Car Hire Rhodes Airport — Gateway to Europe's Largest Medieval Town

Rent a car at Rhodes International Airport (Diagoras Airport - RHO) and discover the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe—UNESCO-listed Rhodes Old Town with 4 km of medieval walls. Greece's busiest island airport (220,000+ flights annually) connects you to 3,000 years of continuous history: ancient Greek temples, medieval Crusader fortresses, Ottoman mosques, and Italian Art Deco architecture.

Choose from economy cars, convertibles, and SUVs starting from €38 per day. With free airport delivery, unlimited island mileage, and 24/7 support, Finalrentals makes exploring Rhodes' legendary Colossus site, ancient Lindos Acropolis (50 km), Valley of Butterflies, and Seven Springs effortless.

Drive 20 minutes to the Medieval City UNESCO site, 50 km to Lindos Acropolis village, or explore Greek island hopping to nearby Symi, Kos, and Kastellorizo. Rhodes combines ancient ruins with pristine beaches—car rental essential for exploring 1,400 km² island.

AT-A-GLANCE INFO

Why Rent a Car at Rhodes Airport?

Rhodes International Airport (official name: Diagoras Airport) is strategically located 16 km southwest of Rhodes Town, serving as Greece's busiest island airport with over 220,000 flights annually. The airport opened in 1977 (replacing the old Maritsa airport) and was modernized in 2023 with expanded terminals, duty-free shopping, and improved car rental facilities.

Here's why renting from Finalrentals at Rhodes Airport is essential:

• Europe's Largest Medieval Town: Rhodes Old Town is a double UNESCO World Heritage Site—the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe with 6,000+ residents living within 4 km of fortified walls built by Knights of St. John (1309-1522).

• Colossus of Rhodes Site: One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World stood in Mandraki Harbor (280-226 BC). The 30-meter bronze statue straddled the harbor entrance before earthquake destruction. Site visit: 20 minutes from airport.

• 3,000 Years of History: Rhodes has been continuously inhabited since prehistoric times—ancient Greek city-states (Lindos, Ialyssos, Kamiros), Hellenistic period, Roman rule, Byzantine era, Knights of St. John, Ottoman Empire (1522-1912), Italian colonization (1912-1943), then Greece.

• Strategic Island Position: Rhodes is the largest Dodecanese island (1,400 km²), positioned 18 km from Turkey. Crossroads of civilizations for 3 millennia.

• Car Rental Essential: Public buses unreliable for Lindos (50 km), Valley of Butterflies (25 km), ancient Kamiros (40 km). Taxis expensive (€60-80 round trips). Island exploration requires vehicle.

How to Collect Your Car at Rhodes Airport

Step 1 — Book Online

Visit finalrentals.gr and select 'Rhodes International Airport' as pickup. Choose dates, vehicle class, extras (GPS, child seat, additional driver). Instant confirmation via email with voucher.

Step 2 — Meet at Arrivals Terminal

After baggage claim, exit to Arrivals Hall. Our desk is in the main terminal near car rental zone. Present: driving licence (held 1+ year), passport, credit card, booking voucher. Paperwork takes 5-10 minutes.

Step 3 — Start Your Rhodes Adventure

Collect keys, inspect vehicle, receive local maps. Medieval City is 25 min. Lindos is 50 min south. Read Local Driving Laws Greece before departure.

Our Rhodes Car Hire Fleet

Top Attractions from Rhodes Airport

Medieval City of Rhodes (18 km, 25 min):

• Palace of Grand Master — 14th-century fortress, 158 rooms, Byzantine mosaics, Knights' headquarters (1309-1522)

• Street of Knights — Europe's best-preserved medieval street. Seven 'Inns' (lodges) representing Crusader nations: France, Spain, Italy, England, Provence, Auvergne, Germany

• Archaeological Museum — Housed in Knights' Hospital (15th century). Hellenistic & Roman sculptures including Aphrodite of Rhodes

• Suleiman Mosque — Ottoman architecture (1522), minaret, Turkish baths (hamam)

• Jewish Quarter — Kahal Shalom Synagogue (1577), oldest in Greece, Holocaust memorial

• Parking: €1-2/hour outside walls. Old Town pedestrian-only (6,000+ residents inside walls).

Mandraki Harbor & Colossus Site (16 km, 20 min):

• Colossus of Rhodes — One of Seven Wonders of Ancient World. 30m bronze statue stood here 280-226 BC (destroyed by earthquake). Deer statues mark probable location.

• Windmills — Three medieval windmills on harbor breakwater, Rhodes landmark

• Fort of St. Nicholas — 15th-century fortress guarding harbor entrance, lighthouse

• Casino Rodos — Art Deco building (1927), Italian architecture

Lindos & Ancient Acropolis (50 km, 50 min south):

• Lindos Acropolis — Ancient temple atop 116m cliff. 4th-century BC Temple of Athena Lindia, Hellenistic stoa, Byzantine church, Knights' castle

• St. Paul's Bay — Apostle Paul landed 51 AD. Turquoise waters, cliff-surrounded cove

• Lindos Village — White-washed captain's houses, cobblestone streets, donkey rides to Acropolis (traditional transport)

• Parking: €10/day in village lot. 15-minute uphill walk to Acropolis (or €6 donkey ride).

Ancient Cities & Ruins:

• Ancient Kamiros (40 km, 45 min west) — 'Pompeii of Rhodes.' Doric city founded 8th century BC. Intact agora, temple, houses, cistern system. €6 entry.

• Ancient Ialyssos (Filerimos Hill, 20 km, 25 min) — Acropolis ruins, 4th-century BC Athena temple, Byzantine monastery, Italian chapel. Peacocks roam freely. Panoramic views.

• Asklepieion (Ancient Healing Temple, 25 km) — Ruins of ancient hospital, dedicated to god of medicine

Natural Wonders:

• Valley of Butterflies / Petaloudes (25 km, 30 min west) — June-September migration of thousands of Jersey Tiger moths. Walk wooden bridges through green canyon. €5 entry. Best: July-August, early morning (cooler temps, active moths).

• Seven Springs / Epta Piges (30 km, 35 min south) — Natural oasis, pine forest, peacocks, freshwater streams, narrow tunnel (145m long, knee-deep water). Free entry, taverna.

• Prasoni si (90 km, 90 min south) — Where Aegean Sea meets Mediterranean. Two beaches connected by sand spit. Kitesurfing & windsurfing paradise (strong winds). Remote, pristine.

• Anthony Quinn Bay (4 km from Lindos) — Named after actor (filmed Guns of Navarone here). Emerald waters, snorkeling, rocky cove.

Beaches:

• Tsambika Beach (35 km, 40 min) — Golden sand, shallow waters, family-friendly. Monastery on hilltop (legend: childless women pray for fertility).

• Faliraki Beach (18 km, 22 min) — 5 km sandy beach, water sports, nightlife. Popular with young travelers.

• Kalithea Springs (12 km, 18 min) — Former thermal baths, Italian Art Deco architecture (1929), rocky coves, snorkeling.

Driving in Rhodes

Essential Driving Info:

• Drive on RIGHT (Continental European system)

• Speed limits: 50 km/h urban | 90 km/h rural | 110 km/h coastal highway

• Main Route: West coast road (Rhodes Town to Lindos) well-maintained, scenic

• Mountain Roads: To Kamiros, interior villages—narrower, winding. Drive carefully.

• Parking: Free at most beaches. Old Town: €1-2/hour outside walls. Lindos: €10/day village lot.

• Petrol Stations: Plentiful in Rhodes Town, Faliraki, Lindos. Less frequent in west/interior.

• Summer Traffic: July-August congested near Lindos (afternoons). Visit early morning or late evening.

Read Safe Driving Tips Greece

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Can I visit the Colossus of Rhodes?

A: Original Colossus (one of Seven Wonders) destroyed by earthquake 226 BC. The 30-meter bronze statue stood in Mandraki Harbor for only 54 years (280-226 BC). Site visit possible—deer statues mark probable location where statue straddled harbor entrance. No physical remains visible. Archaeological Museum has historical exhibits. Rhodes History Guide

Q: How long to visit Medieval City?

A: Minimum 3-4 hours for highlights (Palace of Grand Master, Street of Knights, Archaeological Museum). Full day recommended to explore narrow streets, museums, walk walls. 6,000+ residents live inside walls—it's a living medieval town, not open-air museum. Arrive early (before 10am) to avoid cruise ship crowds.

Q: Best time to visit Valley of Butterflies?

A: June-September when Jersey Tiger moths migrate. Peak population: July-August (hottest months). Best viewing: Early morning (8-10am) when temperatures cooler and moths active. Afternoon heat makes moths dormant. €5 entry. 25 km from airport, 30 min drive. Visit weekdays (less crowded).

Q: Is Lindos worth the drive?

A: Absolutely. Lindos is Rhodes' second-most important archaeological site after Medieval City. Ancient Acropolis (4th-century BC Temple of Athena) rivals Athens Parthenon for dramatic clifftop setting. White-washed village below is Greece's most picturesque. St. Paul's Bay turquoise waters perfect for swimming. 50 km south, 50 min drive. Arrive before 10am or after 4pm (cruise ship crowds mid-day). Parking €10.

Q: Can I island hop from Rhodes?

A: Yes. Rhodes is perfect base for Dodecanese island hopping. Ferry connections: Symi (50 min, €20), Kos (2 hrs, €30), Kastellorizo (3 hrs), Patmos, Leros. Some ferries allow cars (advance booking required, expensive). Most travelers island-hop without car, rent new car at each island. Island Hopping Guide

Q: One-way rentals available?

A: Yes. Pick up Rhodes Airport, drop off Athens Airport or Heraklion Crete Airport (requires ferry). One-way fee applies (€50-100 depending on destination). Request at booking.

Q: What's included in rental price?

A: Base price includes: Third Party Liability insurance, unlimited mileage (explore entire island freely), airport delivery, 24/7 roadside assistance, taxes. Optional extras: Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), GPS navigation (€5/day), child seats (€8/day), additional driver (€5/day). Insurance Guide

CONTACT INFORMATION

Business: Finalrentals Greece — Rhodes International Airport

Airport: Diagoras Airport (RHO), 16 km from Rhodes Town

Email: bookings@finalrentals.com

Website: finalrentals.gr

More Rhodes Resources:

• Complete Guide to Rhodes

• Ancient Ruins to Modern Wonders

• Plan a Trip to Greece