Rhodes is where ancient history, medieval architecture, and Aegean island life collide. Here's how to spend three days on the most historically rich island in Greece.
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Rhodes stopped me in my tracks. I've been to a lot of places, but walking through the gates of Rhodes Old Town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best-preserved medieval city in Europe — felt different. The stone walls are 40 feet thick. The cobblestone streets have been walked for 2,400 years. And then you turn a corner and find a cat sleeping on a Roman column. That's Rhodes.
## Day 1: Rhodes Old Town — The Medieval City
Morning: Arrive and orient yourself
If you're arriving by cruise ship, you'll dock at the commercial port and walk straight into the old city through the Marine Gate. If you're staying on the island, get a room inside the old walls if your budget allows — waking up inside a medieval fortress is an experience you won't forget.
Start at the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes. This is the most impressive building on the island — a massive 14th-century fortress that was the headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller, the military order that ruled Rhodes from 1309 to 1522. The interior has extraordinary mosaic floors (many brought from Kos), medieval furniture, and the dramatic Laocoön sculpture. Budget 90 minutes here.
Late morning: The Street of the Knights
Walk down the Street of the Knights (Odos Ippoton) — the best-preserved medieval street in the world. Each section of the street was maintained by a different "tongue" (national group) of the Knights. The French, Italian, Spanish, and English inns still stand exactly as they were built in the 14th and 15th centuries. It's a 5-minute walk but you'll spend 30 minutes photographing it.
Lunch: Old Town tavernas
Head into the maze of the old city and find a taverna on one of the quieter squares. The tourist-facing restaurants on the main drag are fine but overpriced. Walk two blocks in any direction and you'll find locals eating. Order the Greek salad (made with local tomatoes that are genuinely different from anything you've had elsewhere), dolmades, and moussaka. A full meal with wine runs about €15–20 per person.
Afternoon: Wander the old city
The old city is a labyrinth and that's the point. Get lost. You'll find: - The Mosque of Suleiman (the white minaret you can see from everywhere in the old city — built after the Ottoman conquest in 1522) - The Byzantine Museum inside the Church of Our Lady of the Castle - Dozens of small shops selling local honey, olive oil, ceramics, and handmade goods - Cats. Everywhere. Rhodes has a legendary cat population.
Evening: Dinner and the city walls
Walk the city walls at sunset — you can access them from the Palace of the Grand Master. The views over the old city rooftops and out to the Aegean are extraordinary. Then find a restaurant in the old city for dinner. The Turkish coffee scene in Rhodes is excellent — a legacy of the Ottoman period. Order it prepared in hot sand (kum kahvesi) if you can find it.
## Day 2: Lindos — The Acropolis and the Village
Morning: Drive to Lindos (50km south)
Rent a car or scooter for the day — this is non-negotiable. The bus runs but the timing is awkward. The drive south along the east coast takes about 45 minutes and the road hugs the coastline with views of the Aegean the whole way.
Lindos Acropolis
The Acropolis of Lindos sits 116 meters above the village on a dramatic rocky promontory. It was built by the ancient Dorians around 300 BC and later fortified by the Knights of St. John. The views from the top — the village below, the two bays on either side, the Aegean stretching to the horizon — are among the best in Greece. Go early (it opens at 8am) before the cruise ship crowds arrive. The climb takes about 20 minutes.
The village of Lindos
The village below the acropolis is a maze of whitewashed cubic houses with distinctive black-and-white pebble mosaic courtyards (chochlakia). It's one of the most photogenic villages in Greece. Browse the shops, have a coffee, and find the Captain's House — a 17th-century sea captain's mansion with an extraordinary painted ceiling.
Afternoon: St. Paul's Bay
Walk down to St. Paul's Bay — a small, sheltered cove where, according to tradition, St. Paul landed in 51 AD to preach to the Rhodians. The water is crystal clear and the beach is small enough to feel private even in summer. Swim, have lunch at one of the beach tavernas, and take your time.
Evening: Return to Rhodes Town
Drive back along the west coast for a different view. Stop at Kameiros (an ancient ruined city, less visited than Lindos) if you have time. Back in Rhodes Town, have dinner in the new city — the restaurant strip along Mandraki Harbor has excellent fresh fish.
## Day 3: The Rest of the Island
Morning: Mandraki Harbor
The Mandraki Harbor is where the Colossus of Rhodes supposedly stood — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The two bronze deer statues that now mark the harbor entrance replaced it. Walk the harbor, visit the Church of the Annunciation (a beautiful Italian-era building), and have breakfast at one of the harbor cafés.
Late morning: Rhodes Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum is housed in the old Hospital of the Knights and contains the best collection of ancient Rhodian art on the island — including the famous Aphrodite of Rhodes (the "Marine Venus"), a 1st-century BC marble sculpture found in the sea. Budget 60–90 minutes.
Afternoon: North coast beaches
The north tip of the island has the best beaches — Elli Beach is right in Rhodes Town and perfectly swimmable. For something more dramatic, drive 30 minutes north to Prasonisi (the southern tip of the island, where the Aegean and Mediterranean meet and the wind creates world-class kitesurfing conditions).
Evening: Final dinner in the old city
End where you started — dinner inside the old city walls. The restaurants around Hippocrates Square are the most atmospheric. Order the local wine (Rhodian wine has been produced since antiquity — the island was famous for its wine in the ancient world), grilled octopus, and whatever fresh fish the kitchen recommends.
## Practical Information
Getting there: Rhodes has an international airport (RHO) with direct flights from most European cities. It's also a major cruise port — many Eastern Mediterranean itineraries stop here.
Getting around: Rent a car or scooter for Day 2 (Lindos). For Day 1 and Day 3, the old city is entirely walkable and cars aren't allowed inside the walls anyway.
Where to stay: Inside the old city walls if budget allows (€80–€150/night for a guesthouse). The new city has more hotel options at lower prices.
Best time to visit: April–June and September–October. July and August are extremely hot and crowded with cruise passengers. The shoulder seasons have perfect weather and manageable crowds.
Food to try: Greek salad (the local tomatoes are exceptional), moussaka, dolmades, fresh grilled fish, loukoumades (honey fritters), and Rhodian wine.
What to budget: €100–€160/day covers accommodation, food, transport, and entrance fees comfortably. The main paid attractions (Palace of the Grand Master, Lindos Acropolis) run €6–€12 each.
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Photos From This Trip
Real photos from Chris & Lori — click to enlarge
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Chris & Lori are the husband-and-wife team behind Bites & Borders — a travel and food blog built from real trips, real meals, and real opinions. Based in Virginia, they've explored the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and beyond.
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