Most cruisers would swoon over the prospect of sailing over the warm green waters of the Aegean, and since the islands which dot this side of Greece are thick in history and old-world charm, including any island in your itinerary surely won’t go wrong, especially with islands of a mythological aura like Rhodes. The mere thought that it was once a port hub of the ancients sets your seafaring blood on edge, and once you disembark; there is much to see whether you choose to go on foot or with the tours.

Rhodes retains much of its reputation as a central hub of the Aegean, and with that thought in mind, be sure to sidestep the mediocre shopping arcades you encounter almost immediately upon disembarkation – its charm lies elsewhere. Rhodes is actually an island which accosts a particular city which harks back both to ancient and medieval times, as well as an ultrachic city with towering hotels and well-paved roads (not the type you would expect on an exposure trip, but if you plan to stay for some time, the offerings of ‘New Town’ are indispensable).

Old Town is the island’s main attraction. You can feel its rich history as you weave your way among each of its three separate quarters (the Knights’ quarters, the Turkish and Jewish). There’s virtually a thousand years’ worth of history within the city walls, with palaces, narrow causeways and town squares to expect around every corner. Don’t miss the engaging fountain at the Plateia Evreon just before you go through St. Catherine’s Gate – the bronze seahorses are a great prelude of the magnificence of what’s in store within. Head on into the Avenue of the Knights, an authentic medieval causeway which leads you to the Palace of the Grand Masters; a stronghold reconstructed by no less than the Italians, it houses a collection of fine period furniture, magnificent sculptures, and delicate mosaics. Nearby is an archaeological museum which originally served as a 14th-century hospital, a 16th-century mosque, and a Byzantine museum within an 11th-century church – pieces of history all within the same block!

Rhodes is one of the few port calls wherein you really need a detailed guidebook to get around. If you opt for the usual walkthroughs and half or full-day tours, you’ll probably miss the island’s real charms, which is best taken in with a solo tour on foot. Visit the temple of Apollo (now in ruins, but nonetheless magnificent) and get a feel of how the Greeks used to spend leisure time at the wide cobblestone squares and walkways, not to mention the reconstructed half-circle plaza where the tragedies were regularly dramatized. Visit Lindos (55 km from the city) and its whitewashed houses, churches, and acropolis which spans at least three centuries of history, not including the temple of Athena which dates at about the 4th century B.C. Al fresco dining is the norm on every destination, and your cuisine options are as varied as the culture itself. If you can’t do without shopping, Soukratos, along the Avenue of the Knights, has a Turkish shopping arcade with plenty of rugs, pottery and other nifties to haggle over with – in Turkish fashion, of course. Rhodes is the perfect pit stop for cruisers who want substance in their voyage to go with the beach combing excursions, and if you plan to cruise the Mediterranean, you’ll miss out on a lot without it.
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There are many of the favorite water sports around this island for the tourists to take part in. Part of the Greek heritage has always been fishing and it is the number one water past time of Rhodes. The villages hold fisherman that will still go out and fish in the old ways to the delight of the tourists in the area. There are also the many charter boats that run all week long for some of the more modern deep sea fishing action that is so popular. Taking a tour by boat is also very popular. Many of the attractions are locked in and can only be accessed by the water. Tours run several times throughout the day and can be had for very little in the way of costs.

The main population of Rhodes is Greek, in honor of the last rulers of this island before modern times. Of course there is also the thriving population of Italians that have taken up residence here as well. At one point, the island was controlled by the British government but that ended in 1948 but there are still plenty of british that live on the island.

There are many things to do in Rhodes. One of the main attractions is the huge number of museums that are housed on the island. Each of the museums highlights another part of the rich history that is Rhodes and is very enjoyable for the nominal fee that is charged for entrance.