Old Town and history
Old Town Rhodes and the Grand Master's Palace Interior
A compact city tour that gets you inside the Grand Master's Palace, not just past its walls.
This small-group orientation covers modern Rhodes Town and the medieval Old Town in one loop, then goes further than most coach tours by walking guests inside the Grand Master's Palace rather than only viewing it from outside.
Your guide meets you at the pier and the drive traces Mandraki's waterfront — passing the harbour where legend places the vanished Colossus of Rhodes — before climbing to Monte Smith for open views over the city and the Aegean toward Turkey on a clear day.
From there you enter the Old Town on foot through the Gate d'Amboise, walking down into the UNESCO World Heritage medieval quarter. The centrepiece is the Grand Master's Palace itself: rebuilt in the 1930s on 14th-century foundations, its upper rooms are included on this tour rather than left as an optional add-on.
The walk continues down the cobbled Street of the Knights, past the former inns of the crusader tongues, ending near the Archaeological Museum housed in the old Knights' Hospital. Free time at the end lets you linger in the Old Town or head back to the ship.
Highlights
- Small-group orientation drive past Mandraki Port and up to Monte Smith for panoramic photos
- Guided interior visit inside the Grand Master's Palace, not just an exterior stop
- Walking route down the Street of the Knights to the Archaeological Museum
- Finishes with free time in the Old Town before you make your own way back or return with the group
What a good tour includes
- Professional local guide
- Transportation from the cruise pier
- Interior access to the Grand Master's Palace, per the supplier
Getting there from the cruise port
Cruise ships calling at Rhodes typically berth at the Tourist Port, within a short walk of the Old Town's medieval walls for most berths, though some calls use the outer Commercial Port and a handful of tours meet a few minutes' walk from the pier rather than directly alongside it. Always confirm your exact meeting point and pickup location from your booking confirmation, since this is set per tour and can vary from ship to ship. The Old Town itself is comfortably walkable from most berths — allow 10–20 minutes — so a guide is optional if you only want the medieval quarter. Lindos, the beaches at Anthony Quinn Bay and Kallithea, and the island's mountainous interior all require coach, taxi or private transport; there is no practical walking option. Whichever excursion you choose, plan your day backwards from the ship's stated all-aboard time rather than its published departure time, and build in a buffer for Rhodes' summer traffic on the coastal road to Lindos.
Tips for cruise passengers
- Wear flat, closed walking shoes — the palace has a double flight of stairs to its upper rooms and the Old Town is cobbled
- Bring sun protection for the exposed Monte Smith viewpoint
- Confirm your exact pier and pickup point from your booking confirmation before the day
Typically not included
- Food and drink — the supplier lists this tour as food/beverage not included
- Any purchases made during free time in the Old Town
Check dates and availability
Live pricing and departure times are confirmed on our excursion partner's booking page. We may earn a commission from qualifying bookings at no extra cost to you.
Operated by Shore Excursions Group · Product eurhtcaexcwalk. We do not operate this tour ourselves.
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The city's landmark sights, privately guided and timed around your schedule.
Old Town Rhodes and the Grand Master's Palace Interior — FAQs
Does this tour actually go inside the Grand Master's Palace?▼
Per the supplier, yes — this itinerary includes a guided walk through the palace's upper rooms, rather than an exterior-only stop, which is the main difference from a general Old Town walking tour.
Is this tour wheelchair accessible?▼
No. The supplier states there is a double flight of stairs to the palace's main rooms and that the route covers paved, cobblestone and packed-dirt surfaces with some inclines.
How much walking is involved?▼
It's a compact three-hour itinerary with one guided walking loop through the Old Town; comfortable shoes are recommended but this is not a strenuous hike.