Medieval Old Town · Lindos · beaches on two seas
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Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese and one of the sunniest places in Greece. Its Medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is still surrounded by the walls of the Knights of St John, with the Palace of the Grand Master and the Street of the Knights inside. On the east coast, the white village of Lindos climbs to an ancient acropolis above the sea, and long beaches run from Faliraki to Prasonisi, where two seas meet at the southern tip.
Rhodes is far from Athens: Blue Star sails from Piraeus all year, taking from about 15 h 40 m to 22 hours depending on how many islands it calls at, from €59. Many travellers fly to Rhodes and use the ferries to hop to Symi, Kos, Chalki and the other Dodecanese islands.
Inside the Old Town walls or in the new town by the beach, next to the ferry port, buses and nightlife.
Lindos, Faliraki or Kolymbia for beaches and calm sea; about 15–60 minutes by car or bus from the port.
Blue Star is the only company sailing from Piraeus to Rhodes, all year. The cheapest sailing calls at several islands on the way and takes almost a day; a faster line takes about 15 h 40 m. Book a cabin for the night. Between the Dodecanese, the fast boats of Dodekanisos Seaways and the Blue Star ferries link Rhodes with Symi, Kos, Kalymnos, Leros and Patmos.
| From | Companies | Fastest | Fares from | When |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piraeus | Blue Star Ferries | 15 h 40 m | €59 | All year |
| Symi | Dodekanisos Seaways, Blue Star Ferries, Sebeco Lines | 45 min | €7 | All year, daily |
| Kos | Dodekanisos Seaways, Blue Star Ferries | 2 h 05 m | €14.50 | All year |
| Kastellorizo | Blue Star Ferries | 3 h 35 m | €17.50 | Some days |
| Patmos | Dodekanisos Seaways, Blue Star Ferries | 5 h | €36 | Summer |
Children travel at reduced fares on every company. Cabin prices depend on the cabin type. Other discounts, such as for students, large families or people with disabilities, apply only to Greek citizens. For a cabin, car, motorbike or group booking, ask us for a quote.
Related guides: Dodecanese islandsPiraeus portBlue Star FerriesIsland hopping
Rhodes is the hub of the southern Dodecanese. Symi, Kos and Kastellorizo are all-year October 2026 figures; the others are examples for 17 June 2027.
45 min – 1 h 25 mColourful neoclassical harbour and the Panormitis monastery.
1 h 10 mA tiny, car-free island with a pretty harbour.
2 h 05 m – 5 h 45 mLong beaches, cycling and the Asklepion.
1 h 50 mQuiet, green and great for walking.
2 h 35 mWalk into the crater of a volcano.
5 h – 7 hThe Cave of the Apocalypse and a monastery-topped Chora.
All ferries arrive in Rhodes town, at the north tip of the island. The big Blue Star ferries use the central port beside the walls of the Old Town; some local boats leave from Kolona or Mandraki harbour, a few minutes’ walk away.
Arrival times from Piraeus vary with the line, from early afternoon to late evening, so plan your first night in Rhodes town.
Big ferries with cabins, restaurants and space for cars, campers and trucks. Blue Star shows your gate when you check in (online or at the port). Ferries to the Dodecanese often leave from E1, at the far end of the port, so allow extra time.
Getting to Piraeus from the airport or city centre: Piraeus port guide →
Yes. The ferry port is right next to the Old Town walls; most Old Town hotels are a 5–15 minute walk away. The new town and its beach are a little further.
Buses leave Rhodes town for Lindos, Faliraki, the airport and the villages. The taxi rank is by the port and at Mandraki harbour.
Rhodes is a big island, about 80 km from north to south. A car is the best way to see Lindos, the villages and the beaches of the south.
Rhodes airport is about 14 km from the town, with flights from Athens all year and from all over Europe in summer. Flying in and taking the ferry back, or the other way round, saves a long day.
Day-trip boats and local ferries to Symi leave from Mandraki harbour and the nearby quays, so check the departure point on your ticket.
Taking a camper, motorhome, van or your boat on a trailer to Rhodes? Big vehicles need a little more planning on Greek ferries. Here is what to know, for holidays and for business.
Give the exact length and height of your camper, van or car with caravan, including bike racks, roof boxes and tow bars. The ferry fare and deck space depend on them, and a vehicle bigger than booked may be refused or charged extra at the port.
Vehicles running on LPG or other gas, and hybrid or electric vehicles, must be declared when you book. Gas tanks may be filled to no more than 50% and EV batteries charged to no more than 40%. Make sure gas bottles are turned off before boarding.
Be at the port at least 1 hour before departure. Large vehicles are loaded in the order set by the port authority, so arriving early helps. Book well ahead in July and August: garage space for big vehicles runs out first.
Only the driver stays with the vehicle to drive it on and off; everyone else boards on foot. Nobody may stay in the vehicle during the crossing, so take what you need for the trip with you.
Taking your own boat? We also book ferry tickets for a car towing a boat trailer. Give the total length of car, trailer and boat together, and the height of the boat on the trailer, including any mast, frame or outboard engine.
Vans carrying goods, tools or equipment for work may be booked as commercial vehicles, with a different fare and different paperwork from a private car. Tell us what the vehicle carries and its weight.
Several vehicles and drivers on the same sailing, or regular crossings for a project? We book them together so your team travels on the same ship.
Length, height and weight decide the category. Include racks, ladders and trailers, and tell us if anything is loaded on the roof.
Commercial vehicles may need to be at the port earlier than cars. We confirm the exact check-in time and gate for your sailing.
Travelling for work? We issue an invoice in your company’s name. Send us the company name, address and VAT number with your quote request.
The east coast has calm water and sandy bays; the west coast is windier and quieter.
The Street of the Knights, the Palace of the Grand Master and a walk on the walls.
White houses below an ancient acropolis, with St Paul’s Bay just below.
Turquoise coves and a long sandy beach under a hilltop monastery.
A sandbar between two seas, famous for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
A green, shady valley full of butterflies in summer.
Rhodes has something for everyone: dinner in the squares of the Old Town, the bars of the new town near the beach, and big clubs in Faliraki, the island’s party resort. Lindos is livelier than it looks, with rooftop bars under the acropolis.
From Piraeus, Blue Star takes from about 15 h 40 m to 22 hours, depending on the line and how many islands it calls at. It usually leaves in the evening, so book a cabin.
One way for 1 adult on deck: from €59 on the longer line and €93 on the faster line (October 2026). Cabins and vehicles cost extra.
Flying from Athens takes about an hour, so most people fly. The ferry is a good choice with a car or camper, or as part of an island hopping trip; many travellers fly one way and sail the other.
Boats leave Rhodes for Symi every day, all year, in 45 minutes to 1 h 25 m, from €7 (October 2026).
Blue Star shows your gate when you check in, online or at the port. Ferries to the Dodecanese often leave from E1, at the far end of the port. Flying into Athens? Leave at least 4 hours between your flight’s landing and the ferry’s departure.
Yes. Blue Star carries cars, campers and caravans all year. Declare the exact length and height and the fuel type when you book. Wild camping is not allowed in Greece. Get a vehicle quote.
Photo credits: A.Savin / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
