Rhodes: Hop-on Hop-off Bus and Submarine Tour

The best part of this Rhodes outing is the change of viewpoint. From the bus, you see the city’s walls, hills, harbor, and main sights from above. Then the Poseidon Submarine gives you a glass-level look at fish and the seabed, without taking you fully underwater.

I like the practical combination of city orientation and harbor scenery, especially if you are new to Rhodes. I also like that the submarine stays above sea level while its viewing hull sits 2.5 meters below the surface, making it suitable for adults and children who do not want a conventional boat trip. The main drawback is timing: buses may run about once an hour, so hopping off can mean a long wait.

Key points to know before you go

• The Poseidon Submarine is a boat with an underwater viewing hull, not a vessel that travels fully beneath the surface.
• Mandraki Harbor is the submarine departure point, close to Rhodes Old Town and the city’s main harbor sights.
• The bus route links major city areas, including Monte Smith, the Old Town, the Aquarium, Town Hall, and the New Marina.
• The clearest marine-life moment comes when a scuba diver feeds the fish beside the underwater windows.
• Audio commentary is offered in nine languages, though some headphone sockets have not always worked.
• You pay $41 per person for a full day of two different experiences, with free WiFi and underwater photos included.

A useful first look at Rhodes from the upper deck

Rhodes City can feel spread out when you first arrive. The Old Town, Mandraki Harbor, Monte Smith, the Aquarium, and the western seafront are all within the same urban area, but walking between every point takes time and energy.

The hop-on hop-off bus gives you a quick outline before you decide where to spend more time. I find this especially useful on a first visit, or when you have only a day in port. Sit upstairs for the best broad views, then use the route to choose which places deserve a longer stop.

The bus has advertised stops at the Acropolis of Rhodes and Monte Smith, San Francisco, New Marina, Tourist Harbor, Old Town of Rhodes, Rhodes City Center, Town Hall, Psaropoula Square by the Diagoras Statue, the Aquarium, Rhodes Horizon at Kato Petres, and the Grand Hotel on the west beachside. The supplied information describes 12 stations, although only these named stops are listed, so check the route map when you board.

The route is more useful as an introduction than as a full guided visit. You will pass historic areas and hear background information, but you will not get extended time at each monument from the bus itself. If you want to see the Palace of the Grand Master, the Street of the Knights, or the Acropolis in detail, you need to get off and explore on foot.

What each bus stop adds to the day

Acropolis of Rhodes and Monte Smith

This is one of the most worthwhile stops for views. The high ground gives you a broad look over Rhodes City and the surrounding sea, and the area connects with the ancient side of the city’s story.

The bus is useful here because it removes the need to make your own way uphill from the center. If you get off for photographs, allow plenty of time before the next bus. A one-hour wait can change this from a quick photo stop into a major part of your day.

San Francisco and the city approach

The San Francisco stop helps connect the historic center with the newer parts of Rhodes City. It is not likely to be your main sightseeing stop, but it can be handy if your accommodation or walking route is nearby.

The value here is simple: you can use the bus as local transport while still hearing the recorded commentary. Just test your audio socket early. Several people have found that only some headphone outlets worked, and one bus was effectively just a ride around town when the commentary failed.

New Marina and Tourist Harbor

These stops show a different side of Rhodes from the medieval streets. You get harbor views, boats, and an easier sense of how the modern city meets the water.

They also help you plan the submarine portion. Mandraki Harbor is the key meeting area, but the submarine kiosk can be hard to identify in a busy harbor. Look for the Captain’s Tours or Poseidon Submarine signage rather than assuming the nearest boat is the right one.

Old Town of Rhodes

This is the essential hop-off point. Rhodes Old Town is enclosed by formidable medieval walls and is best explored at walking speed, not from a bus window.

Use the ride to get your bearings, then leave yourself time to wander through the lanes and squares. The bus commentary can introduce the city’s past, but the Old Town rewards your own unhurried look at its stone streets, defensive walls, and historic buildings.

Do not treat the bus as a replacement for the Old Town visit. It is the useful first chapter, not the whole book.

Rhodes City Center and Town Hall

These central stops make sense if you want shops, cafés, or a convenient place to rejoin the route. Town Hall is also a practical reference point when you are finding your way through the center.

The bus helps you cover ground, but the schedule matters. If you leave the bus in the center, check when the next one is due before you start walking. A short stop can turn into a long pause if you miss the next departure.

Psaropoula Square and the Diagoras Statue

This stop puts you near the western side of the city, with access to the seafront and open views. It is a good place to break up the historical sightseeing with some air and water.

The attraction here is not a single must-see monument. It is the change in setting, from fortified old streets to the broad coastal edge of Rhodes.

Aquarium and Rhodes Horizon at Kato Petres

The Aquarium stop is useful for families and anyone interested in marine life before taking the submarine ride. It also gives the day a clear theme: city history above ground, sea life below the waterline.

Rhodes Horizon at Kato Petres offers another coastal viewpoint. The route gives you access to this part of the shore without arranging separate transport, though the same waiting-time warning applies if you hop off.

Grand Hotel and the west beachside

The Grand Hotel stop connects the route with the west beachside and the resort area. It can be convenient if you are staying nearby or want to see the city’s seafront hotels and beaches.

The bus is at its best on this outer circuit because it links areas that would otherwise require more walking. It is less useful if you plan to remain inside the Old Town all day.

The Poseidon Submarine at Mandraki Harbor

The submarine cruise is the stronger half of this package for many people. The Poseidon is designed as a comfortable sightseeing vessel, not an adventurous underwater expedition.

The boat remains above sea level at all times. Its underwater observatory sits 2.5 meters below the surface, where you look through your own viewing window. You can stay in the cabin to watch the fish, then go out onto the deck whenever you want.

That arrangement matters. You get the novelty of an underwater view without the cramped conditions or technical demands of a true submarine ride. It also means you can step outside for views of the Old Town walls, the windmills, and the calm water around Mandraki Harbor.

The clearest highlight is the scuba diver feeding the fish near the viewing area. This draws the marine life close to the windows and gives children a reason to stay focused on the water. The sea can be clear enough to see fish well, although you should keep your expectations sensible. This is a short harbor viewing trip, not a full reef excursion.

One useful detail is the free underwater photos taken by the diver. They add value to the $41 price and save you from trying to photograph through glass with reflections and moving water.

There is a bar on board, but drinks cost extra. Food and personal expenses are not included, so bring your own plan for snacks and water. The boat itself is wheelchair accessible according to the activity information.

Audio guides, comfort, and what can go wrong

The bus audio guide is available in Greek, English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, Turkish, and Hebrew. That range makes the tour accessible to a wide audience, and it lets you hear useful background while riding between stops.

Still, the equipment is not perfect every time. Some headphone sockets have failed, and at least one bus had a working outlet in only one of four seats. I would test the audio before settling in. If your socket does not work, ask the staff promptly rather than waiting until the route is nearly over.

The submarine includes an English audio guide. Commentary begins around the harbor and adds context as the boat moves away from Mandraki. Music can sometimes compete with the spoken information, so the experience is more visual than lecture-based.

Free WiFi is included on the tour. It is a minor benefit, but useful if you need to check a map, message your accommodation, or confirm your next stop.

The bus and submarine are both described as new or brand new in the tour information. In practical terms, that suggests a modern presentation, but the real quality of the day depends more on the schedule, working audio equipment, and clear directions at the harbor.

How to plan the one-day combination

You can use the bus and submarine on the same day, or use them on different days. The activity is valid for one day from first activation, yet the information also says the two parts may be used on different days. Because those statements can affect your plans, confirm the exact validity arrangement at booking if you want to split the activities.

For a same-day visit, I would use the bus first. Ride enough of the route to understand the city, then hop off at the Old Town or another stop that fits your priorities. Later, make your way to Mandraki Harbor for the submarine.

Do not leave the submarine until the final minutes of your day. The harbor meeting point can be busy, and the correct kiosk or boat may not be obvious. Give yourself time to find the departure point and ask staff to confirm that you are in the right place.

If your main interest is Rhodes Old Town, start there after a short orientation ride. If your children are most excited by fish, make the submarine the fixed part of the day and build the bus around its departure time.

The bus may operate hourly, according to practical feedback from the tour. That makes a printed or photographed timetable important. A hop-on hop-off ticket sounds fully flexible, but flexibility is limited when the next bus is an hour away.

Is $41 good value?

At $41 per person, the price is reasonable if you will use both components. You are paying for city transport with commentary, the submarine cruise, WiFi, and underwater photos. Families may find the combination particularly useful because the bus provides a break from walking and the fish-viewing section gives children a clear focus.

The value drops if you only want a short boat trip. Several aspects of the submarine are simple: the underwater hull is shallow, the cruise is brief, and you spend part of the time on deck or looking across the harbor. If that is all you plan to use, a dedicated boat option might suit you better, though no alternative price is provided here.

The bus also has limits. It covers the main sights, but it does not give you long guided visits. If you are comfortable walking and using local transport, you may prefer to explore Rhodes City independently.

I see the best value for first-time visitors, cruise passengers, families, and anyone who wants a low-effort city overview. It is less compelling for repeat visitors who already know Rhodes and want a detailed archaeological or medieval tour.

Who should book this Rhodes tour?

I would choose this experience if you want variety without arranging two separate activities. The bus gives you a broad introduction, while the submarine offers something different from the usual city sightseeing.

It suits families well. The vessel is safe and above the surface, the underwater windows are easy to understand, and the fish-feeding moment gives children a memorable feature. Older visitors may also appreciate the chance to see the city without walking between every district.

You should think twice if your priority is detailed historical interpretation. The audio guide provides background, but the bus cannot replace a specialist walking tour through the Old Town. You should also think twice if waiting an hour for a bus would frustrate you.

The experience works best when you treat it as an orientation and a short marine-life outing, not as a complete Rhodes sightseeing program.

Practical booking advice

The meeting point is Mandraki Harbor for the submarine, or any of the listed bus stops. Since the harbor can be crowded, confirm the boat and kiosk before departure. Clear identification has been a real issue, so do not simply board the first vessel that looks similar.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your island schedule is still shifting.

The tour is wheelchair accessible. Food and drinks are not included, and the submarine bar charges separately. Bring headphones if you have them, but still check whether the bus equipment works with the supplied system.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want an easy first look at Rhodes City plus a family-friendly harbor experience. The submarine is the main reason to choose this package, especially for the clear water, fish-feeding display, deck views, and free underwater photos.

Skip it if you need a detailed historical tour, guaranteed frequent buses, or a long underwater cruise. For most first-time visitors with one free day, $41 is fair provided you use both parts and plan around the bus schedule.

FAQ

Where does the submarine tour depart from?

The Poseidon Submarine departs from Mandraki Harbor in central Rhodes.

Can I board the bus at a stop instead of Mandraki Harbor?

Yes. The meeting point can be Mandraki Harbor or any of the listed bus stops.

How long is the ticket valid?

The activity is valid for one day from first activation.

Can I use the bus and submarine on different days?

The activity information says you can use the bus tour and submarine cruise on the same day or on different days. Since the ticket is also described as valid for one day from first activation, confirm the exact arrangement when booking.

What languages are available on the bus audio guide?

The bus audio guide is available in Greek, English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, Turkish, and Hebrew.

What language is available on the submarine?

The submarine audio guide is available in English.

Does the submarine go fully underwater?

No. The vessel remains above sea level, while its underwater observatory sits 2.5 meters below the surface.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are available from the bar on the submarine but are not included in the price. Food and personal expenses are also excluded.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity information describes the tour as wheelchair accessible.