Rhodes: Hop-on Hop-off Bus and Submarine Tour

Rhodes has an especially good way to introduce itself: from the hilltop Acropolis to the sea below Mandraki Harbor. This one-day combination lets you see the main sights without arranging separate transport, then moves into a glass-sided underwater cabin for fish, clear water, and a scuba diver feeding marine life.

I like the wide route around Rhodes City, which gives you a useful first look at the Old Town, harbor, beaches, and Monte Smith. I also like the submarine’s flexible deck and underwater viewing area, especially for families. The main drawback is timing: buses may run about once an hour, so getting off for a photo can mean a long wait.

Key points to know before you book

• The Poseidon Submarine stays above sea level: Its underwater viewing hull sits 2.5 meters below the surface, and you can return to the open deck whenever you like.
• The bus route covers 12 stops: You can reach Monte Smith, the Old Town, Town Hall, the Aquarium, New Marina, and several coastal points.
• The submarine departs from Mandraki Harbor: This is not necessarily the same place as your bus boarding point, so allow time to find the correct kiosk and boat.
• The underwater section is short but memorable: Clear water, fish, and a diver feeding them are the main attractions.
• Audio commentary is offered in nine languages: English, Greek, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, Turkish, and Hebrew.
• The package works well for families: Children can enjoy the fish and boat setting, while adults get an easy overview of Rhodes City.

Start with the bus for a useful Rhodes orientation

I would begin with the hop-on hop-off bus, even if you have only one day in Rhodes. The route gives you a sense of how the old walled city, modern center, harbor, hilltop ruins, and western beaches fit together.

You can board at Mandraki Harbor or at any of the listed stops. The double-decker bus passes 12 points around Rhodes City, with an audio guide available in nine languages. That makes it a good first ride for anyone who wants basic historical context before exploring on foot.

The bus is best treated as an orientation tour with transport, not as a fast way to reach every attraction. The route is useful, but the service can be infrequent. One direct report puts the interval at about an hour, which matters if you hop off for photographs or a closer look.

Audio equipment has also been uneven. Several passengers found that some headphone sockets did not work, and one bus had no useful commentary from a particular seat. I would bring patience, and if possible, test your socket soon after boarding. When the system works, it adds much more value than simply riding around town.

What each bus stop adds to your day

Acropolis of Rhodes and Monte Smith

This hilltop stop gives you some of the best elevated views over Rhodes City. The Acropolis area is one of the tour’s most useful stops for understanding the city beyond its medieval walls.

The setting also gives you a break from the bus itself. If you want photographs over the city, harbor, and surrounding sea, this is one of the places where getting off makes sense. Keep the bus timetable in mind, since returning service may not be immediate.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a practical city stop along the route. The supplied information does not specify a separate attraction here, so I would use it mainly as a boarding or exit point if it suits your plans.

New Marina and Tourist Harbor

These stops show Rhodes from its modern maritime side. They are useful if your hotel or plans are near the waterfront, and they provide a contrast with the medieval Old Town.

The Tourist Harbor is also a helpful reference point for getting oriented around the waterfront. Still, do not assume every stop offers enough time for a full visit before the next bus arrives. The route is more useful for broad access than for a tightly planned sightseeing schedule.

Old Town of Rhodes

This is the route’s key historic stop. Rhodes Old Town is enclosed by substantial medieval walls and contains the city’s most famous streets, monuments, and historic atmosphere.

The bus gives you the overview, but the Old Town deserves time on foot. You can use the ride to decide which lanes and sights you want to revisit. If you are visiting Rhodes for the first time, this stop alone can justify using the bus as a way to get your bearings.

Rhodes City Center and Town Hall

These central stops work well for combining the bus with independent walking. You can get off for shops, restaurants, and city streets, then continue later if the next bus arrives at a convenient time.

The Town Hall stop is also useful for visitors staying in the center. The route lets you connect central Rhodes with the waterfront and western side without arranging a separate taxi or local bus.

Psaropoula Square and the Diagoras Statue

This stop places you near the coastal side of the city. The Diagoras Statue is a recognizable marker, while Psaropoula Square gives you another chance to see the city beside the sea.

It is a good point for a short scenic stop, though the schedule remains the main concern. If you leave the bus here, plan around the next full circuit rather than expecting another bus within a few minutes.

Aquarium and Rhodes Horizon at Kato Petres

The Aquarium stop takes you toward the western coastal area. It may appeal most to families or anyone who wants to combine the bus with another attraction, though the aquarium admission itself is not included.

Rhodes Horizon, also called Kato Petres, is another coastal viewpoint. This part of the route is less about major monuments and more about the city’s edge, sea views, and changing scenery.

Grand Hotel and the west beachside

The Grand Hotel stop connects the route with the western beach area. It is a convenient option if you want to combine a city ride with time by the water.

The coastal stops are especially useful for people who do not want to spend the entire day inside the Old Town. Rhodes is more than its walls, and this section helps show the modern resort side of the city.

The Poseidon Submarine begins at Mandraki Harbor

The submarine tour departs from Mandraki Harbor, in the center of Rhodes Island. Look carefully for the correct kiosk and boat. One practical issue is that the meeting point can be busy, and the vessel associated with this package may not be obvious at first glance.

The Poseidon is not a conventional submarine that disappears below the surface. The vessel stays above sea level, while its underwater observatory section sits 2.5 meters beneath the water. You sit by your own viewing window and watch the sea life pass below.

That design makes the tour approachable for children and for anyone who does not want a fully enclosed underwater trip. You can leave the cabin and walk onto the deck at any time. From above, you can look back toward the Old Town walls, windmills, and the calm water around the harbor.

The boat also has a bar, but drinks cost extra. Food and drinks are not included, so plan to bring money if you want something from the bar. Personal expenses are also outside the package price.

The underwater viewing is the main attraction

The underwater section is simple rather than elaborate. You are there to watch fish through the windows, enjoy the clear water, and see a diver feeding the marine life.

That feeding session is one of the most engaging parts of the trip. Fish gather near the diver, giving you more to see during the viewing period. The underwater cabin may feel a little like a large aquarium, but the setting is real seawater, with the harbor and coastline above you.

Do not book this expecting a long underwater expedition. The underwater time is limited, and one family had hoped to spend longer below the surface. Still, the combination of the window, fish, and diver makes it a pleasant short activity.

Free underwater photos from the diver are included. That is a useful extra, particularly if you want a picture of the marine life without trying to photograph through the glass yourself.

Bus commentary can make or break the first half

The audio guide is available in English, Greek, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, Turkish, and Hebrew. This is a strong feature for a city route covering several historic areas.

In practice, the equipment is not always perfect. Some headphone outlets have failed, and background music on the boat has sometimes made commentary harder to hear. I would check your audio connection before the bus leaves and change seats if the sound is poor.

The lack of working commentary does not ruin the route, since you still see the main parts of Rhodes City. But it changes the experience from a guided city introduction into something closer to a scenic ride. If historical explanation is important to you, the audio system deserves attention.

The submarine has an English audio guide. Its commentary is less central than the bus narration because the underwater viewing and diver provide much of the entertainment, but it helps explain what you are seeing.

How to plan the one-day validity

The package is valid for one day from first activation. The information also says you can use the bus and submarine on the same day or on different days, so check the exact terms at booking if you plan to split them.

For most people, I would use the bus first and the submarine afterward. The bus helps you understand Rhodes City, while the boat gives you a slower change of pace at the harbor.

You do not need to complete both parts in one continuous block. That is useful if you want time in the Old Town, a meal, or a break at the beach. Just remember that a one-day pass and the option to use the two tours on different days can sound inconsistent, so confirm how activation and separate use apply to your booking.

What $41 buys you

At $41 per person, this is a fair package if you plan to use both parts. You get city transport, an audio-guided route, the submarine cruise, underwater photos, and access to a harbor activity without booking two separate outings.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors, families, and cruise passengers who want a broad introduction to Rhodes without arranging taxis. It is weaker if you only want transport to the Old Town, since much of the cost is tied to the submarine.

The bus also saves effort, but its slow return cycle limits how much sightseeing you can build around it. If you want a carefully timed day at several museums and monuments, local transport or walking may give you more control.

I would view the price as payment for variety. You are buying two modest activities rather than one long, detailed tour. The submarine is the more distinctive part, while the bus supplies the practical city overview.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend it to families with children, especially those who want a boat activity that feels safe and easy. The underwater cabin stays only 2.5 meters below the surface, and you can return to the deck whenever you wish.

It also suits first-time visitors who want to see the main parts of Rhodes City before choosing where to spend more time. The route covers historic sites, central streets, harbor areas, the Aquarium, hilltop views, and the western coast.

The package is less suitable if you want a detailed archaeological tour, a long underwater trip, or rapid hop-on hop-off service. It is also not ideal for a tight schedule that depends on leaving the bus at several stops and returning a few minutes later.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, which adds practical value for many people. Since the detailed boarding arrangements are not provided, contact Captain’s Tours if you need specific information about access to the bus or underwater section.

Simple ways to get more from the tour

• Test the bus audio before settling into your seat.
• Sit where you can enjoy the upper deck views, if available and comfortable for you.
• Use the bus as a first circuit before choosing where to get off.
• Allow extra time at any stop where you want photographs.
• Find the submarine kiosk at Mandraki Harbor before your planned departure.
• Bring money for drinks, since the bar is not included.
• Keep the Old Town for a proper walk rather than seeing it only from the bus.
• If you want both activities on different days, confirm the validity details before booking.

Should you book the Rhodes bus and submarine tour?

Book it if you want a simple city introduction plus a family-friendly harbor activity. The submarine is the strongest reason to choose this package, with clear water, fish, a feeding diver, and views back toward Rhodes from the sea.

Book it with realistic expectations. The bus may run about hourly, audio sockets may not all work, and the underwater section is brief. But at $41, the combination is sensible for a first look at Rhodes, especially if you value convenience and do not want to arrange each part yourself.

If your priority is a detailed visit to the Old Town, spend your time on foot after using the bus for orientation. If your priority is seeing marine life in a safe, unusual setting, make the Poseidon Submarine the center of your plan.

FAQ

Where does the submarine tour depart from?

The Poseidon Submarine departs from Mandraki Harbor, located in the center of Rhodes Island.

Where can I board the hop-on hop-off bus?

You can board at Mandraki Harbor or at any of the 12 listed bus stops, including the Acropolis of Rhodes, Old Town, Town Hall, Aquarium, and Grand Hotel.

How long is the ticket valid?

The activity is valid for one day from first activation.

Can I use the bus and submarine on different days?

The tour information says you can use the bus tour and submarine cruise on the same or different days. Since the ticket is also described as valid for one day from activation, confirm the exact arrangement when booking.

What languages are available on the bus audio guide?

The bus audio guide is available in Greek, English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, Turkish, and Hebrew.

What language is used for the submarine audio guide?

The submarine cruise includes an English audio guide.

Does the submarine go fully underwater?

No. The vessel remains above sea level, while its underwater observatory section sits 2.5 meters below the surface.

Are drinks included?

No. The submarine has a bar, but drinks and personal expenses are not included.