Rhodes offers several ways to explore its history: the walled medieval city, archaeological collections and the ancient acropolis. When planning, it helps to decide in advance what you are most interested in. The city layout, exhibitions in historic buildings and archaeological remains each tell a story of different eras. This lets you organise your time according to your interests without limiting yourself to a single chapter of history.
Medieval City and Fortifications
The medieval city of Rhodes lies within a four-kilometre-long wall. The Upper Town is in the north, while the Lower Town stretches south to the southwest. Within the walled city, late Gothic architecture of Western European influence from the Knights’ period, 1309 to 1522, predominates, complemented by local Aegean elements. In the Lower Town, Gothic architecture stands alongside mosques, public baths and other buildings from the Ottoman period. This mix offers a range of architectural features to look out for as you explore the city. The Street of the Knights is also one of the medieval city’s notable architectural monuments. At the end of the Middle Ages, the fortifications of Rhodes influenced the entire eastern Mediterranean region.
Routes Along the Walls and Through the Moat
A 1,100-metre-long route along the walls starts at the Kanonia Gate and ends at St John’s Gate, also known as the Koskinou Gate. Along the way, it offers sweeping views of the medieval city. Admission prices and visiting hours are set by the Archaeological Service and may vary; check the latest information before your visit. The medieval moat offers a different perspective: it is 2,300 metres long and up to 70 metres wide in places, and is described as a walking route beneath bridges and past medieval towers and bastions. Check local conditions in advance. The two routes differ in both length and course: one runs along the walls between two named gates, while the other passes through the moat.
Museums and Mosaics
The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes is housed in the medieval building of the Knights’ Hospital. The monumental building is designed according to bioclimatic principles. The main exhibition includes finds from Ialysos and Kamiros, as well as a collection of statues. The museum also displays archaeological finds from various parts of Rhodes and the surrounding islands. Mosaic floors from Hellenistic villas are displayed in the historic courtyard. Check the latest museum information if this exhibition is a priority for your trip.
Mosaic floors are also on display on the upper floor of the Palace of the Grand Master, where they come from architectural monuments on Kos. Medieval furniture is exhibited there as well. The two mosaic displays therefore differ both in their origins and in their respective locations. If you would like to see specific exhibits, check the latest exhibition details before you travel.
Ancient Acropolis and Marble Theatre
The ancient acropolis of Rhodes rises on a hilltop. A few columns of the Temple of Pythian Apollo still stand among the ruins, and remains are preserved in the archaeological park. The vegetation is also part of the character of this place: myrtle, laurel, oak, pine and cypress grow in the acropolis area. For a visit focused on archaeology, both the surviving structures and the plant life offer specific points of interest.
A small marble theatre is located beside the Stadium of Diagoras, where music and theatre performances take place. If you would like to plan your visit around a performance, check dates and access in advance. This way, you can take this offering into account when planning your trip without assuming there is a regular schedule.
Discover more destinations: Soroni, Siana, Stegna, Tilos, Kastellorizo, Trianda, Kritinia, Pastida
For the main travel overview: Rhodes.
