A Walk in the Old Town of Rhodes

This walk through the Old Town of Rhodes takes you through this World Heritage Site and along the main streets and past the city walls, palaces and mosques. It shouldn't take more than an hour, depending how often you stop, and covers a distance of about 2 km (1.2 miles).

Rhodes Old Town

The Old Town of Rhodes is a World Heritage Site, yet many visitors only see the few main streets that are lined with souvenir shops no different from anywhere else in Greece. Yet there are many fine monuments, and quiet back streets, not to mention the stunning fortifications of the Old Town, all to be admired, and easily done on a short walk.

Mandraki Harbour on RhodesThe Entrance to Mandraki Harbour

Mandraki Harbour

Begin at either side of the entrance to Mandraki Harbour, the narrow channel where it is commonly believed the Colossus of Rhodes once stood, a leg on each side. There is no historical evidence for this, and while there may have been a colossal statue it's thought that it more likely stood near the Temple of Apollo, which was where the Palace of the Grand Masters is now situated.

The City Walls in Rhodes TownThe City Walls in Rhodes Town

Eleftherias Gate

Walk along the harbour front with the town on your right-hand side, and with the walls of the Old Town ahead of you. Cross the busy street at the first set of traffic lights but carry on walking in the same direction, under some trees and past some kiosks, till you reach the Eleftherias Gate. The name means Liberty and the gate takes you through the imposing walls, which date back to 1330 and in places are 12m (39 ft) thick. They are almost perfectly preserved and run for 4km (2.5 miles) around the Old Town.

The Street of the Knights in RhodesThe Street of the Knights

The Street of the Knights

Walk straight ahead along Apellou, passing on your left the remains of the Temple of Aphrodite and on your right the Tourist Information Office. Immediately after the tourist office turn right onto Ippoton, otherwise known as the Street of the Knights, one of the most impressive sights in the Old Town.

The Street of the Knights was built in the 14th century and is lined on either side with what were the Inns of the Tongues. These Inns were the meeting places for the different nationalities of the Knights of St John, and on your right further up the street you will pass the Inn of Italy and the Inn of France, while on the left is the Inn of England and the Inn of Spain, amongst many others. The Inns today house government and private offices, as well as foreign embassies.

Palace of the Grand Masters in the Old Town of RhodesPalace of the Grand Masters

Palace of the Grand Masters

At the top of the street on your right is the entrance to the Palace of the Grand Masters, where the 19 Grand Masters of the Knights of St John would meet to run their affairs. The original Palace was built in the 14th century but was destroyed in an accidental explosion in 1856. What you see now is a faithful restoration carried out by the Italian rulers of Rhodes in the 1930s. It is well worth touring to see the wonderful central courtyard and the many fine mosaic floors.

In the Old Town of RhodesIn the Old Town of Rhodes

Mosque of Suleiman

If saving your visit to the Palace of the Grand Masters for later, carry on past the Palace to the very end of Ippoton and turn left along Orpheus (Orfeos), past the souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants. Where the road swings round to the left you will see on the left the 1523 Mosque of Suleiman, and opposite on the right the Ottoman Library. Turn right after the Library, down Ippodamou, which gradually takes you away from the tourist part of the Old Town into a quieter area.

To Plateia Sokratous

At the far end of Ippodamou follow the road round to the left and at the first junction turn right. This takes you temporarily outside the town walls, giving you a chance to admire them. They are more impressive and easily seen here. Go through the Agiou Athanasiou Gate, turn left along the main road, and take the next left back into the Old Town through the Koskinou, or Gate of St John. Turn left at the first t-junction and follow Pithagora, which takes you all the way to the bustling Plateia Sokratous, where there are several excellent restaurants and cafes, with grandstand views of the passing crowds.

Rhodes Town in GreeceRhodes Town

You might like these

  • Kastellorizo

    Travel information on Kastellorizo in the Dodecanese group of Greek islands, including flight and ferry information from Greece Travel Secrets.

  • Astypalaia in the Dodecanese Islands of Greece

    Astypalaia in the Dodecanese islands of Greece is a largely unspoilt island with good beaches.

  • Arki

    Arki is a small island in the Dodecanese close to Lipsi, with beaches and tavernas with rooms to rent and ferry connections with Patmos, Samos and Marathi.

  • Agathonisi in the Dodecanese islands of Greece

    Agathonisi is a small island in the Dodecanese with quiet beaches, a few hotels, pensions and rooms to rent.

  • Rhodes

    Travel advice, information on Rhodes in the Dodecanese, with ferries from Piraeus for Athens, Symi, Crete, Kos, Patmos, Santorini, and flights from Europe

  • Wild Abandon

    Wild Abandon by Jennifer Barclay and published by Bradt Guides is A Journey to Deserted Places of the Dodecanese islands in Greece, including Rhodes and Kos.

  • Tilos in the Dodecanese Islands of Greece

    Tilos is a small island in the Dodecanese between Rhodes and Kos with regular ferry connections, hotels, rooms to rent, beaches, tavernas and ancient remains.

  • Symi in the Dodecanese Islands of Greece

    Symi (or Simi) is a small island in the Dodecanese near Rhodes with regular ferry connections, hotels, rooms to rent, beaches, tavernas.

  • Patmos in the Dodecanese Islands of Greece

    Patmos in the Dodecanese islands is famous for the monasteries of St John and the Apocalypse and on this page you can also read about flights and ferries

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Latest Posts

RSS

  1. Greek Recovery Funds to Go into Acropolis Upgrade Works

    Twelve projects including upgrade works on the Acropolis have been cleared for funding out of “Greece 2.0” – the country’s recovery plan approved earlier this month. Alternate Finance Minister Theodor…

    Read More

  2. US Keeps Covid-19 Travel Restrictions Due to Delta Variant

    The United States will keep all existing Covid-19 travel restrictions in place due to concerns over the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announce…

    Read More

  3. Chania, in Western Crete

    Chania is the main city in Western Crete with a lovely setting and a beautiful harbour as well as several museums.

    Read More

  4. Cyprus Obliges Travelers from Greece to Undergo Testing Before Arrival

    Greece has been placed on the Covid-19 orange list of Cyprus’ colour-coded country categorization travel system, based on a new epidemiological risk assessment of countries. The new changes come into…

    Read More

  5. Greece’s Indoor Restaurants, Venues Only for the Vaccinated

    Starting Friday, July 16, indoor venues such as restaurants, bars, and theaters will only be accepting vaccinated and seated-only customers until August 31, Development and Investments Minister Adonis…

    Read More

  6. AEGEAN Begins Operation of Seasonal Base on Mykonos

    Greek carrier AEGEAN has started the operation of its seasonal base on Mykonos, aiming to enhance its flagship quality services and improve the connection of the popular Cycladic island with major int…

    Read More

  7. UK Revises Advisory for Greece, Paves Way for Travel

    The UK’s FCDO revised its travel advisory for Greece after announcing on Thursday that as of July 19 travelers from amber-listed countries would not be required to self-isolate upon return.

    Read More

  8. Greece to Launch ‘Covid Pass’ App that Checks Customer ‘Safe’ Status

    Greece said this week that starting July 15, restaurant and F&B business owners would be able to download an application that will check whether the health/vaccination status information provided by c…

    Read More

  9. Authorities Recommend Self-test for Land Travel in Greece

    Travel by road domestically in Greece will not require a negative rapid test but the presentation of a negative self-test is highly recommended, said Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias d…

    Read More

  10. Covid-19: Greece Extends Rules for Domestic Flights to the Islands

    The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) has extended the travel rules for passengers of domestic flights traveling from the mainland to the islands, until 6am, on Thursday, July 15.

    Read More