In short
Rhodes: ships usually berth in Rhodes port beside the Old Town walls, 5–10 minutes' walk from the Marine Gate, with no tendering as a rule. In 3–4 hours you can see the Street of the Knights, the Grand Master's Palace and Mandraki harbour. Lindos and its acropolis are 50 km away. Greece: EU, Schengen, euro.
Where do cruise ships berth in Rhodes, and how far is the Old Town?
Ships tie up in the main port of Rhodes town, right by the medieval walls. The Old Town gates are 5–10 minutes on foot, and tenders are not usually needed.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where the ship berths | Depends on the size of the ship and the day: most often at the port quays along the eastern wall of the Old Town. When several ships are in, one may berth a little further out, about a kilometre from the gates. |
| To the Old Town | The Marine Gate or St Catherine's Gate, 5–10 minutes on foot from the ship. Inside the Old Town you get around on foot. |
| Mandraki and the beach | Mandraki harbour with its deer statues is about 15 minutes' walk along the walls. Elli town beach is 15–20 minutes. |
| Lindos | About 50 km south. Taxi roughly an hour each way; the KTEL bus from the bus station at Rimini Square takes an hour to an hour and a half or more, with stops. |
| Typical call | Usually 6–10 hours. Exact times are in the ship's daily programme. |
| Money and language | Euro; Greek. English is spoken almost everywhere in the Old Town, and cards are widely accepted. |
| Documents | Greece is in the EU and Schengen. If the ship comes from another Schengen port, there is usually no separate check; if it comes from outside Schengen, Turkey for example, passport checks take place on board or at the port. Carry the document your cruise line asks for (what to check). |
| All aboard | Usually 30–60 minutes before departure. Go by the time in the daily programme and on your cruise card. |
What can you fit into a day in Rhodes?
The whole Old Town fits into 3–4 hours on foot. If you want more, Lindos takes half a day, or try the Acropolis of Rhodes and the beach. In summer the hardest part is the heat — there is little shade in the Old Town.
The Knights' Old Town
Through the gate to the Archaeological Museum in the old Hospital of the Knights, along the Street of the Knights (Ippoton) with the inns of the different orders, up to the Palace of the Grand Master. Then down the shopping street of Sokratous, past the Suleymaniye Mosque and the clock tower, to Hippocrates Square.
Lindos
A white village by a bay and an acropolis on the rock above it: 15–20 minutes up steps from the village to the entrance, with no shade. Below lies St Paul's Bay. About an hour each way by taxi; allow 5–6 hours in all.
The Acropolis of Rhodes and Mandraki
Monte Smith hill, 3 km from the Old Town, has the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, an ancient stadium and theatre, and sea views. Go by taxi or city bus. Come back via Mandraki harbour, with its bronze deer, windmills and the Fort of St Nicholas.
The moat, Mandraki and Elli beach
A walk along the dry moat around the walls — shady trees, quiet and no traffic. Then Mandraki harbour and Elli town beach, with pebbles and clear water, 15–20 minutes on foot from the ship.
Is it worth going to Lindos during a call?
Yes, if the call is at least 7–8 hours and you can handle the heat. After the Old Town, Lindos is the most beautiful place on the island, but the round trip takes about two hours.
- Getting there. Taxi — about an hour each way; agree the price and the return pick-up time in advance. The KTEL bus from Rimini Square is slower, stops along the way and does not run very often — check the return bus before you go.
- The climb to the acropolis. 15–20 minutes up steps from the village. Go early: after noon it is hot and crowded. In high season there can be queues at the entrance.
- When to head back. Leave Lindos so that you are at the ship at least an hour before all-aboard time — there can be traffic on the road into town.
On your own or on a ship's excursion?
The Old Town, Mandraki and the beach are easier and more pleasant on your own: everything is close, and any group moves slowly inside the walls. You do not need an excursion here.
A ship's excursion makes more sense for Lindos if the call is short or you would rather not deal with taxis, and for trips to the Valley of the Butterflies (in summer) or the island's villages. The ship generally waits for its own excursions if they run late — it does not wait for independent passengers.
How do you make sure you are back on board in Rhodes?
- The Old Town maze. The lanes inside the walls twist and turn, and it is easy to come out at the wrong gate. Remember which gate you came in by and start back 45–60 minutes before all-aboard time.
- Several ships in port. On those days the Old Town is crowded and there can be a security queue at the gangway. Add 15–20 minutes to your return.
- Lindos. By taxi, leave no later than 2 hours before all-aboard time.
- Heat. Summer afternoons can top 30 °C, with little shade. Bring water, a hat and comfortable shoes for the slippery cobbles.
- What to take. Your cruise card, the document your cruise line asked for, some cash in euros and a phone with the ship's emergency number.
Where do cruises calling at Rhodes start?
Rhodes is a regular call on Greek island and Eastern Mediterranean itineraries, often together with Mykonos, Santorini and ports in Turkey. If you would like a cruise that calls here, look at these departure ports:
- Cruises from Athens (Piraeus) — short and week-long island itineraries.
- Cruises from Venice — one to one and a half weeks in the Adriatic and Greece.
- Cruises from Trieste — some Eastern Mediterranean sailings start here.
- Mediterranean cruises — seasons and routes in full.
More Greek islands in this series: Santorini, Mykonos and Corfu in a day.
Common questions
Where do cruise ships dock in Rhodes?
Usually at the quays of Rhodes town port, right by the eastern wall of the Old Town. The Marine Gate is 5–10 minutes on foot and tenders are not usually needed. When several ships are in, one may berth about a kilometre from the gates.
Can I walk from the ship to the Old Town of Rhodes?
Yes, it is one of the easiest calls in the Mediterranean: the Old Town gates are 5–10 minutes from the gangway. Inside the walls you see everything on foot, with no transport needed.
How long does it take to get from Rhodes port to Lindos?
It is about 50 km: roughly an hour each way by taxi, longer by KTEL bus from Rimini Square, which makes stops. With the climb to the acropolis, allow 5–6 hours for Lindos.
How much time do I need for the Old Town of Rhodes?
Three to four hours covers the highlights — the Street of the Knights, the Palace of the Grand Master, Sokratous Street and Hippocrates Square. Add the Archaeological Museum and a walk along the moat and it becomes half a day.
Do I need my passport to go ashore in Rhodes?
Greece is in the EU and Schengen. If the ship comes from a Schengen port, there is usually no separate passport check; if it comes from Turkey or another country outside Schengen, checks take place on board or at the port. Take ashore the document your cruise line asks for.
Where can I swim near Rhodes cruise port?
The closest is Elli town beach at the northern tip of the town, 15–20 minutes on foot from the ship, with pebbles, clear water and sunbeds. If you go to Lindos, you can swim in the bay below the acropolis.
How the club fits in
Cruises calling at Rhodes that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search, or ask us and we will tell you which itineraries calling at Rhodes are available in the month you have in mind.
How booking with points works →
Practical port information is summarised from public sources as of October 2026: berths, call times, timetables, entry rules and visiting arrangements may change. Before you travel, check the ship's daily programme and the requirements for your passport. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.