Rhodes Cruise Port Guide

Cruise berths: most larger ships dock at the Akandia cruise terminal south of Rhodes Town's old harbour. Smaller vessels sometimes use a berth nearer Mandraki harbour, closer to the New Town. Rhodes' port operations run under the Municipal Port Fund of South Dodecanese; exact berth assignments, terminal facilities and shuttle arrangements can vary by call and by season, so use your ship's own daily programme as the final word for your specific date.

Walking to the Old Town: from Akandia, allow around 15–20 minutes on foot to the Marine Gate area, mostly along level harbourfront. From a Mandraki-area berth, the walk can be shorter, often around 10 minutes. Distances are approximate because the exact walking route depends on your ship's precise position within the terminal.

Multi-ship days: Rhodes is one of the busiest Aegean cruise ports, and it is common for three or more ships to be in port on the same day during peak season. This increases demand for taxis, makes the Old Town's key sights busier around midday, and is worth factoring into your timing whether you are walking independently or joining an excursion.

Inside the Old Town: the Street of the Knights (Odos Ippoton) and the Palace of the Grand Master anchor most routes, with the former Hospital of the Knights, the Suleiman Mosque and the Jewish Quarter adding further historical layers. Expect cobbled, sometimes uneven medieval paving throughout.

Reaching Lindos: Lindos is roughly 47–50 km south of Rhodes Town, usually a 50–60 minute drive each way along the coast road. It is not within walking distance of the port and needs a coach excursion, taxi, private driver or the public KTEL bus. Vehicles typically stop at the edge of the village, and the Acropolis itself is reached via a stepped path requiring 10–15 minutes of sustained uphill walking.

Taxis and buses: taxis are usually available near the terminal and around the New Market (Nea Agora), though queues can lengthen on multi-ship days. The public bus network reaches Lindos and other coastal towns, but timetables are not designed around cruise calls and carry more timing risk for a port day.

Facilities: do not assume extensive terminal facilities such as luggage storage or currency exchange will be available at every berth. Carry what you need for the day and rely on city facilities once ashore.

Accessibility: central Old Town routes and the port-to-city walk are broadly manageable for many visitors, but historic cobbles, uneven surfaces inside the Palace of the Grand Master and the stepped Lindos Acropolis path all require planning. Ask your cruise line about gangway-to-shore assistance and discuss specific needs with tour operators before booking.

Return planning: all-aboard time is earlier than the published departure. For an Old Town day, aim to reach the terminal 60–90 minutes before all-aboard. For Lindos or any coastal excursion, build in a larger contingency for coastal-road traffic and the extra congestion that comes with multiple ships in port.

Tendering is not the standard assumption at Rhodes, but individual calls and operational conditions can change; your ship's daily information is authoritative for your specific visit.