Cruise Port Guide
Rhodes Cruise Port
Quick answerShips dock on the long cruise pier of the commercial harbour just east of the Old Town, about 10 minutes' walk from the nearest gate in the walls. Lindos is about 1 hour 20–25 minutes by KTEL bus from the station by the New Market at Mandraki; pay cash on board or buy an e-ticket. Because the return depends on a bus, be on a bus out of Lindos by 14:00 for a 17:30 all-aboard.
Checked October 2026 · Sources
At a glance
Terminal to centre
Walk
About 10 min to the Old Town walls · Free
Walkable to centre
Yes
About 10 min · null km
Tender
No
Dock port
Typical time ashore
~9h
Check your own itinerary
Buffer before all-aboard
90 min
PortTrip planning default
Currency
EUR
Greek
Transport and cost figures are estimates — always confirm current fares at the terminal.
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When to head back to the ship in Rhodes
Old Town
Walk about 10 min to the pier
Leave by
16:15
Lindos
KTEL bus 1 h 20–25 min; 13:30 is safer
Leave by
14:00
Old Town (ship at Akandia)
Walk about 20 min, or taxi
Leave by
16:10
Old Town (tender day)
Walk 10 min, plus tender queue
Leave by
15:45
Where to leave from, and when
on foot bus, train, boat taxiPins show when to leave each place. Lines: route back to your ship.
Where people get it wrong: Catching a late-afternoon bus back from Lindos, when the ride is nearly 1.5 hours and buses fill up.
Times count back from all-aboard using the travel times and buffers in this guide. Your ship's daily programme always wins.
Open my full Rhodes day, timed to 17:30 Get this for every port on your cruise, with alerts on the day Write about Rhodes? Put these leave-by times on your blog, freeFees and limits in Rhodes
Every cruise passenger visiting a Greek port pays a per-port fee that varies by season.
€5 (1 Jun–30 Sep); €3 (1 Apr–31 May and October); €1 (1 Nov–31 Mar), per person per port
Status and sources
Transport: Port of Rhodes (Commercial harbour, Akandia) to the medieval Old Town
Rhodes is one of the few ports where the cruise pier runs right alongside a walled medieval town. The Old Town of the Knights of St John is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you can walk into it in about 10 minutes. The real decision is Lindos: the acropolis village on the east coast is worth the trip, but it is well over an hour each way on the KTEL bus and very hot in summer. Ships that cannot get a berth are sent to the anchorage, so check whether your call is a tender day.
Walkable? Yes · about 10 min
From the main cruise pier, walk along the quay to the Marine Gate in the sea walls, about 10 minutes on the flat. Inside, the Old Town lanes are paved with uneven pebbles and some slope up towards the Palace of the Grand Master. Mandraki harbour and the KTEL bus station are a short walk further along the waterfront. From Akandia, allow about 20 minutes.
Where your ship docks
- Commercial harbour cruise berths (east of the Old Town) — The usual cruise pier, on the Kolona side of the harbour. The 2026 port framework lists the cruise berths as Akromolio, 140, Myloi and Prometheus (which can be combined for ships over 300 m), plus Colossus. About 10 minutes' walk to the nearest gate; few facilities on the pier itself. Taxis wait at the port.
- Akandia — The main commercial and ferry port south of the Old Town, used occasionally by cruise ships. About 20 minutes' walk to the Old Town, with no shade, toilets or food on the quay. Take a taxi if you are sent here and the day is hot.
Walk
FreeAbout 10 min to the Old Town walls
The Old Town, the Street of the Knights, Mandraki harbour and Elli Beach are all reachable on foot from the cruise pier.
KTEL Rodou bus to Lindos
One-way fare paid in cash on board, or by e-ticket on the KTEL Rodou site; no return ticketsAbout 1 h 20–25 min
Departs from the KTEL station in Rhodes Town, outside the New Market (Nea Agora) on Averof Street by Mandraki, near Rimini Square. The October 2026 timetable has 19 departures a day in each direction, from 06:15 to 21:30 out of Rhodes Town; the last bus back from Lindos is at 20:45. Cards are not accepted on board, so carry cash. Buses can be full in peak season; arrive early for the departure you want.
City buses (RODA)
€1.20 one way in townVaries
The municipal network covers Rhodes Town and the west coast. Not needed for the Old Town, which is walkable.
Taxi
Metered or fixed fares; agree the price before you startVaries
Taxis wait at the cruise port and at the central rank at Mandraki. For Lindos or a return trip with waiting time, agree the total price and pick-up time in advance. The Uber app can book licensed taxis on Rhodes.
Know your all-aboard time? Build the whole day around it.
Return timing: getting back to the ship on time
For a 17:30 all-aboard: be on a KTEL bus out of Lindos by 14:00 at the latest (13:30 is safer). From the Old Town, start walking back by 16:15.
The bus takes about 1 hour 20–25 minutes and can be delayed by traffic or full buses in season, then it is a short walk from the bus station to the pier. As the return depends on a long bus ride, aim to be on board 90 minutes before all-aboard. From the Old Town the walk to the pier is about 10 minutes.
If you're running late
If a bus is full or late in Lindos, take a taxi from the Lindos rank and agree the fare before you set off. In town, everything is walkable. Call the port agent number in your daily programme if you will be late.
Most ships dock. Under the 2026 berth-allocation framework of the Municipal Port Fund of South Dodecanese, ships that cannot be given one of the cruise berths are assigned to the Rhodes anchorage and tender in; one berth (Gamma) is reserved for tenders and port service vessels. Add 30 minutes to your return margin on a tender day.
Cruise ships in Rhodes this week
A one-day plan for Rhodes (all aboard 17:30)
Assumes docking at the commercial harbour at 08:00, a morning in Lindos by KTEL bus and a short Old Town walk in the afternoon. Carry cash for the bus.
08:15 Walk off the ship along the waterfront to the KTEL station outside the New Market at Mandraki.
08:45 Take a morning KTEL bus to Lindos (about 1 hour 20–25 minutes; check the day's timetable).
10:15 Climb through Lindos village to the acropolis. Allow about two hours for the climb, the site and the views over St Paul's Bay.
12:30 Lunch in Lindos village.
13:30 Catch a KTEL bus back to Rhodes Town; 14:00 is the latest safe departure.
15:00 Enter the Old Town through Liberty Gate by Mandraki and walk up the Street of the Knights to the Palace of the Grand Master (outside only, unless you have time).
15:40 Walk down through Hippocrates Square to the Marine Gate and out to the pier.
16:00 Back on board, 90 minutes before all-aboard.
What to see in Rhodes on a cruise day
Rhodes Old Town and walls
The walled medieval town of the Knights of St John, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with gates, Gothic mansions, mosques and fountains.
⏱ 2–3 hoursFree to walk
Tip: Enter by the Marine Gate from the port and leave by another gate to see more of the walls.
Street of the Knights
The straight cobbled street lined with the Knights' medieval inns, running up to the palace.
⏱ 20 minutesFree
Tip: Best early, before the tour groups arrive.
Palace of the Grand Master
The 14th-century palace of the Knights, rebuilt by the Italians in the early 20th century, now a museum with mosaics and frescoes.
⏱ 1–1.5 hoursCharged; official tickets at hhticket.gr
Tip: Book a timed e-ticket on the official Hellenic Heritage site rather than queuing. Hours shorten through the autumn, so check the closing time on the day.
Lindos and the acropolis
Whitewashed village below a clifftop acropolis on the east coast, with views over St Paul's Bay.
⏱ Half a day including the busBus fare plus the acropolis ticket (official tickets at hhticket.gr)
Tip: Go early to beat the heat and the coaches. The path to the acropolis is steep; wear shoes with grip.
Mandraki harbour
The old harbour between the New Town and the Old Town walls, lined with cafés and excursion boats.
⏱ 30 minutesFree
Tip: Combine with the KTEL station and a coffee at the New Market.
Kallithea Springs
Restored thermal spa complex with gardens and mosaics, about 5 miles from Rhodes Town.
⏱ 1.5–2 hours with travelCharged; check on the day
Tip: A shorter alternative to Lindos if you want to leave town.
Valley of the Butterflies
Wooded nature reserve south-west of Rhodes Town with trails and pools; Jersey tiger moths gather there from May to July.
⏱ Half a day with travelCharged; check on the day
Tip: Only worth it in season; the bus route runs only from May to September.
Beaches near Rhodes cruise port
Elli Beach
Walk north along the waterfront past Mandraki. · About 15–20 min on foot · Free; sunbeds charged
The town beach, organised, with cafés and a diving platform. The best choice if you want a swim and an easy walk back.
St Paul's Bay and Lindos beach
KTEL bus to Lindos, then walk down from the village. · About 1 h 20–25 min by bus, then a walk · Bus fare; free beach
Sheltered water below the acropolis. Only if you are already in Lindos and watching the clock.
Faliraki
Taxi or bus down the east coast. · Check the bus timetable · Free beach; sunbeds and transport charged
Long sandy beach with watersports and restaurants; busy in summer.
What to eat in Rhodes
Pitaroudia (Rhodian chickpea fritters)
Tavernas in the Old Town back streets away from Sokratous Street
Souvlaki or gyros pitta
Snack bars in the New Market (Nea Agora), Mandraki
Grilled octopus and meze
Tavernas in Lindos village
Greek salad and grilled fish
Tavernas around Hippocrates Square and the Old Town lanes
Melekouni (sesame and honey bar)
Bakeries and shops in the Old Town
Ship excursion or do it yourself?
Varies by line
Ship excursion avg, per person
See table
DIY day avg, per person
Depends on line
Saving, per person
Ship tour prices differ by cruise line and change often, so we only show ones we could verify. Check your line's cruise planner.
| Item | Ship tour | On your own | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lindos and the acropolis | Varies by line; check your cruise planner | Two one-way KTEL tickets plus the acropolis ticket from hhticket.gr | Depends on line |
| Rhodes Old Town walking tour | Varies by line; check your cruise planner | Free on foot; Palace of the Grand Master ticket from hhticket.gr | Depends on line |
Skip the ship tour for the Old Town: it starts 10 minutes from the gangway and is easy to walk alone. Lindos is the harder call. The KTEL bus is cheap and frequent, but the ride is long, buses fill up in summer and the return is tied to a timetable. Take the ship's coach if your call is short (under 8 hours), if you are tendering, in the July and August heat, or if you want Lindos and the Old Town in one day with no stress about the last safe bus.
Common mistakes cruise passengers make in Rhodes
Going to Lindos without cash.
Instead: KTEL takes cash only on board; carry it or buy an e-ticket on the KTEL Rodou site in advance.
Catching a late-afternoon bus back from Lindos.
Instead: The ride is about 1 hour 20–25 minutes and buses fill up. Be on a bus by 14:00 for a 17:30 all-aboard.
Queuing for the Palace of the Grand Master on a multi-ship day.
Instead: Book a timed e-ticket at hhticket.gr and go at opening or later in the afternoon.
Expecting a short walk from Akandia.
Instead: If your ship is at Akandia it is about 20 minutes to the Old Town with no shade; take a taxi in the heat.
Slipping on the polished pebble paving.
Instead: Wear shoes with grip, especially on the Lindos acropolis path and the Old Town slopes.
Safety: is Rhodes safe for cruise passengers?
Rhodes is a low-crime destination for day visitors. Watch for pickpockets in the crowded Old Town lanes and on full buses in summer. Heat is the bigger risk: summer temperatures can top 40°C, and Lindos has little shade, so carry water and a hat. Wildfires affect the island in some summers; follow local instructions. The Faliraki nightlife strip is the rowdy area, but it is not part of a typical cruise day.
Scams and tourist traps
- Taxi drivers at the port who say the meter is broken or quote an inflated fare. Insist on the meter or agree the price before you get in, and use the official ranks.
- Tourist restaurants in the Old Town that pad the bill or charge heavily for drinks in oversized glasses. Check menu prices and the bill before paying.
- Friendly strangers who steer you to a particular bar, where the drinks bill is inflated. Choose your own bar and check prices.
Emergency number: 112
Practical information
Crowds
Rhodes had 61 cruise calls and 83,720 cruise passengers in July 2026 alone, and there is no daily cap on ships or passengers in the 2026 port framework. The Palace of the Grand Master and the Street of the Knights jam from mid-morning when several ships are in; go at opening or after mid-afternoon. Lindos and its acropolis path are busiest late morning and midday, when the coach tours arrive. Greece charges a cruise passenger fee for each port: at Rhodes it is €5 from 1 June to 30 September, €3 in April, May and October, and €1 from November to March (2026). Lines either build it into the fare or add it to your onboard account; some exempt guests who stay on board.
Accessibility
The walk from the main cruise pier to the Marine Gate is about 10 minutes on the flat, and the quay has few facilities. Inside the walls, lanes are paved with uneven pebbles and the Street of the Knights climbs towards the palace, so wheelchair users will find parts of the Old Town hard going. Lindos is steep, and the path up to the acropolis is rough and slippery. If your ship tenders, ask the crew about tender access for wheelchairs before you book anything. An adapted taxi or a ship coach tour is the practical choice for limited mobility.
If it rains
Rain is rare in the cruise season, but the Palace of the Grand Master is the obvious indoor visit, with mosaics and rooms to explore under cover. The Old Town lanes become slippery when wet, so take care on the pebble paving. A short taxi to Kallithea Springs is another option with covered areas.
Money, language, time
Currency: EUR · Language: Greek · Time zone: EET (UTC+2), EEST (UTC+3) in summer
Your whole cruise, planned like this
This is one port. Pro plans every port on your cruise.
The day plan above assumes a 17:30 all-aboard. Your ship's times will differ, and so will every other stop. Pro builds the plan from your ship's real times: a timed day in Rhodes and every other port, a leave-by time for each stop, and a Plan B if you run late. Ultimate adds a live leave-by countdown from where you are on the day. Every plan uses the same checked facts as this guide. Nothing is made up.
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Other ports on cruises that call at Rhodes
Bodrum cruise port guide
Walk to townShips dock at Bodrum Cruise Port in Kumbahçe, about 1.5 km from the centre; the pier takes two large ships at once and there is no routine tender.
Read the Bodrum guide
Santorini cruise port guide
Tender portSantorini is a tender port: ships anchor in the caldera and most passengers are tendered to the Old Port below Fira, with up to 30% landed at Athin…
Read the Santorini guide
Kuşadası (Ephesus) cruise port guide
Walk or short rideShips dock at Ege Port, in the centre of Kuşadası, and the town is a 5–10 minute walk.
Read the Kuşadası (Ephesus) guide
Mykonos cruise port guide
Walk or short rideShips either dock at the New Port in Tourlos, about 2.5–3 km north of Mykonos Town, or anchor and tender straight to the Old Port on the edge of town.
Read the Mykonos guide
Rhodes Cruise Port — Common Questions
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Sources & method
Facts checked against official sources: October 2026
- Municipal Port Fund of South Dodecanese – Framework for cruise ship arrival requests at the Port of Rhodes (March 2026, PDF)
- Celebrity Cruises – Rhodes, Greece cruise port guide
- Rhodes Guide – Rhodes cruise tourism, July 2026
- The Mediterranean Traveller – Rhodes port map and ferry locations (2026)
- Adventour Begins – Rhodes cruise port guide
- Bucket List Guides – Rhodes from a cruise ship without an excursion
- RhodesOldTown.gr – Bus timetable Rhodes 2026
- Rhodes Bus – Fares and tickets 2026
- Greeka – Buses in Rhodes
- Greek Ministry of Tourism, Dodecanese – Bus schedule (PDF)
- Greece Moments – Grand Master's Palace, Rhodes (2026)
- Grand Master Palace Rhodes – entry ticket booking terms
- Cruise Industry News – AIDA Cruises to pass Greek taxes to guests (August 2026)
- Deep Arrival – Greece cruise tax 2026
- iefimerida – Cruise passengers to face increased levy on popular Greek islands
- Naftemporiki – Cruise sector outlook 2026
- Is It Safe To Visit – Rhodes (2026)
- Rhodes Guide – Taxi transportation in Rhodes
Independently researched
None confidenceRelated Cruise Planning Guides
Authority Guide
The Ultimate Mediterranean Cruise Port Planning Guide
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