Explore the Palace of the Grand Master
This imposing fortress-palace, seat of the Knights Hospitaller’s leadership, offers grand halls and a genuine sense of the order’s power before their move to Malta.
Free Travel Guide
Rhodes Town Travel Guide.
A practical introduction to Rhodes Town, including why to visit, what to see, where to stay, local food and how to plan a break in this extraordinarily preserved medieval fortress city.
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We're currently researching and creating our comprehensive Rhodes Town Guide.
It will include personally curated restaurants, cafés, neighbourhood guides, hidden gems, scenic walks, photography locations, practical travel tips and an interactive Google My Map designed to help you explore with confidence.
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Rhodes Town at a glance
Rhodes Town is the genuine architectural and institutional predecessor to Valletta, home to the Knights Hospitaller for over 200 years before the Ottomans expelled them in 1522, after which the order relocated to Malta and built Valletta as their new fortress capital. The UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town, the Palace of the Grand Master and the dramatic fortified walls along the Street of the Knights reflect that same order’s architectural legacy a chapter earlier, alongside genuine ancient history through the legendary Colossus of Rhodes.
Greece · South Aegean (Dodecanese)
Perfect for
Knights Hospitaller heritage, medieval fortress architecture, ancient history and Greek island beach access
Recommended stay
2–3 days
Trip type
City break • Knights Hospitaller Heritage • Medieval Fortress • Ancient History
Don't miss
The Palace of the Grand Master, the Street of the Knights and the medieval Old Town walls
MapMagnet Picks
These are the Rhodes Town experiences we think most first-time visitors should prioritise. They give you a strong feel for the city without going into the deeper curated detail that will come later in the full MapMagnet Rhodes Town Guide.
Walk the Street of the Knights
This atmospheric medieval street, lined with the former lodgings of the knights’ various national groups, remains remarkably intact and evocative.
Wander the Old Town Walls
These extraordinary fortifications, among the best-preserved medieval walls in the world, offer a genuine sense of the city’s defensive strength.
Why visit Rhodes Town?
Rhodes Town offers a genuinely rare historical thread: this is where the Knights Hospitaller built their power base for over two centuries before relocating to Malta and founding Valletta, making the city a direct architectural and institutional predecessor rather than just a stylistic cousin. The UNESCO-listed Old Town remains extraordinarily well preserved, and genuine ancient history through the legendary Colossus of Rhodes adds another layer of depth. Add classic Greek island beach access, and Rhodes Town offers substance well beyond typical Mediterranean sun-and-sand appeal.
Our take
We think Rhodes Town rewards visitors who understand its Knights Hospitaller history before arriving. Walking the Street of the Knights with that context in mind, knowing this is literally the order’s original home before Valletta, gives a genuinely different weight to what might otherwise be just another pretty medieval street.
What to See in Rhodes Town
Rhodes Town’s sights combine an imposing knights’ fortress, extraordinary medieval fortifications and genuine ancient history. These are the places we would recommend starting with on a first visit.
Palace of the Grand Master
This imposing fortress-palace, seat of the Knights Hospitaller’s leadership for over two centuries, offers grand halls and a genuine sense of the order’s power before their move to Malta.
Street of the Knights
This atmospheric medieval street, lined with the former lodgings of the knights’ various national groups, remains remarkably intact and evocative.
Old Town Walls
These extraordinary fortifications, among the best-preserved medieval walls in the world, offer a genuine sense of the city’s defensive strength and can be walked in sections.
Archaeological Museum of Rhodes
Housed in a former Knights Hospitaller hospital, this museum traces the island’s ancient Greek and Roman history alongside its medieval story.
Mandraki Harbour
This picturesque harbour, said to be one possible site of the legendary Colossus of Rhodes, offers windmills, fortifications and genuine ancient legend.
What to Do in Rhodes Town
Rhodes Town’s medieval streets and Mediterranean setting mean much of the best of the city happens through unhurried wandering and beach time. These are the experiences we think every first-time visitor should consider.
Wander the Old Town’s Medieval Streets
Beyond the main Street of the Knights, Rhodes Town’s wider medieval quarter rewards slow, unhurried exploring through its narrow lanes and quiet squares.
Visit Mandraki Harbour
This picturesque harbour, lined with windmills and fortifications, offers a relaxed stroll and genuine ancient legend tied to the Colossus of Rhodes.
Explore the Turkish Quarter
This atmospheric district, reflecting the city’s Ottoman-era history, offers mosques, minarets and a genuinely different layer of Rhodes Town’s past.
Relax at Elli Beach
This central city beach offers an easy way to combine sightseeing with genuine Greek island beach time without leaving the town.
Where to Stay in Rhodes Town
Rhodes Town is compact enough that most central areas keep you within walking distance of the main sights. The right base mainly depends on whether you prioritise the medieval Old Town or beach access.
Old Town (Medieval Town)
Staying within the medieval walls puts the Palace of the Grand Master, the Street of the Knights and Rhodes Town’s finest architecture all within easy walking distance, making it the best base for a first visit.
New Town (Neochori)
This more modern district offers a practical base with easy beach access and a wider range of restaurants and nightlife.
Near Mandraki Harbour
Staying near the harbour puts you close to both the Old Town and the New Town, with pleasant waterfront views.
Ixia
This beach resort area, a short distance from the town centre, offers a more relaxed base focused on sun and sea.
What to Eat in Rhodes Town
Rhodes Town’s food culture reflects its Aegean setting, with fresh seafood and Greek island specialities at its core. These are some of the dishes and specialities worth looking out for during your visit.
Fresh Aegean Seafood
Rhodes Town’s coastal position means genuinely excellent fresh fish and seafood, simply grilled and often served with local olive oil.
Pitaroudia
These chickpea fritters, flavoured with herbs and onion, are a genuine Rhodes specialty rarely found elsewhere in Greece.
Greek Wine
The Dodecanese islands produce distinctive local wines, well worth sampling in Rhodes Town’s tavernas and wine bars.
Melekouni
This traditional sesame and honey sweet, historically served at weddings, is a genuine Rhodes specialty worth seeking out.
Souvlaki and Gyros
These classic Greek grilled meat dishes remain a genuine casual favourite throughout Rhodes Town, ideal for a quick, satisfying meal.
Best Day Trips from Rhodes Town
Rhodes Town’s position on the island makes it an excellent base for reaching ancient ruins and charming neighbouring islands. These are three we would consider first if you have extra time.
Lindos
This dramatic clifftop village, crowned by the ancient Acropolis of Lindos, offers one of the most spectacular day trips on the island.
Symi
This picturesque neighbouring island, with its colourful neoclassical harbour houses, offers a genuinely charming boat trip from Rhodes Town.
Kamiros
This ancient Doric city, remarkably preserved, offers genuine archaeological significance and a quieter alternative to Lindos.
Prasonisi
This dramatic sandy spit at the island’s southern tip, popular with windsurfers, offers a genuinely different, wilder side of Rhodes.
Getting Around Rhodes Town
Rhodes Town’s Old Town is genuinely car-free and walkable, with buses and boats useful for reaching the wider island and neighbouring islands.
Airport to city centre
Rhodes International Airport is around 14 km from the centre, with a bus taking around 30 minutes.
Walking
The Old Town is genuinely car-free and pedestrian-friendly, with the Palace of the Grand Master and main sights all within easy walking distance.
Local buses
City buses connect the Old Town to the New Town and beach areas, useful for reaching Ixia or Elli Beach.
Ferries and boat tours
Regular ferries and boat tours depart from Mandraki Harbour for Symi and other nearby islands.
Car for the wider island
A car is genuinely useful for exploring Lindos, Kamiros or Prasonisi at your own pace, though buses also serve Lindos.
Buses to Lindos
Regular buses connect Rhodes Town to Lindos, making this popular day trip easy without a car.
MapMagnet tip
Explore the Old Town entirely on foot given its car-free core, and use buses for Lindos or the beach areas. Consider a car or boat tour for Kamiros, Prasonisi or Symi.
Best Time to Visit Rhodes Town
Rhodes Town’s Mediterranean climate makes it a pleasant destination for much of the year, though summer brings genuinely intense heat and crowds.
Spring
One of the best times to visit, with comfortable temperatures and manageable crowds around the main sights.
Summer
Hot and genuinely busy, with intense midday heat making walking-heavy sightseeing more comfortable in the morning or evening.
Autumn
Another excellent season, with warm days, fewer crowds than summer and pleasant conditions for exploring the Old Town.
Winter
Quiet and mild by northern European standards, though many restaurants and shops reduce their hours outside peak season.
MapMagnet tip
For the best balance of weather and manageable crowds, aim for May, June or September. If Elli Beach swimming is a priority, June to September offers the warmest sea temperatures.
Know Before You Go
A few practical Rhodes Town tips can make your trip smoother. These are the things we would want to know before arriving.
Card payments are widely accepted
Most restaurants, shops and attractions in Rhodes Town take cards, though it is worth carrying some cash for smaller tavernas.
Wear comfortable shoes
The Old Town’s cobbled streets are charming but can be tough on your feet over a full day of sightseeing.
Book Lindos Acropolis tickets in advance
This popular site can involve queues in peak season, so booking online ahead of time saves significant time.
Expect genuine crowds in July and August
Rhodes Town gets very busy during peak summer, so plan sightseeing for early mornings if crowds are a concern.
Check ferry schedules for Symi
Boat services to Symi vary seasonally, so check current timetables before planning a day trip.
MapMagnet tip
Take time to understand the Knights Hospitaller history before exploring the Street of the Knights. Knowing this was their original home before Valletta gives real depth to what you are seeing.
Suggested Itineraries for Rhodes Town
If we were visiting Rhodes Town for the first time, this is how we would spend our time. These simple itineraries are designed to help you experience the city without over-planning every hour.
Rhodes Town Highlights
A compact route focused on the medieval Old Town and Knights Hospitaller heritage.
Morning
Palace of the Grand Master and the Street of the Knights
Lunch
Fresh seafood in the Old Town
Afternoon
Old Town walls and the Archaeological Museum
Evening
Mandraki Harbour and dinner in the Old Town
The balanced getaway
A two-day plan mixing Rhodes Town’s medieval heritage with beach time.
Day 1
Palace of the Grand Master, Street of the Knights and Old Town walls
Day 2
Mandraki Harbour and Elli Beach
Evening
Dinner and drinks in the Old Town
Rhodes Town and the Island
A slower trip with time for the city’s highlights plus day trips into the wider island and neighbouring islands.
Day 1
Palace of the Grand Master, Street of the Knights and Old Town walls
Day 2
Archaeological Museum and Mandraki Harbour
Day 3
Elli Beach and the Turkish Quarter
Day 4
Day trip to Lindos
Day 5
Day trip to Symi or Kamiros
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Similar destinations
Explore other destinations with the same genuine fortress heritage, dramatic Mediterranean setting or well-preserved medieval old town.
Valletta
The direct successor to Rhodes Town, built by the same Knights Hospitaller after their expulsion in 1522, sharing genuine institutional and architectural DNA.
Corfu Town
A fellow Greek island with genuine Venetian-era fortress heritage, sharing Rhodes Town’s dramatic harbour-and-walls setting.
Chania
Another Greek island town with real Venetian fortress heritage and a well-preserved medieval old town, closely echoing Rhodes Town’s character.
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