The island of Nisyros offers great natural scenery, amazing beaches and a unique volcano you can walk inside!
It’s easy to explore Mandraki on foot with its traditional houses and pretty little details. You can also sit at Adrikos cafe on Ilikiomeni square and enjoy the impromptu music sessions.
The best places to eat on the island are those using local products, like fruits, vegetables and meat that are grown in the mineral rich volcanic soil. They taste better than what you can find in supermarkets!
Mandraki
Mandraki is the capital of Nisyros and also the island’s port. This settlement has many tourist facilities, including hotels and apartments. During your stay on the island, you should visit this town and take a stroll in its alleys with cute shops. It is also worth checking out the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani and its cave. You can also visit Chochlakoi beach, which is a unique wild landscape with black volcanic pebbles. You can even take a dip in the Municipal Thermal Baths, which are located nearby.
If you are a fan of Greek food, you should definitely check out Aphrodite Restaurant Nisyros. This place offers grilled octopus and squid, as well as delicious tuna keftedes. The restaurant has a pleasant atmosphere and friendly staff. The food here is reasonably priced.
Another great place to eat on the island is Emporios. It is located right at the entrance of the village. The menu features a variety of traditional dishes, including fasolada, meze and keftedes. The food is very tasty and inexpensive, so it is a great choice for anyone looking for a nice meal on the island of Nisyros.
The tavern of Oxos is one of the most popular on the island. It is situated right below the rock of Panagia Spiliani, and it offers great views over the bay of Mandraki. It also has a good selection of wines and meze. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and it is a great place to visit.
In addition to taverns and restaurants, Nisyros has lots of great beaches. Aside from the sandy ones, there are also rocky shores that are perfect for snorkeling. Nisyros is also a great place for hiking, as there are a lot of scenic trails that go through the mountains and forests.
Aside from the beautiful scenery, the island of Nisyros is also home to a number of ancient castles. These were built by the Knights of St. John and have become a symbol of the island’s history. There are also several churches and monasteries in the area, as well as a number of small cafes and bars. The island is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a peaceful vacation away from the crowds.
Pali
Nisyros is a veritable treasure trove of historic wonders, from the impressive castle of Paliokastro to the breathtaking monasteries of Our Lady Virgin Mary and the Cross. The island also boasts a rich natural environment, ranging from lush fields of crops to craggy mountain peaks and lunar landscapes.
From a culinary perspective, it’s hard to go wrong on Nisyros. The island’s restaurants focus on local ingredients because they believe that anything grown in the mineral-rich volcanic soil tastes better than anything imported from abroad. As a result, you’ll find plenty of fresh seafood, traditional dishes such as saganaki and kokotada, and other delicious delicacies. You should also try the local krasotyri, which is a sun-dried cheese made from goat’s milk.
The island also has a vibrant culture, with events and celebrations held in traditional buildings and charming squares throughout the year. From the festival of Virgin Mary of the Caves to the monastery complex of the Cross, Nisyros is a place where time-honored traditions are cherished and ancient customs and beliefs are kept alive with fervor.
Another highlight of Nisyros is the quaint fishing village of Mandraki, which has a stunning beach and one of the most beautiful squares in Greece. The village is home to a number of restaurants and cafes that serve authentic cuisine and offer spectacular views of the caldera. The village is also the perfect spot to take a boat ride around the caldera and witness the erupting volcanoes for yourself.
If you’re interested in learning more about the island’s geological history, visit the Museum of Volcanology. This unique museum is the first of its kind and features an observatory that constantly updates with new data from active volcanoes across the world. It’s an excellent way to understand the power of these natural forces and how they’ve shaped Nisyros over the centuries.
The small island of Gyali will also occupy your sights as you explore the rest of the island, since it’s home to vast amounts of pumice and obsidian, which are mined for their economic value. These resources are the reason why Nisyros doesn’t rely on tourism like most other Greek islands do.
Nikia
Nikia is a beautiful village on the edge of the caldera, surrounded by the crater and a great view. It’s a little off the beaten path but seems lively and well kept. It’s also one of the less crowded villages on the island and the architecture is very pretty.
There is a beautiful little square in the centre and a couple of nice restaurants. It’s worth the detour!
Another place not to miss is the volcano museum. It’s a small but interesting museum that has a lot of information about the volcano of Nisyros. The staff are very friendly and happy to answer any questions you might have.
It is a good idea to visit the museum before going hiking on the volcano. Then you’ll have a better idea of what to expect. The hike itself is not that long but it can be very steep at times.
The hike up to the top of the volcano takes about 30 minutes and it’s a bit tiring, especially if you are going at the end of the day when it’s hot. It’s also a good idea to bring water and suncream with you.
If you don’t want to do the hike you can always stay in the main village of Mandraki, a nice little town with some cute shops. You can also walk along the caldera ridge to a couple of stunning viewpoints.
There are some great places to eat in Mandraki, including the famous Andrikos cafe. There is also a beautiful restaurant called To Balkoni Tou Emboriou that serves some of the best fish on the island.
The rest of the restaurants on the island serve fresh local ingredients. Make sure to try a few of the traditional dishes such as pithia (meatballs made from chickpeas), boukounies (pork cooked with grease) and kapama (goat stuffed with rice). Don’t forget to try the local cheeses such as kourabiedes, sakouliasti and adramythozoumo. For dessert, try psilokouloura and xerotigana. And of course, don’t forget to try a glass of raki!
Koukouzina
The small island of Nisyros is home to a number of ravishing castles. During your stay on the island, pay a visit to the Castle of the Knights of Saint John. The castle is perched high up on a cliff face and has stunning views of the surrounding area. It also houses the monastery of Panagia Spiliani, dating back to 1600. The monastery is adorned with beautiful carved iconostasis and ecclesiastical treasures.
Another interesting attraction on the island is the sand and pebbled beaches. Many of them are rocky but there are also some that have beautiful white sand. Beaches such as Chochlaki, Lies and Pachia Ammos are famous for their crystal clear waters. You can also swim in the hot springs of Loutra and Thermiani, located north of Mandraki.
The island is also known for its delicious traditional cuisine. You can try delicacies such as boukounies (pork cooked in fat), pitthia, and mizithra cheese. The local drinks are also very tasty. You can sample koukouzina, which is similar to raki but has a higher alcohol content.
There are a few travel agencies in the port town of Mandraki that can help you plan your trip to Nisyros. The staff at Enetikon and Diakomihalis are very helpful and will provide you with information about bus timetables and organized tours. They can also book you a boat trip to the neighboring island of Gyali. However, if you want more freedom on the island, I would recommend renting a car or quad.
The most picturesque village on the island is Nikia. Its cobblestoned square of Porta has been awarded as one of the best traditional squares in Europe. It offers breathtaking views of the volcano. The village is dotted with quaint shops and traditional cafes. It also has an impressive church dedicated to Agios Ioannis Theologos.