Medieval Old Town Walk

The medieval walled city of Rhodes was built by the Knights of St. John between 1309 and 1522 and is one of the most complete medieval cities in Europe. The 4 km of walls, still largely intact, enclose a labyrinth of cobbled lanes, Ottoman mosques, Byzantine churches, and crusader palaces that tell the story of six centuries of Mediterranean conflict and culture.

Our walking tour of the Old Town goes beyond the main tourist circuit to explore the quieter residential quarters of the Chora, the Jewish quarter (Evraiki) with its mosaic synagogue, and the walls themselves — a walk along the ramparts offers extraordinary views over the harbour where the Colossus is said to have stood.

We combine the Old Town with excursions along the island's interior — the medieval villages of Embonas at the foot of Mount Attavyros (Rhodes' highest point), the Valley of the Butterflies at Petaloudes, and the hillside ruins of ancient Kameiros. Rhodes has layers of history that reward slow, curious exploration.