Mandraki is the small harbour just outside the northern walls of the Old Town, and it has been the port of Rhodes since antiquity. Two tall columns at its entrance carry bronze statues of a stag and a doe, the symbols of the island. A legend, which local writers call inaccurate, says the Colossus of Rhodes once stood here with ships passing beneath. At the end of the pier stands the Fort of St Nicholas, built in 1464 to 1467 by Duke Philip of Burgundy, and three windmills from the fifteenth century stand on the same breakwater. Behind the waterfront are Italian-era buildings: the Government House, which resembles the Doge's Palace in Venice, the polygonal New Market in an Arab style, and the cathedral of Evangelismos, a replica of the Knights' church of St John.
Mandraki is a harbour, not a museum, and the pleasure is in the walk. Begin at the deer columns, stroll along the pier toward the windmills and the fort, and look back at the walls and towers of the Old Town. The harbour is mostly used by yachts and small boats making trips to beaches and nearby islands, including the day boats to Symi, so the quay is a lively place to watch the comings and goings.
The fort is a short walk from the windmills; check whether it is open before you go, as access has varied. The pier is popular for evening walks.
Mandraki is a good place to start or end a day in the Old Town. It is a ten-minute walk from the Sea Gate, lined with cafes and benches, and it is flat and easy for strollers, wheelchairs and tired legs. The nearby New Market has food stalls, cafes and shops, and the Italian-era government buildings are worth a look from the outside. Evenings are the best time, when the walls and the harbour are lit and the light is soft.
Year-round, Mandraki is free and open, which makes it a perfect winter stop. Cruise and excursion boats are mostly seasonal, so the harbour is quieter between November and March, but the deer, the windmills and the walls are always there. In windy weather the pier can be exposed, so take a jacket. Do not expect the fort and the sea trips to run on a fixed winter schedule. Pair Mandraki with a visit to the Palace of the Grand Master, and finish with dinner inside the walls.
What to expect
The experience
A free, flat seafront walk from the deer columns along the pier to the windmills and the Fort of St Nicholas, with Old Town views.
Best time
Late afternoon and evening for soft light and a lively waterfront; mornings are calm in winter.
How long
About an hour.
Tips
Bring a jacket for the exposed pier, check if the fort is open, and pair it with the Old Town.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone who wants an easy, scenic walk beside the walls.
- Families
- Flat and open, good for children and buggies, with boats and deer statues to see.
- Couples
- A sunset stroll along the pier before dinner in the Old Town.
- Pair with
- The Old Town of Rhodes and the Palace of the Grand Master.
- Time needed
- About an hour.
Good questions
What are the deer at Mandraki?+
Bronze statues of a stag and a doe on two tall columns at the harbour entrance, symbols of Rhodes.
Did the Colossus of Rhodes stand at Mandraki?+
A popular legend says so, but local writers call the tradition inaccurate. The exact site of the Colossus is not known.
Is Mandraki free?+
Yes. The harbour, pier and windmills are public and free to walk at any time of year.
What is the fort at the end of the pier?+
The Fort of St Nicholas, built between 1464 and 1467 by Duke Philip of Burgundy. Check whether it is open on the day you visit.
How far is Mandraki from the Old Town?+
About a ten-minute walk from the Sea Gate, along a flat waterfront.
