Medieval Adventures: Family-Friendly Guide to Rhodes Old Town with Kids

Rhodes Old Town presents a fascinating labyrinth of cobblestone streets and medieval architecture that can be both enchanting and overwhelming, especially with children in tow. During my week-long exploration, I discovered that breaking the walled city into manageable sections made for much happier young travelers.

Start at the Palace of the Grand Master in the morning when temperatures are cooler and energy levels are high. This imposing fortress offers the perfect introduction to medieval architecture with its massive stone walls and impressive towers. Children will be captivated by the moat (sadly waterless, but perfect for imaginative play) and the enormous cannonballs scattered throughout. The interior courtyard provides welcome shade and space for kids to move around while adults appreciate the architectural details.

For navigation, I found that a good travel guidebook was invaluable despite the abundance of digital resources. Something about physically marking our path through these historic streets felt appropriately medieval, and the kids loved taking turns as 'navigators' with their own map copies.

The Street of the Knights (Ippoton) represents one of the best-preserved medieval streets in Europe—a fact I couldn't help but appreciate from both historical and architectural perspectives. This straight, cobbled thoroughfare once housed knights from different European countries, each section displaying distinct architectural influences that tell a fascinating story of cultural exchange.

For children, I transformed our walk into an architectural scavenger hunt, challenging my friends' kids to spot different design elements: coats of arms, distinctive doorways, and Gothic arches. We created simple sketching journals using a travel sketchbook where they could draw their favorite details, creating meaningful souvenirs of their visit.

Mid-way along the street, we discovered a small courtyard café tucked behind an ancient doorway—the perfect spot for a refreshment break while discussing which country's architectural style each child preferred. The café owner, noticing their interest, shared legends about the knights that had the children wide-eyed with wonder. These spontaneous cultural exchanges often become the most treasured memories of travel.

Rhodes Old Town offers several museums that cater surprisingly well to families with children. The Archaeological Museum housed in the former Hospital of the Knights presents its collection in a way that captivates young minds—open courtyards, mysterious staircases, and artifacts displayed at child-friendly heights.

However, the unexpected highlight for families is the interactive experience at the Rhodes Old Town Hora Museum. Unlike traditional museums, this space offers hands-on activities where children can try on replicas of medieval costumes, handle (safe) replica weapons, and participate in craft workshops. My friend's seven-year-old daughter spent nearly an hour designing her own coat of arms, incorporating elements she had observed throughout our walks.

For those inevitable moments when museum fatigue sets in, I recommend carrying a compact travel game set for quick entertainment during breaks. We found many quiet corners in museum courtyards perfect for a quick game while still surrounded by history.

Pro tip: The Museum of Modern Greek Art provides an excellent contrast to the medieval architecture and often features child-friendly workshops on weekends during summer—call ahead to reserve spaces as they fill quickly.

The culinary landscape of Rhodes Old Town offers wonderful opportunities to introduce children to Greek cuisine while accommodating pickier palates. As an architect who appreciates thoughtful spatial design, I was drawn to restaurants with courtyards where children could move around between courses—a sanity-saver for parents.

To Marouli in the Jewish Quarter became our regular dinner spot, with its garden setting and menu that balances authentic Greek dishes with child-friendly options. The owner, Yannis, made a game of introducing the children to new flavors, offering small tasting portions of local specialties alongside more familiar dishes.

For quick refreshments during day explorations, I discovered that many children adore loukoumades (Greek honey donuts) from street vendors—though I recommend carrying a travel wet wipes for the inevitable sticky fingers. The sensory experience of watching these treats being made became part of our daily routine.

Picnic opportunities abound in the Old Town's small parks and plazas. The morning market outside the walls provides perfect supplies—fresh bread, cheese, olives, and fruits—for an impromptu lunch. One afternoon, we enjoyed our market treasures in the shade of the medieval walls while sketching the architectural details that surrounded us, creating a perfect blend of culinary and cultural education.

Even the most enthusiastic young history buffs need water breaks during the warm Rhodes summer. The strategic location of the Old Town means you're never far from cooling options, which I found essential for maintaining everyone's energy and interest levels.

Elli Beach lies just a 10-minute walk from the northern edge of the Old Town walls. This organized beach offers clear, shallow waters perfect for children, with facilities that make beach days stress-free. I recommend investing in a good beach shade tent as the Greek summer sun is intense even for those of us with Mediterranean heritage. We established a rhythm of morning exploration in the Old Town followed by afternoon beach relaxation.

Within the walls themselves, several cafés have installed misting systems that provide welcome relief during hot afternoons. My favorite discovery was the courtyard of the Marco Polo Café, where children can enjoy fresh orange juice while adults appreciate excellent coffee under the cooling mist—all surrounded by 14th-century architecture.

For a unique cooling experience, the moat that surrounds the Old Town has been transformed into a linear park with shady trees and grassy areas. This green space provides a perfect contrast to the stone structures and offers children room to run while adults can appreciate the massive exterior walls from a different perspective. We spent one delightful evening here with portable travel bubbles that created magical moments as sunset illuminated the ancient stones.