Rhodes Cruises: Ports, Ships and Things to Do

At a glance

612 current cruises call at the 2 ports Cruiseable lists under Rhodes, on 83 ships from 28 cruise lines. The busiest of those ports is Rhodes, on 612 itineraries. The lowest lead fare across those cruises is $479. The lines sailing the most of them are Viking Ocean Cruises (151), Princess Cruises (70) and Celebrity Cruises (49).

Destination guide

Rhodes travel guide: Top things to do & see

A beguiling island that combines medieval architecture with beautiful Aegean beaches, ancient temples, and outdoor markets and cafes, Rhodes is a complete contrast to other Greek Islands. Cruising to Rhodes — just 12 miles off the coast of Turkey — is like stepping back into a medieval world of knights and castles. It’s a delight to wander through the Old Town with its deep moat, cobblestone streets, city walls and palaces built by the Knights of St. John more than 700 years ago.

Rhodes Town bears witness to that long history. The ancient city features a classical stadium and the ruins of the Temple of Apollo. The old city is a walled town with medieval buildings and streets harking back to the days of the Crusades. The Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is reputed to have once stood guard over the harbor.

However, Rhodes also boasts features more commonly associated with other islands of Greece, such as the seaside village of Lindos with its whitewashed houses and hilltop acropolis, as well as inviting beaches and plenty of tavernas where you can relax at an outdoor table with a glass of ouzo and a serving of baklava drizzled with the local honey.

Read the full guide

Top things to do & see in Rhodes

Palace of the Grand Masters

Built in the 14th century by the Knights of St. John, the Palace of the Grand Masters in Rhodes Town is now a museum with exhibits tracing the story of the island from ancient through medieval times.

Palace of the Grand Master in the city of Rhodes, Greece. Roberto Faccenda / Creative Commons BY-SA

Mandraki Harbor

Poised between the Old Town and New Town of Rhodes, Mandraki Harbor is the place to pick up a boat excursion or to wander through the Nea Agora (New Market) with its shops and cafes.

Archaeological Museum

The medieval Hospital of the Knights is the setting for this Archaeological Museum containing important ancient treasures, including two representations of the goddess Aphrodite discovered on the island.

Thermes Kallitheas

On the east side of the island, Thermes Kallitheas is a mosaic-tiled bath complex built by the Italians in the 1920s, which is no longer in use but a lovely place to explore. A nearby beach and café make for a relaxing afternoon.

Ialysos

Gorgeous hillside views, plus the ruins of an ancient temple and a restored 13th-century monastery, make Ialysos worth a visit.

Beaches

Some 35 beaches of soft sand and sparkling waters ring the island. Among the most popular is Elli Beach, which is just north of the Old Town that has beach umbrellas and other services for visitors.

Shopping

Rugs, ceramics, leather goods, silver and gold jewelry and local olive oil and honey are among the good buys to be had. Among the prime shopping areas are Nea Agora in Mandraki Harbor and Sokratous Street in Old Town.

Entertainment

The Casino of Rhodes offers slot machines and table games in a 1920s structure of Arabic and Byzantine design. The Nelly Dimoglou Dance Theater performs traditional Greek folkloric dances at the Old Theater during the summer.

Don’t miss

Acropolis of Lindos: It’s well worth the hour so drive from Rhodes Town to Lindos, a village of 17th-century whitewashed houses and a crescent-shaped beach. A steep, winding path leads up to the acropolis with its medieval palace, Byzantine chapel and Temple of Athena dating from the 4th century B.C. Visitors can hike up the path or ride a donkey to the top for awe-inspiring views of the Aegean waters far below.

Best bets for dining

Fresh seafood, locally grown tomatoes and other produce, plus local wines make it worthwhile to have lunch off the ship. At a taverna, try a sampling of small plates known as mezedhes, enjoying olives, hummus, meatballs, fried smelt, garlicky yogurt dip, stuffed grape leaves and other specialties.

In Rhodes Town, Dinoris offers the chance to dine on delicious fish dishes in a splendid medieval building with an outdoor garden courtyard. Mavrikos, on the main square of Lindos, is considered one of the best restaurants on the island, especially for grilled swordfish, baked lamb and lobster risotto.

Best time to go

High season: July–August

Shoulder season: May–June, September

Low season: October–April

Summer brings hot, dry weather and by far the most crowds. The shoulder seasons bring balmy weather and fewer visitors.

Fun facts

No Greek citizen is allowed to not vote – Greek law requires that all citizens 18 or older must vote.
Feta cheese has been made at least since the time of Homer, about 750 B.C.
The Colossus of Rhodes, an enormous statue that once graced the harbor of Rhodes rather like an ancient Statue of Liberty, stood for 56 years before being destroyed by an earthquake in 226 B.C.

A street on the island of Rhodes, Greece. Loic Pinseel / Creative Commons BY-ND

When you arrive

Docking information

Cruise ships dock in Rhodes Town on the northern tip of Rhodes, about a 10-minute walk to Old Town.

Getting around

Old Town and its attractions are easily explored on foot, but uneven surfaces and cobblestones make comfortable shoes a must. Taxis are plentiful and can be hailed at taxi stands throughout the island. Fares to various destinations are posted at the stands.

Need to know

Documents: U.S. and Canadian citizens need a passport.

Language: Greek, but English is widely spoken.

Currency: The Euro

Your take

Have you visited Rhodes? Please share a story, tip or discovery. What was the highlight of your experience on this magical Greek isle?

Photos of Rhodes

The Lindos Acropolis in Lindos on the island of Rhodes, Greece.
Looking through the wall of the Old City on the Greek island of Rhodes.
The beach along a well-developed commercial sector south of the city of Rhodes, Greece.
Nighttime dining in Rhodes, Greece.
Hospital of the Knights on the island of Rhodes, Greece.
A street on the island of Rhodes, Greece.
Arches in the ancient city of Rhodes, Greece.
The town of Lindos on Rhodes, Greece.
Palace of the Grand Master in the city of Rhodes, Greece.
Explore the beautiful beaches and rugged coastline of the Greek island of Rhodes.
The ancient city of Kameiros on the Greek island of Rhodes.
A lion at the Archeological Museum in Rhodes, Greece.
Palace of the Grand Master, an ancient battlement on Rhodes, Greece.
A castle looms over visitors to Rhodes, Greece.
A mosaic on the floor in a historical site in Rhodes, Greece.
A mosaic, many hundreds of years old, spotted on Rhodes.
Statue of a mythological creature on Rhodes.
A medieval-era battlement in Rhodes, Greece.
A medieval-era fortress in Rhodes, Greece.
An exquisite, centuries-old floor mosaic in Rhodes, Greece.
One of the centuries-old floor mosaics in Rhodes, Greece.
Statue depicting a Greek myth in Rhodes, Greece.
The Sea Gates, the main entrance to Rhodes, Greece.

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Rhodes612
Rhodes/Lindos, Greece

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Overheard

“Just opposite the old Grand Master's Palace in Rhodes Town is Kalogirou Art, an antiques store that is considered to be the island's top destination for ancient furniture, carpets, and decorative pieces. Its mosaic floors and airy gardens are works of art.”

Travel + Leisure

"Parts of the road that runs the 2½ miles along the top of the walls is sometimes accessible for an extra fee to visitors to the Archaeological Museum and to the Palace of the Grand Masters."

Fodor's

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