Things to do in Rhodes: the Old Town, Knights' Palace and Lindos
Rhodes Town is a walled medieval city on a Greek island, with a Knights' Palace, a long harbor and beaches within walking distance of the old walls. Two full days cover the Old Town and the new town. A third buys Lindos. The one thing to know is the season: ferries, boat trips and many restaurants run from April to October.
The short answer
- First trip
- Stay in or beside the Old Town, walk the walls and the Street of the Knights, then spend an afternoon at Elli beach.
- Where to stay
- The Old Town for atmosphere, the new town near Mandraki harbor for beaches, shops and easy buses.
- How many days
- Two to three days for the town. Add one for Lindos and one for a boat trip if you can.
- Best time to go
- May, June, September and early October: warm, open and quieter than July and August.
- Book ahead
- Ferries and boat trips in summer, and tables at the better Old Town restaurants on weekends.
- From the airport
- Diagoras airport is about 14 km south west of town. A taxi takes 20 to 25 minutes, and a public bus runs to the town.
Where to stay in Rhodes, in brief
Medieval Old Town
atmosphere and history
You sleep inside the walls, in restored houses on cobbled lanes. It is quiet late at night and busy at midday when cruise passengers arrive. Expect stairs and no car access.
Mandraki and the new town
first-timers and easy transport
Flat, close to the harbor, the New Market and the main bus stops. A short walk to the Old Town gate and to Elli beach.
Elli beach and the north end
beach days
Hotels along the north shore put the sea at your door and the Old Town 10 to 15 minutes away on foot. The beach can be windy.
Jewish Quarter
quiet evenings
The lanes around the Kahal Shalom synagogue are calmer than the main restaurant streets. Good for light sleepers who still want to be inside the walls.
Things to do in Rhodes Town
Palace of the Grand Master
The restored Knights' fortress at the top of the Old Town. Opening hours change by season, so check the official listing.
Street of the Knights
A straight medieval street of stone inns where the knights lived, running down from the palace. Go in the morning before the tour groups.
Walk the walls
Part of the medieval ramparts is open to walk, with views over the moat and the rooftops. Check current opening hours.
Archaeological Museum of Rhodes
Housed in the Hospital of the Knights, with ancient finds from the island and a quiet courtyard.
Mandraki harbor
The old harbor, where the Colossus is said to have stood. Walk the breakwater at sunset to the windmills and the Fort of St Nicholas.
Elli beach
The city beach, a pebbly strip 10 minutes from the Old Town. Good for a swim between sights.
Acropolis of Rhodes on Monte Smith
An ancient hilltop with a stadium and temple columns, and the best view over the town at sunset. Reach it by bus or taxi.
Lindos Acropolis
A hill-top ancient site above a white village, about an hour south by bus. Go early or late to avoid the heat.
a few days ahead in summer for tours
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Rhodes can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Rhodes, and which to pick- Boat trips and ferries to Symi or Halki1 to 2 weeks ahead in summer
Seats on the popular days sell out and schedules thin out outside the main season.
- Dinner in the Old Town on a weekenda few days ahead from June to September
The better places have few tables and fill from 8pm.
What to skip in Rhodes Town
- Restaurants with a waiter at the door
Many lanes near the main tourist streets are traps. Walk three streets away, or into the Jewish Quarter, for better food.
- Midday in the Old Town in July and August
It is crowded and hot. See the palace first thing, go to the beach, and come back in the evening.
Best time to visit Rhodes Town
May, June and September to early October are the best months: sea warm enough to swim, hotels and ferries open, and temperatures around 25 to 30 degrees.
July and August are hot and busy with cruise passengers and package groups. November to March is quiet and many tourist businesses are shut, though the Old Town stays alive.
- From Diagoras airportA taxi to the Old Town takes about 25 minutes. The public bus is cheaper and runs to the west side bus station.
- In townThe Old Town and the new town are both walkable. There is no need for a car inside the walls.
- To Lindos and the islandPublic buses leave from the east side bus station. Hire a car for the west coast and the interior.
Rhodes Town in three days
- Day 1
Old Town in the morning: palace, Street of the Knights and the walls. Afternoon at Elli beach. Dinner in the Jewish Quarter.
- Day 2
Archaeological Museum, then the harbor and breakwater. Sunset on Monte Smith.
- Day 3
Bus to Lindos for the Acropolis and the village, back in the evening.
Day trips from Rhodes Town
- LindosAbout an hour by bus or car. Walk up to the Acropolis early, then swim in the bay.
- SymiA boat from Rhodes harbor, about an hour and a half. A pastel harbor town for lunch and a swim.
Rhodes: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Rhodes Town?
Two days cover the Old Town and the new town. Add a third for Lindos or a boat trip, and a fourth for a beach day.
Where should I stay in Rhodes Town?
The Old Town for atmosphere, Mandraki and the new town for convenience, and the north shore for the beach. All are walkable to each other.
Is Rhodes Town walkable?
Yes. The Old Town is a walled city with no cars, and the new town is flat. You need a bus or taxi only for Lindos and the west coast.
When is the best time to visit Rhodes?
May, June and September to early October. The weather is warm and the town is open without the peak crowds.
Can I visit Rhodes without a car?
Yes, for the town and Lindos. Public buses run the main routes. A car helps for the west and the interior.