GR
Rhodes
A sunny Dodecanese island with a walled medieval city of the Knights and a clifftop acropolis at Lindos
A sunny Dodecanese island with a walled medieval city of the Knights and a clifftop acropolis at Lindos
The imposing fortress-palace of the Knights, rebuilt in the 20th century, with mosaic floors and a museum.
Photo: Jebulon, CC0
A cobbled medieval street lined with the inns of the different nations of the Knights, leading up to the Palace.
Walk the Old Town walls and moat for a different perspective.
Photo: Wknight94, CC BY-SA 3.0
A white village about 50km south of Rhodes Town, crowned by an acropolis with a Doric temple and sweeping sea views.
Climb early in the morning in summer.
Photo: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try pitaroudia (chickpea fritters), matsi pasta, fresh fish and local honey.
Eat away from the main Old Town squares for better prices; Symi Square and the New Town have good tavernas.
Rhodes Airport is about 15km from Rhodes Town, with many flights in summer. Ferries connect Rhodes with Piraeus and the Dodecanese islands. Buses link the town with Lindos and the beaches.
Greece is in the EU and the Schengen area and uses the euro. EU citizens need only an ID card; citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, with biometric registration under the EU Entry/Exit System. An ETIAS travel authorisation is also due to be introduced. Hotels charge a per-night climate resilience fee. Check current rules before you travel.
Rhodes is mid-priced for the Greek islands.
Knights, beaches and Lindos.
Visit the Palace of the Grand Master, walk the Street of the Knights and the Archaeological Museum, and explore the lanes.
Visit the acropolis of Lindos early, then swim at St Paul’s Bay.
Take a boat trip to the colourful island of Symi, or explore the inland villages and Valley of the Butterflies.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
Greece is in the Schengen area, which has two EU border systems for non-EU visitors.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
Summer heatwaves can close archaeological sites at midday; visit early and carry water.
Book ferries in advance in July and August, and allow for delays when winds are strong.
The Old Town’s cobbles are uneven; wear sturdy shoes.
The west coast is windy, popular with kitesurfers; the east coast is calmer for swimming.
Quick answers for planning time in Rhodes.
Citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in 180, with registration under the EU Entry/Exit System.
Yes, the Medieval City of Rhodes was listed in 1988.
About 50km, an hour by bus or car.
By flight, or by ferry from Piraeus and other islands.
May, June, September and October.
Google Maps works well; ferry timetables are best checked on operator sites or ferry booking apps.
Free
Greek is the language; English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Greece travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.