Medieval Town of Rhodes
The Medieval Town of Rhodes, also known as the Old town of Rhodes, is the major and most visited attraction of the island. It is included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO and it the oldest inhabited fortified town in Europe. Tourists are welcomed all year round.
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Address and contacts
What is inside?
The Medieval town was built by the knights of the Order of St. John in the period 14-16 century when the largest buildings, walls and towers were constructed. Later, during the Ottoman rule of the island, new buildings appeared - public baths, mosques and mansions. Today you can see almost all of them, well preserved and maintained.
The high wall which surrounds the entire Medieval town is approximately 4 km long. There are 11 gates with bastions from which you can access the town but only 7 of them are open now.
What to see in the Old town?
Most sights, restaurants, cafes and shops are located around the Sea Gate and the central part of the town which is close to Mandraki Harbor. We recommend you to start from the gates of St. Jonh or St. Athanasios because you can enjoy a walk in the quieter alleys before you reach the commercial area. Among the most popular places in the Medieval town of Rhodes are:
- The Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights
- The Archeological Museum
- The Knights Street
- Hippocrates square
- The semi-ruined Church of Virgin Mary of the Burgh
There is also a path in the trench which tours round half of the old town, known as the Medieval Trench Trail. It is a long walk (approximately 40-50 minutes) and it is not suitable to try the trail in the summer heat.
Where to stay in the Old town of Rhodes?
The hotels inside the Medieval town are scattered everywhere - in the quiet alleys or right in the bustling center around Hippocrates square. Usually, the interior of the hotels corresponds to the authentic exterior because every building in the town is historical and keeps to the proper architecture. Some 4 and 5 star boutique hotels are like real mansions which would take you back in the past!
Note that parking in the old town is not available but if your hotel is located close to any of the gates, you can use the parking spaces just out of the wall.