The Medieval Town of Rhodes, known among locals simply as “The Old Town”, is one of the best-preserved and largest inhabited medieval cities in Europe, and walking through it feels exactly like that sounds. Over 200 streets wind through this UNESCO World Heritage Site, many with no names, creating a labyrinth where getting lost isn’t just likely, it’s part of the experience.

There’s a lot to see and do, but sometimes the best discoveries happen when you’ve taken the wrong turn down a narrow alley and stumbled onto a quiet square where locals drink coffee under a centuries-old plane tree.

This isn’t a museum piece. People live here, work here, raise families behind walls that have stood since the 14th century. Laundry hangs from medieval balconies. Cats sleep in doorways. The fortress may be medieval, but the life inside is contemporary: a living town that happens to be wrapped in history.

Why Visit the Old Town of Rhodes?

Rhodes Old Town is unlike anything else on the Greek islands. While most Greek island capitals offer whitewashed Cycladic charm or Venetian harbor towns, Rhodes delivers full medieval fortress grandeur: massive stone walls, imposing gates, Gothic architecture, cobblestone streets that echo with footsteps, and layers of history from the Knights of St. John to Ottoman occupation to Italian restoration.

The fortress divides naturally into three distinct quarters: the Kollakio to the north (the administrative heart of the Knights), the Burgh to the south (the commercial and residential district), and the Jewish Quarter. Each has its own character, architecture, and atmosphere. You can spend days here and still find corners you haven’t explored.

Where Is It Located?

The Old Town occupies the northern tip of Rhodes island, right next to the cruise port, Kolona Port, and Mandraki Marina. The New Town sprawls around it: modern Rhodes with hotels, restaurants, beaches, and all the conveniences. But step through one of the medieval gates and you’re transported back 700 years.

How to Get There

Access to the Old Town itself is free and open 24 hours: no tickets, no gates closing at sunset. It’s a living neighborhood, not a ticketed attraction.

If you’re arriving by ferry, you’ll dock at the commercial port about 1km south of the Old Town, a 15-minute walk or short taxi ride. Cruise ships dock even closer, literally beside one of the main gates.

The bus terminal for both RODA and KTEL public transport sits in the New Market building in the New Town. From there, it’s about 350 meters to the Liberty Gate entrance. Taxis wait at several gates—Liberty Gate, D’Amboise Gate, St. Athanasios Gate—though in July and August you’re more likely to find available taxis at the main station near the bus terminal.

If you’re staying in Rhodes Town (New or Old), you’ll simply walk. The Old Town is entirely pedestrian—no cars allowed except for residents with special permits and service vehicles at restricted hours.

A Bit of History

The medieval fortress likely took shape just after the earthquake of 515 AD, but the town as it stands today owes its character to the Knights of the Order of St. John (the Hospitallers), who ruled Rhodes as a sovereign state from 1309 to 1522. They built the Palace of the Grand Master, fortified the massive walls, created the Street of the Knights with its national inns, and established Rhodes as a major Mediterranean power—a bulwark of Christendom against Ottoman expansion.

In 1522, after a six-month siege, Suleiman the Magnificent conquered Rhodes. The Knights accepted safe passage and left (eventually settling in Malta), but many residents remained. The Ottomans ruled for nearly 400 years, adding mosques, hammams, and their own architectural layer to the medieval fabric.

Italian occupation from 1912 to 1943 brought extensive—and controversial—restoration work. The Italians rebuilt the Palace of the Grand Master (which had been destroyed by an explosion in 1856) and restored many medieval buildings, sometimes prioritizing romantic medieval aesthetics over historical accuracy. Love it or criticize it, their work preserved structures that might otherwise have crumbled.

In 1988, UNESCO designated the Medieval Town of Rhodes a World Heritage Site, recognizing its exceptional preservation and the remarkable continuity of its history.

What to See

Don’t expect to cover the entire Old Town in a day. The place is vast, dense with sights, and easy to underestimate. Plan for multiple visits—or better yet, stay inside the walls and explore at your own pace over several days.

The Palace of the Grand Master dominates the highest northwestern point of the fortress, its imposing towers visible from across town. Originally built by the Knights in the 14th century, it served as the administrative center and the Grand Master’s residence. After the 1856 explosion nearly destroyed it, the Italians undertook massive reconstruction in the 1930s.

Today, the Palace houses two permanent exhibitions—”Rhodes from the 4th century AD to its Capture by the Ottomans (1522)” on the ground floor, and “Rhodes, 2,400 Years” covering the ancient city. But the real draw is the building itself: grand halls with spectacular mosaic floors (brought from Kos by the Italians), medieval furniture, Gothic arches, and imposing architecture that makes you feel the weight of history.

Admission is €10 (€5 reduced). Hours are 8:00-20:00 in summer (April-October) and 8:30-15:30 in winter. A combined ticket for €15 covers the Palace, Archaeological Museum, Church of Our Lady of the Castle, and Museum of Decorative Arts—good value if you’re visiting multiple sites. Plan 90 minutes to 2 hours to explore properly.

The Street of the Knights (Ippoton Street) is possibly the most evocative medieval street in Europe. This cobblestone thoroughfare stretches from the Archaeological Museum to the Palace of the Grand Master, lined with the Inns where knights of different nationalities lodged—the Inn of France, Inn of Spain, Inn of Italy, Inn of England. The facades still bear coats of arms and architectural details from the 15th and 16th centuries. Walking here, especially early morning or evening when tourist groups have dispersed, feels like stepping onto a film set—except this is real, and it’s been here for 500 years.

The Archaeological Museum occupies the former Hospital of the Knights—a massive Gothic building where the Order cared for sick pilgrims and knights. The collection includes finds from Rhodes and surrounding islands spanning antiquity: sculptures, pottery, the famous Aphrodite of Rhodes statue, grave stelae, and artifacts from ancient settlements. The building itself, with its vaulted halls and stone corridors, is as impressive as the collection. Admission is included in the €10 combined ticket or €6 separately.

The Mosque of Suleiman was built shortly after the 1522 conquest to commemorate Suleiman’s victory—the first mosque in Rhodes Town. Its pink dome and minaret stand out against the medieval skyline, visible even as you approach the island by boat. Unfortunately, it’s closed to the public, but you can admire the exterior and appreciate the architectural statement it represents.

The Clock Tower (Roloi) offers the best panoramic views over the Old Town—rooftops, domes, minarets, harbor, and fortifications spread below. Built in its current form in 1851 following a major earthquake (thought it likely sits on Byzantine foundations from the 7th century), it’s worth the climb for photographers and those wanting to understand the town’s layout. The tower sits near Hippocrates Square, the Old Town’s bustling commercial heart.

Hippocrates Square is where locals and tourists converge—surrounded by cafés, restaurants, and shops, with the Owl Fountain at its center serving as landmark and pigeon watering hole. By day it buzzes with activity; restaurant touts try to lure you in, shops overflow with souvenirs, and the energy is high. It’s touristy, yes, but also genuinely lively.

The Jewish Quarter occupies the southeastern section of the Old Town, historically home to Rhodes’s Ladino-speaking Jewish community. The Kahal Shalom Synagogue, built in 1577, is the oldest synagogue in Greece and now houses a small Jewish Museum. The quarter has a different feel from the rest of the Old Town—quieter, more residential, less commercially developed. Open April-October, 10:00-15:00 (closed Saturday). Admission €6.

The Medieval Walls and Gates surrounding the Old Town stretch for nearly 4 kilometers—some of the best-preserved medieval fortifications in Europe. You can walk sections of the walls (limited hours: 12:00-15:00, closed weekends; admission €6), offering spectacular views over the town and harbor. Even if you don’t walk the walls, entering through the various gates—Liberty Gate, Marine Gate, D’Amboise Gate—gives you a sense of the fortress’s massive scale and defensive sophistication.

The Byzantine Museum (Church of Our Lady of the Castle) houses icons, frescoes, manuscripts, and artifacts from the 4th to 19th centuries, showcasing Rhodes’s Byzantine and post-Byzantine Christian art. Seasonal hours (typically 9:30-16:30, closed Tuesday); admission €3 (€2 reduced) or included in the combined ticket.

Looking for a guided tour? We recommend:
>> Rhodes Old Town Walking Tour (Small Group)
>> Majestic Rhodes Tour including Lindos, Old Town, Medieval City
>> 1 Day Rhodes Island Tour including Lindos and Medieval City

Practical Tips

The best times to visit are early morning (before 10:00 AM) or late afternoon/evening. Cruise ships disgorge thousands of day-trippers midday, filling the main streets—particularly Hippocrates Square and Socratous Street—with shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Early risers get the medieval atmosphere without the chaos; evening visitors enjoy the town as it shifts from tourist spectacle to local life, with restaurants filling and streets taking on a softer, more romantic character.

Getting lost is part of the experience. The street plan was deliberately confusing—designed to disorient attackers and pirates. Embrace it. Wander the quiet side streets east and south of the main tourist thoroughfares. That’s where you’ll find authentic corners—cats lounging in doorways, elderly locals chatting in doorways, small squares with a single café under a shady tree, and medieval architecture without the souvenir shops. These moments, more than any monument, reveal the Old Town’s soul.

Wear comfortable shoes. Cobblestones, uneven surfaces, occasional steps, and lots of walking mean proper footwear is essential. Flip-flops will leave your feet aching.

Photography is best in morning or late afternoon light. The harsh midday sun washes out the stone and creates harsh shadows; golden hour brings warmth and depth to the medieval streets.

Where to Stay

Staying inside the Old Town walls offers an experience you can’t get anywhere else—falling asleep in a medieval building, waking to church bells, stepping out your door into 700-year-old streets. Boutique hotels occupy restored mansions, inns, and townhouses, many with stone walls, vaulted ceilings, and rooftop terraces overlooking the fortifications.

The advantages are obvious: you’re steps from everything, you experience the Old Town after day-trippers leave, and the atmosphere is unmatched. The downsides: narrow streets mean no nearby parking (use peripheral lots and walk), rooms in historic buildings can be smaller than modern hotels, and noise from bars and restaurants can be an issue depending on location—especially near the main nightlife areas.

If you prefer modern amenities, space, and quiet, the New Town offers beach hotels, resorts, and contemporary accommodations within easy reach of the Old Town. You’ll sacrifice medieval charm for convenience and comfort.

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