Medieval magic meets modern beach resort. Rhodes Town is where you'll find UNESCO-listed cobbled streets, a massive crusader castle, and proper buzzing nightlife – all within walking distance of a brilliant Blue Flag beach. History by day, cocktails by night? Sorted.
Destination Highlights
🏰 Medieval Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
🏖️ Elli Beach right on your doorstep
🍹 Buzzing nightlife and harbour-side dining
✈️ Easy base for exploring the whole island
🎉 3 Fun Facts About Rhodes Town
🏰 Knights Templar Vibes: The Palace of the Grand Master isn't just impressive – it's giving proper historical secrets and medieval wisdom defended in a fortress energy.
🦌 Deer Guardians: Legend says deer were brought to Rhodes to kill snakes, and now statues of them guard Mandraki Harbour where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. No snakes these days, just tourists with ice creams and flakes.
🍦🍺 Cheap Pints Alert: A local Mythos beer in Rhodes Town's tavernas will set you back around €3-€4. Your wallet will thank you after those London prices.
🏨 Where to Stay in Rhodes Town
Rhodes Town is split into two main areas: the atmospheric Old Town with its medieval cobbled streets and fortress walls (perfect for history buffs but be prepared for hills and narrow alleys), and the modern New Town where you'll find Elli Beach, most hotels, restaurants, shops and the main nightlife strip. New Town's flatter, easier to navigate, and ideal for beach access, while Old Town's all about that romantic, historical vibe. The Mandraki Harbour area sits between the two, offering easy access to both. Most visitors base themselves in New Town for convenience, but Old Town's brilliant if you want to wake up inside a medieval fortress. 🏰
🏖️ Best Beaches in Rhodes Town
Rhodes Town's not just about history and medieval walls – it's got some proper decent beaches too. Here's where to get your towel down:
Elli Beach 🌊
The main event. Right in New Town, this Blue Flag beach is basically Rhodes Town's front garden. It's organized (sunbeds, umbrellas, the works), the water's crystal clear, and there are beach bars for when you fancy a cold one. 🍹 Gets busy in peak summer but it's convenient as hell – you can literally walk from your hotel in flip-flops. Perfect for families and anyone who likes their beach days with full facilities.
Psaropoula Beach 🤿
Just north of Elli and way quieter. It's rockier but the snorkelling's better, and you'll actually find a spot to yourself even in August. There's a little beach bar, but it's more low-key than Elli's scene. Good shout if you want beach vibes without the crowds.
Akti Miaouli Beach ⛵
The locals' choice, right by Mandraki Harbour. It's small, pebbly, and not much to write home about facility-wise, but if you're staying near the Old Town and can't be arsed to walk to Elli, it gives you a quieter, more authentic beach experience. Plus the harbour views are lovely.
🏨 Top Hotels to Stay at in Rhodes Town
Rhodes Town's got everything from boutique hideaways to modern beachfront spots. Whether you're booking last-minute or planning your 2026 holiday, these are some absolute corkers:
Blue Sky City Beach Hotel 🌟 - Great beachfront location just across the road from the beach and only a short stroll into Rhodes Town. This adults-only hotel features three bars, a tasty buffet restaurant, stylish Deluxe rooms with land or sea views, and spa facilities. Perfect for couples after a bit of luxury.
Oktober Downtown Boutique Hotel 🎨 - Stylish boutique hotel in the heart of Rhodes with elegant rooms, an outdoor pool and breakfast restaurant. Located just 300m from the beachfront, it's ideal for a sunny city break with a bit of style.
Parthenon Hotel 👨👩👧👦 - Located just 100m from the beach with an outdoor pool and continental breakfast. Walking distance to Orfanidou Street bars, the Old Town, shopping centre and restaurants. Brilliant value for families or groups.
Butterfly Boutique Hotel 🦋 - Simple yet stylish accommodation 400m from the beach, marina, historic Old Town and local park. Features an on-site bar, restaurant and FREE Wi-Fi. Great base for exploring the city in style.
Europa 🏊 - Relaxing hotel with comfortable accommodation, outdoor pool and poolside bar. The beach is only 50m away and is one of the cleanest on the island. Perfect for those seeking a tranquil base.
🎒 Rhodes Town Travel Guide
Things to Do in Rhodes Town for Families 👨👩👧👦
Rhodes Town's brilliant for kids – there's proper history they can actually see and touch, beaches that aren't too wild, and enough ice cream shops to keep everyone happy.
🍦Palace of the Grand Master 🏰 – It's a massive medieval castle with towers and rooms to explore. Kids love it because it feels like a real-life fortress (because it is). Open daily 08:00-20:00 in summer (April-October), 08:30-15:30 in winter (November-March).
Elli Beach 🏖️ – Shallow, safe waters and full facilities including beach volleyball and water sports. The kids can splash about while you relax for five minutes.
Rhodes Aquarium 🐠 – Small but perfectly formed. It's in an art deco building right by the sea, and it's got enough fish, turtles, and seahorses to keep little ones entertained for an hour or so.
Things to Do in Rhodes Town for Couples 💑
Rhodes Town's got serious romantic credentials – sunset walks along medieval walls, candlelit tavernas in hidden squares, and that whole "we're in a Greek island paradise" vibe going on.
❤️Sunset walk along the medieval walls 🌅 – Access the walls from the Old Town and walk the fortifications at golden hour. The views over the harbour and sea are absolutely stunning, and it's properly romantic.
Dinner in the Old Town 🍷 – Pick a taverna in one of the quiet squares (avoid the main tourist drags) and enjoy slow-cooked lamb, local wine, and that Mediterranean atmosphere.
Mandraki Harbour stroll ⛵ – Evening walks along the harbour where the Colossus once stood, with the windmills lit up and boats bobbing about. Grab a cocktail at one of the waterfront bars after. 🍹
Things to Do in Rhodes Town for Groups 🥳
On a mates' trip or celebrating something? Rhodes Town knows how to party, plus there's enough culture and activities to keep everyone happy between the hangovers.
🍻Bar Street (Orfanidou Street) 🎉 – The main nightlife strip in New Town. It's packed with bars, clubs, and enough drink deals to make your wallet smile. Gets absolutely bouncing after midnight.
Boat trip to Lindos ⛵ – Day trips leave from Mandraki Harbour. You get swimming stops, drinks on board, and a visit to stunning Lindos. Perfect group day out that's not too intense.
Scooter rental 🛵 – Hire scooters and explore the coast together. Freedom, sunshine, and the inevitable stories about Dave nearly driving into the sea. 😂
Things to Do in Rhodes Town for Foodies 🍽️
Rhodes Town's food scene is absolutely banging – from proper traditional tavernas to modern Greek cuisine, you're eating well here.
😋Old Town taverna crawl 🍴 – Skip the tourist traps on the main streets and dive into the backstreets. Places serve proper Greek home cooking – slow-cooked lamb, fresh fish, and meze that'll ruin your diet plans.
Fresh fish at Mandraki 🐟 – Restaurants along the harbour serve fish that was probably swimming that morning. Go for grilled octopus, sea bream, or whatever the catch of the day is.
Souvlaki from street vendors 🥙 – The best souvlaki comes from the little places near Sokratous Street. Pork gyros, tzatziki, and chips wrapped in pitta for about €3. Perfection.
🚌 Getting Around in Rhodes Town
Rhodes Town's pretty compact, but here's how to navigate it:
🚶 Walking
Honestly? Your feet will do most of the work. Old Town to New Town is about 10 minutes' walk, and Elli Beach is maybe 15 minutes from the harbour. The Old Town itself is pedestrianized, so walking's your only option anyway. Comfortable shoes are essential – those cobbles aren't messing about. 👟
🚕 Taxis
Black with a blue stripe, and they're everywhere in Rhodes Town. From the airport to town centre is about 20 minutes and should cost around €25-30 (make sure the meter's on). Within town, most trips are €5-10. They're reliable but can be scarce late at night when everyone's leaving the clubs.
🚌 Buses
The main bus station is at Rimini Square (near New Market). Buses connect Rhodes Town to everywhere else on the island – Lindos, Faliraki, the airport, you name it. They're cheap (€2-5 for most journeys), reliable, and run regularly in summer. Less frequent in winter though. 🎫
☀️ Weather in Rhodes Town
Rhodes Town's weather is basically what Greek island dreams are made of – loads of sunshine, warm seas, and barely any rain when it matters.
🌞June to September is peak perfection. We're talking 28-32°C daily, about 12-13 hours of sunshine, and sea temperatures around 24-26°C. It's hot 🔥 but there's usually a breeze to keep things bearable. July and August are the busiest (and hottest), so if you're not keen on crowds or intense heat, bookend it with June or September instead.
October and November are still lovely – around 20-25°C, which is perfect for exploring the medieval town without melting. The sea's still warm enough for swimming (20-22°C), there are way fewer tourists, and hotel prices drop. 💰 It's the sweet spot for couples or anyone who wants Rhodes without the peak season madness.
April and May are warming up nicely – think 18-24°C. The island's green, flowers are blooming 🌸, and it's gorgeous for sightseeing and beach days (though the sea's still a bit fresh at 18-20°C). Great for active holidays or if you're more interested in history than hardcore sunbathing.
December to March is off-season. It's mild (12-16°C) but quite wet 🌧️, and lots of tourist stuff is closed. Not really beach weather, but if you want Rhodes Town to yourself for exploring the Old Town and eating in local tavernas, it's actually quite atmospheric. Just pack a jacket. 🧥
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You're guaranteed all the sunshine you need for that sun-kissed look if you're visiting Rhodes Town in July or August when the maximum daytime temperature is a scorching 31°; Celsius. During these times the island experiences around 13 hours of bright sunshine per day, so make sure you remember that sun cream when relaxing on the beach. During the summer months Rhodes Town receives only about 1milimetre of rain a month, while evening temperatures are a cool and comfortable 22°; Celsius.
If you find this might be too hot for you, why not visit around October or November when the temperature drops to a more comfortable 24°; Celsius during the day? You can expect more cloud around this time, so if you're not a sun-worshipper then going outside of peak-time may be for you!
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FAQs
How far is Rhodes Town from the airport?
How far is Rhodes Town from the airport?
Rhodes International Airport (Diagoras) is about 15km from Rhodes Town, which is roughly a 20-minute drive. Taxis cost around €25-30, or you can get a bus for about €2.50 – they run regularly and drop you at Rimini Square in town. Most of our package holidays include transfers anyway, so you're probably sorted, but just in case you wanna sort your own, always good to have the info!
Is Rhodes Town good for families? 👨👩👧👦
Is Rhodes Town good for families? 👨👩👧👦
Absolutely. You've got safe beaches (Elli Beach is brilliant for kids), loads of history that's actually interesting (battles etc), and tons of ice cream shops to bribe them with. 🍦 The Old Town's like a massive outdoor museum they can explore, and there's an aquarium, mini train tours, and enough tavernas with kids' menus to keep everyone fed. Just be prepared for cobblestones if you've got a pushchair.
What's the best area to stay in Rhodes Town? 🏨
What's the best area to stay in Rhodes Town? 🏨
Depends what you're after. New Town's best for families and beach access – you're near Elli Beach, restaurants, and it's flat and easy to navigate. Old Town's brilliant for atmosphere and romance but it's cobbled, hilly, and you might have to lug suitcases. Couples often love it though. Near Mandraki Harbour gives you the best of both worlds but it's a bit harder to find a bargain.
Is there nightlife in Rhodes Town? 🎉
Is there nightlife in Rhodes Town? 🎉
Yeah, loads. Bar Street (Orfanidou Street) in New Town is the main party zone with clubs and bars that go until stupid o'clock. 🍹 The Old Town has more chilled cocktail bars and atmospheric spots for evening drinks. It's not Ibiza-level madness, but there's definitely enough to keep you entertained. Mandraki Harbour area is lovely for sunset cocktails and dinner before you hit the livelier spots.
What currency is used in Rhodes Town? 💶
What currency is used in Rhodes Town? 💶
It's the Euro. Most places take card these days, but it's worth having some cash for small tavernas, street food, and beach sunbed rentals. ATMs are everywhere in both Old and New Town.
Do I need to hire a car in Rhodes Town? 🚗
Do I need to hire a car in Rhodes Town? 🚗
Not if you're just staying in Rhodes Town itself – everything's walkable or a short taxi ride. But if you want to explore the rest of Rhodes island (and you should – Lindos is stunning), then hiring a car for a day or two is worth it. Alternatively, buses and organized day trips work well too. Just note that parking in Rhodes Town is a nightmare, especially in Old Town.