Rhodes Old Town Travel Guide

Rhodes

Rhodes Old Town featuring a city and heritage architecture
Rhodes which includes a castle and heritage architecture
Rhodes Old Town featuring a castle
Clock Tower which includes heritage architecture and a city
Rhodes showing street scenes and heritage architecture

One of the most awe-inspiring archaeological sites in all of Greece, this UNESCO-listed city is crammed with historic architecture and ruins.

The Old Town in Rhodes is one of the oldest continually populated medieval towns in Europe. Discover Byzantine relics, Ottoman mosques and Venetian architecture and learn about the history as you explore the fascinating ruins.

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, also known as the Order of the Knights of St. John, was founded during the years of the Crusades. By the early 14th century, they were one of the strongest military organizations in Christian Europe. Between 1309 and 1523, they governed Rhodes and converted the city into a fortified town.

Enter the Old Town through the Eleftheria Gate to the Plateia Simi (Simi Square). Discover many museums in this part of town, including the Folk Art Museum and the Archaeological Museum, which is housed in the Great Hospital. Walk along the winding alleyways to the pedestrian-only Street of the Knights. This beautifully preserved street is where the knights once resided. Framed by tall walls, with knights’ inns and family houses, the street still looks much like it would have in the 14th century.

Near the Knights’ Quarters is the striking Palace of the Grand Masters. The palace, which was the administrative headquarters for the order in the early 14th century, is one of the most impressive structures in Rhodes. It now houses the Byzantine Museum. Enter to browse displays containing medieval relics, sculptures, antique furniture and mosaic floors.

Visit what is believed to be the site of the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Located near the harbour, this monument honored the Rhodian victory in the battle of Demetrius the Besieger in 305 B.C.. This colossal statue took 12 years to complete and is thought to have been approximately 100 feet (30 metres) high.

Shop for souvenirs on Sokratous Street and stop for a coffee on the café-lined Ippokratous Square where the Castellania Fountain, the Chadrevan Mosque and the Palace of the Castellan are located. After a day of sightseeing, relax in a Turkish hammam at the Platia Arionos.

Medieval fortified walls enclose the Old Town of Rhodes. It is pedestrian-only and many of the lanes are unmarked, so be prepared to lose yourself in the winding cobbled streets. To get here, take a taxi or catch a local bus.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Rhodes Old Town

The Wine Hotel

The Wine Hotel

4 out of 5
Platonos 41, Rhodes
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Rhodes. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and on-site spa services. Popular attractions Rhodes Port and Palace of the Grand Master ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (19 reviews)
"A great boutique hotel, in the middle of the old city. Great location. The staff are very friendly and welcoming. Amazing service, great breakfast. Helped us with everything. Will definitely come back!"

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

The Wine Hotel
Elissa Adults-Only Lifestyle Beach Resort

Elissa Adults-Only Lifestyle Beach Resort

5 out of 5
Kallithea, Rhodes
The price is £340 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
£340
31 Jul - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Rhodes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 15 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (210 reviews)
"10/10"

Reviewed on 25 Jul 2025

Elissa Adults-Only Lifestyle Beach Resort
Sheraton Rhodes Resort

Sheraton Rhodes Resort

5 out of 5
Ialyssos Avenue, Ixia, Rhodes, Rhodes Island
The price is £239 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
£239
30 Jul - 31 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Rhodes. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (689 reviews)
"Just a smooth easy stay for us. No issues at all. Staff were smiley, friendly and superb and in particular the Exec Chef Nikolas was super reassuring with my son's nut allergy."

Reviewed on 24 Jul 2025

Sheraton Rhodes Resort
Amus Hotel & Spa

Amus Hotel & Spa

5 out of 5
Iraklidon Avenue 100, Ixia, Rhodes, Rhodes Island
The price is £255 per night from 2 Aug to 3 Aug
£255
2 Aug - 3 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Rhodes. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (495 reviews)
"Amus is a lovely hotel, and we really enjoyed our stay, all of the staff are friendly and helpful, it is a good distance from Rhodes old town and the airport. Food at breakfast was plentiful with a great variety, plenty of space to sit inside or outside. Olivetti restaurant was lovely too. Pool and ..."

Reviewed on 26 Jul 2025

Amus Hotel & Spa
Helea Lifestyle Beach Resort

Helea Lifestyle Beach Resort

5 out of 5
Kallithea, Rhodes
The price is £409 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
£409
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Rhodes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (258 reviews)
"The property itself is lovely, very clean, bright and well maintained. The negatives are the A la carte restaurants and the sunbed shenanigans. The a la cartes are very difficult (if not impossible for some of them) to get into and once you do the food and service was disappointing. The sun beds ..."

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

Helea Lifestyle Beach Resort
Cook's Club Kolymbia - Adults only

Cook's Club Kolymbia - Adults only

Brusseles Street, Kolimbia, Rhodes
The price is £234 per night from 16 Aug to 17 Aug
£234
16 Aug - 17 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa resort in Rhodes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (95 reviews)
"Beautiful place, food excellent & the service. Area around was quiet but if you like to walk or get the e scooters nice area to drink. Only let down is the sunbeds, they remove towels after only 15mins even if you have been on them all day, there has to be a better way for people to relax and enjoy ..."

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

Cook's Club Kolymbia - Adults only
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Rhodes Old Town

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Neochori

While visiting Neochori, you might make a stop by sights like Old Town Gates and Bar Street.

Neochori
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Agios Nikolaos

While visiting Agios Nikolaos, you might make a stop by sights like Zephyros Beach and Rhodes St. Francis Church.

Agios Nikolaos


Rhodes Old Town Travel Guide

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