Where to Stay in Rhodes: 2 Neighbourhoods Ranked 2026

Rhodes has 2 distinct neighbourhoods scored across walkability, food, safety, vibe and cost. Data updated May 2026.

Neighbourhood	🧭 Solo	👪 Family	🍽 Food	🏛 Culture
1. Rhodes Old Town	73•	71•	72•	67•
2. Rhodes New Town	54	55	55	60

Rhodes Old Town

📍Enter via Agios Athanasios Gate at dawn—locals shop before 9am when tour groups arrive; afte...

FAMILY

Why it works for you

Rhodes Old Town is ideal for families who love walking medieval streets without needing a car—the entire neighborhood is pedestrian-only, car-free, and packed with kid-friendly cafes and gelato shops. Kids aged 5+ will enjoy exploring the Palace of the Grand Masters and climbing the old city walls for views.

⚠ Not ideal if: Skip Rhodes Old Town if you have very young children (under 4), need wheelchair accessibility, or dislike steep cobblestone streets and crowds.

For families: Rhodes Old Town is ideal for families who love walking medieval streets without needing a car—the entire neighborhood is pedestrian-only, car-free, and packed with kid-friendly cafes and gelato shops. Kids aged 5+ will enjoy exploring the Palace of the Grand Masters and climbing the old city walls for views.

Score breakdown

This 71 is weighted toward safety (30%) and family-friendliness (25%) for families. See methodology →

Walk

Food

Vibe

Safety

Transit

Cost

🧭 73👪 71🍽 72🏛 67

☀ A day here

Start with breakfast at a cafe near Symi Square, then explore the Palace of the Grand Masters (book tickets early). Lunch at a family-friendly taverna on Orfanidou Street, then climb the Medieval City Walls for sunset views. End with gelato at Veneziano on Socratous Street.

📍 Local insight timing

Enter via Agios Athanasios Gate at dawn—locals shop before 9am when tour groups arrive; afternoons empty by 6pm.

🍽 Where to eat

Stegna

Souvlaki and gyros. Kids love it. Under €8 per meal.

€

Palia Istoria

Moussaka and Greek classics. Family seating, mains €10–15.

€€

Marco Polo Mansion Restaurant

Fine dining in restored mansion. Courtyard seating, €25–40 mains.

€€€

🏛 What to see

Medieval City Walls Free

Walk entire perimeter. Views over Old Town and harbor.

Palace of the Grand Masters Paid

Ottoman and Medieval rooms. Mosaic floors. Family-friendly.

Street of the Knights (Odos Ippoton) Free

Cobbled medieval street lined with historic mansions.

🗺 Getting around

AirportRhodes Airport to Old Town: 30 min taxi (€15–18) or bus (45 min, €4).

DailyWalk everywhere—the Old Town is entirely pedestrian and compact; hire a car for beach day trips outside the walls.

Day trips

Lindos Acropolis (45 km, 1-hour minibus or rental car)Symi Island (ferry 1 hour from Rhodes harbor)Butterfly Valley nature reserve (50 km, day trip by car)

⚡ Steep cobblestone streets and constant crowds of tour groups (10am–5pm) make stroller navigation difficult; the area is genuinely medieval with uneven surfaces, so wear good shoes and go early or late.

Full guide to Rhodes Old Town →🏨 See hotels in Rhodes Old Town

Rhodes New Town

📍July–August heat closes shops 1–5pm; locals eat late, swim mid-morning. Plan accordingly or ...

FAMILY

Why it works for you

Rhodes New Town offers excellent transit links and broad appeal for families seeking modern amenities without the chaos of the Old Town. Kids can roam safely along tree-lined streets, and Elli Beach is just minutes away by tram for swimming and paddling.

⚠ Not ideal if: Skip Rhodes New Town if you crave narrow medieval alleyways, historic atmosphere, and want to avoid modern Greek resort infrastructure.

For families: Rhodes New Town offers excellent transit links and broad appeal for families seeking modern amenities without the chaos of the Old Town. Kids can roam safely along tree-lined streets, and Elli Beach is just minutes away by tram for swimming and paddling.

Score breakdown

This 55 is weighted toward safety (30%) and family-friendliness (25%) for families. See methodology →

Walk

Food

Vibe

Safety

Transit

Cost

🧭 54👪 55🍽 55🏛 60

☀ A day here

Start with breakfast at a local café on Mandraki waterfront, watch fishermen unload boats. Mid-morning, take tram to Elli Beach for swimming. Lunch at a taverna near the beach. Afternoon visit Palace of Grand Masters (short walk from New Town), then gelato at Gelateria Mondo. Evening stroll along Eleftherias Avenue for dinner at a family-friendly taverna.

📍 Local insight timing

July–August heat closes shops 1–5pm; locals eat late, swim mid-morning. Plan accordingly or join them.

🍽 Where to eat

Taverna Kostas

Local mezze and grilled fish. Families welcome, no fuss.

€

Stefano's Restaurant

Mediterranean seafood, generous portions, sea views available.

€€

Lindian House Restaurant

Fine dining with Greek wine; reservations recommended for families.

€€€

🏛 What to see

Palace of the Grand Masters Paid

Restored medieval fortress with gardens and exhibits.

Mandraki Harbour Free

Historic port, free to walk; iconic lighthouse and windmills.

Suleiman Mosque Free

Ottoman architecture, atmospheric courtyard open to visitors.

🏖 Beaches

Elli Beach

5 minutes by tram; sandy, organised, family-friendly, sun loungers.

🗺 Getting around

AirportTaxi or shuttle bus from Rhodes Airport (13km): 20–30 minutes, €15–20 per person.

DailyTram and local buses are reliable; walking is safe on main streets, but New Town sprawls—tram pass recommended.

Day trips

Lindos Ancient Acropolis (45km, day trip by bus)Filerimos Monastery (50km, scenic mountain views)Symi Island (ferry from Mandraki, 1.5 hours)

⚡ Summer crowds and heat are intense July–August; many shops close midday and reopen evenings. Car traffic on main avenues can be heavy; stick to pedestrian zones for safety.

Full guide to Rhodes New Town →🏨 See hotels in Rhodes New Town

Where should first-time visitors stay in Rhodes?

For first-time visitors, Rhodes Old Town is the top recommendation — central, walkable and easy to navigate. It scores 73/100 with walk 90/100, food 80/100 and vibe 65/100. Refine the ranking for families, foodies or culture seekers.

What is the best neighbourhood to stay in Rhodes?

It depends on your travel style. For first-time visitors and solo explorers, Rhodes Old Town ranks #1 with a score of 73/100. For families, Rhodes Old Town leads with safety score 65/100. For foodies, Rhodes Old Town scores 80/100 for food.

Is Rhodes Old Town a good area to stay in Rhodes?

Rhodes Old Town is the top-ranked neighbourhood in Rhodes for solo explorers with a combined score of 73/100. Walk score 90/100, food score 80/100, vibe score 65/100.

Which area of Rhodes is best for families?

Rhodes Old Town is the top family neighbourhood in Rhodes, with safety score 65/100 and family score 88/100.

What is the safest neighbourhood in Rhodes?

Rhodes Old Town has the highest safety score in Rhodes at 65/100.

How does LocaleChoice rank Rhodes neighbourhoods?

LocaleChoice scores each neighbourhood across 7 factors: walkability (OpenStreetMap), transit (Google Places), food (Google Places), family-friendliness (OSM parks), safety (editorial), cost (editorial), vibe (editorial). Data updated May 2026.