Rhodes Old Town Guide: Knights, Lindos Acropolis & Medieval Walls

Last Updated: 17 May 2026

Rhodes is the medieval city of the Dodecanese, a place where you can walk through 4 kilometers of intact crusader walls in the morning, swim at a Hellenistic beach in the afternoon, and have dinner in a courtyard that was a stable for Knight Hospitaller horses in the 14th century. The Old Town of Rhodes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest inhabited medieval cities in Europe, with 200 streets and lanes inside walls that have stood since the 14th century. It is one of the most complete examples of military medieval architecture anywhere in the world, and it is full of people living their daily lives, buying bread, sending children to school, hanging laundry off castle-era windows.

In this guide I will share the Old Town walking tour I do with first-time visitors, the Knights of Saint John story that shapes everything you see, the spectacular ancient Acropolis of Lindos an hour down the coast, and the lesser-visited corners of Rhodes that show you why this island has been one of the most strategically important in the Mediterranean for nearly 3,000 years. I will tell you where to stay inside the medieval walls (yes, you can), where to eat in courtyards that have not changed since the Ottoman period, and how to navigate Lindos without the crowds.

Rhodes Old Town, Inside the Medieval Walls

The first time I walked through the Gate of d’Amboise into the Old Town of Rhodes, I had to stop and remind myself that this was not a film set. The cobblestone street, the massive stone walls rising on both sides, the heraldic shields of the Knights of Saint John carved over the gateways, all of it is real, original, and continuously occupied since the 14th century. Rhodes Old Town is not a museum where buildings are preserved as relics. It is a living city of around 6,000 residents where the medieval architecture is the everyday environment.

The Knights of Saint John

The Knights Hospitaller, also called the Knights of Saint John, were a Catholic military order founded in Jerusalem in the 11th century to provide medical care and military protection for Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land. After the fall of Jerusalem in 1187 they relocated several times, eventually establishing their headquarters on Rhodes in 1309 after a four-year campaign to conquer the island from the Byzantines.

For 213 years (1309-1522) the Knights ruled Rhodes as a sovereign state, building the massive walls, the Palace of the Grand Master, the Street of the Knights with its eight inns (one for each “tongue” or national grouping of the Order), the Hospital of the Knights, and the various churches and chapels that fill the Old Town today. The Knights’ state was a true international organization, with members from France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, England, Germany and elsewhere, governed by an elected Grand Master.

The Knights successfully resisted multiple Ottoman sieges, most notably in 1480 when a force of 70,000 Ottomans under Mesih Pasha was driven off after a three-month siege. The final Ottoman conquest came in 1522 when Suleiman the Magnificent personally led a 200,000-strong army against the city. After six months of brutal siege, the Knights negotiated an honorable surrender and were allowed to depart with their belongings. They eventually settled in Malta, where they continued as a sovereign order until Napoleon expelled them in 1798.

The Palace of the Grand Master

The Palace of the Grand Master, at the highest point of the Old Town, is the most impressive medieval building on the island. Originally built in the 14th century as the residence of the Grand Master of the Knights, it survived the 1522 Ottoman siege intact but was largely destroyed in 1856 when an arsenal of gunpowder stored in the basement exploded, killing 800 people and reducing the upper floors to ruins.

The current building is largely a 1937-1940 reconstruction by the Italian occupiers of Rhodes (the Italians ruled the Dodecanese from 1912 to 1947), who rebuilt the palace as a summer residence for King Vittorio Emanuele III and a guest house for Mussolini, who in the end never visited. The reconstruction is somewhat fanciful, mixing original medieval elements with 1930s Italian fascist taste, but the scale and silhouette are roughly authentic.

Inside the palace, the ground floor houses an excellent museum on the ancient and medieval history of Rhodes, with floors covered in original Hellenistic and Roman mosaics moved from sites around the island. The upper floors contain the reconstructed apartments of the Grand Master, with period furniture, tapestries and paintings. The walk through the entire palace takes about 90 minutes. Entry is around 8 euros, more in peak season.

The Street of the Knights

Walking down the Street of the Knights (Odos Ippoton) from the palace is the architectural highlight of the Old Town. The 200-meter cobblestone street is lined with the inns where the Knights of each “tongue” (national grouping) lived and conducted business. The inns are still standing in their original 15th-century form, with heraldic shields, decorated portals and small interior courtyards.

The Inn of France is the largest and most decorated, with the coat of arms of Grand Master d’Aubusson over the main door. The Inn of Spain has a beautifully carved doorway. The Inn of Italy and the Inn of England are simpler but still preserve their medieval character. Some of the inns are open as small museums or as offices of Greek cultural organizations, others remain private.

At the foot of the street is the Square of Hippocrates, where the Knights’ Hospital now houses the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes. The hospital was built in 1489 and is an outstanding example of late medieval hospital architecture, with a central courtyard, two-story arcaded galleries, and large halls where the sick were treated. The museum collection includes Mycenaean gold from the necropolises of Ialysos, classical statuary including the famous Marine Venus of Rhodes, and Hellenistic pottery. Allow 90 minutes for a thorough visit.

Walking the Walls

The medieval walls of Rhodes are 4 kilometers in total length, with a maximum thickness of 12 meters at the base. They were built by the Knights between 1330 and 1522, with constant upgrades to keep pace with advances in artillery during the 15th century. The walls are divided into eight sections, each defended by the knights of one of the eight “tongues” of the order.

Walking along the top of the walls is now possible thanks to a partial restoration, with access from the Palace of the Grand Master. The walk takes about 90 minutes for the full circuit and offers spectacular views over the Old Town below, the harbor and the new town beyond. The walls are open on certain days of the week (typically Tuesday and Saturday afternoons), so check current schedules at the palace ticket office.

From the walls you can clearly see how the defensive system was organized, with the inner walls, the moat (now a dry park where deer and goats sometimes wander), and the outer defensive works. The bastions at the corners are massive structures designed to withstand cannon fire, with sloped walls to deflect cannonballs and embrasures for defensive guns. Standing on the bastion of Saint John, you understand why even Suleiman the Magnificent needed six months to take this city.

The Acropolis of Lindos and the Eastern Coast

About 50 kilometers down the eastern coast of Rhodes, the village of Lindos sits at the foot of one of the most spectacular ancient sites in Greece. The Acropolis of Lindos rises 116 meters above the village, with the Doric Temple of Athena Lindia at its highest point, a Hellenistic stoa carved into the rock, a medieval Knights castle wrapped around the ancient ruins, and 360-degree views over two horseshoe-shaped bays and the open Aegean.

Lindos Village

The village of Lindos itself is a maze of whitewashed houses, narrow stepped streets and small courtyards, with a strict preservation regime that has kept it free of modern architecture. Cars cannot enter the village center, so you park in the public lot at the edge and walk in. Donkeys are still used to carry goods up the steep paths, and you can also pay to ride a donkey up to the Acropolis if you do not want to climb the steps.

The famous houses of Lindos are the captains’ houses (kapetanaika), built by wealthy Lindian sea captains in the 17th and 18th centuries when Lindos was a major Mediterranean trading port. The houses have characteristic pebble mosaic courtyards (called hochlakia) in geometric patterns, decorative carved doorways, and small rooms arranged around the central courtyard. Several of the captains’ houses are open as museums or as small luxury hotels.

The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin (Panagia) in the center of the village dates from the 14th century and contains some of the best preserved Byzantine frescoes in the Dodecanese. The interior is small but elaborately painted, with scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary on every wall and ceiling. Entry is around 2 euros and the church is open daily.

Climbing to the Acropolis

The climb to the Acropolis takes about 20 minutes on a stepped path from the village center. The path is steep in places but well maintained, with stone steps and occasional resting points. The climb is hot in summer (no shade), so go early in the morning or late afternoon and bring water. Donkey rides cost around 8 euros each way for those who prefer not to climb.

Just before reaching the Acropolis gate, on the left side of the path, is a Hellenistic relief of a trireme (ancient warship) carved into the rock face. The relief was made around 180 BC to commemorate a Rhodian admiral. The detail is still clear after 2,200 years and gives you a sense of what a Hellenistic war galley actually looked like, with three banks of oars and an aggressive ram at the bow.

The Acropolis gate, dating from the medieval period, leads into the castle courtyard. The Knights of Saint John fortified the ancient sacred precinct in the 14th century, building walls and towers that wrap around the older Greek monuments. The result is a visual layer cake of Hellenistic, Byzantine and medieval architecture, with each period using and reusing the stones of the previous one.

What You See at the Top

The first major monument inside the Acropolis is the Hellenistic Stoa, a 200-meter colonnaded portico built around 200 BC at the back of the temple precinct. The stoa has been partly reconstructed with several Doric columns standing in their original positions. From here a monumental staircase leads up to the upper terrace where the Temple of Athena Lindia stood.

The Temple of Athena Lindia, built in the 4th century BC, was the most sacred sanctuary in Rhodes for over a thousand years, drawing pilgrims from across the Greek world. Only the foundations and a few columns survive today, but the dramatic cliff-edge setting gives you a powerful sense of why this site was chosen. From the temple ruins you have a sheer drop of 116 meters to the sea below and views in every direction.

Below the Acropolis to the south is the small horseshoe of Saint Paul’s Bay, where according to tradition the apostle Paul landed during his missionary journey in 51 AD. The bay is a perfect crescent of white sand and blue water enclosed by limestone cliffs. The chapel of Saint Paul at the southern end of the beach is a popular wedding venue. You can swim at Saint Paul’s Bay after the Acropolis climb, the descent from the village takes about 15 minutes.

Visiting Lindos Practically

Lindos can be visited as a day trip from Rhodes Town (around 1 hour by bus or car) or as an overnight stay. Day trippers typically arrive between 10:00 and 12:00 in summer, so the village can get crowded in late morning. Arrive by 09:30 to enjoy the climb without crowds, or wait until 16:00 when most tour groups have left.

The Lindos public bus from Rhodes Town runs every 30 minutes in summer and costs around 6 euros each way. The bus stops in the parking lot above the village, from where it is a 10-minute walk down to the village square. By car, the drive from Rhodes Town takes about 75 minutes on the coastal road, with multiple parking lots at the edge of the village.

Entry to the Acropolis is around 12 euros (more in summer), and the climb plus visit takes 90 minutes to 2 hours. The combined ticket for Rhodes Old Town palace + Acropolis of Lindos saves a few euros if you are visiting both. The Acropolis is open daily from 08:00 to 19:30 in summer, shorter hours in winter.

Beyond the Old Town, the Valley of Butterflies and the Rest of Rhodes

Rhodes is a large island (1,400 square kilometers) with many more attractions beyond the Old Town and Lindos. The interior has pine forests, mountain villages, ancient archaeological sites and one of the most unusual natural attractions in Greece, the Valley of the Butterflies.

The Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes)

The Valley of the Butterflies, called Petaloudes in Greek, is a shaded narrow valley about 25 kilometers southwest of Rhodes Town where thousands of Jersey tiger moths congregate every summer. The moths arrive in late May and stay through September, attracted by the resin of the sweet-gum trees that grow along the stream. During the day they rest on the tree trunks, where their grey wings blend with the bark and they can be hard to see.

The moths are not the only attraction. The valley itself is one of the most beautiful natural settings on Rhodes, with mossy stone bridges over the stream, waterfalls, ferns and the unique sweet-gum trees that grow nowhere else in Europe. The walking path goes for about 1 kilometer up the valley, with wooden bridges and rest stops along the way.

The best time to visit is early morning (before 10:00) or late afternoon (after 16:00) when the moths are most active and the light is best for photography. Avoid clapping or making loud noises, the moths reserve their bright orange under-wings for emergency situations and conserving their energy is important for their survival. Entry is around 6 euros and the visit takes about 90 minutes.

Ancient Kamiros and the Western Coast

Ancient Kamiros, on the northwest coast of Rhodes, was one of the three main Dorian cities of ancient Rhodes (along with Lindos and Ialysos), founded around 1100 BC. Kamiros was abandoned around 250 BC when the population was relocated to the newly founded city of Rhodes, leaving the site essentially intact and excellently preserved.

The site includes the foundations of houses, streets, public buildings, water supply systems and a small Doric temple. The street grid is clearly visible and you can walk through the residential blocks getting a sense of how an ancient Greek city was organized. The Hellenistic stoa at the top of the hill has been partly reconstructed and frames the views down to the sea.

Kamiros is less visited than Lindos because it is smaller and farther from Rhodes Town, but it is one of the most complete ancient Greek city sites in the eastern Mediterranean. Allow 90 minutes for a thorough visit. The drive from Rhodes Town takes about 50 minutes. Entry is around 6 euros.

The Inland Villages

The mountain villages of central Rhodes offer a glimpse of traditional rural Greek life that has been largely preserved despite the tourist economy on the coasts. Embonas, in the foothills of Mount Attavyros, is the wine production center of Rhodes, with several small wineries producing local Athiri and Mandilaria varietals. Tastings are informal and inexpensive, with most wineries charging 5 to 10 euros for a flight.

Siana, perched on a ridge in the western mountains, produces the famous souma (a grappa-like grape spirit) and is known for its honey. The village has only a few hundred residents and the central square is essentially unchanged from the 19th century. Local tavernas serve traditional Rhodian dishes like pitaroudia (chickpea fritters) and giouvarlakia (meatballs in egg-lemon sauce) at very reasonable prices.

The Mount Profitis Ilias area, with its dense pine forests and panoramic views, is the place to escape the summer heat. The Italian-built Eleousa hotel complex from the 1930s sits in the middle of the forest at 600 meters elevation, now mostly abandoned but worth exploring for the strange atmosphere of fascist-era resort architecture decaying into the woods. A taverna at the foot of the hotel serves cold drinks and snacks for the visitors who make it this far inland. For other Greek island destinations, see my guides to Santorini, Mykonos and Crete.

Where to Stay, Eat and Live the Rhodes Atmosphere

Rhodes has a wide range of accommodation, food and atmosphere options, from luxury beach resorts on the eastern coast to atmospheric boutique hotels inside the medieval walls of the Old Town. Choosing the right base for your trip makes a significant difference.

Where to Stay

For the most atmospheric experience, stay inside the Old Town walls. Several small boutique hotels occupy restored medieval buildings, with antique furniture, exposed stone walls and small courtyards. Marco Polo Mansion, Spirit of the Knights and Avalon Boutique Hotel are three established options, with prices ranging from 200 to 600 euros per night in summer. These hotels are walking distance to everything in the Old Town and offer an experience you cannot get anywhere else.

For a beach-focused stay, the eastern coast around Faliraki, Kalithea and Ladiko has the largest concentration of beach resorts. Prices range from 80 to 300 euros per night for sea-view rooms. Faliraki is the party-resort area with bars and clubs, more popular with younger travelers and stag parties. Kalithea and Ladiko are quieter and better for families.

For a luxury beach experience, the Lindos area offers Atrium Prestige Spa and Resort, the Lindos Royal Hotel, and several other 5-star resorts in the 350 to 800 euro per night range. The pebble beaches around Lindos are beautiful but not as soft as the eastern coast sand beaches.

Where to Eat

For traditional Rhodian food in the Old Town, head to Sea Star (fresh fish at moderate prices on a hidden terrace), Marco Polo Cafe (in the courtyard of the Marco Polo Mansion, with a Mediterranean fusion menu), or Hatzikelis (a long-established family taverna in a courtyard with good moussaka and grilled meats). Expect to pay 30 to 60 euros per person including wine.

For a special dinner, Mavrikos at Lindos has been serving outstanding Greek seafood since 1933 and is considered one of the best restaurants in Greece. Reservations essential, expect to pay 80 to 150 euros per person for a three-course meal with wine. The duck with rose petal jam is a signature dish.

For quick lunches, the souvlaki shops in the Old Town and around the New Town’s Mandraki Harbor serve excellent pita wraps for 5 to 8 euros. To Mandraki and Mike’s Souvlaki are both reliable options. For breakfast, the cafe terrace at the Foinikas hotel by the Old Town gate has good Greek breakfast at moderate prices and a view of the medieval walls.

The Walks Worth Doing

The walk along the harbor of Mandraki, on the north side of the New Town, takes about 30 minutes and shows you the modern Italian-built monuments (the Town Hall, the National Theater, the cathedral church of the Annunciation) and the famous columns where the Colossus of Rhodes is said to have stood. The Colossus, a 33-meter bronze statue of the sun god Helios built in 280 BC, was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and collapsed in an earthquake just 54 years after its completion. The story that it stood with one foot on each side of the harbor entrance is a medieval invention, the actual location is debated by archaeologists.

The walk through the Old Town from Mandraki Gate to the Saint Catherine Gate takes about 90 minutes if you go slowly and stop to look at the inns, the squares and the various small churches. The route passes the Palace of the Grand Master, the Street of the Knights, the Hippocrates Square, the Suleymaniye Mosque (built by Sultan Suleiman after the conquest) and the small Ottoman-era streets that still preserve the multicultural character of pre-1947 Rhodes.

The walk along the western harbor wall, outside the Old Town, takes about 45 minutes and offers excellent views of the walls from the seaward side. The Saint Nicholas Fortress at the end of the breakwater, built in the 1460s to control the harbor entrance, can be visited (usually free) and offers further panoramic views of the city and the open sea.

How to Get to Rhodes and Practical Planning

Rhodes is one of the most accessible Greek islands, with both a busy international airport and a major ferry port. The logistics are straightforward.

Getting In

Rhodes International Airport (Diagoras, RHO) has summer flights from many European cities (London, Manchester, Berlin, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Warsaw) and year-round flights from Athens, Thessaloniki and several other Greek cities. Aegean Airlines, Sky Express, EasyJet, TUI, Ryanair and many other airlines serve the airport.

From the airport to the Old Town, the bus takes 30 minutes and costs around 3 euros. Taxis cost around 30 to 40 euros. Most major hotels offer transfers for around 25 euros per person each way.

Ferries from Piraeus (Athens) to Rhodes take 14 to 16 hours by conventional overnight ferry. From Crete (Heraklion) the ferry takes 11 to 12 hours. From other Dodecanese islands (Kos, Symi, Tilos, Kalymnos) ferries run daily in summer with journey times of 1 to 4 hours. From Marmaris in Turkey, daily summer catamarans take 50 minutes (passport required, see my Fethiye guide for the Turkish coast options).

Getting Around

The Rhodes public bus system covers all the major destinations, with two main bus stations in Rhodes Town (one for the eastern coast and Lindos, one for the western coast and Kamiros). Bus fares are 5 to 10 euros depending on distance. The buses are clean, air-conditioned and reliable, though they fill up in peak summer.

For more flexibility, renting a car (35 to 80 euros per day) lets you reach the inland villages, the Valley of the Butterflies and the more remote beaches. Driving on Rhodes is straightforward, with good roads and clear signage. The narrow streets of the Old Town are restricted to residents and you should not attempt to drive inside the walls.

Taxis are widely available in Rhodes Town and at the major resorts. Fares are metered in town and fixed for airport transfers. For longer journeys to Lindos and back, agreeing on a fixed fare in advance is sensible (around 100 to 130 euros round trip with waiting time).

When to Visit

May, June, September and October offer the best balance of warm weather, calm seas, manageable crowds and full availability of restaurants and tourist services. Temperatures are 22 to 28 degrees Celsius and the sea is warm enough for comfortable swimming. April is cooler but pleasant, with spring wildflowers in the mountains.

July and August are hot (30 to 38 degrees Celsius) and crowded, with peak hotel prices. The Old Town can be uncomfortably packed in midday during these months. If you visit in summer, plan your sightseeing for early morning or late afternoon and take a long siesta in the heat of the day.

Winter (November to March) is quiet, with most beach resorts closed but the Old Town still active with local life. The weather is mild (15 to 18 degrees) but with occasional rain. This is a good time for cultural tourism focused on the medieval architecture and museums, without the beach focus.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days should I spend in Rhodes?

Four to five days is ideal for a first visit, allowing 2 days in the Old Town, 1 day for Lindos, 1 day for inland sights and beaches, and 1 day at leisure. With a week you can also do day trips to Symi or Halki, two beautiful smaller islands nearby. Three days is the minimum for covering just the highlights without rushing.

Is Rhodes good for families?

Yes, Rhodes is one of the most family-friendly Greek islands. The eastern coast has shallow sandy beaches with calm water, lots of family resorts with kids clubs and water sports, and the Old Town is fascinating for older children interested in knights and castles. The walking distances in the Old Town can challenge very young children, but most of it is flat and accessible. Lindos involves a steep climb that some children find difficult.

Can I do a day trip to Turkey from Rhodes?

Yes, daily ferries (50 to 70 minutes) run from Rhodes to Marmaris on the Turkish coast in summer. You spend the day in Marmaris, walking the bazaar, visiting the castle and having lunch, then return to Rhodes in the evening. Bring your passport. The ferry costs around 70 to 100 euros round trip. From Marmaris you can also continue to other Turkish destinations.

Where can I swim from a Lindos visit?

The two main bays of Lindos (Saint Paul’s Bay to the south and Lindos Beach to the north) both offer excellent swimming. Saint Paul’s is smaller and more sheltered, with white sand and clear water. Lindos Beach is longer and has sunbed rental and tavernas. Both are within 15 minutes walk of the village square. The Acropolis climb is hot, so a post-climb swim is highly recommended.

Is the Old Town accessible for wheelchairs?

Partially. The main streets in the Old Town are cobblestone, which can be uncomfortable for wheelchairs, and there are many steps and slopes throughout. The Palace of the Grand Master has wheelchair access on the ground floor but not to the upper floors. The Archaeological Museum has partial access. Many of the smaller streets and inns are not accessible. Plan a modified itinerary if mobility is a concern.

What sets Rhodes apart from other Greek islands?

The combination of the medieval Old Town (the largest inhabited medieval city in Europe) and the ancient Greek heritage (Lindos, Kamiros, Ialysos) makes Rhodes unique. No other Greek island has this depth of layered history within walking distance of a beach. The size of the island (much larger than most Cyclades) also means you can spend a full week without exhausting the sights. The UNESCO World Heritage listing provides additional context on the medieval city’s significance.