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

Rhodes is easiest to understand from two viewpoints: above the city on a double-decker bus, then below the surface in the glass-sided cabin of the Poseidon submarine. The bus gives you a useful first look at the Old Town, harbor, hills, beaches, and major monuments. The boat adds a short, family-friendly sea outing with fish, a scuba diver feeding them, and fine views of the city walls.

I like the way this combines sightseeing with a simple introduction to Rhodes. I also like the practical audio guide, offered in nine languages, and the freedom to use the bus and submarine on the same day or on different days. The main drawback is timing: buses may arrive only about once an hour, so getting off for a photo can cost you a long wait.

Key things to know before you go

• Poseidon’s viewing cabin sits 2.5 meters below the surface, while the vessel itself remains above water.
• Mandraki Harbor is the submarine meeting point, with views toward the Old Town walls and windmills.
• The bus stops at major Rhodes sights, including Monte Smith, the New Marina, Old Town, the Aquarium, and Kato Petres.
• The clearest part of the boat trip is the fish viewing, especially when the scuba diver feeds them.
• Audio commentary is included, but some headphone sockets have not worked reliably.
• The $41 price is strongest for families and first-time visitors who want a broad city overview plus a short sea experience.

A useful first look at Rhodes by bus

I would use the bus early in your time in Rhodes, not because it replaces walking, but because it helps you decide where to spend your limited energy. Rhodes City spreads between the medieval Old Town, the harbor, modern streets, beaches, and higher ground around Monte Smith. Seeing those areas in one circuit gives you a quick sense of the island’s main city.

The bus is new, double-decker, and fitted with an audio guide in Greek, English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, Turkish, and Hebrew. That language range makes the ride useful for families or groups who do not all want the same spoken guide. Free WiFi is also included.

The route is advertised with 12 stations. The supplied stop list names Acropolis of Rhodes at Monte Smith, San Francisco, New Marina, Tourist Harbor, Old Town of Rhodes, Rhodes City Center, Town Hall, Psaropoula Square by the Diagoras Statue, Aquarium, Rhodes Horizon at Kato Petres, and Grand Hotel on the west beach side. Check the exact route and stop count when you board, since the published details describe 12 stations but list 11 named locations.

The biggest practical issue is frequency. Buses run about hourly, so this is not the right tour if you want to hop off at every stop for a few minutes. A short stop can turn into a wait of an hour or more. I would either stay aboard for the first full circuit, or choose only one or two stops where you genuinely want time on foot.

What each Rhodes bus stop adds

Acropolis of Rhodes at Monte Smith

Monte Smith is the high point of the route and one of its most useful stops. From here, you get broad views over Rhodes City and the sea, along with access to the ancient Acropolis area. It is a better place for orientation than for a quick photo from a moving bus.

If you get off here, allow enough time for the stop to be worthwhile. The bus schedule makes a casual ten-minute visit risky. The hill views are among the strongest reasons to take the bus rather than simply walk around the compact Old Town.

San Francisco

San Francisco is one of the city stops on the route and helps connect the higher Acropolis area with the central neighborhoods. The audio commentary gives you background as the bus moves between points, although the quality depends on your seat and headphone socket.

Bring your own patience with the onboard audio. Several passengers have found that only some sockets worked, turning an intended history lesson into a quiet ride around town. If commentary matters to you, test the socket as soon as you sit down and change seats early if needed.

New Marina and Tourist Harbor

The New Marina and Tourist Harbor show a different side of Rhodes from the medieval center. Here, the emphasis is on the waterfront and the working relationship between the city and the sea. These stops also help you understand how close the modern port areas are to the historic core.

You may want to stay on the bus for these stops unless you have a specific reason to get off. The route is most valuable here as a moving introduction, especially if you have just arrived and are still getting your bearings.

Old Town of Rhodes

The Old Town is the essential stop for most people. Its walls, gates, lanes, and medieval monuments represent the city’s role as the island of the Knights. The bus cannot give you the same experience as walking inside, but it delivers context before you explore on foot.

I would pair this stop with a separate walking period. Get down, enter the Old Town, and treat the bus ride as the outline rather than the finished picture. The tour is particularly handy for showing how the walled quarter relates to the harbor and modern Rhodes City.

Rhodes City Center and Town Hall

The central stops are convenient for combining the bus with your own errands, meals, or walking route. They place you close to the city’s everyday side, rather than focusing only on ancient and medieval monuments.

This is where the hop-on format can save effort, but only if the next bus arrives at a sensible time. If you have a fixed lunch reservation or cruise departure, do not count on an immediate pickup.

Psaropoula Square and the Diagoras Statue

Psaropoula Square adds another central reference point and connects the route with the statue of Diagoras. It is a reminder that Rhodes is not only a museum of medieval buildings. The city also has modern public spaces and reminders of Greek identity.

As with other central stops, I would use this as part of a planned route rather than make an unplanned hop-off. The hourly service matters more here than it would on a frequent urban bus.

Aquarium and Rhodes Horizon at Kato Petres

The Aquarium stop takes you toward the western shore, while Rhodes Horizon at Kato Petres offers sea views and a change from the dense center. These stops are useful if you want a broader look at the coast without arranging separate transport.

Kato Petres is especially appealing for anyone who likes open views and a quieter pause. Still, the tour details do not promise a long stop at every point, so confirm the return time before leaving the bus.

Grand Hotel and the west beach side

The Grand Hotel stop gives access to the west beach side and another view of Rhodes beyond the fortified quarter. It is a good reminder that the city has a resort side as well as its historic center.

The full route works best as a sampler. You see the main pieces of Rhodes City, then decide which deserve a longer visit. I would not use it as your only way to reach every attraction, since the hourly schedule can make a carefully timed day awkward.

The Poseidon submarine from Mandraki Harbor

The submarine portion begins at Mandraki Harbor, in the center of Rhodes. Look for the Captain’s Tours boat kiosk carefully. The harbor can be crowded, and the exact boat or kiosk may not be obvious at first glance, so arrive with enough time to identify the meeting point.

The Poseidon is not a conventional submarine that travels entirely below the surface. The vessel stays above sea level, while the underwater observatory hull sits 2.5 meters below the water. You can sit at a personal viewing window and watch the sea life pass by.

That design makes the trip approachable for children and adults who might not enjoy a fully enclosed underwater ride. You can also leave the cabin and walk on deck at any time. From there, you can look back toward the Old Town walls, the windmills, and the calm water around Mandraki Harbor.

The underwater viewing time is fairly short, so set your expectations correctly. This is a compact marine encounter, not a lengthy expedition. The clearest highlight is the crew member who enters the water in scuba gear and feeds the fish. The feeding brings the fish close to the windows and gives children a clear focal point.

Some people may find the experience more like watching a large aquarium than exploring open sea. That is a fair comparison, especially if you expect a long period beneath the surface. The water can be clear, though, and the combination of fish viewing and city views makes the boat worthwhile for many families.

An English audio guide is included on the submarine. Commentary begins as the boat leaves the harbor, but background music may compete with it. If you want every word, sit where you can hear the speaker clearly and do not rely only on the sound system.

There is a bar on board, but drinks cost extra. Food and personal expenses are not included. Free underwater photographs from the diver are included, which is a nice practical touch for families who want a record of the fish feeding without arranging their own camera setup.

How to organize the one-day ticket

The experience is sold as a one-day activity for $41 per person. The ticket activates with your first use. The booking information also allows you to use the bus tour and submarine cruise on the same day or on different days, so check the operating details for your chosen date before planning around both parts.

That flexibility matters. A rushed morning can make both portions feel thin, while splitting them lets you use the bus as a city orientation and the submarine as a separate harbor outing. If your schedule allows only one day in Rhodes, combine them, but leave room for the bus’s hourly pattern.

A sensible plan is to take the bus first and remain aboard for a full circuit. You then know where the stops are and can choose one or two places to revisit on foot. Schedule the submarine separately from the busiest part of your Old Town visit, since Mandraki Harbor is central but the meeting point can be hard to identify in a crowded area.

The price is reasonable if you value both elements. A city bus alone may feel light for $41, particularly if you do not get off. A brief boat ride alone may also feel expensive if you are expecting a long underwater program. Together, though, you receive transport, multilingual commentary, WiFi, underwater photos, and two different views of Rhodes.

The value is strongest for families, first-time visitors, and anyone arriving by cruise ship who wants a simple overview without arranging several separate outings. If you already know Rhodes well and prefer long museum visits or independent walking, the package may feel less useful.

Audio guides, seating, and comfort

The bus audio guide covers nine languages: Greek, English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, Turkish, and Hebrew. That is a strong feature for a mixed-language group, but the equipment has not been perfectly dependable. Several headphone sockets have failed, and one report described the ride as little more than transport because the commentary could not be heard.

Test your audio before the bus leaves. If the socket is silent, ask about another seat right away rather than waiting until the route is underway. On the submarine, commentary is in English only, and music may make it harder to hear.

The experience is wheelchair accessible according to the activity information. Since the two vehicles have different layouts, confirm the practical boarding details if you need specific assistance. The bus is intended for a broad age range, and the submarine is specifically described as suitable for adults and children.

Comfort depends partly on how you use the day. Staying aboard gives you a relaxed overview, but getting off can mean a long wait. The open deck on the boat provides a welcome alternative to the underwater cabin, especially after the fish viewing is finished.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this to families with children who want a short sea activity without committing to a full day on a boat. The fish feeding is easy to understand, and children can switch between the underwater windows and the open deck.

It also suits first-time visitors who want to see how Rhodes City fits together. Monte Smith, the Old Town, the harbors, the Aquarium area, Kato Petres, and the west beach side are spread across different parts of the city. The bus gives you a practical overview before you choose what deserves more time.

This is less suitable for anyone who dislikes fixed schedules or wants to explore every stop in depth. The once-an-hour bus service limits spontaneity. It is also not the best match if you expect a traditional submarine voyage with extended underwater travel.

For cruise passengers, the central meeting point at Mandraki Harbor is convenient in principle, but leave time to identify the correct kiosk and boat. The harbor can be confusing, and the submarine meeting point has not always been immediately clear.

Should you book the Rhodes bus and submarine?

Book it if you want a gentle introduction to Rhodes, especially if you are traveling with children or have only a short time in the city. The submarine is the stronger half, thanks to the clear-water fish viewing, diver feeding, underwater photographs, and views back toward the Old Town.

The bus earns its place by showing you the city’s full shape, from Monte Smith to the harbor and beaches. Just treat it as an overview, not a replacement for walking through the Old Town or spending time at individual monuments.

At $41, I see good value when you use both parts and plan around the hourly bus. I would be cautious if your main goal is detailed historical commentary, since audio equipment may be unreliable. The free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later option also make it a fairly low-risk choice for a flexible schedule.

FAQ

Where does the submarine tour leave from?

The Poseidon submarine departs from Mandraki Harbor in central Rhodes.

Can I board the bus at a stop instead of Mandraki Harbor?

Yes. You can meet the tour at Mandraki Harbor or at one of the listed bus stops.

What places does the bus route include?

The route includes Monte Smith and the Acropolis of Rhodes, San Francisco, New Marina, Tourist Harbor, Old Town, Rhodes City Center, Town Hall, Psaropoula Square, the Aquarium, Kato Petres, and the Grand Hotel west beach side.

How long is the ticket valid?

The activity is valid for one day from first activation. The supplied booking information also says you can use the bus and submarine on the same or different days, so confirm the operating arrangement for your date.

Is the bus commentary available in English?

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

Is the submarine fully underwater?

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

Can I leave the submarine cabin?

Yes. You can leave the cabin and walk on the deck during the boat trip.

Are drinks included?

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

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.