Historic Rhodes by Car

The walled city built by the Knights of St John is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe — the Street of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Master are the set pieces.

Do not attempt to drive inside the walls. Park outside the moat near the commercial harbour or in the streets north of the walls, and walk in through one of the gates. A compact car is a genuine advantage here.

Fifteen kilometres from Rhodes Town, above the airport, Filerimos hill holds the monastery, the ruins of ancient Ialyssos and a long avenue lined with cypresses. There is a proper car park at the top, and the drive up is a pleasant series of bends.

About 35 km down the west coast, Kamiros is a full Hellenistic town laid out on a hillside above the sea — streets, houses and cisterns rather than a single monument. The west coast road there is quieter and windier than the east; if you are in a convertible, the meltemi will make itself known.

Roughly 50 km south of Rhodes Town, the acropolis sits directly above the white village and St Paul's Bay. Cars stop at the car parks on the approach — the village itself is pedestrian — so the last stretch is on foot up stepped lanes. Arrive early: both the car park and the climb are far more pleasant before the midday heat.

Old Town first thing, Filerimos late morning, lunch on the west coast, Kamiros in the afternoon — or split it, with Lindos and the south on a separate day. Attempting all four in one go on an August afternoon is how people end up remembering the queues instead of the ruins.