Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in Greece's South Aegean, with Rhodes Town as its capital. Its UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town, the Lindos Acropolis and long Aegean beaches make it one of Greece's busiest summer destinations.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Rhodes.
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1
Medieval Old Town of Rhodes
UNESCO World Heritage walled city (inscribed 1988) built by the Knights of St John, with Gothic, Ottoman and Italian-era buildings in a medieval street plan.
Tip: Enter early or after 18:00 to avoid cruise-ship crowds and midday heat. · Wear sturdy flat shoes; the cobbles are uneven and slippery when worn. · Carry a map or offline GPS, since lanes twist and signage is limited. · Buy monument tickets individually or as a combined pass where offered at the sites. · Dress modestly when approaching religious buildings. · Carry water in summer; shade is limited on open squares.
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2
Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes
14th-century Knights' fortress, rebuilt in the 1930s as an Italian-era residence, with mosaic floors from Kos and exhibitions on ancient and medieval Rhodes.
Tip: Arrive at opening to avoid tour groups that arrive from late morning. · Check current hours and prices on odysseus.culture.gov.gr or hhticket.gr before visiting. · Bring photo ID to claim the free or reduced entry for eligible young visitors. · Allow about 90 minutes and combine with the Street of the Knights next door. · Wear flat shoes; the stone floors and stairs are polished and slippery.
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3
Street of the Knights
Cobbled medieval street lined with the 15th- and 16th-century inns of the Knights' langues (France, Italy, Spain, England and others), among the best-preserved Gothic streets in Europe.
Tip: Visit early morning or at dusk for empty photographs. · Walk uphill from Museum Square to finish at the Palace of the Grand Master. · Wear shoes with grip; the rounded cobbles are slippery. · Look for the heraldry above doorways to identify each langue's inn. · Combine with the nearby Archaeological Museum and palace visits.
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4
Acropolis of Rhodes (Monte Smith)
Hellenistic hilltop with a partly restored Temple of Pythian Apollo, a stadium and a small theatre, named after British admiral Sidney Smith.
Tip: Visit near sunset for the best light and views. · Bring water and a hat in summer; shade is limited. · Take a taxi uphill if heat is high; the walk from the Old Town takes about 40 minutes. · Check odysseus.culture.gov.gr for any changes in hours. · Wear shoes with grip for uneven ancient paving.
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5
Lindos Acropolis
Fortified acropolis 116 m above the sea with the Doric temple of Athena Lindia, a Hellenistic stoa and Knights' castle walls; views of St Paul's Bay.
Tip: Enter at opening to avoid heat and crowds. · Bring water, a hat and sun protection; shade is minimal. · Wear shoes with grip; the rock steps are worn and slippery. · Check hours and ticket price on odysseus.culture.gov.gr or hhticket.gr. · Take the KTEL bus from Rhodes Town, or a taxi to avoid parking in the village. · Consider walking up instead of using donkeys.
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6
Ancient Kamiros
Well-preserved Dorian-Hellenistic town on a terraced hillside, with house foundations, a Doric temple, an agora and a water cistern.
Tip: Arrive in the morning, when temperatures are lower and shade is scarce. · Bring water and a hat; there is little cover on the hillside. · Check hours on odysseus.culture.gov.gr; closing is in mid-afternoon. · Wear sturdy shoes for uneven stone paths. · Combine with Monolithos Castle or west-coast villages by rental car.
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7
Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes)
Wooded stream valley with walkways where thousands of Jersey tiger moths gather in summer.
Tip: Visit in July or August for the highest number of moths. · Arrive in the morning, when the moths are resting and crowds are smaller. · Stay quiet and avoid clapping or flash; noise makes the moths fly and waste energy. · Wear shoes with grip for wet stone steps. · Check the current ticket price at the entrance; it is about 7 EUR.
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8
Mandraki Harbour
Historic harbour entered between two columns topped by bronze deer; the Fort of St Nicholas, windmills and Italian-era government buildings frame the waterfront.
Tip: Visit in late afternoon for softer light and cooler temperatures. · Walk to the windmills for views of both harbour and sea. · Check ferry and excursion schedules at the quay if planning day trips. · Expect wind on the breakwater and bring a light layer in shoulder seasons. · Combine with a walk through the Marine Gate into the Old Town.
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9
Archaeological Museum of Rhodes
Museum in the 15th-century Hospital of the Knights, with Hellenistic sculpture including the Aphrodite of Rhodes and Rhodian grave stelae.
Tip: Visit in the midday heat or on a rainy day, since the halls are cool. · Check hours and current ticket prices on odysseus.culture.gov.gr. · Bring ID for the free entry offered to eligible young visitors. · Pair with the nearby Church of Our Lady of the Castle on Museum Square. · Allow time to sit in the shaded courtyard.
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10
Monolithos Castle
Ruined Knights' castle from 1476 on a 100 m sheer rock above the sea, with a small chapel of Agios Panteleimon inside the walls.
Tip: Visit near sunset for the best light, but leave time to descend before dark. · Wear sturdy shoes for the steps and rocky path. · Supervise children at the cliff edges and expect wind. · Bring water; there is little shade. · Allow about 1.5 hours each way by car from Rhodes Town.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Medieval Old Town of Rhodes
UNESCO World Heritage walled city (inscribed 1988) built by the Knights of St John, with Gothic, Ottoman and Italian-era buildings in a medieval street plan.
Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes
14th-century Knights' fortress, rebuilt in the 1930s as an Italian-era residence, with mosaic floors from Kos and exhibitions on ancient and medieval Rhodes.
Street of the Knights
Cobbled medieval street lined with the 15th- and 16th-century inns of the Knights' langues (France, Italy, Spain, England and others), among the best-preserved Gothic streets in Europe.
Mandraki Harbour
Historic harbour entered between two columns topped by bronze deer; the Fort of St Nicholas, windmills and Italian-era government buildings frame the waterfront.
Monolithos Castle
Ruined Knights' castle from 1476 on a 100 m sheer rock above the sea, with a small chapel of Agios Panteleimon inside the walls.
Clock Tower (Roloi)
Medieval watch tower rebuilt after earthquakes, with a climb to a viewing terrace above the Old Town.
Kallithea Springs
Italian-era rotunda spa and bathing complex from 1929 with restored Art Deco-Oriental architecture and a small swimming cove.
Medieval Walls and Moat
Four kilometres of Knights' fortifications with a deep dry moat, bastions and the Gate of Amboise (1512).
Archaeology
Acropolis of Rhodes (Monte Smith)
Hellenistic hilltop with a partly restored Temple of Pythian Apollo, a stadium and a small theatre, named after British admiral Sidney Smith.
Lindos Acropolis
Fortified acropolis 116 m above the sea with the Doric temple of Athena Lindia, a Hellenistic stoa and Knights' castle walls; views of St Paul's Bay.
Ancient Kamiros
Well-preserved Dorian-Hellenistic town on a terraced hillside, with house foundations, a Doric temple, an agora and a water cistern.
Ancient Ialyssos
Remains of one of the three ancient city-states of Rhodes, including a 4th-century BC Doric fountain and the foundations of the Temple of Athena Polias.
Museums
Archaeological Museum of Rhodes
Museum in the 15th-century Hospital of the Knights, with Hellenistic sculpture including the Aphrodite of Rhodes and Rhodian grave stelae.
Kahal Shalom Synagogue and Jewish Museum
Oldest synagogue in Greece (1577), with a pebble mosaic floor and a museum on the Rhodian Jewish community deported in 1944.
Church of Our Lady of the Castle (Byzantine Museum)
14th-century Gothic cathedral of the Knights, later a mosque, now the Byzantine Museum of Rhodes with frescoes and icons.
Religious
Filerimos Hill and Monastery of Our Lady
Hilltop monastery with a Gothic church, chapels and a large cross on the site of the ancient acropolis of Ialyssos.
Mosque of Suleiman
Rose-pink mosque rebuilt in 1808 to commemorate the Ottoman conquest of Rhodes in 1522.
Nature
Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes)
Wooded stream valley with walkways where thousands of Jersey tiger moths gather in summer.
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- State archaeological sites and museums close on 1 January, 25 March, Orthodox Easter Sunday, 1 May and 25-26 December, with reduced hours in winter; Old Town streets are open all day
- Fees
- Main sites cost about 4 EUR (4.6 USD) to 20 EUR (23 USD); check official prices at hhticket.gr. Free entry applies to EU citizens under 25 and non-EU citizens under 18 with ID
- Best Times
- May-June and September-October for walking; July-August is hot (up to 35C / 95F) and busy with cruise ships
- Booking
- Buy tickets at each site gate or in advance on hhticket.gr; official site information is on odysseus.culture.gov.gr
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Visit Lindos and Kamiros in the morning before the midday heat
Cruise ships crowd the Old Town between about 10:00 and 16:00; walk the Street of the Knights early or late
Carry water, a hat and sun protection; shade is scarce at archaeological sites
Wear closed shoes with grip on the polished cobblestones
Call 112 for police, ambulance and fire
Frequently asked questions
How many days do visitors need in Rhodes?
Two days cover the Old Town and Mandraki; add one day for Lindos and one for the west coast sites.
Is the Rhodes Old Town free to visit?
Walking the streets is free; the Palace of the Grand Master, museums and the rampart walk charge entry.
How do visitors get from Rhodes Town to Lindos?
KTEL Rhodes buses run from Rhodes Town to Lindos in about 1h15, or visitors can drive in about 1 hour.