How long is the ferry from Athens to Rhodes?

The overnight ferry from Piraeus to Rhodes takes approximately 14–18 hours depending on the operator and route. Flying takes 50 minutes.

Is Rhodes Old Town worth visiting?

Yes — it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe. The labyrinthine streets, the Palace of the Grand Masters, and the Street of the Knights are extraordinary.

What is the best beach in Rhodes?

For atmosphere and accessibility, Tsambika Beach on the east coast. For dramatic landscapes, Prasonisi at the southern tip where the Aegean and Mediterranean meet.

Teleporio™ — Greek Island Travel Intelligence

Rhodes Travel Guide

Plan your Rhodes trip. Ferry routes, RHO airport, best months, Beaufort conditions and George's advice for Greece's largest Dodecanese island.

Reviewed by Georgios — Teleporio™ route intelligence guide — Updated 2026-07-24

Arriving at Rhodes — Commercial Port and Mandraki

Rhodes has two ports: the commercial ferry port (used by Blue Star Ferries and overnight services from Piraeus) and the historic Mandraki harbour — the legendary site of the Colossus of Rhodes and the departure point for day trips to Symi and Kos. Ferries from Piraeus dock at the commercial port; a 10-minute walk leads to the entrance of the medieval Old Town. Mandraki is immediately adjacent to the New Town and the Palace of the Grand Master.

Getting Around Rhodes

Rhodes Town (combining the medieval Old Town and the New Town) is walkable. For the rest of the island, the main KTEL bus network serves the east coast (Faliraki, Lindos) and west coast (Kameiros). For Lindos, the most popular destination outside Rhodes Town, buses run 7-8 times daily in summer. A hire car is the most practical option for the south of the island and the interior mountain villages, which see very few tourists despite being architecturally interesting.

The UNESCO Old Town

The medieval walled city of Rhodes — built by the Knights of Saint John between 1309 and 1523 — is the best-preserved medieval city in the Mediterranean. The Street of the Knights (Ippoton), the Palace of the Grand Master, and the Turkish Quarter (Socratous Street) within the walls form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Town is primarily pedestrianised and takes 2-4 hours to explore properly on foot. Arriving early (before 09:00) or in the evening avoids the cruise ship day-trip crowds.

Beaufort and Sea Conditions

Rhodes is in the southeastern Dodecanese and benefits from significant shelter from the Meltemi compared to the Cyclades. The island's large size and surrounding island chain create some natural wind protection. The Piraeus-Rhodes overnight route (14-18 hours) is a long crossing but operated by large, stable Blue Star vessels. Summer travel (June-September) is generally reliable; the island has a longer season than most Cycladic destinations.