Rhodes Cruise Port: Docking, Old Town and a Full Day Ashore

Ships tie up right beside the medieval walls of Rhodes Old Town, so there's no tendering and no transfer to arrange. Step off the gangway and a walk of roughly five to ten minutes brings you into one of Europe's best-preserved medieval towns.

Where do cruise ships dock in Rhodes?

Ships berth at a long deepwater quay in Rhodes Town, on the northern tip of the island. The sheltered harbor has one main docking pier, which also serves the regular ferries to nearby islands.

The terminal is simple and functional. It has a tourist information desk, toilets, a taxi stand, a few small shops and car rental, plus a large duty-free store inside the port area. Once you exit, several Old Town gates sit directly across the street. Turn right and you reach Virgin Mary's Gate, one of the main entrances.

How do you get from the ship into town?

Most cruisers simply walk. They explore the Old Town first, then follow the seafront toward Mandraki Harbour. Inside the walls the lanes are narrow, maze-like and paved with uneven cobblestones, so wear comfortable shoes.

Taxis wait near the port. They are black with a yellow "TAXI" sign and usually charge fixed fares for common routes, which makes them the easiest way to reach a beach or village. The central bus station sits near Mandraki on the edge of the Old Town, with buses to many corners of the island, though limited departures make it less practical on a short stop. A hop-on, hop-off bus circles the main sights in the northern part of Rhodes Town. A little tourist train also loops around town.

What should you see in Rhodes Old Town?

The Knights of St. John ruled Rhodes from this walled city until Suleiman the Magnificent's siege ended their reign in 1522, and today it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Roughly four kilometers of walls, pierced by seven gates, enclose cobbled lanes, small squares and towers. Give it two to three hours, longer if you go inside sights or stop for coffee.

Palace of the Grand Master

The Palace of the Grand Master is a gigantic fortress that dominates the Old Town. The Knights turned an earlier Byzantine citadel into a palace for their Grand Master, and the Italians later restored it. Inside are mosaic floors, reconstructed halls and exhibitions on the island's history. Plan on an hour to an hour and a half.

2026 prices: full admission is €20. The exhibition "From the Knights of St. John to the Knights of Malta" and the palace gardens are open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The lower level of the Rhodes 2400 Years exhibition is closed for maintenance. The palace is closed January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday, December 25 and December 26.

Street of the Knights

Gate d'Amboise leads straight onto this cobbled lane, now called Ippoton. This is among the best-preserved medieval streets in Europe, and the inns along it were built for knights from seven different nationalities. It runs up to the palace, so the two pair naturally.

Archaeological Museum

You'll find it inside the old hospital of the knights, dating to the 15th century, where the displays include artifacts from Rhodes and neighboring islands. An elevator serves the building, though a few steps remain on the second floor. Admission is €10.

Streets, squares and the clock tower

Socratous Street is the main shopping street, overlooked by the Suleymaniye Mosque. The mosque went up after the Ottoman conquest, and its minaret and pink dome are worth a look from outside. Right opposite, the little Hafiz Ahmed Agha Library keeps roughly 2,000 volumes in Persian, Arabic and Turkish, along with Korans from the 15th and 16th centuries that were copied and illustrated by hand.

Hippocrates Square, centered on the Castellania Fountain, is the lively heart of the Old Town. The Roloi Clock Tower, one of its highest points, looks over the rooftops to the palace. Cafes are everywhere, and some give you a Wi-Fi password once you buy something.

What else is there to do near the port?

Just beyond the Old Town walls, Mandraki Harbour is the main waterfront of Rhodes Town, and many buildings along its promenade date from the Italian era of the early 20th century. At the harbor entrance, the deer statues stand where legend places the Colossus of Rhodes. Walk out past the windmills to the 15th-century St. Nicholas Fortress, and look for the boat trips that leave from here along the coast. Allow 30 to 60 minutes.

Elli Beach is a few minutes past Mandraki, about 15 minutes along the waterfront from the port. It has clear water, sunbeds, beach bars and a diving platform that's popular for photos. Allow one to two hours for a swim. For somewhere quieter, Kato Petres Beach is often nearly empty and about 15 minutes away by taxi.

For shopping, try Cyprus Square for boutiques, jewelers and bookshops, or visit Nea Agora, the lively market from the 1920s that mixes Italian and Arabic styles. Pottery, baskets and olive oil make good souvenirs.

For lunch, try moussaka, gyros or meze, a spread of small dishes that's a good way to sample the island. Finish with baklava and a small glass of souma, a strong grape spirit similar to ouzo.

How should you spend your hours in port?

Many ships stay in port for about six to eight hours, which suits a relaxed day in Rhodes Town.

• Four to five hours: stay in the Old Town. Walk the knights' quarter, see the palace from outside, wander Socratous Street and head back without rushing.
• Six to eight hours: explore the Old Town in depth, add the palace interior, then walk Mandraki Harbour and finish with a break at Elli Beach.
• Eight hours or more: go farther, to Lindos or a quieter beach.

Should you book a shore excursion or go on your own?

Many cruisers skip one, since Rhodes Town's main sights are close enough to reach on foot. A tour makes sense for Lindos, or if you'd like someone else to handle the timing. Compare your cruise line's offerings with outside platforms such as Viator and GetYourGuide, since prices can differ.

Lindos sits halfway down the east coast, about an hour each way by car. Its acropolis dates back to around the 10th century BC and rises above whitewashed village houses. From the village you reach it on foot, up almost 300 steps and cobbled paths, or by mule. There is no access to the acropolis for visitors with disabilities. Admission is €20. From November 1 through March 31 it's open 8:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. and closed Tuesdays. Wear sturdy shoes and go early. With two hours on the road plus the climb, Lindos suits a longer stop, and a tour takes away the worry about getting back.

To see Kallithea Springs, Anthony Quinn Bay or Lindos at your own pace, rent a car near the port, but reserve ahead in summer, when availability is limited. KTEL public buses to Lindos leave from Rhodes Town, though their schedule leaves little margin for an all-aboard time.

What should you know about money and safety in Rhodes?

The currency is the euro, and ATMs are easy to find in both the Old Town and the newer town. Many larger places take cards, but a little cash can come in handy for small purchases. Rhodes is generally safe. Stay aware of your belongings when the streets and squares fill up. Summer heat can be intense, with little shade inside the walls, so bring water, sunscreen and a hat.

How do you make it back to the ship on time?

Check your ship's all-aboard time and leave a cushion, a bigger one if you've gone out to Lindos. The Old Town gets crowded when several ships are in port, and finding your way through its lanes and gates takes longer than you'd expect. Note which gate you entered by, so you can head straight for it when it's time to return.