The largest and most accessible of Nisyros’s volcanic craters, with fumaroles and a landscape of mineral colors. From the rim, there is a spectacular view down into the caldera floor.
Europe / Greece · TRAVEL GUIDE
NisiroSouth Aegean · Greece
DISCOVER · PLAN · GO
Pali — Karelj · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
One destination.
A thousand ways to live it.
Nisyros is a small volcanic island in the Dodecanese, renowned for its active craters, traditional villages, and the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean. Between walks across the caldera and stops in shaded squares, it offers an authentic and surprising experience, far from the pace of the more crowded destinations.
6 places to see1 / 3 / 7-day itinerariesInteractive map
THE PLACES THAT TELL NISIRO
Worth seeing, worth remembering.
Alexandros Diamantidis at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The island’s main town and port, known for its whitewashed houses, cobbled lanes, and lively little squares. It is an excellent starting point for exploring Nisyros.
A monastery perched above , with a church partly carved into the rock and a quiet, secluded atmosphere. From its location, there is a lovely view of the harbor and the sea.
A picturesque village overlooking the caldera, appreciated for its limewashed houses and Porta square. It is one of the best spots to admire the volcanic landscape from above.
In the village of , the museum explains the volcano’s formation and the island’s geological phenomena through models and informational displays. A useful visit for better understanding what you see in the caldera.
A small traditional village on the slopes of the caldera, with quiet alleys and sweeping views of the volcano. Nearby is also the evocative thermal cave of Panagia Kyra.
CHOOSE YOUR PACE
How much time
do you have to get lost?
From a first stroll to a week of discoveries. A starting point to make your own.
An intense experience between the active crater and the whitewashed alleyways of the main port.
- 1Mandraki
- 2Panagia Spiliani Monastery
- 3Stefanos Crater (Volcano)
- 4Nikia Village
Three days to discover the island’s geological secrets and the charm of its traditional villages.
- 1Mandraki
- 2Panagia Spiliani Monastery
- 3Stefanos Crater
- 4Nikia Volcanological Museum
- 5Emporios
- 6Natural sauna at the entrance to Emporios
- 7Pali Beach
- 8Ancient fortress of Paleokastro
One week to experience Nisyros at a slow pace, exploring remote beaches and nearby islands.
- 1Mandraki
- 2Panagia Spiliani Monastery
- 3Stefanos Crater
- 4Polyvotis Crater
- 5Nikia
- 6Volcanological Museum
- 7Emporios
- 8Pantoniki Castle
- 9Pali Beach
- 10Lies Beach
- 11Pachia Ammos Beach
- 12Excursion to the island of Gyali
- 13Paleokastro
- 14Panagia Kyra Monastery
GET YOUR BEARINGS, THEN EXPLORE
The city takes shape.
Stop after stop.
BEFORE YOU GO
A well-planned trip.
Getting around
, the main port, is easy to explore on foot, but getting to the volcanic crater of Stefanos and the inland villages requires transport. In summer, buses and tourist minibuses run, with schedules that can vary depending on the day and the season. Renting a car or scooter offers greater freedom, but the roads are narrow and winding: drive carefully and check the vehicle’s condition. If you’re coming over for the day from Kos, check excursion and boat times in advance so you can plan your trip without rushing.
When to go
Spring and the start of autumn are ideal for visiting Nisyros: the temperatures are more pleasant for exploring the trails, villages, and volcanic area. Summer offers more connections and services, but it can be very hot and crowded, especially in the middle of the day. To visit the crater, choose the morning or late afternoon, and keep in mind that the wind can affect sea connections. In the low season, the atmosphere is peaceful, but some services and connections are reduced.
Where to eat
In , you’ll find the widest choice of tavernas and cafés, while and are pleasant stops for a meal with a view and a slower pace. On the menus, look for fish, seasonal dishes, and home-style Greek specialties, paired with local products when available. In high season, it’s advisable to book in the evening, especially at the most popular places. Outside the main centers, check opening hours: not all restaurants serve meals throughout the day.
Quick tips
- 01Wear closed shoes with good soles to visit the crater: the ground can be uneven and hot.
- 02Bring water, a hat, and sunscreen; there is little shade in the volcanic area.
- 03Check ferry and bus schedules shortly before departure, as they can change depending on the season and the weather.
- 04Keep some cash with you: not all small businesses or services outside Mandraki accept cards.
YOUR STARTING POINT
Wake up in the right place.
Where to stay · Nisiro
1 night · max 14 nights
Observed average price · EUR/night
1 night · 1 room · 2 adults · no children
Data still limited · Sample: up to 2 distinct hotels, 6 real searches in the last 48 hours, for this query. Not the official average of the destination and not guaranteed to be representative.
Arrival date
Lowest price among the hotels found
among 2 hotels with a LiteAPI price for this search, not the absolute lowest of the destination
Astradeni luxury apartments Kratir
Επαρχιακή Οδός Πάλων, Páloi
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$82
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Prices are real for the searched dates and may change. Click a point on the chart to change arrival keeping the length of stay.
Real prices for your dates
Patriko Nisyrian Guesthouse
Επαρχιακή Οδός Μανδράκι, Mandrakion
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$140
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Astradeni luxury apartments Kratir
Επαρχιακή Οδός Πάλων, Páloi
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$82
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Romantzo
Nisyros - Dodekanisa, Mandrakion
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Porfyris Hotel
Mantraki, Mandrakion
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Guest House Polyvotis
Mandraki, Mandrákion,, Mandrakion
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Haritos Hotel - Geothermal Hot Swimming Pool
Mandrakion, Mandrakion
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Three Brothers
Mandraki, Mandrakion
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Lava House
Επαρχιακή Οδός Μανδράκι, Mandrakion
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Amaranti House n Art
Μανδράκι Ποταμός, Mandrakion
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Nisyros White Wave
Eparchiaki Odos Mandraki 1, Mandrakion
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
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