Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese islands — an island at the crossroads of the ancient Aegean world, occupied successively by the ancient Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantine Empire, the Knights of St. John, the Ottomans, and finally modern Greece. Each occupation left its mark, and nowhere is this layered history more tangible than in Rhodes Town’s medieval Old City: an almost completely intact walled city that is one of the best-preserved medieval urban environments in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Standing inside the walls of Rhodes Old City is one of the most genuinely transporting experiences available on any Virgin Voyages Mediterranean port day. Check out Mykonos, Greece: What to Do on a Virgin Voyages Port Day (or Overnight).
The Old City
The walls of the medieval city of Rhodes, built and maintained by the Knights of St. John between 1309 and 1522, enclose a remarkably intact medieval town. The Street of the Knights — a cobbled street lined with the medieval inns of the different nationalities of Knights (French, Spanish, Italian, English, German, Provencal, Auvergnat) — is the finest surviving example of a medieval street in Europe. The Palace of the Grand Master, rebuilt in the early 20th century on the original 14th-century foundations, provides the dominant visual statement of the upper city.
The Turkish Quarter (Socratous Street) and the Jewish Quarter within the walls add layers of Ottoman and Sephardic Jewish history to the already-complex narrative of the city’s past.
Beyond the Walls
Lindos: A village on the island’s eastern coast with a hilltop acropolis (the third most important in ancient Greece after Athens and Delphi), overlooking a stunning bay. Accessible by taxi or bus from Rhodes Town and worth the 50-minute drive for Sailors who can manage the timing within a port day.
Rhodes beaches: The island’s eastern coast has calm, clear water; the western coast (where the port is) is windier. Faliraki on the east coast is popular and accessible.
Insider Tips from Joel and Erin
- The Old City requires a full morning. Enter through the d’Amboise Gate, walk the Street of the Knights, visit the Palace of the Grand Master, and allow yourself to wander without a fixed route. The Old City rewards unhurried exploration.
- Lindos is worth the drive if you have 6+ hours in port. The combination of the acropolis, the whitewashed village, and the bay is spectacular. Check your port time before committing to the round trip.
- The walls themselves are walkable. A 2.5-hour walk along the top of the medieval walls provides a unique perspective on the Old City layout and the surrounding coastline. Ask about wall walk tours at the Palace of the Grand Master.
Ready to Sail?
As certified First Mates, Joel and Erin can help you find the right Virgin Voyages sailing that includes Rhodes.
Book your Virgin Voyages Mediterranean cruise at CruisePlanner.pro — and step inside the best-preserved medieval city in Europe
