Rhodes: Discover the Medieval City on a Segway

Rhodes Old Town is much easier to appreciate when you can glide beyond its main thoroughfares. This two-hour Segway tour takes you from the Palace of the Grand Masters and the Street of the Knights into narrow lanes, along the medieval moat, and out toward Mandraki harbor.

I like the patient instruction, especially for first-time riders, and the small groups, limited to eight people. I also like the guide-photographer arrangement: guides such as Bill, George, Nikos, and Vasilis regularly stop to take photos and send them afterward. The main drawback is that the Old Town can be crowded, so some sections become stop and go rather than a smooth ride.

Why this Rhodes Segway tour is worth considering

• See more than you can on foot: Cover the Old Town, moat, fortifications, harbor, and seaside area in two hours.
• Beginner-friendly training: You receive an orientation and safety briefing before leaving the office.
• Small groups matter: With no more than eight participants, the guide can watch your riding and answer questions.
• The moat is the unusual part: Riding beside or through the medieval fortifications gives you a view many walking routes skip.
• Photos are included: Your guide can take pictures and send them after the tour at no added charge.
• Timing can make a difference: An early morning ride is quieter, while a late afternoon start can be more comfortable in summer heat.

Starting at 37 Ippodamou Street

You meet at the local partner’s office at 37 Ippodamou Street, inside or near the Medieval City. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way there.

Allow a little extra time to find the office. Rhodes Old Town has a maze-like layout, and stone lanes can be confusing if you are rushing. Comfortable shoes and sunscreen are sensible, even though you will spend much of the tour standing on the Segway.

The activity costs about $76 per person. That is not a budget sightseeing option, but the price includes the Segway, helmet, training, guide, and a full two-hour route. I see the best value for anyone who wants a broad first look at Rhodes rather than a slow, detailed visit to one monument.

You are paying for transport between scattered sights, local orientation, and the chance to reach areas that would take more effort on foot. If you already plan to spend several days in the Old Town and enjoy wandering slowly, you may prefer to save the money and explore independently. If your time is short, the cost is easier to justify.

Learning to ride before entering the lanes

The tour begins with an orientation and full safety briefing. The guides take time to explain how to move, stop, turn, and control the Segway before setting off.

That training is important. Several people arrive with no previous experience, including older riders and families with teenagers. The useful pattern is to practice until you feel steady, rather than being pushed straight into traffic or tight lanes. Guides such as George and Nikos have been praised for being calm and patient during this first stage.

Most first-time riders appear to get comfortable quickly, sometimes within about ten minutes. Still, you need a basic level of fitness and enough balance to stand and steer for two hours. The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or anyone over 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms.

You can expect helmets and Segway equipment to be provided. The activity information refers to Segway I2 equipment and also mentions newer equipment with two or four wheels. Ask the local operator if the exact setup matters to you.

Rolling through Rhodes Medieval City

The first part of the route explores the Old Town itself. This is where the Segway changes the rhythm of sightseeing.

On foot, the medieval streets can mean a lot of stopping, backtracking, and climbing over uneven stone surfaces. On a Segway, you can move from one quarter to another without wearing yourself out as quickly. You still need to slow down around pedestrians, shopfronts, restaurants, and tight corners, but you cover far more ground.

The route includes the Church of the Virgin of the Burgh, narrow side streets, and less obvious corners of the city. I like this part because it gives you more than the postcard version of Rhodes. You see the grand monuments, but you also pass places where local residents gather in the shade and daily life continues behind the busy visitor routes.

The tradeoff is pace. This is not a silent glide through empty lanes. The Old Town can be full of people, particularly later in the day and during the high season. One guide may need to pause often, weave carefully, or ask you to dismount in especially tight sections.

A five-minute photo and sightseeing stop breaks up the ride. These pauses are short, so you get an overview rather than a long visit inside each site. If detailed archaeological explanation is your priority, bring questions and ask them directly.

The medieval moat and city walls

The moat is one of the tour’s strongest features. The route spends about 30 minutes in this area, giving you time to ride beside the fortifications and see the defensive side of Rhodes from a different angle.

The moat helps explain the scale of the Medieval City. From ground level, the walls can feel like a backdrop. From the route through the moat, you get a better sense of how the fortifications surround the old settlement and why the city was so difficult to attack.

This is also a good place for photos. The broad route offers more room than the narrow streets, although you should still follow the guide’s instructions and keep a safe distance from other riders and pedestrians.

The guide points out battlements, walls, and features connected with the city’s invasions and occupations. The quality of the historical commentary may depend on who leads your departure. Guides such as Nikos and Vasilis have been praised for their local facts, while some participants have found the historical detail lighter than expected.

That is worth knowing before you book. You receive a guided introduction, not a formal museum lecture. The tour works best when you want useful context combined with movement and sightseeing.

Street of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Masters

The Street of the Knights is one of Rhodes’ most memorable medieval lanes. Its stone buildings and strong architectural lines make it an obvious stop, but arriving by Segway adds a playful twist to a place usually explored on foot.

You spend about 15 minutes riding and sightseeing in this section. The guide helps you notice the major features, then the tour continues toward the Palace of the Grand Masters.

The palace receives roughly ten minutes for a photo stop and free time. You can admire its imposing exterior, take pictures, and listen to the guide’s explanation. This is not an interior tour, so do not expect time to explore the rooms or exhibitions as part of the Segway experience.

I would treat this stop as an introduction. The palace is one of the Old Town’s central sights, and the tour shows you where it is and why it matters. You can return later for a longer visit if your schedule allows.

From medieval streets to Mandraki harbor

A useful feature of the route is the shift from the enclosed Old Town to the modern seaside area. You ride toward the Aegean, where the open air gives you a break from the stone lanes and crowded passages.

The itinerary includes the famous windmills and the Lighthouse of Saint Nicholas at the entrance to Mandraki harbor. The harbor area gives the tour a change of scenery and adds a strong coastal finish to the medieval sights.

This part is especially useful for first-time visitors trying to get their bearings. You see how the Old Town relates to the waterfront, and you can note places to revisit later. The breeze may also make this section more pleasant during a warm afternoon.

The exact balance between Old Town streets and waterfront riding can vary with conditions and the group. One departure may spend more time navigating the historic center, while another may reach more of the harbor. If the windmills and lighthouse are your main goal, ask the guide at the start how much seaside riding is planned.

What the two hours feel like

The schedule includes several short stops, including a five-minute break and photo pause, followed by the longer moat section and the palace stop. This creates a useful pattern: ride, listen, stop, photograph, then move on.

You should not expect two continuous hours of speed. The experience is best understood as a mobile walking tour, with the Segway helping you cover distance. In the busiest lanes, progress can be slow. On clearer routes around the fortifications and waterfront, you get a better sense of movement.

The guides often take photos and videos while you ride or stop. This is a real benefit because holding a phone while steering is not sensible, and it means you can enjoy the route without constantly framing pictures. Photos are sent afterward at no extra charge.

The route returns to the starting point by an alternative path. That matters because you do not simply repeat the same streets. You get a wider sample of the city during the limited two-hour window.

Choosing the best departure time

An early start has a clear advantage: fewer people in the Old Town and easier movement through narrow streets. A 9 a.m. departure can feel quieter and more relaxed, especially during the warmer months.

Late afternoon also has appeal. A 5 p.m. tour can be more comfortable than riding in the strongest midday sun, and the seaside portion may feel breezier. The main risk is heavier foot traffic as the day progresses.

Rhodes can be very warm, so sunscreen is essential. Wear comfortable, secure shoes. High heels are not allowed, and luggage or large bags cannot be taken along.

The tour is available in English and Greek. The small group limit of eight helps the guide keep the group together and offer extra instruction when needed. Some departures have been as small as two, three, or four people, but the maximum is eight, not a guaranteed group size.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for:

• First-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Rhodes Old Town.
• Families with teenagers who may resist a long walking tour.
• Couples who want a fun activity with built-in photos.
• Cruise passengers or short-stay visitors with only a few hours for sightseeing.
• Anyone who finds steep or lengthy walking on cobbled streets tiring, but can stand and balance comfortably on a Segway.
• Repeat visitors who want to see back streets, fortifications, and routes they missed before.

It is less suitable for someone who wants quiet, detailed time inside monuments. It is also not the right choice if you dislike riding near pedestrians or feel uneasy on uneven, crowded streets.

The tour is accessible only to people who can manage the physical demands of riding. Mobility limitations, pregnancy, and the stated weight restriction rule it out for some people.

My take on the value

At $76, this is a mid-priced activity. You could walk the Old Town for free, and many of the exterior sights cost nothing to view. The difference is the distance covered, the instruction, the guide, and the chance to reach the moat and harbor without organizing your own route.

The strongest value comes when your time is limited or your group would otherwise complain about the heat and cobbles. Families with older children may find the Segway keeps everyone interested. The included photos also add something practical, especially for couples who usually have to ask strangers to take pictures.

The value is weaker if you are looking for deep historical explanation at every stop. The commentary can be lively and useful, but the tour gives each place only a short introduction. You are buying movement and access, not a full archaeological lesson.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and the option to reserve now and pay later make planning less risky. Still, check the exact departure time before committing, especially if you are coordinating the tour with a cruise schedule or a hot-weather sightseeing day.

Should you book it?

Book this Rhodes Segway tour if you want to see the Medieval City, moat, fortifications, harbor, and lighthouse in one compact outing. It is particularly strong for first-time riders, families, couples, and anyone who wants to cover ground without a long walk.

Skip it if you prefer to move slowly through museums, avoid crowded public routes, or want a guide whose main role is detailed historical teaching. For the best balance of comfort and access, choose an early morning or late afternoon departure, wear sensible shoes, and arrive ready to practice before the fun begins.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes Segway tour start?

The meeting point is the local partner’s office at 37 Ippodamou Street.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts two hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $76 per person.

What sights are included?

The route includes Rhodes Old Town, the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Street of the Knights, the Church of the Virgin of the Burgh, the medieval moat, fortifications, the harbor area, windmills, and the Lighthouse of Saint Nicholas.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The activity includes an orientation session and full safety briefing before the ride. Guides provide practice time and make sure riders feel comfortable before leaving.

How many people can join the group?

The group is limited to a maximum of eight participants.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide is available in English and Greek.

What should I bring, and what is not allowed?

Bring comfortable shoes and sunscreen. High-heeled shoes, luggage, and large bags are not allowed.