The Old Town of Rhodes is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, and the great thing about it is that it is not a museum: people live here, shop here and eat here. The Knights of St John arrived in 1309, turned the island into their headquarters and spent two centuries building a fortress city of honey-coloured stone, bastions and gates. After the Ottoman conquest in 1522 mosques, baths and fountains joined the churches and inns, and in the twentieth century Italian restorers tidied the Knights' quarter into the postcard it is today. The medieval walls run for about four kilometres, studded with towers and carved with the coats of arms of grand masters. The most impressive entrance is the Sea Gate, which opens into Ippokratous Square, and from there lanes lead up past the Suleymaniye Mosque on Sokratous Street to the Palace of the Grand Master. The town has around thirty-five medieval churches and several mosques, plus the quieter Jewish quarter, where the Square of the Jewish Martyrs has a seahorse fountain and cafes.
The best way to see the Old Town is to wander with no plan and then add structure. Start at the Sea Gate in the morning, walk up Sokratous Street through the bazaar, turn off into the back lanes of the Jewish quarter, and finish on the Street of the Knights and at the Palace. Come back after dark, when the lanes are lit and the day visitors have gone; this is when the walls glow and the town feels most medieval.
A guided walk is worth the money here because the stones carry stories that do not announce themselves: a small-group walking tour covers the main quarters, the history of the Knights and the Ottoman layers in about two hours.
Getting around is simple but not always easy. Everything inside the walls is on foot, over cobbles and worn stone that can be slippery after rain, and a few lanes are steep or stepped. Cars are heavily restricted, so if you are staying inside the walls, expect to leave your luggage at a meeting point or use a porter.
Most visitors enter through one of the gates near the harbour or from Mandraki, a ten-minute walk away. Shops and restaurants cater to a lot of day trippers in summer, so lunch a street or two away from the main drag usually pays off.
Seasons
The lanes, churches from the outside, the squares and the walls are free to see at any time of year, which makes the Old Town the great winter attraction of Rhodes. Museums and monuments inside run shorter winter hours, usually closing in the mid-afternoon and on Tuesdays, and the Walk on the Wall has been closed at times, so check before you plan around it. Many restaurants stay open for locals through the winter, while some summer-only shops and bars shut. November to March is cool and often breezy but pleasantly empty.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided or small-group guided walk through a living walled city of cobbled lanes, gates, squares, mosques and churches, with the Palace of the Grand Master and the Street of the Knights as the high points.
Best time
Early morning or after dark for empty lanes and the best light; winter is quiet and comfortable for walking, summer midday is hot and crowded.
How long
Three to five hours for a good wander, or a full day with the Palace and the museum included.
Tips
Wear shoes with grip for the worn cobbles, enter by the Sea Gate for the best first view, and book a guided walk if you want the stories behind the stones.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-timers and history lovers who want the whole medieval story in one place.
- Families
- Children enjoy the gates, the walls and the stories of knights, but cobbles are tough for buggies and some lanes are steep.
- Couples
- Wander after dark, when the lanes are lit and the day visitors have left, and have dinner in a courtyard.
- Pair with
- The Palace of the Grand Master, the Archaeological Museum and a stroll to Mandraki harbour.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day.
Good questions
Is the Old Town of Rhodes free to enter?+
Yes. Walking the lanes, squares and gates costs nothing. You pay only for individual museums such as the Palace, for tours, and for food and shopping.
Do people really live inside the walls?+
Yes, around a few thousand residents still live in the medieval town, which is why it feels like a real neighbourhood rather than a theme park, especially in the evenings and in winter.
How long do I need in the Old Town?+
Plan on half a day to see the main lanes, the Street of the Knights and the Palace, and a full day if you add the museum, a long lunch and an evening walk.
Is the Old Town worth visiting in winter?+
Absolutely. The lanes and walls are open all year, the crowds are gone and many restaurants stay open. Museums run shorter hours and close on Tuesdays, so plan sights for the morning.
Is the Old Town accessible with a buggy or wheelchair?+
It is difficult. The cobbles are uneven and some lanes have steps, though the main routes between the Sea Gate, the Palace and the harbour are manageable with help.
