Where to stay in Rhodes: the best neighbourhoods (2026)
An entire medieval city enclosed by active ramparts, followed by fifty miles of coastline: Rhodes brings together two travel styles that share almost nothing. You sleep within fourteenth-century stone, or right on the water twenty minutes away.
One of our community members sums up the island without sugarcoating it: gorgeous beaches, genuine ancient ruins, and some modern construction that leaves a lot to be desired. Your budget depends on where you stay, running around 80 to 150 EUR ($85 to $160) inside the city walls, often less along the east coast, and more in the large western resorts.
You get gorgeous beaches alongside compelling historical sites. While modern construction over recent decades has not always done the island favors, plenty of authentic corners remain to be found.
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At a glance: our picks by traveller type
Pick the profile that suits you to head straight to the recommended neighbourhood.
The neighbourhood map in Rhodes
Get your bearings on the neighbourhoods and must-see sights before choosing where to drop your bags. Click a name to jump to its description.
The Medieval Old Town Inside the ancient walls
to stay right in the setting, totally car-free
This stands as one of Europe's few still-inhabited medieval walled cities, complete with cobblestone alleys, the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Street of Knights, and massive ramparts you can walk along. Hotels here occupy former Ottoman or Venetian mansions, frequently featuring a quiet courtyard. The flip side is real: vehicle access is banned or heavily restricted, you will need to haul your bags over uneven stones, and sidewalk cafes on the main alleyways stay loud late into the night during summer.
The palace exterior displays impressively well-preserved architecture. That said, I felt the admission fee was quite high.
What to see & do in the area
Where to stay in this area
Marco Polo Mansion Luxury
A restored Ottoman mansion tucked deep into the alleys, offering uniquely styled rooms throughout. The right pick for travelers prioritizing the historic atmosphere of the old town over standard resort comforts.
Aria di Rodi Mid-range
A small guesthouse within the walls, located just minutes from the palace. Features unpretentious rooms and a shaded courtyard.
Rhodes Youth Hostel Budget
The only hostel in the Old Town, set in a historic building with a courtyard. The absolute lowest price for sleeping inside the ancient walls.
Pros
- Medieval surroundings right outside your hotel door
- Everything inside the walls is walkable on foot
Cons
- Luggage must be carried over cobblestones with limited car access
- Lively patios running late during peak season
The New Town and the northern beaches North of the city walls
to combine sightseeing, beach time, and shopping
Just north of the ramparts, the modern district lines up shops, restaurants, and the aquarium, with beaches you can walk to on either side of the cape. It is the most practical area on the island: you can explore the medieval city on foot, take a morning swim, and catch buses to the rest of Rhodes right from here. On the downside, it lacks character, and the beaches are pebbly.
Where to stay in this area
Grande Albergo Delle Rose Luxury
A restored 1920s seaside palace featuring gardens and an adjoining casino. The grand historic hotel of the island.
Aquamare City and Beach Mid-range
A recent address situated between the modern center and the beach, offering sea views from the upper floors. A solid compromise between city life and swimming.
City Center Hotel Budget
A functional hotel located minutes from the ramparts and shops. The best location-to-price ratio outside the Old Town.
Pros
- Old Town and beaches within walking distance
- Departure point for island-wide buses
Cons
- Bland modern architecture
- Pebble beaches, no sand
Ixia and Ialyssos On the windy west coast
for large resorts, spas, and windsurfing
The west coast faces the meltemi wind and features large resort hotels with pools and spas, located three to six miles from town. This is the realm of all-inclusive packages and one of the premier windsurfing spots in the Mediterranean, thanks precisely to that breeze. On the flip side, the sea is choppy and cool, the beaches are pebbly, and you will need a bus or a car to reach the Old Town.
Where to stay in this area
Rodos Palace Luxury
Expansive complex featuring indoor and outdoor pools, located just minutes from town. One of the island's older grand hotels.
Atrium Platinum Resort Luxury
Oceanfront spa resort geared toward quiet getaways. Shuttle service available to the center.
Dionysos Mid-range
Substantial hotel with a garden and pool, within bus distance of the Old Town. A resort style at a moderate price of €80 to €150/night ($85 to $160).
Pros
- Spas, pools, and resort amenities
- One of the top windsurfing spots
Cons
- Often choppy sea and pebble beaches
- Car or bus required to get to town
Faliraki and the east coast Fifteen kilometers to the southeast
for sand, families, and beach vacations
The east coast is sheltered from the wind, meaning calm water and sandy beaches, which explains why so many hotels cluster around Faliraki and Kallithéa Bay. This is the main stretch for a beach getaway, filled with studios, apartments, and resorts at every price point, plus an energetic nightlife scene right in the town center. People come here to swim rather than sightsee, and the old town is a thirty-minute bus ride away.
Where to stay in this area
Mitsis Faliraki Beach Luxury
Large beachfront resort with all-inclusive packages. A classic choice for a beach stay along this coast.
Anelia Boutique Mid-range
Polished boutique spot a short walk from the beach, offering a more intimate feel than the neighboring complexes.
Bay View Studios Budget
Kitchenette studios near the bay, ideal for families and longer stays. One of the best budget rates in the guide.
Pros
- Sandy beaches and calm water
- Plenty of kitchen-equipped studios
Cons
- A thirty-minute bus ride to the old town
- Noisy town center during peak season
Our tips for booking the right place
- Lindos is worth visiting, but best stayed in separately: The white village and its acropolis, which travelers in our community rank at the absolute top of their list, sit fifty kilometers south of the city. It makes for an easy day trip by bus or car from any area covered in this guide. Staying overnight there requires a different kind of trip, one that is much more stationary, so if that is what you have in mind, treat it as a separate stop rather than your main base.
- The wind dictates your coast: The west side faces the meltemi winds, while the east is shielded from them. That changes everything, leaving you with choppy, cooler water on one side and calm water with sandy beaches on the other. Windsurfers pick the west coast for that exact reason, and families head to the east. It is the most practical factor when deciding between the two shores.
- Luggage and cobblestones: The Old Town is largely car-free, and its narrow streets are paved with cobblestones. Hotels here can be a few hundred feet from the nearest drop-off point. If you are traveling with heavy suitcases, contact your hotel ahead of time to confirm parking and walking distances.
- Booking on the west coast expecting calm swimming conditions: the wind that makes the spot famous also churns up the sea and keeps the water cooler. For family swimming, the east coast offers the exact opposite.
- Choosing Faliraki to tour the island sights: the resort sits nine miles from Rhodes Town and twenty-two miles from Lindos. It makes a great beach getaway, but a poor cultural base camp.
- Booking a room on a busy Old Town alley without checking details: in summer, outdoor terraces stay open late and historic stone walls offer zero soundproofing. Side-street addresses are much quieter for the same price.
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