Rhodes: Explore the New and Medieval city on a Segway – 3 hours

Rhodes is made for covering ground, and this three-hour Segway tour links its medieval old town with the newer waterfront in a way that walking simply cannot match. You glide through narrow lanes, along the moat, past harbour landmarks, and out toward the beaches without spending the day hot, tired, and hunting for the next turn.

I like the small-group format, capped at eight people, and the careful practice session before you set off. I also like the free photos, since guides such as Bill, George, and Nicholas are happy to take pictures along the way. The main catch is that the tour may be more about seeing places than hearing a full explanation at every stop, so history-minded visitors should ask questions as they go.

Key points to know before you book

• Three hours covers both sides of Rhodes Town: You see the medieval city, harbour, newer waterfront, windmills, lighthouse, and beach.
• Practice comes first: Your guide demonstrates the Segway and its safety features before entering town.
• The group stays small: The stated maximum is eight people, with some departures limited to four.
• You can choose your ride: Standard two-wheel Segways and four-wheel Mia Dynamic vehicles are available.
• Photos cost nothing extra: Bring your phone or camera, or ask the guide to take pictures and send them afterward.
• The tour starts and ends in the old town: There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan your route to Arionos Square and Ippodamou 37.

Why a Segway works so well in Rhodes

Rhodes Town has two very different faces. The medieval city is a maze of stone lanes, old walls, arches, and quiet corners. Outside those walls, the newer city spreads along the sea, with the main harbour, beaches, marina, and broad waterfront routes.

On foot, seeing both areas in one outing takes effort, especially under the Rhodes sun. A Segway lets you cover more distance while keeping the day active rather than exhausting. You still have to stand and balance, but the machine does the rolling. That makes it a useful middle ground between a walking tour and a bus ride.

The tour uses New Segway I2 two-wheel machines, along with Mia Dynamic four-wheel vehicles with seats. The four-wheel option matters if you like the idea of a motorized sightseeing ride but do not want to balance on two wheels. The available choice may depend on the group and the equipment on hand, so ask when you arrive.

Starting at Arionos Square

The meeting point is at the old Hammam baths in Arionos Square, near the entrance to the medieval city. A guide waits there on a Segway and leads you a few steps to the nearby office at Ippodamou 37.

This is a useful arrangement because the first part of the outing is not spent searching for a shopfront in the old town. You meet the guide in a recognizable square, then move to the place where the equipment and briefing take place.

Allow time to reach the meeting point on your own. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point. If you are arriving from a cruise ship, the start time and return route deserve extra attention. The tour is three hours, but you still need to account for the walk between the port and the old town.

Learning the Segway before entering the lanes

You receive a helmet, a small bag, and a bottle of water. The guide begins with an orientation session, a training period, and a demonstration of the safety features. This is not a quick handout followed by an immediate departure.

The practice is especially helpful if you have never used a Segway. One family with sons who barely rode bicycles found the machines easy enough to enjoy, and visitors over 70 reported feeling comfortable after about ten minutes. That does not mean the activity requires no effort. You need a moderate level of physical fitness, and you should be comfortable standing, steering, and paying attention around other people.

The cobbled surfaces of the old town can sound more intimidating than they feel. The tour has been designed to use them, but you should still wear comfortable shoes. A hat, sunscreen, and water are sensible in Rhodes, where the combination of sun and pale stone can wear you down quickly.

The medieval city, moat, and quieter corners

Once the group is comfortable, the guide leads you through the narrow streets of the old town. This is the most distinctive part of the experience. A walking route often follows the obvious main lanes, while a Segway can take you through lesser-known passages and quieter streets where you might otherwise never think to turn.

The tour also includes the moat and areas around the castle walls. That gives you a better sense of the scale of medieval Rhodes than a quick stroll through the central shopping streets. One outing covered the moat in a little over an hour, a task that would take much longer on foot.

Expect stops for pictures and short pauses rather than a long lecture at every corner. Guides have different styles. Bill is praised for looking after his group, while George and Nicholas are noted for patient instruction and clear site explanations. Another guide was described as friendly and educational, taking photos at several points.

This is also the part where you should ask questions. One less satisfied visitor found the tour fun but wanted more information, especially about the old city. The practical lesson is simple: if you want more history, speak up. Ask about the walls, the moat, the lanes, and the places you pass. You may get a far better experience than if you ride quietly at the back.

The harbour and the possible site of the Colossus

The route leaves the medieval city and reaches the main harbour of Rhodes Town. Here the old and new sides of the city come together. You can look across the water, watch the activity around the port, and consider the traditional location associated with the Colossus of Rhodes.

The wording matters. The tour takes you past the possible location, not to a preserved statue or a confirmed archaeological marker. The Colossus was one of the ancient world’s great monuments, but there is no standing figure greeting you at the harbour today. Your guide can add context, and this is another good place to ask questions.

For people visiting Rhodes during a short port call, the harbour stop gives useful orientation. You see how the medieval center connects with the waterfront and gain a clearer sense of where the main sights sit in relation to each other.

Windmills and the lighthouse at Mandraki

The medieval windmills are one of the most photogenic stops on the route. They offer a different view of Rhodes from the stone lanes, with open water and harbour scenery replacing walls and alleyways. The guide allows time for photographs, so have your phone ready.

The lighthouse of St. Nicholas in Mandraki Harbour is another strong visual stop. It marks the edge of the harbour and gives the outing a clear sense of place. This section is less about secret passages and more about seeing Rhodes from the water’s edge.

The stops are brief enough to keep the tour moving, but not so rushed that you cannot take a picture. If you want a detailed architectural talk at each landmark, your experience may depend on the guide and on how many questions you ask.

The newer city and the main beach

The tour continues into the newer part of Rhodes Town, including the main city beach. This is valuable because many old-town outings never get beyond the walls. You see the modern seaside side of Rhodes, its open routes, and the contrast with the enclosed medieval streets.

The beach stop also gives you a break from the visual density of the old city. You have room to look out, take photos, and understand how the city functions as a seaside destination, not only as a historic center.

One important qualification: the newer city section may feel shorter than expected. A three-hour route has a lot to cover, and one visitor felt that the new city amounted mainly to the beachfront. If the modern city is your chief interest, ask the guide at the start how much time is planned there.

Photos, equipment, and what to bring

The operator provides the helmet, Segway, small bag, and bottled water. You need to bring comfortable shoes, sun protection, and a hat. Coffee and tea are not included, and there is no hotel transportation.

The photo service is a real convenience. If you have a phone or camera, you can use your own device. If not, the guide can take photographs during the route and send them to you at no extra charge. Guides have taken pictures at several landmarks, so you are not forced to choose between enjoying the ride and being absent from every photograph.

Wear clothing that lets you move comfortably. You will be standing for much of the tour, and the sun can be strong. The small bag is useful for essentials, but do not treat the activity as a luggage transfer.

Price, group size, and overall value

At $102.58 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look around Rhodes. You are paying for the equipment, instruction, guide, a three-hour route, and the ability to cover both the old and new city without arranging transport between them.

The value improves if you have only one day in Rhodes or want a broad first look before exploring on foot. It also makes sense for families and couples who like active sightseeing but do not want a full day of walking. The free photos add a small but useful benefit.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a formal history lesson. The quality of the commentary appears to depend on the guide. Most experiences described strong instruction and helpful explanations, but one person found the historical information too thin and the tour shorter than expected.

Group size helps. The maximum is eight people, and some departures are limited to four. A small group makes practice easier, keeps the guide close, and reduces the chance of getting lost in a crowded old-town lane. It also means you may have more opportunity to request a photo stop or ask about a site.

Who should book this Rhodes tour?

I would choose this outing if you want to see a lot in three hours, enjoy trying something different, or are visiting Rhodes for a short cruise stop. It suits families with older children, couples, and first-time Segway users who are willing to listen during the safety briefing.

It is also a good fit if you have already visited Rhodes and want to find side streets you missed on earlier trips. One repeat visitor discovered streets that had gone unnoticed after 17 years of visiting the island.

I would be more cautious if you dislike balancing equipment, have difficulty standing for an extended period, or want a detailed lecture on every medieval building. The stated requirement is moderate physical fitness, and the tour is still an active outing despite the motor.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The experience is offered in English.

Should you book the three-hour Segway tour?

Book it if your priority is efficient sightseeing with a playful edge. You will reach the moat, medieval lanes, harbour, windmills, lighthouse, and beach in one outing, with training and safety equipment included.

Skip it if you want a slow, formal history walk or prefer to set your own pace. For the best result, arrive ready with sunscreen and comfortable shoes, ask the guide for more historical detail, and confirm how much time the route will spend in the newer city. For most visitors who want a broad, active introduction to Rhodes Town, the Segway is a smart use of three hours.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes Segway tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Ippodamou 37 in Rhodes, near the old Hammam baths at Arionos Square in the medieval city.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off included?

No. You must make your own way to the meeting point, and hotel transportation is not included.

What sights are included?

The route includes the medieval old city, narrow streets, the moat, the main harbour, the possible site of the Colossus of Rhodes, the medieval windmills, St. Nicholas Lighthouse, Mandraki Harbour, and the main city beach.

Is Segway training provided?

Yes. The tour includes an orientation session, training, and a demonstration of the Segway safety features before the ride begins.

What equipment is included?

The experience includes the Segway, a helmet, a small bag, and a bottle of water. Two-wheel Segways and Mia Dynamic four-wheel vehicles are used.

Can the guide take photos?

Yes. You may ask the guide to take photos during the tour. If you do not have a camera or phone, the guide can send the photographs to you at no extra charge.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.