Rhodes: Explore the New and Medieval City on a Segway

Rhodes is made for rolling discovery. This three-hour tour links the medieval Old Town with the modern waterfront, giving you a lively way to cover more ground than walking alone. I especially like the small-group format and the chance to ride through the medieval moat, a place many visitors miss. The guides, including George and Nikos, also earn strong praise for patient instruction and careful handling of first-time riders.

I also like the choice between a two-wheel Segway and the four-wheel Mia Dynamic. That makes the activity less intimidating if you are new to Segways. The main consideration is physical: uneven streets, standing for much of three hours, and the need to control the machine mean this is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, or anyone over 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms.

Key points before you book

• You see both sides of Rhodes Town: The route joins the medieval Old City with Mandraki Harbour, windmills, and the Lighthouse of Saint Nicholas.
• The medieval moat is a real highlight: You ride beside fortifications and through a quieter part of the city that is easy to skip on foot.
• First-time riders get a proper start: An orientation session and full safety briefing come before the group sets off.
• The four-wheel Mia can feel more approachable: It offers another option if balancing on a standard two-wheel Segway sounds daunting.
• The group is kept small: The information gives a limit of eight in one place and a maximum of six in another, so confirm the exact cap when booking.
• The price is $100 per person: For three hours with equipment, a guide, and photo stops, it is fair value if you want both sightseeing and a hands-on activity.

Starting at 37 Ippodamou Street

You meet at the Rhodes by Segway office at 37 Ippodamou Street in the Old Town. If you have trouble finding it, go 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.

That backup meeting point is useful because the Old Town is a maze of narrow lanes. Give yourself enough time to find the office without rushing into your safety briefing. The tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off as standard, although this can be arranged on request.

Wear comfortable shoes and sunscreen. High heels are not allowed, and backpacks are not allowed, so pack lightly. A small camera or phone is useful, though the guide can take photos of you and send them afterward at no extra charge.

Learning to ride before the Old Town route

The tour begins with an orientation and full safety briefing. This matters, especially if you have never used a Segway. George and Nikos have both been praised for giving clear instructions and waiting until riders feel comfortable before setting off.

The two-wheel Segway I2 responds to your body movements. You lean forward to move and shift your weight to slow or stop. That may sound simple, but a few minutes of practice can make a big difference when you are moving through historic streets.

The four-wheel Mia Dynamic gives you another choice. Alison, who selected the Mia, found it the better option for her, and that is useful advice if balance is a concern. You still need a basic level of fitness and control, but the four-wheel design may feel steadier for some riders.

The equipment includes the Segway, helmet, and training session. The group size is designed to remain intimate, though the supplied details give two different limits: one says eight participants, while the more specific booking note says a maximum of six. Ask for the current number if having a very small group matters to you.

Old Town walls, narrow alleys, and the Church of the Virgin of the Burgh

Once you are ready, the guide leads you into Rhodes Old Town. The advantage of a Segway appears quickly. You can cover several areas in one outing without spending the whole morning on foot, though you will still stop often to look, listen, and take photos.

The Old Town is not simply a collection of major monuments. Its appeal comes from the mix of broad lanes, tight alleys, stone walls, and small corners that appear between the better-known sights. A Segway lets you move from one area to another with less effort, but it is not a race. You need to follow the guide closely and watch the path around you.

The Church of the Virgin of the Burgh is one of the stops along the way. The church is a reminder that the Old Town has layers of religious, military, and civic history packed into a relatively small area. You get about 15 minutes here for guided sightseeing and riding, enough to understand its place without turning the tour into a long lecture.

The guide also points out lesser-known spots. The exact route can vary, but the aim is to show more than the standard postcard views. Frequent pauses help you take in the buildings and give your legs a break.

The medieval moat and fortifications

The medieval moat is one of the tour’s most unusual features. It gives you a different view of Rhodes’ defensive design, with the city walls and fortifications rising around the route.

This section is valuable because the moat is easy to miss if you simply walk from the harbor to the Palace of the Grand Masters. It also changes the rhythm of the tour. After narrow streets and busy sightseeing areas, the moat offers a more open route and a strong sense of the scale of the old defenses.

You should still expect an active ride rather than a passive sightseeing vehicle. You are standing, steering, and paying attention to the surface for much of the tour. The guide schedules short stops for rest and water, which one participant specifically appreciated. In warm weather, those pauses are more than a convenience. They help keep the three-hour ride comfortable.

Mandraki Harbour and the Lighthouse of Saint Nicholas

The route then moves toward Rhodes’ modern seaside area. This is where the tour broadens beyond the medieval center. You feel the Aegean breeze, ride past the famous windmills, and reach the Lighthouse of Saint Nicholas at the entrance to Mandraki Harbour.

Fort St. Nicholas is listed as a guided sightseeing stop of about 10 minutes. The lighthouse and harbor area provide some of the tour’s best photo opportunities because the setting opens up after the enclosed Old Town streets.

Mandraki Harbour is given about 10 minutes for a break, photos, and free time. That may not sound long, but it is enough to pause, take in the waterfront, and let the guide photograph you if you do not have a camera ready. The windmills are another short photo stop, also around 10 minutes.

I like this contrast between the old city and the harbor. You are not spending three hours circling the same medieval streets. The route shows how Rhodes functions as a modern seaside city as well as a fortified historic center.

The Street of the Knights and Palace of the Grand Masters

The Street of the Knights is one of the tour’s main historic stops, with around 20 minutes of guided sightseeing. Its stone buildings and sloping route create one of the most memorable scenes in the Old Town.

A Segway can make this stretch easier than walking, but you should not expect to glide through without stopping. The guide pauses to explain what you are seeing and to let the group take photos. That balance is important. Without the commentary, the street can become just another attractive stone lane. With context, its role in the medieval city becomes easier to understand.

The Palace of the Grand Masters of the Knights of Rhodes receives about 30 minutes. This is the longest individual sightseeing stop and a fitting high point to the historic portion of the ride. The building’s scale and fortress-like appearance show why it dominates the Old Town.

The tour is focused on seeing and learning from the outside rather than promising an interior visit. If you want to explore the palace rooms and museum collections, plan separate time for that. The Segway tour gives you a strong orientation to the monument and its setting, but it does not replace a dedicated palace visit.

The group then follows an alternate route back to the office. That return path is useful because it adds more of the city instead of simply repeating the outward journey.

What the three hours feel like

The planned stops add up to a full half-day experience. You have guided sections at the Old Town, Church of the Virgin of the Burgh, medieval sites, Street of the Knights, and palace, along with short photo and rest breaks at the harbor and windmills.

The tour’s pace appears to be one of its strengths. You are active, but not rushed from one monument to the next. Guides such as George and Nikos have been praised for making beginners feel safe, offering local facts, and stopping for photos.

Still, three hours on a Segway requires more energy than three hours in a bus. You need to remain alert and upright. Basic fitness is required, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The activity is also not suitable during pregnancy or for anyone above the stated 264-pound, or 120-kilogram, limit.

The weather matters, too. Sunscreen is specifically recommended, and Rhodes can feel exposed around the harbor. Comfortable footwear helps with getting on and off the equipment and with any short walking sections.

Is $100 a fair price?

At $100 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Rhodes. You can walk around the Old Town for free, then visit the harbor on your own. For some visitors, that will be the better choice, especially if they prefer a slow pace or want to spend hours inside the palace and other monuments.

The value here comes from combining several benefits:

• You receive three hours with a live Greek or English-speaking guide.
• The Segway and helmet are included.
• You get an orientation and safety briefing.
• You cover both the medieval center and the modern harbor.
• The small group allows more direct help and easier photo stops.
• The guide can take photos and send them later at no extra charge.
• You avoid spending the whole route walking between separate sights.

That makes the price reasonable for an active introduction to Rhodes, particularly if you have limited time in town. It is also a good fit for a cruise stop or a first morning in Rhodes when you want to learn the layout before exploring on your own.

The value drops if your main goal is a long, detailed visit inside the Palace of the Grand Masters. In that case, you may prefer a walking tour or independent visit with more time at each monument.

Who will enjoy this Rhodes tour most?

I would recommend it to first-time Segway riders who want support rather than a self-guided rental. The safety briefing, patient instruction, and small group make the learning curve less stressful.

It also suits couples, friends, and families with older children who meet the physical requirements. The ride offers enough history to give the city meaning, but enough movement and scenery to keep it from feeling like a three-hour classroom.

This may not suit you if you dislike standing activities, want a very slow walking pace, or plan to carry a large bag. Backpacks are not allowed, and high heels cannot be worn.

It is also not the right choice if you need step-free mobility support. The tour requires riders to operate the equipment and have a basic level of fitness.

My practical verdict

The strongest part of this experience is the combination of fun transport and useful orientation. You see the Church of the Virgin of the Burgh, medieval moat, Street of the Knights, Palace of the Grand Masters, Fort St. Nicholas, Mandraki Harbour, windmills, and the Lighthouse of Saint Nicholas in one well-packed outing.

I also value the human side of the tour. First-time riders have found George and Nikos patient and reassuring, while the photo help removes one small worry from the day. The four-wheel Mia gives less confident riders another option, though you should still expect an active ride.

Book it if you want to see a lot of Rhodes in three hours and enjoy learning a new way to move around. Skip it if you want long interior visits, a quiet stroll, or an activity that asks little of your balance and stamina. At $100, it makes the most sense for you when time is limited and you want the Old Town and harbor in the same package.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes Segway tour?

The tour lasts three hours, including instruction, guided sightseeing, photo stops, breaks, and the return to the starting point.

Where does the tour meet?

The main 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 lead you to the office.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Greek and English.

How many people are in the group?

The activity is described as a small-group tour. One detail gives a limit of eight participants, while the specific booking information says it is capped at six for a more personal experience. Confirm the current group limit when you book.

Is equipment provided?

Yes. The tour includes a Segway I2 two-wheel model or a Mia Dynamic four-wheel model, along with a helmet, orientation session, and full safety briefing.

What should I bring?

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

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, so you can hold a place without paying immediately.