Rhodes Old Town is the fortified city that the Knights of St John (Knights Hospitaller) built up between 1309 and 1523, and it remains one of the largest and best-preserved inhabited medieval towns in Europe, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988. Its 4 km-plus circuit of walls, a 30 m-wide dry moat, the Palace of the Grand Master and the Street of the Knights preserve a Gothic townscape rated among the finest medieval ensembles in the Mediterranean. In 2026 it is still a living town where residents actually live, with shops and tavernas trading inside the walls and cruise- and ferry-borne crowds filling the lanes in the summer high season. A half-day on foot covers the highlights, so pair a palace visit with a wander through the lanes, ideally in the morning or late afternoon.
Palace of the Grand Master (Kastello): the fortress-palace at the highest, north-west point of the Old Town, with two massive towers and a heavy wooden gate; the interior is open as a museum with halls, courtyards and mosaic displays
Street of the Knights (Ippoton): the east-west Gothic avenue lined with the inns of the 'tongues' of Italy, France, Spain and Provence, a textbook example of European Gothic urban planning
Walls and dry moat: fortifications up to about 12 m thick with a 30 m-wide waterless moat, now landscaped as a walking park you can follow around the ramparts
The gates: seven main gates including the twin-towered Marine (Thalassini) Gate of 1478, plus the Liberty, St Athanasius (New) and d'Amboise gates
The Lower (Ottoman) Town: a layered streetscape where Gothic buildings sit beside the Suleymaniye Mosque, hammams (public baths) and other Ottoman-era heritage
Good to know
CautionSome bars and restaurants near the busy fountains hide their prices, then bill you tens to hundreds of euros for things like a 3-litre 'beer tower' after you order. Always confirm portion size and price on a printed menu before ordering, and walk away if staff dodge the question
CautionNear Mandraki harbour people may tie on a 'free' friendship bracelet and then demand money, and some taxis claim a 'broken meter' to charge inflated flat fares. Decline the bracelet, and insist the taxi runs its meter or agree the fare in advance
SeasonJuly and August are both peak season and very hot at midday, with little shade in the lanes and moat. Carry water, a hat and sunscreen, and time your visit for early morning or late afternoon to dodge both the heat and the crowds
SafetyThe whole Old Town is polished cobblestone and steps, which are slippery and tiring on the feet. Heels and wheeled suitcases are a poor fit here, so wear comfortable shoes with grippy soles
RulesThe Palace of the Grand Master is closed on Tuesdays in winter; walking the lanes is free but the palace interior is ticketed. Reductions (e.g. EU over-65) and under-18 free entry, along with prices and hours, change over time, so book online in high season and always verify the latest details
MannersThis is a lived-in town, so keep noise down in residential lanes at night, and dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) and stay quiet when visiting mosques and other religious sites
SafetyIt is easy to get lost in the maze of narrow lanes, and crowded spots carry a pickpocket risk. Download an offline map beforehand and wear your bag on the front
Practical info
You enter the Old Town on foot from the New Town and Mandraki harbour through gates such as the Liberty and Marine Gates, an easy walk from the central bus terminal beside the New Market. From Rhodes airport take the city bus (about 40 minutes, roughly EUR 2.50 one way) or a taxi (about 20-25 minutes); cruise ships and large car ferries dock at Akandia quay (about a 20-minute walk) while fast catamarans use Kolona. Wandering the lanes is free, but the Palace of the Grand Master interior is ticketed (summer from 1 April daily 08:00-20:00; winter Wed-Mon 08:30-15:30, closed Tuesday, subject to change) - always confirm current prices and opening hours on the official site before you go.
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