Mandraki Harbour

Mandraki Harbour is the historic port of Rhodes Town, on the northern edge of the island in the South Aegean region of Greece, just outside the walls of the Old Town. Legend places the Colossus of Rhodes at its entrance, though no evidence supports a straddling pose, and today two columns topped by bronze statues of a deer and a doe mark the harbour mouth. The deer are the symbol of the island. Visitors walk along the quay past the Fort of St Nicholas on the breakwater, a 15th-century Knights' fortification with a lighthouse, and three medieval windmills lining the mole. On the landward side, Italian-era buildings from the 1920s and 1930s, designed in a Venetian-Gothic and Art Deco style, include the New Market, the town hall, the Evangelismos church and the National Theatre. Small yachts, excursion boats and ferries to nearby islands such as Symi dock along the quays, and the New Town bus stations stand beside the harbour, making it a practical starting point. A stroll along the waterfront takes about 45 minutes, longer with stops for coffee at the cafes on the promenade or a visit to the New Market, where small stalls sell snacks and local products. The best time is late afternoon and evening, when the light softens, the stone glows and locals join the promenade. Mornings are quieter, with fishing boats and early excursion departures. Sunset views from the mole toward the Old Town walls are especially popular with photographers. The harbour is free and open at all hours. Summer evenings can be busy near the restaurants, and wind can be strong on the breakwater.