Is Rhodes Town Safe in December 2026?

The proximity of Rhodes to Turkey and its status as a major cruise port has established a dense commission-based shopping network in the Old Town, where guides, excursion operators, and taxi drivers earn 20-40 percent on sales at specific carpet, jewellery, and leather shops. Prices start at five to ten times the reasonable final value.

How to avoid: Decline any guide or driver offer to show you a special shop. If you want to buy carpets, jewellery, or leather goods, browse independently in the Old Town market and compare prices at multiple shops before committing.

Motorbike and ATV rental operators outside the Old Town and in the New Town quote rates and then claim pre-existing damage as new on return. The Rhodes market for rental vehicles is one of the largest in the Greek islands.

How to avoid: Photograph every surface of the vehicle before riding and send timestamped photos to yourself. Never leave your passport as a deposit. Pay by card where possible.

Restaurants inside the Rhodes Old Town walls use menus without prices or with prices significantly lower than the final bill. Cover charges, service charges, and charges for bread and meze placed on the table without being ordered are standard in tourist-facing venues.

How to avoid: Ask for a priced menu before sitting. Confirm whether any item placed on the table carries a charge. Request an itemised receipt and check it carefully before paying.

Around the Gate of Saint Paul and the main tourist entrances to the Rhodes Old Town, unlicensed guides approach cruise passengers and independent tourists offering walking tours of the medieval streets. Guides provide historically inaccurate information, add unscheduled shopping stops at commission-paying shops, and quote prices per person at the end that differ from the group rate implied at the start.

How to avoid: Book licensed tours through the Rhodes Municipal Tourist Office or through operators with Greek Ministry of Culture guide badges. Agree the price and group composition explicitly before beginning. Cruise passengers can book validated tours through the ship or at the official tour desk at the cruise terminal.

Taxis from the Rhodes cruise terminal quote flat rates to the Old Town and airport significantly above the metered fare. The terminal is a captive audience environment and drivers at the unofficial waiting areas take advantage of arriving cruise passengers.

How to avoid: Use the official metered taxi rank at the cruise terminal. Greek law requires meters. Ask your cruise line for the standard current fare before accepting any vehicle. The Old Town is a 10-minute walk from the cruise terminal — consider walking.