Essential Rhodes Travel Guide: What to See & Do

Rhodes is one of Greece’s most distinctive destinations. Its position between the Aegean, Anatolia, and the eastern Mediterranean brought successive Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Italian, and medieval influences to the island. Today, classical ruins, fortress walls, lively harbors, and sunlit beaches exist side by side.

Explore Rhodes Old Town

The island’s greatest historical treasure is Rhodes Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site enclosed by roughly four kilometers of stone fortifications. Within its walls, the Street of the Knights, the Palace of the Grand Master, the Archaeological Museum, and imposing gateways reveal the influence of the Knights Hospitaller, who made Rhodes a major Christian stronghold during the Middle Ages.

Narrow lanes, courtyards, shops, and cafés give the fortified city a distinctly lived-in atmosphere. Rather than feeling like an open-air museum, Rhodes Old Town remains part of everyday island life.

Discover the Acropolis of Rhodes

For a glimpse further back in time, visit the Acropolis of Rhodes on Monte Smith. The site contains remains from the Hellenistic era, including a stadium, odeon, temple ruins, and a sanctuary associated with the nymphs.

The Acropolis also reflects Rhodes’ connection with Helios, the sun god linked to the island in ancient mythology.

Walk Along Mandraki Harbor

Mandraki Harbor offers a more modern, maritime perspective on Rhodes. Windmills, the Saint Nicholas Fortress, the New Market, and sculptures of deer mark the waterfront traditionally associated with the legendary Colossus of Rhodes.

Although the statue disappeared long ago, its story remains central to the city’s identity.

Things to Do in Rhodes

Those researching things to do in Rhodes will find far more than archaeological sites. Local markets, Greek cuisine, coastal landscapes, and centuries of cultural exchange all contribute to the island’s character.

Rhodes is ultimately a destination where history is not confined to monuments—it forms the backdrop to everyday island life.