Rhodes is one of the most popular and highly visited of all the Greek islands, and for very good reason, but past the beaches, upmarket resorts and party strips is the real attraction, Rhodes Town. The islands capital is essentially broken up into two parts, the more modern capital itself, and the historic UNESCO accredited old town, and has so many things to see and do you can’t possibly fit everything into just one visit! Here is your essential guide to the best things to see and do in Rhodes Town to help you plan your visit.
Located to the north of the island the popular Rhodes Town is a magnet for every tourist, cruise passenger and traveller who want to explore the island beyond the resorts and party towns. Inside the suburbs and gentrified streets of the capital lay the walled, medieval city of Rhodes, popularly known as the old town. A UNESCO world heritage site and a legacy of the Knights Hospitaller in the fourteenth century, it is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of medieval walled cities in the world. If you are exploring Rhodes and have the time, it is best to view the new town, or Neohóri, and the old town as two separate destinations in their own right and devote enough time to each.
Travel Tips For Rhodes Town.
Stick to the shoulder seasons.
The typical tourist season on the island runs from early May to late September, and it can get especially crowded during the traditional school holidays of Easter and Summer. If you can, try to travel just outside of these peak times.
Remember the currency.
Rhodes is just a short ferry hop over from Turkey and is a popular day trip from Marmaris (and vice versa), so if you are hopping over from one to the other make sure you have enough Euros or Turkish Lira on you. It may seem obvious, but a lot of day trippers do get caught out.
Protect yourself from the sun.
The sun in Greece gets seriously fierce, especially in the summer, and one of the most common mistakes all travellers and tourists make is underestimating it! It is a common trick to try and escape the intense heat in the cooler shade of the old city walls or duck inside a taverna for a drink or an ice cream, but you will still need to make sure you stay very well hydrated and apply a lot of sun screen!
Using local transport.
If you are staying outside of the town itself or simply want to explore, there is a frequent but limited bus service that will get you around the town itself or to and from the primary destinations on the east coast in particular for just a few euros, but the routes don’t go everywhere. If you really want to explore you will need to use one of the popular taxis. At taxi stands there are set prices to popular destinations, but always confirm this before getting in.
Beware the local scams.
Rhodes in general is extremely safe and generally you won’t come across any problems, but like any major tourist destination, Rhodes is not free from touts and scam artists that target tourists. The most common scam, especially in crowded places like Mandraki Harbour, is vendors trying to offer you gifts like a flower or tying a leather bracelet on your wrist and then demanding payment. Just ignore them and walk on. Once you are aware of the tourist scams they are generally easy to avoid.
What Is There To Do In Rhodes Town?
The new town is like any of the larger island towns in Greece and is generally modern, crowded and busy, and it is where you will find all of the town based hotels and boutique accommodation, shops, bars, restaurants and other amenities.
Visit Mandraki Harbour.
Just outside the walls of Rhodes Old Town is Mandraki Harbour. This ancient site used to be the military port of Rhodes and was one of the busiest trading ports of the ancient world. Now of course it isa place to enjoy the cool sea breeze and people watch among the luxury super yachts, fishing boats and occasional cruise ship are moored.
Spot The Windmills Of Mandraki.
Along Mandraki Harbour are three ancient windmills once used to grind grain from all the merchant ships. It is thought there was once a lot more, but these three are the only ones that stood the test of time and are a fascinating glimpse into the ports industrial past.
Explore The Fort Of St Nicholas.
Built in 1467 by the Knights of St. John, the Fort of St. Nicholas is just beyond Mandraki Harbour and has sustained attacks from many different empires over the centuries. As the principle defensive fort of the harbour, and one of its most distinctive landmarks, it is well worth a few hours to explore.
Look For An Ancient Wonder Of The World.
The Colossus of Rhodes was – before its destruction by an earthquake in 226 BCE – one of the most impressive structures in the world and was considered one of the ancient world wonders. Of course it isn’t there now, but the site where it once stood is, and although no one can say for certain that it is exactly where it was, modern scholars all agree that the most likely location is right at the mouth of Mandraki Harbour. It is a humbling feeling to sit at the site of such history and wonder at what it must have been like back in the day.
Discover Rhodes’ Fallow Deer.
Standing guard over Mandraki Harbour are two statues of fallow deer perched atop two large stone plinths. These deer, named Elefos and Elafina are the symbols of Rhodes, and are placed at the site of where the feet of the Colossus of Rhodes are believed to have stood.
Check Out The Nightlife.
Most party goers in Rhodes head to the famous clubs of Faliraki, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the island doesn’t have great nightlife too! Rhodes town is home to a number of clubs and bars that are open until the early hours, live music venues with traditional Greek dancing and restaurants with roof top terraces, harbour front eateries and more that are all open until late. There is no excuse for an early night in Rhodes!
Discover The Modern Greek Art Museum.
The Modern Greek Art Museum holds paintings, engravings and sculptures by some of Greece’s greatest 20th-century artists, and has a variety of styles and collections, not just modern art.
Explore The Acropolis Of Rhodes.
Formerly known as the ancient Hellenistic city of Rhodes, this archaeological site lay just outside of the new town (a 1km walk or a short ride on the number 6 bus). There are a few restored ruins including a theatre once used by Cicero and Julius Caesar and an ancient Temple of Apollo, and is well worth an afternoon to explore.
Visit Rhodes Aquarium.
This beautiful art deco building stands out in the new town not just as a stunning and unique piece of architecture but also as the islands hydro-biological research station. A small underground aquarium holds a number of fish and sea life native to the region.
What Is There To Do In Rhodes Old Town?
The old town is inside the new town but feels like a completely different entity. A completely enclosed city with medieval battlements, a winding labyrinth of cobbled lanes, picturesque squares and historical landmarks, this UNESCO heritage site has countless things to see and do.
Relax In One Of The Social Squares.
The winding streets of the old town are filled with social squares that are bustling with small, local restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, souvenir stalls and smaller attractions such as the Ipokrateous Fountain or the picturesque Seahorse fountain. These are excellent places to stop and recharge your batteries with a drink or an ice cream, but if you have the time it is well worth indulging in the Greek pastime of relaxing on a lazy afternoon, people watching and enjoying a good coffee!
Or Go Shopping In Them.
If you have had enough coffee and ice cream then you can explore one of the countless boutique shops that are hidden in every nook and cranny of the winding cobbled streets, selling everything from hand made jewellery and local crafts to clothes and souvenirs!
Eat Your Heart Out.
In Greece, food is an essential part of its culture, family, hospitality and life itself. Greeks love to eat and they love to feed others. This is evident in the sheer amount of small local restaurants and cafes around every winding corner and in every tiny nook in the old town. Sit yourself down and enjoy some traditional Rhodian dishes, hearty Greek food with a little Turkish spice!
Worship The Old Gods At The Temple Of Aphrodite.
At the entrance to the Liberty Gate on the walls of the old town are the restored ruins of the ancient Temple of Aphrodite dating back to the 3rd Century BCE. It’s only small and there isn’t much left, but it is still a glimpse of what once was before ancient Greece was eclipsed with other empires.
Explore The Knights Quarter.
The 14th Century Knights of St John left a huge impact on the Medieval city of Rhodes, and that impact can still be seen and felt today. The order of knights were essentially an occupying army during the 14th Century and created a large part of the fortifications, including the Liberty Gate, the famous hospital that is now the Archaeological Museum, the Street of Knights and much more. Spend as much time as you can exploring these sites, and try to read up on the history before you do, it will really make a difference to your experience.
Awe At The Palace Of The Grand Master.
If you had to choose just one thing to see in the old town of Rhodes, the magnificent Palace of the Grand Master, a former 7th Century Citadel and 14th Century Castle, it is one of the few examples of Gothic architecture in Greece and an iconic landmark of Rhodes. The exterior is pretty much unchanged from when the Knights Hospitaller took over, but the interior was devastated by an explosion in the 19th Century, so the interior is now a poor Italian reconstruction. It is still worth exploring though and the museums inside are a must see.
Walk The Walls.
Walking the ramparts and walled fortifications of Rhodes’ Old Town is an absolute must to get a full understanding of the sheer scale of the old city, and if you don’t have an appreciation of the history, you’ll love the views!
Climb The Roloi Clock Tower.
The restored 7th Century Roloi clocktower is an iconic landmark in the old town given that it is the tallest building in the city! Visitors can climb the 53 narrow wooden steps to reach a small chamber with stunning views over the city!
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