Nisyros is a pleasant surprise with wild beauty that has fortunately escaped the phenomenon of over-tourism.
It’s located close to Kos and Tilos, so it is a good opportunity to combine them on your trip in order to see more places.
If you want to visit a place with a rich history, stunning natural beauty and cute little streets, then Nisyros is the island to add to your list.
The volcano of Nisyros
Nisyros is the youngest of Greece’s major volcanic centres and is included along with Methana, Milos and Santorini among the country’s active volcanoes. The oldest rocks are 160,000 years old, while the youngest (prehistoric) rocks are 15,000 years old, covering the entire island.
To visit Stefanos crater you will pay an entrance fee of 5€. If you want to go down the steps to walk inside the crater, avoid flip-flops because they will melt!
Stefanos Crater is one of the largest hydrothermal craters in the world, with a diameter of about 300 meters and a depth of 27 meters. In some places the temperature reaches up to 100 degrees Celsius!
The strong smell of sulphur will permeate your nose, but the eerie landscape you will encounter is unique.
Next door, you’ll find a small café to buy iced water, coffee, snacks and souvenirs.
Mandraki
Mandraki is the port and the capital of the island, which will steal your heart. White houses with wooden balconies and colourful flowerbeds, narrow alleys, cats and dozens of seaside shops to explore.
In Mandraki you must definitely visit the Holy Monastery of Panagia Spiliani, which dominates the cliff above the sea.
After the walk to the church, choose to eat in the small place below, Oxos Restaurant for coffee or lunch. Their dishes are delicious and the prices are quite affordable.
It goes without saying that you can’t visit an island and not eat ice cream. Go to Fresh Daily, which has dozens of strange flavors. I tried the volcano flavor that had sweet potato in it and it was awesome!
Behind the Holy Monastery of Panagia Spiliani, is Hochlaki Beach with its distinctive black pebbles.
At a distance of 1.5 km from Mandraki is the spring of Loutra known for its sodium chlorine-sulfur waters with a maximum temperature of 46º C.
Nikia
Just 13 km from Mandraki you will find Nikia, an impressive village with a panoramic view of the island’s volcano crater.
In Nikia you will find Portes Square, one of the most beautiful and photographed squares in the Aegean, and not without reason.
Don’t miss to visit the Volcanological Museum of Nisyros and if you feel like it, drive up to Prophet Elias to see the village from above.
The houses of the settlement remind of the Cyclades. They are painted white and have characteristic single-tile roofs, colourful doors and pebbled courtyards.
Emporio
The small mountain village of Emporios used to be full of life, now there are only a few inhabitants, especially in winter. There you will find the castle of Pantoniki and the church of Taxiarches.
You can enjoy the view of the volcano’s caldera. At the entrance of the village there is a cave which is considered a natural sauna because of its heat from the volcanic activity of the island.
Emporios has been declared a place of special architectural value and is protected by both the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Environment, while the medieval castle is declared a historical monument in its entirety.
Pachia Ammos Beach
Pachia Ammos is a beach created by the eruptions of the volcano of Nisyros.
It is considered the most beautiful black sand beach on the island. You will need to bring an umbrella for shade and of course snacks and water. It is quite a long beach so people prefer it for free camping.
If you want to see more about my trip in Nisyros, visit my profile on Instagram.
