Rhodes: Explore the New and Medieval City on a Segway

Rhodes is especially rewarding when you can move from its medieval lanes to the Aegean waterfront in one outing. This three-hour Segway tour covers the Palace of the Grand Masters, Street of the Knights, medieval moat, Mandraki Harbor, windmills, and Saint Nicholas Lighthouse without asking you to make the whole circuit on foot.

I like the small-group format, which gives the guide room to help first-time riders. I also like the choice between the nimble two-wheel Segway and the four-wheel Mia, a useful option if balance is a concern. The drawback is simple: you need a basic level of fitness, and narrow stone streets may feel awkward until you find your rhythm.

Key points

• See old and modern Rhodes in one three-hour ride, from the Church of the Virgin of the Burgh to Mandraki Harbor.
• Choose between two-wheel and four-wheel equipment, including the Segway I2 and Mia Dynamic.
• Ride through the medieval moat, an unusual route that gives you a different view of the city walls.
• Expect patient instruction, especially from guides such as George and Nikos, who help beginners gain confidence.
• Stop for photos several times, with guide-taken photos sent afterward at no extra charge if needed.
• Plan for a small group, with the practical information stating a maximum of six participants.

Why a Segway works well in Rhodes

Rhodes Old Town is compact, but its sights are spread through a maze of lanes, walls, squares, and open spaces. On foot, you can see plenty, but the heat, cobbles, and long stretches between major monuments can wear you down. A Segway lets you cover more ground while keeping the pace manageable.

The route also joins two sides of Rhodes that can feel separate on a normal sightseeing walk. You begin in the medieval city, then head toward the modern seaside district, Mandraki Harbor, the windmills, and Fort Saint Nicholas. That change of setting is one of the tour’s best features.

You should not think of the Segway as a shortcut that replaces seeing the city properly. It is more like a moving platform between short stops. You ride, pause, listen, take photographs, and ride again. The result is a lively introduction rather than a long lecture in one place.

The tour costs about $100 per person. That is not a bargain-priced city stroll, but the value improves if you want a guide, equipment, safety training, and a broad route in a single morning or afternoon. You are paying for access to more of Rhodes in less time, plus the novelty of riding through the moat and old streets.

Starting at 37 Ippodamou Street

The meeting point is the Rhodes by Segway office at 37 Ippodamou Street. If you have trouble locating it, head to the Hamam Baths at Arionos Square. An escort on a Segway can meet you there and guide you the short distance to the office.

Allow time to arrive without rushing. The tour starts with an orientation session, helmet fitting, and a full safety briefing. This matters because many people are first-time riders. You are not expected to arrive already knowing how to operate the machine.

The instructors focus on basic control before the sightseeing begins. George has been praised for making new riders feel comfortable, while Nikos has been noted for patient, careful instruction. That early practice is not wasted time. It is what allows the rest of the group to ride with more confidence.

The standard equipment includes the two-wheel Segway I2 and the four-wheel Mia Dynamic. The four-wheel model may suit you if you feel uncertain about balance, and one past rider specifically found the Mia to be the better choice. Ask about your preferred machine when booking or checking in.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring sunscreen. High heels are not allowed, and backpacks are not allowed, so travel light. The supplied information does not list a storage arrangement for larger bags, so avoid arriving with anything you cannot comfortably leave behind.

Entering the medieval Old Town

The first main section takes you through Old Town Rhodes. This is where the tour feels most distinctive. The walls, stone buildings, narrow alleys, and layered architecture create a setting that is better understood by moving through it than by looking at a map.

Your guide gives background as you ride, then stops at selected points for photographs and short explanations. A Segway helps you connect these places quickly, but do not expect to glide at top speed. The old streets require care, and the guide needs to keep the group together.

The medieval moat and fortifications are a major highlight. Riding through the moat gives you a ground-level look at the defensive system around the city. It also offers a change from the tighter lanes inside the Old Town. This section is particularly useful for anyone who wants more than the standard main-street view.

The route includes secret corners and less obvious passages, though the exact path can vary. That is part of the appeal of a guided ride in a city built like a maze. You can pay attention to the buildings and stories instead of constantly checking directions.

The Church of the Virgin of the Burgh

The Church of the Virgin of the Burgh is one of the stops in the Old Town portion. The church adds a quieter architectural note to a route otherwise dominated by fortifications, palaces, and military history.

You will have time to listen, look around, and take photographs before continuing by Segway. The stop is relatively brief, so it works best as part of the larger route rather than as a full church visit. If this is the sight you most want to study, plan to return independently after the tour.

That is a useful way to approach the whole experience. The guide gives you an orientation to many locations, but three hours cannot provide a long visit inside every monument. Think of the tour as a well-guided first look, then use the places that interest you most to plan further exploration.

From the Old Town to Mandraki Harbor

After the medieval center, the route heads toward Rhodes’ modern seaside area. This transition gives you a fuller sense of the city. You move from enclosed lanes and stone walls to open views, sea air, and the broad harbor setting.

Mandraki Harbor is closely linked with the public image of Rhodes. You stop for free time and photographs, with about ten minutes listed for this part of the outing. It is a short pause, but enough to enjoy the waterfront and reset before the next sights.

The windmills of Mandraki provide another photo stop. Their position by the water makes them easy to recognize and gives the tour a strong visual change from the Old Town. The break is also useful if you want a few minutes off the Segway.

At the harbor entrance, you see Fort Saint Nicholas and the Lighthouse of Saint Nicholas. The lighthouse offers a fine outward view over the water, while the fort helps explain the harbor’s defensive importance. The route does not promise an extended interior visit, so you should expect exterior sightseeing and guide commentary.

Street of the Knights and the Palace

The tour returns through the medieval city to the Street of the Knights. This is one of Rhodes’ most memorable streets, with a strong sense of order and scale compared with the tangled lanes nearby.

Riding here is not about speed. You move carefully, stop to hear the guide, and take in the stone facades. The guide’s local explanations are valuable because the street can otherwise become a quick photograph followed by the next stop.

The final major sight is the Palace of the Grand Masters of the Knights of Rhodes. Its heavy walls and imposing design make a strong finish to the historical side of the tour. You can admire the exterior and learn about its role in the city’s story.

The listed schedule gives the palace about 30 minutes of guided sightseeing. That is enough for a meaningful introduction, though admission inside is not listed as included. If you want a detailed interior visit, check the entry arrangements before booking and consider returning later with more time.

The route then follows an alternate path back to the starting office. This return is not simply a repeat. It is designed to show you more of Rhodes before the three hours are over.

What the small group changes

The activity information gives two different group limits: one description says up to eight participants, while the practical restrictions state a maximum of six. Confirm the current number when you reserve, but either figure is small enough to keep the outing personal compared with a large coach tour.

A small group matters on a Segway. The guide can watch how each person is riding, pause when someone needs help, and answer questions without shouting across a crowd. It also makes photo stops less clumsy.

The tone of the tour depends partly on the guide. George has received particular praise for safety, local facts, and helping beginners settle in. Nikos has also been described as patient and thorough, while Nico and Nick have been singled out for lively guiding. Names can change by departure, but the experience clearly depends on having an attentive escort.

You should still be comfortable sharing the road and stops with other people. This is not a private tour unless arranged separately, and the pace must suit the least confident rider in the group.

Is three hours enough?

Three hours is a good length for a first look at Rhodes City. You get the medieval center, moat, harbor, windmills, fort, lighthouse, and major landmarks without spending an entire day on one activity.

The schedule includes several short breaks, including photo stops of about five to ten minutes. Those pauses keep the outing from becoming tiring and give you time to take pictures. If you do not have a camera, the guide can take photos and send them afterward at no extra charge.

The time is less suitable if you want long museum visits or extended time inside the Palace of the Grand Masters. Those are separate activities. This tour gives you a broad route and useful orientation, not a detailed archaeological study.

For a cruise stop or a short stay in Rhodes, the coverage is especially practical. You see both the famous sights and smaller passages, then return with a clearer idea of where to spend your remaining time.

Safety, comfort, and who should book

You need a basic level of fitness to take part. That does not mean you must be athletic, but you should be able to stand, steer, and stay alert during a three-hour outing with breaks.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or anyone over 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms. These restrictions are important, particularly because the ride includes historic streets and uneven surfaces.

Choose comfortable footwear and apply sunscreen before you start. Rhodes can be bright and warm, and the open waterfront section offers little reason to forget sun protection.

This tour suits adults, older children who meet the provider’s participation requirements, first-time riders, and anyone who wants a playful way to see the city. The four-wheel Mia may be the sensible choice if you are uneasy about a two-wheel Segway.

It is less suitable if you dislike machines, need a slow walking tour, or want long uninterrupted time at each monument. The guide keeps the group moving, and the whole point is to connect many places in one outing.

The value of the $100 price

At $100, this is a premium sightseeing activity. The price includes the Segway, four-wheel Mia option, helmet, orientation, safety briefing, guide, and a three-hour route. You are not paying simply for transport. You are paying for instruction and a guided look at several parts of Rhodes that would take more effort to connect alone.

I think the price makes the most sense in three situations. First, you have limited time. Second, you want a guide to explain what you are seeing. Third, you enjoy trying something different from a standard walking tour.

The cost is harder to justify if you are happy exploring slowly on foot and plan to visit only the Palace or Street of the Knights. Rhodes Old Town can be explored independently, and many of its public streets cost nothing to enter.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead and reserve-now, pay-later booking make the commitment easier, but the core value still comes down to your sightseeing style. If you want coverage, movement, and a small group, the price is reasonable. If you want depth at one monument, spend the money elsewhere.

Should you book Rhodes by Segway?

Book this tour if you want to see both the medieval and modern sides of Rhodes in one energetic outing. It is a strong choice for first-time Segway riders because the instruction is taken seriously, and guides such as George and Nikos have shown particular care with beginners.

I would also book it for a short Rhodes visit, especially when you want a useful overview before choosing where to return. The moat ride, harbor views, windmills, and photo help give it more character than a simple point-to-point city ride.

Skip it if you cannot stand and steer comfortably, dislike narrow historic streets, or want to spend substantial time inside museums. For everyone else, the combination of coverage, local guidance, and genuinely unusual transport makes this a lively way to meet Rhodes.

FAQ

How long does the Rhodes Segway tour last?

The tour lasts three hours, including the orientation, guided sightseeing, riding time, breaks, and return to the office.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Rhodes by Segway, 37 Ippodamou Street. If you have trouble finding the office, an escort can meet you at the Hamam Baths in Arionos Square and lead you there.

Which languages are offered?

The live tour guide speaks Greek and English.

What equipment is included?

You can use a Segway I2 with two wheels or a Mia Dynamic with four wheels. A helmet, orientation session, and full safety briefing are included.

Can beginners join?

Yes. The tour begins with instruction and a safety briefing. The information specifically states that first-time riders receive an induction before starting the route.

How many people are in the group?

The practical information states that the activity is capped at a maximum of six participants. Another description gives a limit of eight, so confirm the current group size when booking.

What sights are included?

The route includes Rhodes Old Town, the medieval moat, the Church of the Virgin of the Burgh, the Street of the Knights, the Palace of the Grand Masters, Fort Saint Nicholas, Mandraki Harbor, and the windmills.

Are photographs included?

There are several photo stops. If you do not have a camera, the guide can take photos of you and send them afterward at no extra charge.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and sunscreen. High-heeled shoes and backpacks are not allowed.

Who cannot take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or people over 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms. All participants should have a basic level of fitness.