Rhodes Cruise Port Guide: Things to Do, Getting Around & Practical Tips

Quick Take

Port Type

Walkable historic city port

Best For

Medieval Old Town, easy DIY sightseeing, harbor views, history, a simple beach add-on

Avoid If

You want a quiet, uncrowded stop or a deep-island experience in just a few hours

Walkability

Very good for the Old Town and modern town center; some uneven stone streets inside the walls

Budget Fit

Good if you stay local and explore on foot

Good For Short Calls?

Excellent for a half-day focused on the Old Town and harbor area

Port Overview

Rhodes is one of the better Mediterranean cruise stops for doing things on your own. Ships dock at the commercial cruise pier, but the main payoff is close by: a large, walkable historic center wrapped in medieval walls, plus a modern town and harborfront that are easy to reach without needing a tour.

Is It Safe?

Rhodes is a safe destination for cruise visitors. Petty theft in crowded tourist areas — particularly in the Old Town lanes and at beaches — is the main concern. Keep valuables secure and don't leave bags unattended on the beach. The Old Town has many dead-end lanes; it's easy to get turned around, but the area is small enough that you'll emerge from the walls within minutes in any direction.

Traffic in New Town moves fast. Use designated crossings. If renting a scooter, note that road surfaces can be rough outside the main routes and helmet use is legally required. Overall, this is a relaxed, tourist-friendly island with no unusual safety concerns for day visitors.

Accessibility & Walkability

The cruise pier is flat and manageable from ship to the port gate. However, the Old Town is largely cobblestone, with uneven surfaces, narrow lanes, and some steep sections — it is challenging for wheelchairs and difficult with strollers. The Palace of the Grand Masters has some accessible areas but not comprehensive coverage. New Town (the modern city outside the walls) has standard paved pavements and is more manageable for limited mobility. Beach access varies: Faliraki has facilities including some accessible areas, but most beaches require walking over sand or pebbles. Anyone with significant mobility limitations should plan carefully and may find the Old Town frustrating.

Outside the Terminal

Exiting the terminal gate, you'll see a row of tourist-facing shops and a taxi rank on your left. The atmosphere is commercial but not aggressive. A short walk straight ahead and slightly left puts you on the main road bordering the Old Town walls. The moat and walls become visible within a couple of minutes. The Freedom Gate (Eleftherias Gate) and the adjacent harbour-side promenade are your natural entry points. There's a tourist information kiosk near the gate area. The first impression — massive medieval walls rising directly from the street — is genuinely striking.

Beaches Near the Port

Local Food & Drink

Inside the Old Town, tavernas and cafes are everywhere — some excellent, some aggressively tourist-oriented. A rule of thumb: step back one lane from the busiest pedestrian routes and quality tends to improve while prices drop. Look for restaurants offering traditional mezedes — shared small plates including tzatziki, saganaki (fried cheese), and grilled octopus. The Old Town also has several good spots for fresh fish, though these are pricier.

For budget eating, gyros wraps from kiosks in both Old and New Town run around 3 to 5 EUR and are filling and decent. New Town along the waterfront area has a wider range of casual options, slightly less tourist-inflated pricing, and is worth the short walk if you want to eat without running the tourist-trap gauntlet.

Rhodes produces local wine (including wines from the Cair cooperative) and the island's DODONI-brand ice cream is a minor local institution. Stick to water and soft drinks at cafes inside the Old Town if budget is tight — coffee and drinks can be expensive in prime tourist spots.

Shopping

The Old Town's main commercial street (Socratous Street) is lined with shops selling jewellery, leather goods, ceramics, olive oil products, and the usual tourist items. Quality ranges from genuinely good handmade pieces to cheap imports — check carefully before buying. Gold and silver jewellery is abundant and Rhodes has a long history of quality silversmithing; reputable shops will show hallmarks. Avoid high-pressure sales tactics, which do occur here.

For more authentic shopping, wander the lanes away from the main tourist spine and look for small artisan workshops. Local products worth considering: Rhodian honey, local wine, olive oil, and hand-painted ceramics. New Town has more everyday shops and a better supermarket if you need supplies.

Money & Currency

Currency

Euro (EUR)

USD Accepted?

No

Card Payments

Good in most restaurants, larger shops, and tourist-facing businesses. Some smaller tavernas and market stalls prefer cash.

ATMs

Several ATMs in New Town and near the Old Town entrance. Use bank-branded ATMs rather than standalone machines to avoid high fees.

Tipping

Not mandatory but appreciated. Round up the bill or leave 5 to 10 percent in restaurants. Taxi drivers don't expect a tip but rounding up is common.

Notes

Greece uses Euro. No other currency is accepted at retail level. Exchange rates at port-area kiosks are typically poor — use ATMs instead.

Weather & Best Time

Best months

May, June, September, early October — warm and sunny with manageable crowds

Avoid

July and August are the hottest (often above 35°C) and most crowded; still enjoyable but intense

Temperature

22-35°C (72-95°F) across the main cruise season of April to October

Notes

Rhodes gets over 300 days of sunshine annually. Rain is rare from May through September. Winds (Meltemi) can pick up in July and August, which keeps temperatures more bearable but can affect beach conditions on exposed coasts.

Airport Information

Airport

Rhodes International Airport Diagoras (RHO)

Distance

Approximately 14 km southwest of the cruise port

Getting there

Taxi: 20 to 25 minutes, check locally for current rates. Public bus: available but requires a connection in the city; not practical with luggage.

Notes

Relevant for pre- or post-cruise travellers. The airport is modern and handles significant charter and scheduled traffic. If arriving by air before a cruise, a taxi direct to the port is the most practical option.