Posted by Rhodes Town is the largest city (about 65,000 inhabitants) and the capital of the Dodecanese. The city is modern, rich and western. Tourism in particular has brought prosperity in recent years. The old town is one of the most worth seeing in Greece.
The capital of the Dodecanese archipelago is the northernmost part of the island. It is divided into three parts: the new town is located on a headland in the very north, further south is the old town and even further south are the less touristy residential areas of the people of Rhodes.
Our articles about the island of Rhodes |
|
| Rhodes Overview | City Rhodes |
| Old Town Rhodes | Lindos |
| Faliraki | Ialyssos |
The New Town of Rhodes Town
The new town of Rhodes is one of the most modern and western areas of Greece. Between the large international hotels, you will find almost only tourist infrastructure. The beach stretches around the northern and western part of the peninsula. To the east is the harbor, which continues into the old town. In ancient times, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Colossus of Rhodes, is said to have stood here. However, archaeologists have not yet found the remains.
The large casino of Rhodes in the very north is internationally famous. Only one building lies further north of the casino: the aquarium of Rhodes. It is worth a visit. The large Caretta-Caretta turtles and the pool with the Gizani are particularly worth seeing. Ginzani are small freshwater fish that only exist on Rhodes. The fight against the extinction of this fish species has been a major topic in the media on Rhodes for years. The entrance fee to the aquarium in 2024 will be only 5.50 euros for adults.
One of the best hotels in Rhodes is the Hotel City Centre. Very centrally located, especially outside of peak season, cheap rooms with a breakfast buffet and free internet (Wi-Fi).
Between the hotel complexes there are restaurants, fast food shops, cafes and bars. The standard and prices are rather high by Greek standards. Everything is geared towards tourists. There are Chinese and Italian restaurants as well as branches of fast food chains such as McDonald’s or Pizza Hut.
Rhodes Island: Tours by boat, bus and submarineWe have selected the best tours and day trips from Rhodes for you, which can be booked online on a well-known website: 1. Boat tour from Rhodes Town to Lindos (8 hours): More information and booking (very popular tour) 2. Boat trip from Rhodes to the island of Symi (10 hours): More information and booking (great tour to an interesting island) 3. Sailing tour around Rhodes with swimming and lunch (6 hours): More information and booking (very popular trip) 4. Bus tour to Lindos from Rhodes Town (7 hours): More information and booking (Lindos with the famous Acropolis) If you are travelling by yourself: Due to the large number of tourists, it is better to buy the tickets for Lindos online in advance: Link to the booking page 5. Submarine trip from Rhodes (45 min): More information and booking (great insight into life in water) |
The old town of Rhodes Town
The old town of Rhodes borders the new town to the south. It is world famous, probably the most important sight on the eastern Greek islands. Due to its great importance, I have dedicated a whole page to the old town of Rhodes:
See our article: Old town of Rhodes
A “must” for almost every Rhodes holidaymaker is a tour of the Grand Master’s Palace, a gigantic fortress in the old town of Rhodes Town. It was the headquarters of the Order of St. John (admission around 11 euros at the beginning of 2024, free on Sundays in winter. Opening times in summer from 9 a.m. to after 7 p.m., in winter only until around 3 p.m.). Due to the large number of tourists, it is better to buy tickets for the Palace of Rhodes online in advance: Link to the booking page
Rhodes has a good climate, but in winter it is a bit too cold for swimming.
Sights outside the old town
Monte Smith
Monte Smith is a large park west of the old town of Rhodes. There are three famous ancient buildings in the park: First, coming from the old town, you reach the ancient stadium. The ancient Greek stadium (pictured left) is 200 meters long and is open to the public.
Many recreational athletes use it today. No less impressive is the ancient theater with around 700 seats. Many cultural events take place here in summer. At the highest point of Monte Smith, around 150 meters above sea level, stands the Acropolis of Rhodes (pictured right). All buildings are not fenced in and can therefore always be visited free of charge.
Rodini Park
The green lung of Rhodes Town is Rodini Park, around one kilometer south of the old town, to the right of the road to Lindos and Faliraki.
Here you will find plenty of peace, a river and lots of trees. In summer, it is a little cooler in Rodini Park than in the rest of the city. The many peacocks that roam freely in the park are very popular.
Good hotels and guesthouses in Rhodes Town
The best and most well-known places to stay in Rhodes Town are the following:
Cheap for backpackers in Rhodes Town: Mike’s Hostel (also called Mike’s and Mama’s Guesthouse). Simple, alternative-looking accommodation. The friendly local owner Mike is a musician and is always interested in talking to his guests. Mike’s Guesthouse is in the heart of the old town. Dormitory room 10 euros, single room 20 euros, double room 25 euros. It is probably the cheapest accommodation in Rhodes. There is also a youth hostel very close by (last price 8 euros). However, it was closed when I visited in January 2008. If anyone comes by, I would be happy to receive an email with information.
Address of Mike’s and Mama Hostel: Menekleous 28: Telephone: 22410-25359
Youth Hostel Rhodes Telephone: 22410-30491
Good, cheap hotel in Rhodes Town: Hotel City Center. In winter, the two of us paid 40 euros for a double room including breakfast buffet and WiFi. Actually too cheap for a hotel of this class. In summer, however, it would of course be more expensive. The Hotel City Center can be booked on >>> Booking.com. The City Center Hotel is located in the new town, not far from the famous casino.
Don’t have a hotel on Rhodes yet?There are many thousands of hotels on the Greek islands. In our opinion, the best overview is on Booking.com. Here you can sort the accommodations by price or only display accommodations on a specific island. Hotels can be booked quickly and easily on Booking.com, and there are also many holiday apartments. |
(Mike and Mama’s Pension)
Food / Drink / Party
The tavern attached to Mike’s (Greek cuisine) is not bad and is cheap in the old town of Rhodes. Otherwise, you can eat a little cheaper in the new town than in the old town. In the new town, if you want to / need to save money, you should avoid the area around the casino. The cheapest and tastiest taverns can be found in narrow alleys that seem somewhat forgotten by tourism.
The party street in Rhodes town is Orfanidou Street in the west of the new town. Here you will find clubs and bars for different tastes. Some are aimed at a German clientele, others at a Scandinavian or British clientele. The prices are quite high. There is even more going on in Rhodes in Faliraki, about 10 km south of the capital. There is also an excellent and cheap cafe on Orfanidou Street (self-service, for example apple strudel 2 euros). It’s called Finncafe and has free WiFi, like many cafes in the modern capital of Rhodes. Internet cafes can be found everywhere in the new town – the prices are high, starting at around 3 euros per hour and computer – having your own laptop and free WiFi is currently worthwhile on Rhodes.
Psaropoula Street outside the old town in the direction of the new town is the fast food street of Rhodes. There is good pizza at “Pizza al Metro” (around 3 euros). A few gyros stalls, Pizza Hut, Mac Donalds and the Greek hamburger chain Goodys have also settled in the area.
Buses in Rhodes town
There are three bus stations in Rhodes town, but they are less than 100 meters apart. All three are located roughly in the border triangle between the new town, the old town and the harbor.
The city buses leave directly from the sea. There are around eight lines. However, the system is completely incomprehensible to tourists due to the lack of a route map or similar. If you do manage to find out which line goes where, you can get a ticket from the driver and it costs one euro.
A parallel street behind are the two intercity bus stations. One serves the east of the island, the other the west. The fact that it is difficult to get information about the buses from the other station at one station is a typical annoyance in Greece. This, and the fact that there is no overview map here either, drives tourists crazy. But at least you get a simple timetable that you can use to find your way around with the help of an overview map of Rhodes that you brought with you.
Buses to the airport, Lindos andFaliraki run frequently and are easy to find (several times an hour in summer, 8-15 times a day in winter). Costs: Airport and Faliraki just under 2 euros, Lindos 4.30 euros. Further south, trips are less frequent (to Gannadi a few times a day, to Apolakkia only once a day).
Top 10 Rhodes Town
Here are the top 10 things to see and do in Rhodes Town:
Old Town of Rhodes
The medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through narrow streets, visit the Grand Master’s Palace and discover the city walls.
Grand Master’s Palace (Palace of the Knights)
An impressive building with a museum. Learn more about the history of the Knights of St. John.
Street of the Knights
A well-preserved street that was inhabited by the Knights of St. John.
Mandraki Port
The old port of Rhodes is known for the columns with stag and doe, the symbols of the island.
Elli Beach
A centrally located beach with crystal clear water and many restaurants nearby.
Archaeological Museum of Rhodes
A fascinating museum in a former hospital of the Knights with valuable exhibits from antiquity.
Towers and walls of the old town
Walk along the medieval walls and enjoy impressive views of the city.
Acropolis of Rhodes
Explore the remains of ancient temples and the theater on Monte Smith, above the city.
Kallithea thermal baths
Pure relaxation: a historic thermal bath with a picturesque backdrop and healing springs.
New town and shopping streets
Discover modern shops, cafes and restaurants. The area around Platia Kyprou square is particularly worth seeing.
Information on water taxis from Venice Airport with a link to the ticket page
Rhodos Stadt ( 
German version)
Do you have any feedback, an addition, found an error or a comment? Send us an email to: mail@griechenland-insel.de