Nothing will prepare you for the diversity that Rhodes new Town has to offer, great shopping, cafes and bars galore a pretty parkland as well as the bustling harbour of Mandraki.
In complete contrast, you find impressive 15th century buildings within the majestic walls of the Old Town with narrow cobbled streets, traditional coffee shops and tavernas all nestling within the shadow of the Palace of the Grand Masters once home to the Knights of St John.
Rhodes Town
Mandraki Harbour is lined with boats of all shapes and sizes, luxury yachts to wooden caiques that offer trips along the eastern coastline to Lindos and the sandy beaches of Stegna and Tsambika. The entrance to the harbour is now guarded by a bronze doe on one side and a stag on the other, however it is believed that this where the huge Colossus of Rhodes once stood, a gigantic statue of Helios the god of the sun which is one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world and now features on most souvenirs.
The new market is well worth a visit and is easily recognized from Mandraki by the domed centre piece which houses one of the entrances where you’ll find the bustling courtyard containing stalls, shops and plenty of cafes.
Upmarket boutiques offer a great selection of clothing, and local department stores offer plenty for browsing. When shopping gets too much, head off to visit the largest Aquarium in Greece with it’s 40 tanks of fish, enjoy the peace of the beautiful church of Evangelisimos (Annunciation) or take a drive to the hill of Monty Smith to take panoramic photos over Rhodes Town.
