Greece: Rhodes – Historic Old Town

Our visit to the historic centre of Rhodes Old Town was nothing short of enchanting. As we passed through the imposing medieval walls, it felt as though we had stepped back in time. The Old Town of Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, with its cobbled streets, ancient buildings, and rich history woven into every corner.

We began our exploration at the Palace of the Grand Master, an awe-inspiring fortress that once served as the headquarters of the Knights of St. John. Walking through its grand halls adorned with intricate mosaics and historical artefacts, we were transported to an era of knights and chivalry. The view from the palace offered a breathtaking panorama of the town and the sea beyond.

From there, we wandered down the Street of the Knights, one of the most famous medieval streets in the world. Lined with old inns that once housed knights from different nations, this cobbled pathway exuded an air of mystery and grandeur. Each building told a story of the past, with well-preserved architectural details that made us feel as though we were walking alongside the knights of old.

The lively atmosphere of Socrates Street drew us next, where charming shops sold everything from local handicrafts to Byzantine-inspired jewellery.

As we walked, I noticed a fish spa, one of those places where you put your feet into a tank of fish that nibble at your feet. We’ve done this before, but Emily has not. Also, Karen is always nagging me about the state of my feet, so this seemed like a great opportunity to do something about it! It was a small and quite dingy place run by a rather charming older gentleman. I must be careful of using this phrase too much as I probably fall into that category myself nowadays.

The man was super friendly which was necessary to overcome Emily’s reticence of putting her feet into a tank of flesh-eating fish. But eventually, she gave in. On the wall he had pictures of military aircraft that piqued my interest, so I asked him if he served in the military – which he had – but the pictures were there because one of his sons is a pilot in the Greek Airforce. Overall, we had a lovely time and our feet felt great afterwards.

Another highlight of our visit was the medieval clock tower, which offered a stunning panoramic view of the Old Town. Climbing to the top was well worth the effort, as we were rewarded with a spectacular sight of red-roofed buildings, winding alleyways, and the glistening Aegean Sea.