Rhodes: Explore the New and Medieval City on a Segway

Rhodes’ medieval center is much easier to cover on a Segway than on foot. In three hours, you glide from the Palace of the Grand Masters and Street of the Knights to the moat, Mandraki Harbor, windmills, and Saint Nicholas Lighthouse.

I like the small group, capped at six, and the patient instruction from guides such as George, Nikos, and Nico. I also like the choice of a two-wheel Segway or four-wheel Mia Dynamic. The main drawback is that you still need decent balance and basic fitness, and the ride is not suitable for anyone with mobility limitations.

Key points at a glance

• Ride through the medieval moat: See the fortifications from a route many walking tours skip.
• Choose two or four wheels: The standard Segway I2 is joined by the four-wheel Mia Dynamic for riders who want extra stability.
• Cover both sides of Rhodes Town: The route links the Old Town with Mandraki Harbor and the modern seaside.
• Small, personal groups: The maximum of six people keeps the briefing and guiding focused.
• Built-in photo stops: Your guide can take pictures and send them to you at no extra charge.
• Good value for active sightseers: At $100, the tour costs more than a basic walking tour but covers more ground with equipment and guiding included.

Why a Segway works well in Rhodes Old Town

Rhodes Old Town is compact, but its medieval streets can take hours to explore. On foot, you may spend much of your time retracing the same lanes or stopping to check a map. A Segway lets you move between the major sights quickly while still leaving time for short stops and photographs.

You are not simply riding past monuments. The route includes guided stops at the Palace of the Grand Masters, Street of the Knights, Church of the Virgin of the Burgh, and other parts of the old fortifications. The guide also takes you into narrow lanes and less obvious corners before leading you out toward the sea.

That mix is the tour’s main strength. You get a quick orientation to Rhodes rather than a single-site visit, and you can return later to places that deserve more time. The experience is especially useful early in a stay, when you want to understand how the Old Town, harbor, and modern city fit together.

The ride itself is not difficult once you understand the controls. You receive an orientation and full safety briefing before leaving the office. Several people taking their first Segway ride have found that the instruction gets them moving quickly, but you should still allow a little time to become comfortable before the sightseeing begins.

Meeting the guide at Ippodamou Street

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

The group size matters here. With no more than six participants, the guide can watch how each person is riding and adjust the pace. That is more reassuring than joining a large group where beginners may feel hurried.

The staff have received particular praise for patient training and friendly guiding. George has been singled out for helping first-time riders feel at ease and for adding useful facts along the route. Nikos, also called Nico by some participants, has been praised for careful instruction and a relaxed manner. Guide names can vary by departure, but the operator is Rhodes by Segway.

You receive a helmet and use either a Segway I2 with two wheels or a Mia Dynamic with four wheels. The four-wheel option is a useful detail, not just a novelty. If balancing on a standard Segway worries you, ask about the Mia Dynamic when booking or before the ride begins.

The first ride through Rhodes Old Town

Once the briefing is finished, you begin in the medieval city. The first part gives you a broad look at the Old Town, followed by a short photo stop. This opening section helps you get used to steering, stopping, and moving around other people before the route becomes more varied.

The Old Town is the setting that makes this experience special. You pass thick walls, stone lanes, gateways, and old buildings while the guide explains what you are seeing. The Segway is quiet and compact, so it suits the narrow streets better than a larger vehicle would.

You should not expect a long, detailed lecture at every monument. The tour has a lot of ground to cover, so the guide gives short explanations at several stops. That works well if you want an overview and a sense of place, but a dedicated walking tour may suit you better if your main goal is extended historical detail.

The brief stops also give you time to take pictures without holding up the group. If you do not have a camera ready, the guide can photograph you and send the images afterward at no extra charge. That is a practical touch, especially when you are trying to control a Segway and frame a picture at the same time.

Church of the Virgin of the Burgh and the medieval moat

The Church of the Virgin of the Burgh is one of the quieter points on the route. The stop gives you a break from the larger headline monuments and brings attention to another part of the medieval city.

From there, the tour continues through the medieval moat and along the fortifications. This is one of the most unusual parts of the ride. A walking visitor can see the walls from outside, but riding through the moat gives you a different view of the scale and design of the defenses.

The moat section also shows why a Segway can be useful in Rhodes. You cover a long stretch without spending your energy on a hot walk, yet you move slowly enough to notice the walls and surrounding spaces. There is another short break for pictures and rest, which helps keep the pace comfortable.

The surface may not feel as smooth as a modern pavement, so stay attentive and follow the guide’s instructions. The tour is active, not a seated sightseeing vehicle. Comfortable shoes are required, and sunscreen is a sensible choice in the strong Greek sun.

From the medieval city to Mandraki Harbor

The route then shifts from the Old Town to Rhodes’ modern seaside area. This change gives the tour a useful rhythm. Instead of spending all three hours among stone lanes, you get open views and a feel for the city beyond its medieval walls.

At Mandraki Harbor, you have free time and a photo stop. The harbor is also where you see the windmills and the entrance area marked by the Lighthouse of Saint Nicholas. The ride along the waterfront brings in the Aegean breeze and offers a clear contrast with the enclosed streets of the Old Town.

Fort St. Nicholas is a guided sightseeing stop lasting about ten minutes. The fort and lighthouse area are especially good for photographs, although you should expect a short visit rather than a full interior tour. The route focuses on seeing several locations from the outside and understanding how they connect.

The windmills of Mandraki receive another stop, giving you time to look around and take pictures. The repeated photo breaks are helpful, but they also explain why the schedule includes many short pauses rather than one long visit. You will see a lot, but you will not have unlimited time at each place.

Street of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Masters

The return route brings you back toward the Street of the Knights. This is one of the defining streets in Rhodes Old Town, with stone buildings and a strong medieval character. Riding through it lets you connect the earlier fortification stops with the central ceremonial part of the city.

The guide spends about twenty minutes on this section. Expect commentary, sightseeing, and riding rather than a museum-style talk. You can listen while taking in the architecture, then return later if you want to examine a doorway, facade, or side lane at your own pace.

The final major stop is the Palace of the Grand Masters of the Knights of Rhodes. The palace is an imposing finish to the route, and the guide gives you time to appreciate its architecture and role in the city’s story.

The tour does not include a separate palace admission or an extended interior visit in the information provided. Think of this stop as an outside introduction unless your booking details say otherwise. If the palace is high on your list, plan a separate visit so you can see it properly rather than trying to fit everything into the Segway route.

An alternate route takes you back to the starting office. That return is useful because you see more of the city instead of simply reversing the same streets. The experience ends where it began at Rhodes by Segway.

Is $100 good value for three hours?

At $100 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Rhodes. A self-guided walk costs less, and a standard group walking tour may also be cheaper. The price makes more sense when you consider what is included: three hours, a guide in Greek or English, helmet, orientation, safety training, and use of the Segway.

You also cover the medieval center, moat, harbor, windmills, lighthouse, and palace in one outing. If you tried to link all of those areas on foot, you would spend more time walking between them and may have less energy for exploring.

I would call it good value for an active visitor who wants an overview and enjoys trying something different. The rating of 4.7 from 46 ratings reflects the tour’s strongest qualities: friendly instruction, useful coverage of Rhodes Town, and equipment that makes the ride accessible to first-time users.

Still, the value depends on your travel style. If you want a long stop inside the Palace of the Grand Masters, a slow archaeological tour, or plenty of free time at every sight, $100 may feel high. If you want to see both the old and modern city in one morning or afternoon, the cost is easier to justify.

Who should choose the four-wheel Mia Dynamic?

The regular Segway I2 uses two wheels and is likely the choice for most riders who want the classic experience. The four-wheel Mia Dynamic gives you another option if you prefer extra stability.

It is important not to treat the four-wheel model as a substitute for full mobility support. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, or anyone over 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms. All participants need a basic level of fitness.

You also cannot bring a backpack, and high-heeled shoes are not allowed. Wear comfortable, secure shoes and carry only what you need. Sunscreen belongs on your list, especially because the waterfront and open moat offer little relief from the sun.

The tour is a good fit for couples, friends, and families with participants who meet the physical requirements. The small group is also helpful if one person is nervous about learning the machine. The guide can spend time checking that everyone is ready before the group sets off.

Practical ways to enjoy the route

Arrive ready to ride rather than dressed for a formal palace visit. Comfortable shoes matter more than appearance, and a smaller personal item is better than a backpack.

Listen closely during the safety briefing. The first few minutes are not wasted time. They determine how relaxed you will feel during the narrow-street sections and help the guide keep the group together.

Keep your camera accessible, but do not let it distract you while riding. The guide plans regular photo stops and can take pictures for you. That lets you enjoy the route instead of trying to steer and photograph at the same time.

If you are new to Segways, say so at the start. First-time riders have been able to learn the basics with patient help, but the guide needs to know who may require extra attention.

You should also check the start time before booking, since the activity runs for three hours and starting times vary by availability. Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Rhodes plans are still shifting.

Should you book Rhodes by Segway?

Book this tour if you want to cover a lot of Rhodes Town in three hours, enjoy a little adventure, and prefer an overview to a slow museum visit. The best reasons are the medieval moat, the link between the Old Town and Mandraki Harbor, and the small group with careful instruction.

Choose a walking tour instead if you dislike balance-based activities, need a fully accessible experience, or want long visits inside individual monuments. Also think twice if you dislike short stops and a fairly full route.

For most physically able visitors, this is a smart first look at Rhodes. The two-wheel and four-wheel equipment, helpful guides such as George and Nikos, and photo support remove much of the stress from trying a Segway for the first time. You will not see every detail of the city, but you will understand its shape and know exactly where to return for a closer look.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes Segway tour?

The tour lasts three hours, including the safety briefing, riding time, guided sightseeing, photo stops, and the return to the starting office.

Where does the tour meet?

The main meeting point is Rhodes by Segway at 37 Ippodamou Street. If you have difficulty finding the office, you can meet an escort at the Hamam Baths in Arionos Square.

Which languages are available?

The live tour guide speaks Greek or English.

How many people can join the group?

The activity is designed as a small group and is capped at six participants to keep the experience personal.

Are two-wheel and four-wheel Segways available?

Yes. You can use a two-wheel Segway I2 or a four-wheel Mia Dynamic, depending on availability and your preference.

What does the tour include?

The price includes the Segway, helmet, orientation session, and full safety briefing. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, but they can be arranged upon request.

Who should not take this activity?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or people weighing more than 264 pounds, or 120 kilograms. Participants should have a basic level of fitness. Comfortable shoes and sunscreen are recommended, while high heels and backpacks are not allowed.