Nisyros

Nisyros is one of the most beautiful Greek islands, still untouched by the tourism growth. It is part of the Dodecanese group of islands, situated between Kos and Tilos. The island extends over a surface of 41 km and its coastline is 28 km long. According to mythology, it was created during the war between Gods and Giants. Poseidon chased the Giant Polyvotis down to Kos, cut a part of it and threw it to his enemy, sinking him forever in the bottom of the Aegean Sea. The legendary rock is the modern Nisyros and it is said that the volcano’s explosions are the angry breathing of the defeated Giant. These explosions shaped the island, which is considered to be the youngest volcanic centre in Greece, still active – along with the volcanoes of Milos, Santorini and Methana. During antiquity, the island thrived on obsidian commerce, extracted by the inhabitants of Nisyros, from the nearby island, Gyali.

Apart from being the capital of the island, Mandraki is also its harbor. It is one of the biggest villages on Nisyros with many available tourism facilities available. Enjoy a stroll around the exquisite pebbled narrow streets and squares (most typical of all being the plateia Delfinion [square of Dolphins]), and take a close look at the white or colored two-storeyed houses with wooden balconies. The houses are made of volcano rocks and insulated with pumice-stone.

Emporios stands out for its houses’ architecture. It flourished during the 20th century when it had many inhabitants, shops (blacksmith workshops, groceries, tailor-shops, coffee shops) and skilled stone makers. During the ‘60s a great part of the population moved to the village seaport, Palloi.

The volcano of Nisyros

The most recent explosion occurred in 1888, which resulted in the formation of a cylindrical pipe of volcanic materials with a diameter of at least 25 m. Polyvotis, the volcano's largest crater, has a diameter of 260 m and a depth of 30 m. At the same location, there are five younger craters, the largest of which is "Stefanos", which has a diameter of 30 m and a depth of 30 m. The Nikia volcano museum, on the edge of the caldera, offers a unique perspective.

Walking through the town, you will come across several great viewpoints of the volcano. You can walk around the crater and look at the boiling holes.

Party and beach...

On the island of Nisyros, there are beautiful and unique beaches that will provide you with a variety of sensations. Try the beaches of Lefki, Gialiskari, Lyés, Páloi, Pachia Ammos, Katsouni, Aghios Savas, Aghios Irini and Chochlákia, all of which have noticeable black pebbles and are ideal for windsurfing and snorkelling.

The surrounding islets have so much to offer that an excursion is an absolute must! Not to miss: a daily excursion to Gyali, where the beach, in the southern part of the islet has red, volcano rocks, whereas the other one, in the northern part, has white sand.

The Koimisi tis Theotokou festival in Panagia Sipliani lasts for 9 days (6-15 August). A procession and a large fair are held in Mandraki during the celebrations and the day of Panagia (August 15). In the evening, there is a fair called "Koupa tis Panaghias" [Virgin Mary's cup]: the first woman of the dance holds a cup in her hand, and each person who enters the dance places money in the cup for the purpose of church and the island.

Porta is the main square of Nikia, where the church of Eisodion tis Theotokou [Presentation of the Virgin Mary] is located; this is one of the most beautiful churches in Greece! The spheroidal shape of the square and the pebble floor were created by Paschalis Paschalakis, a notable 19th-century craftsman born in Nisyros.

Paleokastro, a classical period acropolis of an ancient city. It is still in very good condition due to its high-quality construction and represents one of the greatest ancient fortification works, basaltic andesite (volcanic rock), one of the strongest rocks in the world.

The Monastery of Panagia Spiliani, built at the top of a hill northwest of Mandraki. The biggest part of the monastery is built in a cave. The cave is divided into two churches. The north is dedicated to the Kimisi tis Theotokou (the Assumption) and the south, Agios Charalambos (Saint Charalambos).

The Castle of the knights of St. John in Mandraki built high on a rock at an altimeter of 150 meters. The castle is a reminder of the Knights of St. John having stepped foot on the island and built in 1315- a magnificent castle in which nestles the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani dedicated to Kimisi of Theotokou (the Assumption).

The medieval castle of Pantoniki offers unique views. Taksiarches church (11th or 13th cent.) is built on the top of the castle with remarkable frescoes and icons to see.

The thermal baths in Loutra are great for rheumatism, arthritis, skin infections, sciatica, and other musculoskeletal conditions (37°C water temperature).