Updated 16 Sep 2026 · recomputed nightly
Is September 2026 a good month to visit Rhodes?
Packed — the typical September day in Rhodes is busier than 86% of its year.
If you are coming for something that only happens in September, that is the trade. If not, January is quieter.
Calm · Lively · Busy · Packed rank a day against Rhodes's own year — not a headcount.
September 2026 is peak-season Rhodes: hot and dry, around 30°C / 87°F, and Packed on 8 of 15 days. (Our forecast covers 16–30 September — the rest of September is beyond the current window.)
It depends. The typical September day in Rhodes is Packed, and 14 of the 15 days in our window run Busy or Packed, so most days feel crowded. Expect around 30 °C by day, with rain on about 1 days. Public holidays in Germany add to it. Cruise ships call on 13 of the 15 days, 4 at once on Tuesday 29 September. For similar weather with fewer people, come in October or May. The crush is at the Street of the Knights and the near gates; the quiet is at the old town's back lanes. The calmest day is Friday 25 September, the busiest Tuesday 29 September.
In short, worth it for the peak buzz, if you can take the crowds.
Among the 12 months we forecast for Rhodes, September ranks 4th for crowd pressure. Its heaviest day is Tue 29 Sep, busier than 94% of the year; its lightest is Fri 25 Sep at 61%.
Preparing pays off in a month like this: timed-entry tickets and pre-booked tours turn the queue time into sightseeing time. see the options →
Plan around the heat — around 30°C by day.
Refilling costs nothing and saves the walk to find a shop.
See water bottles →
The one thing you wear all day, every day of the trip.
See walking shoes →
How busy is Rhodes in September?
The busiest days are the 16th, 26th, 28th and 29th, and 10 more. Away from those, most days sit Lively.
Ships call on 13 of 15 days, a typical call day carrying at least 3,260 guests between them — real, but a secondary part of the crowd here; the season moves the needle more.
The month is not one thing: its lightest day sits at 61% of the year and its heaviest at 94%, so where you land inside it matters. All three Wednesdays run Busy or Packed. Daylight runs about 12 hours.
Either side of it, October is much calmer.
The calmest days are the 18th, 20th and 25th — aim for those if your dates can flex.
Wed 16 Sep Packed busier than 89% of days here · ⚓3
- Celestyal Discovery — guest capacity 1,800 07:00–18:00
- Crown Iris — guest capacity 1,462 13:00–01:00
- MSC Explora 2 — guest capacity 922 09:00–20:00
Record Rhodes on Wed 16 Sep 2026 is forecast Packed. 3 cruise ships scheduled, at least 4,184 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 07:00–20:00. Nearest calmer day: Thu 17 Sep (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/rhodes/#d-2026-09-16 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 17 Sep Busy busier than 84% of days here · ⚓1
- Celebrity Xcel — guest capacity 3,260 07:00–17:00
Record Rhodes on Thu 17 Sep 2026 is forecast Busy. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 3,260 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 07:00–17:00. Nearest calmer day: Fri 25 Sep (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/rhodes/#d-2026-09-17 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 18 Sep Busy busier than 70% of days here · ⚓1
- Marella Discovery — guest capacity 1,830 08:00–17:00
Record Rhodes on Fri 18 Sep 2026 is forecast Busy. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 1,830 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–17:00. Nearest calmer day: Fri 25 Sep (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/rhodes/#d-2026-09-18 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 19 Sep Busy busier than 75% of days here · ⚓1
- Celebrity Infinity — guest capacity 2,170 07:00–18:00
Record Rhodes on Sat 19 Sep 2026 is forecast Busy. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 2,170 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 07:00–18:00. Nearest calmer day: Fri 25 Sep (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/rhodes/#d-2026-09-19 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 20 Sep Busy busier than 70% of days here · ⚓1 · Germany public holiday
- Crown Iris — guest capacity 1,462 13:00–21:00
Record Rhodes on Sun 20 Sep 2026 is forecast Busy. Why: Germany public holiday. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 1,462 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 13:00–21:00. Nearest calmer day: Fri 25 Sep (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/rhodes/#d-2026-09-20 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 21 Sep Packed busier than 87% of days here · ⚓3
- Celebrity Eclipse — guest capacity 2,850 09:00–20:00
- Celestyal Journey — guest capacity 1,260 08:00–18:00
- Star Flyer — guest capacity 170
Record Rhodes on Mon 21 Sep 2026 is forecast Packed. 3 cruise ships scheduled, at least 4,280 guests at double occupancy. Nearest calmer day: Sun 20 Sep (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/rhodes/#d-2026-09-21 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 22 Sep Packed busier than 86% of days here · ⚓3
- Azamara Onward — guest capacity 684 08:00–22:00
- Scarlet Lady — guest capacity 2,770 09:00–18:00
- ms Europa 2 — guest capacity 516 10:00–19:00
Record Rhodes on Tue 22 Sep 2026 is forecast Packed. 3 cruise ships scheduled, at least 3,970 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–22:00. Nearest calmer day: Wed 23 Sep (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/rhodes/#d-2026-09-22 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 23 Sep Busy busier than 72% of days here · ⚓1
- Celestyal Discovery — guest capacity 1,800 07:00–18:00
Record Rhodes on Wed 23 Sep 2026 is forecast Busy. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 1,800 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 07:00–18:00. Nearest calmer day: Fri 25 Sep (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/rhodes/#d-2026-09-23 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 24 Sep Busy busier than 71% of days here · ⚓1
- Queen Victoria — guest capacity 2,074
Record Rhodes on Thu 24 Sep 2026 is forecast Busy. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 2,074 guests at double occupancy. Nearest calmer day: Fri 25 Sep (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/rhodes/#d-2026-09-24 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 25 Sep Lively busier than 61% of days here
Record Rhodes on Fri 25 Sep 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/rhodes/#d-2026-09-25 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 26 Sep Packed busier than 88% of days here · ⚓1
- Ritz Carlton Evrima — guest capacity 214 08:00–22:00
Record Rhodes on Sat 26 Sep 2026 is forecast Packed. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 214 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–22:00. Nearest calmer day: Fri 25 Sep (Lively). The day in full, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/rhodes/#d-2026-09-26 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 27 Sep Packed busier than 88% of days here · ⚓1
- Oceania Nautica Aurelia — guest capacity 698 08:00–16:00
Record Rhodes on Sun 27 Sep 2026 is forecast Packed. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 698 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–16:00. Nearest calmer day: Fri 25 Sep (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/rhodes/#d-2026-09-27 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 28 Sep Packed busier than 90% of days here · ⚓3
- Celebrity Infinity — guest capacity 2,170 07:00–18:00
- Celestyal Journey — guest capacity 1,260 08:00–18:00
- Crown Iris — guest capacity 1,462 15:00–23:00
Record Rhodes on Mon 28 Sep 2026 is forecast Packed. 3 cruise ships scheduled, at least 4,892 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 07:00–23:00. Nearest calmer day: Fri 25 Sep (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/rhodes/#d-2026-09-28 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 29 Sep Packed busier than 94% of days here · ⚓4
- AIDAblu — guest capacity 2,192 08:00–18:00
- Marella Discovery — guest capacity 1,830 08:00–14:00
- Mein Schiff 5 — guest capacity 2,534 07:00–14:00
- Silver Nova — guest capacity 728 08:00–19:00
Record Rhodes on Tue 29 Sep 2026 is forecast Packed. 4 cruise ships scheduled, at least 7,284 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 07:00–19:00. Nearest calmer day: Thu 1 Oct (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/rhodes/#d-2026-09-29 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 30 Sep Packed busier than 87% of days here · ⚓2
- Celestyal Discovery — guest capacity 1,800 07:00–18:00
- Scarlet Lady — guest capacity 2,770 09:00–18:00
Record Rhodes on Wed 30 Sep 2026 is forecast Packed. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 4,570 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 07:00–18:00. Nearest calmer day: Thu 1 Oct (Busy). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/rhodes/#d-2026-09-30 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Can't move the dates? How to avoid the worst crowds
- On the busy days, the walk-up queues for the big sights are the biggest time-sink — a timed-entry ticket skips them, which is where a busy month is won or lost.
Travelling on a busy day?
Timed-entry and skip-the-line tickets turn queue time into sightseeing time — sort them before you fly.
September weather in Rhodes
Real heat — around 30°C / 87°F by day, so pace the afternoons and carry water, with rain on only about 1 days.
Book beds and the big-ticket sights well ahead, and start your days by eight — in a month this full, the early hours are the only uncrowded ones.
More about Rhodes in September
Based on: Greece's public holidays · school vacations across Germany, the Netherlands and Poland · the season pattern from official overnight stays · five years of weather records (2019–2023) · confirmed event dates · the published cruise schedule
Every figure is recomputed nightly from real cruise schedules, public and school holidays, and long-run climate normals. Gaps are shown, not filled.
