Medieval City of Rhodes, Greece

Medieval City of Rhodes is one of the most famous historical attractions in Greece and among the best preserved medieval fortress cities in Europe. Located on the island of Rhodes, the old town was built and fortified by the Knights of Saint John during the Middle Ages and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city is surrounded by massive stone walls, towers, gates, and defensive moats. Inside the fortress, visitors find narrow cobbled streets, medieval houses, churches, mosques, and palace buildings that create the atmosphere of a living medieval city. Unlike many archaeological sites, Rhodes Old Town remains active, with cafés, hotels, shops, and local residents inside the ancient walls.

Rhodes Old Town is famous for combining medieval European architecture with Greek, Byzantine, and Ottoman influences. The enormous fortifications, knightly history, and lively atmosphere make it very different from the white villages of the Greek islands.

For many travelers, the main attraction is the feeling of walking through a real medieval fortress city that has remained inhabited for centuries. Evening walks through the illuminated stone streets are considered one of the highlights of visiting Rhodes.

What Tourists Usually See

The most famous attraction is Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, a large medieval castle that once served as the administrative center of the Knights Hospitaller. Visitors can explore grand halls, mosaics, towers, and museum exhibitions dedicated to the island’s history.

Another iconic location is Street of the Knights, one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe. Walking through the old town, tourists also visit:

• ancient city gates and walls,
• the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes,
• Suleymaniye Mosque,
• Mandraki Harbor,
• and panoramic viewpoints over the fortress and sea.

Many visitors spend an entire day exploring the old town because of its size and maze-like layout.

Tours, Prices, and How to Get There

The Medieval City is located directly in Rhodes and is easily accessible from the island’s main port and airport. From Rhodes International Airport, the old town can be reached in approximately 20–30 minutes by taxi or bus.

Most tourists explore the city independently, but guided walking tours are very popular and usually cost around €20–50 depending on duration and included museum tickets. Entrance to the Palace of the Grand Master typically costs about €20, with combined tickets available for several historical sites.

Boat excursions from Turkey also frequently stop in Rhodes Old Town, making it one of the busiest tourist destinations in the eastern Mediterranean during summer.