Rhodes: Explore the New and Medieval City on a Segway

Rhodes Old Town is much easier to appreciate when you can move beyond the main lanes. This three-hour ride takes you from the Palace of the Grand Masters and Street of the Knights through the medieval moat, then out to Mandraki Harbor and the windmills. You cover more ground than you could on foot, with plenty of stops for pictures.

I like the careful introduction, especially for first-time riders, and the choice between a two-wheel Segway and the four-wheel Mia. I also like the small-group format, capped at six participants, which gives guides such as George and Nikos time to help each rider. The main drawback is that you still need basic fitness and confidence around an active historic town, and backpacks are not allowed.

Key points to know before you book

• The route links old and modern Rhodes: You see medieval fortifications, the harbor, windmills, and the Saint Nicholas Lighthouse in one outing.
• You get a proper practice session: An orientation and full safety briefing come before the ride begins.
• The four-wheel Mia offers another option: It can suit riders who feel less confident on a standard two-wheel Segway.
• The group is kept small: The activity is capped at six people, although some booking information describes groups of up to eight.
• Photos are part of the service: Your guide can take pictures and send them afterward at no extra charge.
• Pack lightly: Wear comfortable shoes and sunscreen. High heels and backpacks are not permitted.

Why a Segway works well in Rhodes Old Town

Rhodes Old Town is compact, but it is packed with lanes, walls, gates, churches, squares, and changing views. Walking lets you linger, yet a long visit can become tiring, especially under the Greek sun. A Segway gives you a practical middle ground: you move steadily between areas without turning the day into a march.

The route also has a useful shape. Instead of staying only inside the medieval walls, you ride toward the modern seaside area and Mandraki Harbor. That contrast helps you understand Rhodes as a living city, not just a preserved monument.

You will not simply glide from one sight to the next. The guide stops for explanations and photographs, then takes an alternate route back to the starting point. The result is a broad introduction rather than a single-site history lesson.

The tour costs $100 per person. That is not a budget activity, but the price includes three hours, equipment, instruction, a helmet, a live guide, and the use of a two-wheel or four-wheel machine. It also includes a route that covers several parts of town in one session. I see the value most clearly if you have limited time in Rhodes or would otherwise pay for separate sightseeing activities.

Starting at Ippodamou Street

The meeting point is the local partner’s office at 37 Ippodamou Street. If you have trouble finding it, go instead to the Hamam Baths at Arionos Square. An escort on a Segway can meet you there and lead you a short distance to the office.

Allow a little time to locate the starting point, especially if you are unfamiliar with the Old Town. The information provided does not include hotel pickup as a standard inclusion, but pickup and drop-off can be arranged on request.

At the office, you receive your helmet and equipment. The tour uses a Segway I2 with two wheels or a four-wheel Mia Dynamic. The four-wheel machine is an important feature, not a small technical detail. One rider specifically found Mia easier and more comfortable, while first-time users praised the patient instruction before setting off.

Guides George and Nikos are the names most closely linked with the experience. George is noted for helping beginners feel at ease and adding local facts along the route. Nikos is described as patient and thorough during the equipment lesson. Guide availability can vary, but you can expect Greek or English guiding.

The safety lesson makes the difference

The tour begins with orientation and a full safety briefing. You learn how to operate the machine and practice before entering the main route. This matters because the first few minutes on a Segway can feel unfamiliar, even if the controls look simple.

The instruction is aimed at getting you comfortable before you ride farther. That is especially helpful if nobody in your group has used a Segway before. The guides’ approach appears to be patient rather than rushed, with the pace adjusted as riders gain control.

Still, do not treat the briefing as a substitute for fitness or balance. The activity requires a basic level of fitness and is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or pregnant women. There is also a maximum rider weight of 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms.

Old Town, the moat, and the Church of the Virgin of the Burgh

Once you are ready, the ride enters the medieval city. This first stretch is about orientation. You see the main sights, move through narrow lanes, and get a feel for the city’s stone-built character without covering every corner on foot.

The medieval moat is one of the more unusual parts of the outing. From ground level, the fortifications can feel like a solid barrier around the Old Town. Riding through the moat gives you a different angle on the walls and their scale. It is also a welcome change from the tighter lanes.

The route includes the Church of the Virgin of the Burgh. This stop adds a quieter religious and architectural note to a tour otherwise centered on fortifications and grand public buildings. The planned visit lasts about 15 minutes, enough for a guided look and a short ride through the area rather than an extended church visit.

You should expect several short pauses rather than one long break. The itinerary allows about five minutes for one photo stop and includes additional rest or water breaks along the way. That rhythm works well in warm weather, though anyone hoping to linger inside every monument may find the schedule brisk.

The Street of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Masters

The Street of the Knights is the visual centerpiece of the Old Town portion. Its stone buildings and strong medieval lines make it one of the most memorable streets in Rhodes. Riding here lets you see it in the context of the surrounding city rather than arriving only for a quick photograph.

The guide provides background as you go, so pay attention to the shape of the street and its buildings, not just the camera view. The planned stop lasts around 20 minutes. That gives you time to take in the setting while keeping the larger circuit moving.

The Palace of the Grand Masters comes later in the route and receives about 30 minutes of guided sightseeing. Its size and architecture make it a natural high point. You get time to admire the exterior and hear about its place in Rhodes, but the tour information does not promise entry to the palace or an interior visit. If you want to explore the rooms in detail, plan a separate visit.

That distinction is important. This is a sightseeing ride with guided stops, not a full archaeological or museum tour. Its strength is the range of views and the amount of ground covered.

Riding out to Mandraki Harbor

After the medieval streets, the route heads toward the modern seaside area. The change is refreshing. You leave the close walls and narrow lanes behind and feel the Aegean breeze as you ride beside the water.

The route includes Fort St. Nicholas, the lighthouse area, Mandraki Harbor, and the famous windmills. At the entrance to the harbor, the Lighthouse of Saint Nicholas gives you a clear coastal reference point. The planned guided stop at Fort St. Nicholas lasts about 10 minutes, followed by around 10 minutes at Mandraki Harbor for photographs and free time.

The windmills receive another 10-minute stop. These are quick visits, but they are well placed. After concentrating on medieval architecture, you get open views, sea air, and a more spacious setting for photographs.

The harbor section is also where the Segway’s practical value becomes clearest. You can move between several waterfront sights without spending much of your three-hour session walking from one end of the area to another. The guide still controls the pace, so you are not left to navigate the route alone.

Photo stops and the ride back

Photography is built into the experience. The group stops at several locations, and if you do not have a camera, the guide can take pictures of you and send them afterward at no additional charge. That is useful for solo visitors and couples who do not want every image to be a selfie.

The return uses an alternate route. You therefore do not simply retrace the morning’s path, and you get another look at the city before returning to the office. The full outing lasts about three hours, with guided sightseeing, short breaks, and riding time divided across the Old Town and harbor.

Do not expect three hours of continuous motion. The stops are part of the tour’s value, and they also give you time to rest, drink water, and take photographs. If you prefer a fast ride with few explanations, this may feel too stop-and-start. If you want an introduction to Rhodes with context and variety, the structure makes sense.

What the small group adds

The activity is promoted as a small-group tour and is capped at six participants to keep it personal. Some activity details refer to groups of up to eight, so check the number shown for your chosen departure. In either case, this is much more manageable than a large vehicle tour.

A smaller group helps in three practical ways. The guide can watch new riders more closely, explanations are easier to hear, and photo stops do not take as long. It also makes it simpler to handle the different comfort levels created by the two-wheel and four-wheel equipment.

The trade-off is that small-group departures can sell out more quickly, especially during busy periods. The booking terms allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your port or city schedule is still shifting.

Is $100 good value?

At $100, this is best viewed as a sightseeing and transport experience combined. You are paying for the equipment, safety lesson, helmet, guide, three-hour route, and access to a wider slice of Rhodes than a short walking tour would cover.

The price is easier to justify if you are visiting for only a day, arriving by cruise ship, or want a lively first look before returning independently to the sights you like most. It is less compelling if you have several days in Rhodes and prefer to explore slowly, enter museums, or stop for long meals and unplanned wandering.

I also see value in the equipment choice. A first-time rider may not know in advance whether a standard Segway will feel natural. Having the four-wheel Mia available gives you another way to participate, although the tour does not state that every rider can guarantee a specific vehicle in advance.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it to adults and older children who want an active introduction to Rhodes and do not mind learning a new piece of equipment. It suits couples, friends, and small families who want to see both the Old Town and the harbor without walking the whole route.

It is particularly useful for first-time Segway riders. The instruction from guides such as George and Nikos is designed to settle beginners before the group heads into the city. Riders who already know Segways may also enjoy it, but the history and sightseeing are as important as the ride itself.

This is not the right choice if you need a fully accessible activity, are pregnant, weigh more than 264 pounds, or do not have a basic level of fitness. Leave high heels and backpacks behind. Wear comfortable shoes, apply sunscreen, and bring only what you can carry without a backpack.

Final call: book it or keep walking?

Book this tour if you want to combine Rhodes’ medieval core with its modern harbor in one well-paced outing. The best reasons are the small group, the thoughtful beginner training, the four-wheel option, and the chance to see the moat, Street of the Knights, palace, windmills, and lighthouse without covering every connection on foot.

Skip it if your priority is slow museum time or a completely quiet Old Town wander. For most active visitors, though, $100 buys a useful three-hour overview and a genuinely different way to see Rhodes. Choose it early in your stay, then return on foot to the places that deserve a longer look.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes Segway tour?

The tour lasts three hours, including instruction, guided sightseeing, riding, photo stops, and breaks.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is the Rhodes by Segway office at 37 Ippodamou Street.

What if I cannot find the office?

You can go to the Hamam Baths at Arionos Square. An escort on a Segway can meet you there and guide you to the office nearby.

Which languages are available?

The live tour is available in Greek and English.

How many people can join the group?

The activity is capped at a maximum of six participants to provide a personal experience. Some activity information describes groups of up to eight, so confirm the number for your selected departure.

Do I need previous Segway experience?

No previous experience is stated as a requirement. The tour includes an orientation session and full safety briefing before you begin.

Which equipment is included?

You receive a Segway I2 with two wheels or a Mia Dynamic with four wheels, along with a helmet.

What sights are included?

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

Can the guide take photographs?

Yes. At the stops, the guide can take photographs for you and send them afterward at no extra charge.

Who should not take this tour?

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