sturdy shoes, because we’re heading up Mount Smith! Up here, you’ll encounter impressive traces of antiquity. The Acropolis and the ancient stadium invite you to immerse yourself in days long past. The archaeological park is situated on the slope of St. Stephen’s Hill. There are a couple of temple ruins, a theatre, a stadium, and a gymnasium.

Once done with the park, take a stroll to the top of St. Stephen’s Hill. Mount Smith is a spectacular viewpoint overlooking Rhodes Town and the Mediterranean Sea. The mountain, which is about 110 meters high, is a roughly 45-minute walk from the city center and offers an easy climb—well-suited even for children.

From here, you can watch the laid-back hustle and bustle at Elli Beach—the city beach is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches on Rhodes. The view from up here is especially worth it about an hour before sunset.

The views over the city and the sea will take your breath away. And then head to one of the nearby beaches like Akti Kanari.

Visit Symi Island on a Day Trip

The neighbouring island is only an hour’s boat ride from Rhodes, a beautiful place, known for its beaches and for the harbor at Symi Town, surrounded by colorful neoclassical houses. A single day is really not enough to discover all of Symi’s beauty, but an excursion is well worth it. On the southwest coast, the 18th-century Monastery of Archangel Michael Panormitis is a major Greek Orthodox pilgrimage site with a Byzantine museum.

---

Continue Reading: How to visit Symi Island

---

Beaches in Rhodes Town

Rhodes Town is also the ideal place for a beach holiday; there are several beaches.

• Elli Beach, which stretches from the northernmost tip of Rhodes toward the harbor, is the most popular beach and is very crowded during the summer months. No wonder, since the water is crystal clear and there’s a nice beach bar for every taste.
• In addition to Elli Beach, there are other beaches in Rhodes Town. The longest stretch of beach is located in the west, and a small beach lies in the east. There is also a mini-beach at the new harbor.
• Does a hotel on the beach in Rhodes Town sound like your kind of place? Among others, the Rhodes Horizon Resort (Adults Only) and the Hotel Blue Sky City Beach (boutique hotel) have the beach right on their doorstep.

Rhodes Town Climate & Best Time to Visit

Rhodes is the fourth-largest island in Greece and is part of the Dodecanese. The island has a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters with regular rainfall. Most tour operators offer package tours to Rhodes between April and the end of October. Read more about the highlights of Rhodes here.

Which of these months is best depends on what you want to do during your vacation in Rhodes. July and August are the busiest and hottest months. For an active vacation, it is therefore better to travel in late May, June, or September. April and October are less sunny.

Traveling to Rhodes Town: How to Get There?

Flights to Rhodes are available from several European airports. Ticket prices may vary, but round-trip tickets start at around €150.

Tip: During your vacation in Rhodes, you can also visit the surrounding islands. There are ferry connections from Rhodes to Megisti, Karpathos, Crete, and Kos, among others.