Mandraki Harbour

Mandraki Harbour is the main harbour of Rhodes Town for travellers and from here you can catch ferries to Piraeus, Symi, Kos, Kalymnos, Patmos, and to Turkey.

The attractive Mandraki Harbour is the most northerly of Rhodes Town’s three harbours and by far the most interesting. This was the ancient ‘sheep pen’, the name in Greek being mandri, a name often used for small, encircling harbours. To the east is the Commercial Harbour, and beyond that is the Marina.

Mandraki was one of the five ports of ancient Rhodes. It was the naval port and was known as the ‘small harbour’ as opposed to the ‘great harbour’, the present Commercial Harbour. The entrance to ancient Mandraki could be sealed with chains.

History of Mandraki Harbour

Ancient Origins: Mandraki Harbour, located on the northern tip of Rhodes Town, has served as a vital port since antiquity. It was one of three main harbours of Rhodes, acting as the “front door” to the island.
Medieval Period: During the Middle Ages, the Knights of St. John fortified the harbour. Landmarks such as St. Nicholas Fortress and the three medieval windmills were built to protect and support maritime trade
Ottoman & Italian Influence: The harbour area evolved under Ottoman rule and later during Italian occupation in the early 20th century. The Italians constructed notable buildings like the Evangelismos Church (1920s) and the Nea Agora Market, blending Gothic and modern styles
Modern Role: Today, Mandraki serves as a marina for yachts and cruise departures to nearby islands like Symi. It remains a hub of tourism, lined with promenades, statues of deer (symbols of Rhodes), and vibrant markets

Mandraki Harbour is not only a functional port but also a cultural and historical showcase, reflecting Rhodes’ strategic importance in the Mediterranean across centuries.

The Colossus of Rhodes

Construction: The Colossus was built around 280 BCE by the sculptor Chares of Lindos to celebrate Rhodes’ victory over Demetrius I of Macedon. It was funded using weapons and siege equipment left behind by the defeated army.
Appearance: Standing about 33 metres (108 feet) tall, the statue depicted Helios, the sun god, crafted from bronze plates over an iron framework. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the tallest statue of its time.
Location Myth: While legend suggests the statue straddled Mandraki Harbour’s entrance, modern research indicates it likely stood beside the harbour, not across it.
Destruction: In 226 BCE, an earthquake toppled the Colossus. Its remains lay scattered for centuries before being sold off as scrap metal in the 7th century CE
Legacy: Though long gone, the Colossus remains a symbol of Rhodes’ resilience and ambition. Today, statues of a stag and doe mark the spots where the giant’s feet are believed to have stood.

Mandraki Harbour Boat Tours

Mandraki Harbour is the place to head to if you want to do any boat tours from Rhodes Town. Several boats offer island tours so ask around to find out exactly where they’ll take you and when you’ll come back.

There are also different options if you want to visit the nearby island of Symi. Some are for day trips only, and you won’t be allowed to take anything more than a backpack with you. If you want to take luggage and are going to Symi to stay overnight or for a few days, you must find the regular ferry boats, in another part of the harbour.

Travel Tip

If you do plan to take the regular ferry to Symi to stay there, take the one which arrives in the evening. Sailing into the beautiful Symi harbour by night is a magical experience.

You can also go to several other Greek islands from Mandraki Harbour, including Kos, Tilos, Kalymnos, and Patmos, and also to Turkey. There are regular ferries to and from Piraeus, as well.

Cathedral of St John the Evangelist

On the quayside stands the Ekklisía Evangelismoú, the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist. This was built in 1925 as a Catholic church while the Italians occupied Rhodes, and as originally called the church of San Giovanni dei Cavalieri. It uses the distinctively-coloured local sandstone.

Mandraki Harbour Restored Windmills

Windmills at Mandraki Harbour on Rhodes in the Dodecanese — Windmills at Mandraki Harbour in Rhodes Town

A row of restored medieval windmills, symbols of the days when corn was ground at the harbourside, stands along the outer quay.

At the seaward end of the quay is the fortress of St Nicholas, built in the 1460s and now the site of a lighthouse. On its landward side the harbour is bordered by the busy Eleftherías Street, at the end of which is Plateía Vasileos Georgiou I. Here the Italians left a collection of interesting monumental buildings in a mix of Venetian, Gothic and Ottoman architectural styles.