Rhodes Island Travel Guide: Old Town to Lindos
Rhodes is the largest island of the Greek Dodecanese, set in the eastern Mediterranean just 18 km from the Turkish coast. Its medieval Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside Lindos and ancient Kamiros. For current prices and exact hours we honestly say we do not know when details are missing, so check official sources. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
## How do you get to Rhodes: by plane or ferry?
Rhodes International Airport (Diagoras) sits on the west coast, about 14 km from Rhodes Town. Many flights arrive from across Europe between April and October, while winter service is mostly limited to domestic flights from Athens and Thessaloniki. Ferries link Rhodes with Piraeus (Athens), with neighbouring islands such as Symi and Tilos, and with Bodrum, Fethiye, Datça and Marmaris in Turkey. Because schedules and fares change often, we honestly say we do not know when details are missing and advise confirming with the carrier. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
## Why is the medieval Old Town on the UNESCO list?
The walled medieval Old Town of Rhodes was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Its streets carry traces of the Knights Hospitaller, who ruled from 1310 to 1522; the Ottomans followed after 1522, then Italian administration from 1912 to 1947, before the island united with Greece in February 1947. The ancient Colossus of Rhodes was completed in 280 BC and destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC; it no longer stands. For individual opening times we honestly say we do not know when details are missing. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
## The Grand Master's Palace and Street of the Knights
The Palace of the Grand Master began as a Byzantine citadel of the late 7th century; after 1309 the Knights turned it into their administrative centre. In 1856 the explosion of a nearby gunpowder magazine destroyed much of the building. It was rebuilt during the Italian period between 1937 and 1940 and has served as a museum since 1948. From the palace runs the cobbled Street of the Knights (Odos Ippoton), lined with the order's inns. For ticket prices and current visiting hours we honestly say we do not know when details are missing. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
## Lindos: the acropolis above the white village
Lindos lies about 40 km south of Rhodes Town on the island's east coast. Above the whitewashed village rises the acropolis with the Temple of Athena Lindia, dated to around 300 BC. On the same rock stands the castle of the Knights of St John, built before 1317. The settlement was one of six Dorian cities, founded by the Dorians around the 10th century BC, and Saint Paul's Bay is named after the apostle by tradition. For the most current access we honestly say we do not know when details are missing. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
## What is there to see at ancient Kamiros?
Ancient Kamiros, on the northwest coast about 3 km west of the village of Kalavarda, was one of the island's three major Dorian cities. The ruins reveal a three-tiered plan: a temple of Athena Kameiras with a stoa at the top, a grid of parallel streets and housing in the middle, and a Doric temple with the agora below. Earthquakes in 226 BC and 142 AD caused damage; systematic excavation ran from 1859 to 1864 and again after 1928. For today's site layout we honestly say we do not know when details are missing. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
FAQ
Where is Rhodes and which country is it in?
Rhodes is the largest island of the Greek Dodecanese and lies in the eastern Mediterranean. It is only about 18 km from the southern coast of Turkey and roughly 363 km from the Greek mainland. In 2022 the island's population was around 125,000. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
When is the best time to visit Rhodes?
Rhodes has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. Scheduled flights from Europe reach Diagoras Airport mainly between April and October, while winter traffic is limited to domestic routes. The ideal time depends on your preferences, so check flight schedules with the carrier. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
