Rhodes: Explore the New and Medieval City on a Segway

Rhodes’ medieval center is a maze of stone lanes, fortress walls, and busy corners, and a Segway lets you cover far more of it than you could on foot in three hours. You glide from the Palace of the Grand Masters to the moat, then out toward the harbor and sea breeze.

I like the careful beginner training and the choice between a standard two-wheel Segway and the four-wheel Mia. I also like the small-group format, where guides such as George and Nikos can keep an eye on everyone and stop for photos. The main drawback is that you still need decent balance, comfort on your feet, and enough confidence to handle uneven historic streets.

Key points to know before you book

• Ride through both sides of Rhodes Town: The route links the medieval Old Town with Mandraki Harbour and the modern seaside district.
• Choose your machine: You can use a Segway I2 with two wheels or a Mia Dynamic with four wheels.
• Expect patient instruction: First-time riders receive an orientation and full safety briefing before setting off.
• See the moat from inside the fortifications: This is one of the more unusual parts of the route and gives you a different view of the Old Town.
• Small groups keep the pace personal: The information says the activity is limited to six participants, though another booking note lists eight, so confirm the exact maximum when reserving.
• Bring practical gear: Wear comfortable shoes and sunscreen. Backpacks and high heels are not allowed.

Why a Segway works well in Rhodes Old Town

Rhodes Old Town is compact, but its sights are spread through a maze of lanes and open spaces. Walking is rewarding, yet three hours on foot can mean choosing between the fortress walls, the harbor, the windmills, and the main medieval streets.

The Segway solves that problem. Once you get used to leaning gently forward and back, the machine carries you between major sights without the tiring pace of a long walking tour. You still stop often, so this is not a rushed ride past monuments.

It is also a useful choice if you want an introduction before exploring alone. Your guide gives you a basic sense of the city layout, points out the main monuments, and takes you into narrow corners you could easily miss while following the busiest streets.

This is not a private archaeological tour with long talks at every stop. The format is active and light. You listen while standing with your Segway, ride for a while, then pause for photos or a short explanation.

Getting started at Ippodamou Street

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

Allow a little extra time to find the starting point. The Old Town’s lanes can be confusing, and arriving hurriedly is not ideal when you are about to learn a new machine.

At the office, you receive your helmet and take part in an orientation. The activity includes either a Segway I2 with two wheels or a Mia Dynamic with four wheels, depending on your preference and availability.

The instruction matters. Several people on their first Segway ride found that patient coaching helped them feel comfortable before leaving the office. George has been praised for making beginners feel at ease, while Nikos, also called Nico or Nick, has been described as thorough with the equipment and safety instructions.

You do not need previous Segway experience. You do need a basic level of fitness, since you remain standing and active for much of the three-hour tour. Pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, and anyone over 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms, cannot take part.

The Old Town and its medieval moat

The first major section takes you through Rhodes Old Town, where the point is not just to reach one monument. You ride through a sequence of old lanes, fortified spaces, and less obvious corners.

The medieval moat is a highlight because it changes your view of the city walls. From below, the fortifications feel larger and more defensive than they do from the crowded streets above. You get a sense of how the city was protected, while the Segway helps you cover more of the long route without turning the outing into a strenuous walk.

The moat route is also one reason this tour feels different from a standard Old Town circuit. You are not only stopping at the postcard sights. You are moving through the spaces between them, where the scale and shape of the fortifications become easier to understand.

The tour includes a short photo stop in the Old Town. Use it to take a breath, adjust your position, and ask questions. If you do not have a camera, the guide can take photos of you and send them afterward at no extra charge.

That photo service is a small but useful touch. You can enjoy the ride instead of trying to hold a phone while steering, and you do not need to ask another visitor to take a picture of your group.

Church of the Virgin of the Burgh and the narrow lanes

The Church of the Virgin of the Burgh is another stop in the medieval district. The visit adds a quieter religious and architectural point to a route otherwise dominated by walls, palaces, and harbor views.

The itinerary allows time for a guided look and a Segway ride through this part of town. Expect an explanation rather than a long indoor visit, since the tour keeps moving through the city.

The narrow alleys around the church show why a small group is useful. A large convoy would be harder to manage in tight spaces, while a group of six or so can pause without taking over the lane.

You should still expect other people in the Old Town. Rhodes is a major sightseeing destination, and a Segway does not give you an empty city. The advantage is that your guide can steer you through a mix of main sights and quieter routes, rather than keeping you on one crowded pedestrian street.

Street of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Masters

The Street of the Knights is one of the tour’s central sights. Its stone buildings and long medieval alignment give the Old Town much of its identity. Riding through it lets you see the street as part of the wider fortified city, not just as a single photograph.

Your guide provides context along the way, then brings you to the Palace of the Grand Masters of the Knights of Rhodes. This is the grandest stop on the route and one of the places where the tour’s history focus comes into sharp view.

The exterior architecture is the main feature included here. You stop to admire the imposing structure and hear about its role in the city. The schedule gives this part substantial time, but the experience is still a sightseeing visit rather than a dedicated palace tour.

That distinction matters if you want to inspect every room or spend hours with museum displays. This activity is better for seeing the palace as a major landmark within a wider circuit. You get the setting, the approach, and the guide’s explanation, then continue to other parts of Rhodes.

The route returns to the Street of the Knights later in the tour, followed by another guided stop at the palace. That repeated focus helps make sure you see the two most famous medieval sights even as the tour covers the harbor and modern city too.

Heading out to Mandraki Harbour

After the medieval center, the route shifts toward Rhodes’ modern seaside area. The change is welcome. You move from stone walls and narrow lanes to open views, the Aegean breeze, and the harborfront.

The ride includes Fort St. Nicholas, a short guided sightseeing stop with time for photographs. The fort sits near the entrance to Mandraki Harbour and gives the tour a strong connection to Rhodes’ maritime side.

You then reach Mandraki Harbour for free time and another photo stop. This is a good place to pause, take in the water, and let the ride become less about monuments and more about the city’s setting.

The harbor section is one of the reasons I would choose this tour over a purely medieval walking route. You get two very different faces of Rhodes in one outing: a fortified Old Town and a broad seaside district.

Windmills and the Lighthouse of Saint Nicholas

The windmills of Mandraki provide one of the most recognizable harbor views. You stop for photos and sightseeing, with time to enjoy the open waterfront before turning back toward the Old Town.

The lighthouse of Saint Nicholas sits at the entrance to the harbor. The tour takes you past this landmark and gives you a chance to look across the water from the harbor entrance.

This part is especially pleasant when you want a break from close stone walls. There is more room to ride, and the sea breeze adds a welcome change after the enclosed medieval lanes.

Do not expect a long stop at each harbor feature. The windmills and lighthouse are part of a wider route, not separate excursions. The value comes from seeing them alongside the Old Town in one efficient circuit.

How the three hours are paced

The tour lasts three hours, with guided sightseeing, riding, photo stops, and short breaks spread across the route. The time includes roughly half-hour sections in the Old Town and at the Palace of the Grand Masters, plus shorter stops at the church, fort, harbor, and windmills.

That pacing keeps the experience active. You are not standing through one long lecture, and you are not riding without explanation. The guide alternates between movement and stops so you can absorb the sights.

You should expect to spend much of the time standing on the Segway. Comfortable shoes are essential, and sunscreen is sensible, particularly during the warmer months. Backpacks are not allowed, so travel light and avoid bringing anything bulky.

The tour language is Greek and English. The group is intended to be small, with the main information stating a maximum of six participants and another booking detail listing up to eight. Since group size affects how easy it is to move through narrow lanes, ask the operator to confirm the number for your date.

Is the $100 price fair?

At $100 per person, this is not a cheap way to get around Rhodes. You are paying for the equipment, helmet, instruction, guide, safety briefing, and a three-hour route that links several districts.

The price makes more sense if you value coverage and convenience. On foot, you could certainly see the Palace of the Grand Masters, Street of the Knights, and harbor, but you would need to plan carefully and accept a slower pace. Here, the Segway carries you between them and adds the medieval moat and quieter lanes to the mix.

The small group also affects the value. A limited group gives the guide more room to help a beginner, answer questions, and stop for photos without turning the outing into a line of riders.

I would not choose this tour if you only want a short ride or if you plan to spend most of your day inside the palace and churches. A walking tour or self-guided visit may suit you better. But if you want a lively overview of Rhodes Town and enjoy trying something different, the cost is reasonable for the amount of ground covered.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though they can be arranged on request. That may add to the final cost, so ask before booking if you are staying outside the Old Town.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

This activity suits first-time Segway riders, provided you are willing to follow the safety instructions and take a few minutes to learn the controls. The guides are used to helping beginners, and the early practice session is designed to build confidence before the route begins.

It is also a good fit for couples, friends, and families with participants who meet the physical requirements. The photo stops, short breaks, and changing scenery keep the outing varied.

You may prefer another format if you have balance or mobility problems, cannot stand comfortably for three hours, or dislike riding close to other people in narrow lanes. High heels are not allowed, backpacks are not allowed, and pregnant women cannot participate.

The four-wheel Mia is worth asking about if you feel unsure on a standard two-wheel Segway. One rider specifically found it the better choice, and the operator offers both machines. Availability may vary, so request your preference ahead of time.

Should you book the Rhodes Segway tour?

Book it if you want to see the medieval city, moat, harbor, windmills, and lighthouse in one well-paced outing. The strongest reasons are the beginner-friendly instruction, the small group, and the mix of Old Town lanes with open seaside riding.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to someone visiting Rhodes for a short stay or arriving by cruise ship, since three hours gives you a useful first look at both the old and modern city. Just arrive in comfortable shoes, leave your backpack behind, and confirm the group size and preferred four-wheel machine if needed.

Skip it if you want a slow, detailed museum visit, or if standing and balancing will be difficult. For most physically comfortable visitors who want history, scenery, and a little fun without walking every stone lane, this is a smart way to get oriented.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes Segway tour start?

The meeting point is the Rhodes by Segway office at 37 Ippodamou Street. If you have trouble finding it, go to the Hamam Baths at Arionos Square, where an escort on a Segway can meet you and guide you to the office.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts three hours. It includes the Old Town, medieval moat, Church of the Virgin of the Burgh, Fort St. Nicholas, Mandraki Harbour, the windmills, Street of the Knights, and the Palace of the Grand Masters.

Is previous Segway experience required?

No. The activity includes an orientation session and full safety briefing before you begin. The guides provide basic instruction so first-time riders can learn the controls.

Can I choose a four-wheel Segway?

The equipment includes a two-wheel Segway I2 and a four-wheel Mia Dynamic. You can request the four-wheel option, though availability should be confirmed when booking.

What should I bring?

Wear comfortable shoes and sunscreen. Backpacks and high-heeled shoes are not allowed.

Who cannot take part?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or people weighing more than 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms. Participants should have a basic level of fitness.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard activity. They can be arranged on request.