Rhodes: Explore the New and Medieval City on a Segway

Rhodes is easiest to understand when you see its medieval walls and modern harbor together, and this three-hour Segway tour links both sides of the city. You glide past the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Street of the Knights, the moat, Saint Nicholas Lighthouse, and Mandraki’s windmills without spending the whole day on foot.

I like the small group, limited to six participants, and the choice between a two-wheel Segway and the four-wheel Mia Dynamic. I also like the patient training from guides such as George and Nikos, especially for first-time riders. The main drawback is simple: you need basic fitness, cannot bring a backpack, and Segway riding may not suit anyone uneasy on a moving vehicle.

Key points at a glance

• Medieval moat access: Ride beside and through parts of Rhodes’ unusual defensive moat and fortifications.
• Two or four wheels: Choose the standard Segway I2 or the four-wheel Mia Dynamic, subject to availability.
• Old and new Rhodes: Combine the walled Old City with Mandraki Harbor, the windmills, and the Aegean shoreline.
• Small-group format: The group is capped at six, creating room for personal instruction and questions.
• Frequent photo stops: Your guide can take pictures and send them to you at no added charge.
• Useful for first-timers: A full orientation and safety briefing come before the sightseeing begins.

Why this is a smart way to see Rhodes

Rhodes Old Town is compact on a map but packed with lanes, walls, churches, squares, and historic buildings. Walking lets you notice details, but it can take time to cross from one side to another. A Segway gives you a wider look in three hours, with less effort than a long walking tour.

The route also gives you a good sense of the city’s two identities. Inside the walls, you move through the medieval center and its stone defenses. Outside, the tour reaches the open seafront and Mandraki Harbor, where the breeze and wide views change the mood completely.

I would not book this simply as a way to avoid walking. The value lies in the combination of transport, local commentary, instruction, and access to several parts of town in one outing. At $100 per person, it is not a cheap city transfer, but it is reasonable if you want a guided experience that covers more ground than a typical walking tour.

The group size matters here. With no more than six people, the guide can watch how each person rides, stop when needed, and answer questions without shouting across a crowd. That personal attention is particularly useful if you have never used a Segway.

Starting at Ippodamou Street

The meeting point is the Rhodes by Segway office at 37 Ippodamou Street in the Old City. If you have trouble finding it, go to the Hamam Baths at Arionos Square. An escort on a Segway can meet you there and lead you the short distance to the office.

Wear comfortable shoes and apply sunscreen before you arrive. High heels are not allowed, and backpacks are not allowed, so carry only what the operator permits. The supplied information does not state that storage is available, so avoid arriving with a large bag.

The session begins with a full orientation and safety briefing. This is not a rushed formality. First-time riders need to learn how the vehicle responds, how to balance, and how to move safely near walls and other people. The smaller group gives the guide room to make sure everyone is ready before setting off.

The four-wheel Mia Dynamic may appeal to you if balancing on a standard two-wheel Segway sounds worrying. One participant specifically found the four-wheel option the better choice. Ask about the available equipment when booking, since the tour includes both the Segway I2 and Mia Dynamic but does not promise a particular model for every participant.

The Old City and its medieval defenses

The first part of the ride focuses on Old Town Rhodes, a UNESCO-listed medieval center known for its fortified walls and stone lanes. The route is designed to show you both major sights and less obvious corners, rather than keeping you on one straight road.

You will see the Church of the Virgin of the Burgh, a historic church area within the Old City. The stop combines a guided explanation with riding, so you get time to look around without turning the whole visit into a formal indoor church tour.

The medieval moat is one of the more unusual parts of the route. Instead of viewing the fortifications only from busy streets, you get a chance to ride through this broad defensive space and see how the walls protected the city. It gives the military design of Rhodes a physical scale that is harder to grasp from a postcard.

The moat route is also one reason this tour is different from a standard city circuit. You are not just ticking off famous buildings. You are moving through the spaces between them, including areas that can be easy to miss if you walk only along the main shopping lanes.

Street of the Knights and the Palace

The Street of the Knights is one of Rhodes’ defining sights. This stone-paved road leads through the heart of the medieval city and is lined with historic buildings connected to the Knights of Saint John. A guide adds useful context here, since the architecture can otherwise look like one impressive wall after another.

The ride includes about 20 minutes around the street and later about 30 minutes at the Palace of the Grand Masters. That gives you time to stop, listen, and take pictures rather than simply passing through.

The Palace is the grandest architectural stop on the route. Its heavy stone exterior and fortified form make a clear statement about the power of the medieval rulers who controlled Rhodes. The tour focuses on viewing and explaining the monument. Admission to the palace is not listed as included, so do not assume that this outing provides an interior visit.

That distinction matters. If walking inside the Palace of the Grand Masters is your main goal, check the exact arrangements before booking. If you mainly want to understand its place in the city and see it as part of a wider route, the guided exterior stop fits well.

From the walls to Mandraki Harbor

After the medieval center, the route heads toward Rhodes’ modern seaside area. This shift is one of the tour’s best features. You move from narrow stone lanes and defensive walls into open space beside the Aegean Sea.

At Fort St. Nicholas, you see one of the harbor’s key defensive points. The fort sits near the entrance to Mandraki Harbor and helps explain why this waterfront was so important. The stop is short, around 10 minutes, but it adds a useful connection between the Old City’s walls and the harbor’s defenses.

The Lighthouse of Saint Nicholas gives you a good photo point at the harbor entrance. You will also stop near the famous windmills of Mandraki. These are among the most recognizable sights in modern Rhodes, and the waterfront setting gives you room to take in the view.

Mandraki Harbor includes a free-time and photo stop of roughly 10 minutes, followed by another 10 minutes around the windmills. The timing is enough for pictures and a quick look, but not for a long harbor walk. Keep your expectations realistic: this is a sightseeing ride with short stops, not a relaxed waterfront afternoon.

The sea breeze can be welcome after the tighter streets of the Old City. It can also make sunscreen, water, and comfortable clothing important. The tour information specifically recommends sunscreen, and that advice is worth taking seriously during bright Greek weather.

Photo stops and the return through town

Photography is built into the experience. The guide stops at several locations, and if you do not have a camera, the guide can take photos of you and send them afterward at no extra charge.

That small service helps because riding a Segway and taking steady pictures at the same time is not always practical. You can focus on moving safely, then let the guide handle some of the group photos.

The return uses an alternate route, so the ride is not simply a repeat of the outward journey. This lets you see more of Rhodes and makes the three-hour duration feel better used. Expect a steady mix of riding, short explanations, and photo breaks rather than long periods parked at each monument.

The route includes many stops, but the tour still asks you to stay attentive. You will be riding through a historic city, not along a closed amusement-park track. Basic fitness is required, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, or anyone over 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms.

What the guide adds

A good guide makes a major difference on this kind of tour. The equipment gets you from place to place, but the explanation gives the buildings and fortifications meaning.

George is associated with patient instruction and a strong grasp of local history. Nikos is also noted for careful training and making first-time riders feel comfortable before leaving the office. Names may vary by departure, but the experience is designed around a live Greek or English-speaking guide.

The strongest part of the guiding style is the balance between safety and sightseeing. You receive help with the controls before the tour begins, then get frequent checks and breaks along the route. That matters more than a long lecture. You want the guide watching the group while still giving you enough historical detail to make the stops worthwhile.

The guide can also adjust the pace within the small group. If you are a confident rider, you will not be waiting behind a large crowd. If you need a little more time, the format offers better support than a tour with dozens of participants.

Is $100 a fair price?

At $100 per person, this tour costs more than exploring Rhodes on foot. You are paying for the Segway, helmet, instruction, a three-hour guided route, and a small group capped at six people.

The value is strongest for a first visit, a short stay, or a cruise stop when you want a quick but broad introduction to the city. You see the Old Town, moat, major medieval buildings, harbor, lighthouse, fort, and windmills in one outing. Reaching all of those places independently would take planning and more walking.

The value is weaker if you prefer to move slowly, enter every major monument, or spend time shopping in the Old City. The tour gives you an overview and guided stops, not a full archaeological or museum program. You may still want to return to the Palace or Street of the Knights afterward.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and reserve-now, pay-later booking make the purchase less rigid. Hotel pickup and drop-off can be arranged on request, but they are not included in the stated price.

Who should book this Rhodes tour?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a broad introduction without committing to a long walking tour. It also suits couples, friends, and small families with participants who meet the fitness and weight requirements.

It is a particularly good choice if you have never ridden a Segway but are open to learning. The training comes first, the group is small, and the four-wheel Mia Dynamic may offer a steadier option for some riders.

I would skip it if your priority is indoor sightseeing, unhurried photography, or independent wandering. The route includes several short stops, so you will not have unlimited time at each location. I would also avoid it if you dislike riding near other people or cannot comfortably stand and control the equipment for three hours.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes Segway tour?

The tour lasts three hours, including the orientation, safety briefing, guided riding, sightseeing stops, and return to the starting point.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the Rhodes by Segway office at 37 Ippodamou Street. If you have difficulty finding the office, go to the Hamam Baths at Arionos Square, where an escort on a Segway can meet you and lead you to the office.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide speaks Greek or English.

Is the tour suitable for first-time Segway riders?

Yes. The experience includes an orientation session and full safety briefing before the ride. The small group also allows the guide to help participants get comfortable with the equipment.

Can I choose a four-wheel Segway?

The tour provides either a Segway I2 with two wheels or a Mia Dynamic with four wheels. A four-wheel option may be available, but the supplied details do not guarantee a specific model for every participant.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or anyone over 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms. Participants should have a basic level of fitness.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to connect Rhodes’ medieval center with its harbor in a single, well-organized outing. The moat, Street of the Knights, Palace of the Grand Masters, lighthouse, fort, and windmills create a strong three-hour introduction, while the small group and patient instruction make the experience approachable for beginners.

Skip it if you want to spend most of your time inside monuments or wandering at your own pace. For everyone else, the $100 price buys more than a ride. It gives you a practical city orientation, local explanation, useful photo stops, and a fun way to cover ground without turning your visit into a march.