Nisyros: The 11 best highlights of the volcanic island

Nisyros, how beautiful you are! This little spot on earth is probably one of the most peaceful places, if it weren’t for an active volcano bubbling deep below. Strictly speaking, Nisyros consists of just one volcano. Like the islands of Milos and Santorini, Nisyros is part of the volcanic arc of Greece.

“The island of Nisyros, which has just under 1,000 inhabitants, exudes a very special charm. Many vacationers fall in love with the small island right away.”

At the foot of the volcano lies the picturesque harbor town of Mandraki. With its narrow streets, whitewashed houses, and colorful shutters, it offers countless photo opportunities. At the top of the volcano, you’ll find the dreamy villages of Emporios and Nikia, where time seems to have stood still.

In the summer, Nisyros is accessible daily by ferry from the neighboring island of Kos, and many day-trippers come to visit the island’s volcanic crater. If you stay on Nisyros for more than a day, you’ll be enchanted and want to return again and again.

We’ve visited the island more than ten times now, and we’ll share our best tips for your trip to Nisyros:

Nisyros tour or on your own

Nisyros Island (also known as Nissiros) is only 42 km² in size, which is just one-tenth the size of Cologne. But there’s plenty to discover! Numerous idyllic hiking trails invite you to explore them. In conversations with the friendly locals, you’ll always learn about new highlights.

You can only reach Nisyros by ferry; there is no airport. Organized tours to Nisyros are offered from the island of Kos. However, it’s worth taking the ferry to Nisyros on your own. From Kardamena and Kos Town, several excursion boats and ferries run daily to Nisyros during the high season.

Kardamena is the closest departure point, with a crossing time of just 45 minutes to Nisyros. Ideally, tickets should be purchased one day in advance directly at the port; online booking is not available. Guided tours to the island (including those on a pirate boat) are usually more expensive than the one-way trip. Click on the link for more information about the tours from GetYourGuide*:

➲ To the guided boat tour*

From May to October, ferries depart daily from Kardamena at 9:30 a.m. for Mandraki, the main town of Nisyros. Around 3:30 p.m., most ferries to Nisyros depart again. For a one-way trip, you pay about €10 per ferry ticket as a foot passenger. Starting in October, ferry service may be reduced.

The large car ferries of Blue Star, Saos Ferries, and the catamarans of Dodekanisos Seaways depart from Kos Town. Prices are around €15 each way. You can find the exact departure times on their websites. Additionally, a small supply ship (such as the Olympios Ermis or Joy Star) runs regularly to Nisyros.

→ Here you can find more information about the Nisyros excursions: Getting to Nisyros

#1 Mandraki: Capital of Nisyros

Mandraki is where you’ll first set foot on land. With around 700 residents, Mandraki is the largest settlement on Nisyros and thus also the liveliest village on the island. In addition to numerous souvenir shops, this coastal town offers the best selection of goods with many mini-markets and shops.

During the day, the pretty alleys are bustling with day tourists from Kos. In the evening, peace returns to Nisyros. The cozy taverns and cafés invite you to linger. There are now numerous beautiful self-catering vacation homes and a few small hotels. Here you can find our recommendations: Nisyros Accommodations

The town is a typical Greek village with white houses and colorful shutters. On every corner, there’s a photo opportunity amid colorful bougainvillea, sleeping cats, and blue wooden balconies. Take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque alley and be sure to look down at the ground often.

Nisyros is known for its beautiful floor mosaics, along with other Dodecanese islands, such as Rhodes and Patmos. “Hohlakia” (Chochlakia). Various motifs are set by hand in mosaic form using light and dark volcanic rock. Many squares and house entrances in Mandraki have been embellished with sea pebble mosaics.

At the heart of Mandraki is “Platia Ilikiomeni,” the village square with its large rubber tree and numerous taverns. Especially at lunchtime, the Platia is bursting at the seams. If you leave the maze of alleys to the north, you will come to the long harbor promenade, which stretches from the entrance to the village to behind the monastery.

Several cafés and taverns have set up shop here and offer a spectacular view of the setting sun, especially in the evening. When the sea is rough, the spray crashes against the harbor walls here. Freshly caught octopus is hung on leashes in a cat-proof manner, and every now and then a typical APE island tricycle passes by. Pure island idyll!

In addition to many souvenir shops, interesting shops have also opened along the main street leading to the monastery of Panagia Spiliani, including the charming boutique Loles Kores, where owner Alkiste offers unique textiles for all ages. For self-catering, the delicatessen Frou Frou by Anna offers a wide range of organic products.

In the late evening, many hours after the last day-tripper has left the island, you can enjoy the heavenly peace and tranquility on Nisyros. When you linger in the cafes and restaurants on the waterfront, everyday life usually feels very far away. And if you listen closely, you won’t hear a thing. Absolute silence and solitude.

#2 Monastery of Panagia Spiliani

As soon as you arrive by ferry, you’ll see the white monastery perched on a hill above Mandraki. The Monastery of Panagia Spiliani is nestled within the ruins of an old Venetian castle. Inside the complex is a cool rock grotto with an altar and numerous icons. A small museum also displays various religious artifacts from the past centuries.

Panagia Spiliani is an important pilgrimage site in Greece, and every year on August 15, thousands of people from all parts of the country make a pilgrimage here to take part in the procession of the Holy Mother of God.

From the upper complex with its magnificent Hohlakia, you have a fantastic view of the rooftops of Mandraki. The Monastery of Panagia Spiliani charges a small entrance fee of €2 per person for the maintenance of the buildings.

#3 Hohlakia Beach

At the foot of the monastery behind the Oxos tavern, a path leads around the rock to Hohlakia Beach. It is a magical beach that reveals its unique beauty only when you listen closely. Instead of white sand, turquoise blue sea, and palm trees, you’ll find only black round stones on the shore and crystal-clear water.

At Nisyros’ most popular beach, there are hardly any shady trees. Sit on the shore, close your eyes, and listen as the surf sets the round volcanic stones in motion. A meditative place—and by now, at the very latest, you’ll feel the magic of Nisyros. A swim in the warm sea is well worth it. So don’t forget to bring your swimsuit.

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#4 Pali: Fishing Village and Marina

We leave Mandraki in a rental car and drive along the coastal road hugging the flanks of the volcano. The fishing village of Pali—or Paloi—is the next stop on our tour of Nisyros. The boats bob gently in the harbor. On the shore, the beautiful blue-and-white Apostle Church stands out. Pali’s marina is a popular anchorage, especially for sailors.

At the port, there are several taverns serving freshly caught fish and traditional Greek cuisine. The road continues along the coast, past the oldest bakery on the island. At the Pali Bakery, bread and pastries are still made by hand using traditional methods. Here you can stock up on provisions for exploring the island.

Thermal Springs of Nisyros

The Thermal Springs of Nisyros were known throughout Europe until the beginning of the 20th century. People even traveled to Nisyros from as far away as Egypt. It is said that the ancient physician Hippocrates of Kos treated patients here. Even today, you can relax in a small thermal bath in the village of Loutra (between Pali and Mandraki).

If you drive out of Pali, you can see the large thermal building of Nisyros made of volcanic rock. In the 1920s, investors from Rhodes began building the sanatorium. World War II destroyed parts of the complex, and reconstruction came to a standstill in the 1970s due to financial reasons. Since then, the massive building has stood empty.

Directly opposite the thermal hotel is the church of Panaghia Thermiani, which was built into the ruins of an ancient Roman bath. The coastal road leads past Cape Katsouni, with its bizarre pumice caves, to Lies Beach. This stretches for miles along the east coast and is covered in dark volcanic sand and pebbles.

#5 Pachia Ammos Beach

At the end of the coastal road, you’ll come to a parking lot near the Oasis Tavern. Here you can park your vehicle and continue on the footpath to Pachia Ammos Beach.

For about 10 minutes, you’ll walk along a narrow path along the cliffs. Behind the last rocky cliff, the view opens up to one of the most fascinating beaches in the Aegean Sea. Large dark sand dunes cover the bay of Pachia Ammos.

The water is crystal clear, and the chocolate-brown beach is covered with tiny stones. In some places near the shore, warm thermal water emerges from the seabed. Until the end of June, it’s still quiet here, and you usually have the bay all to yourself.

From July through early September, the beach is filled with numerous wild campers. By then, it will be difficult to find a free spot among the many tents. Many visitors then head to the less crowded Moulari Beach near the parking lot. Occasionally, the free-roaming cows of Nisyros Island wander right onto the beach.

#6 Emporios: A Village Straight Out of Sleeping Beauty

We drive back along the road to Pali and follow the winding road up to the edge of the caldera. After about ten minutes, the road branches off to the right toward Emporios, and from a distance you can see the pretty white houses. 100 years ago, 700 people lived here.

After several waves of emigration at the end of the 19th century, as well as the severe earthquake (see blogpost: Greece Earthquake) in 1953, the village was almost deserted until a few years ago. Slowly, the village is waking up from its slumber, and old stone houses have been extensively renovated.

Right at the entrance to the village is the fascinating Natural Sauna of Nisyros. In this small grotto, the temperature rises well above 40 degrees, and even though it smells a bit musty, the ethereal volcanic fumes are said to be good for the respiratory tract, according to locals.

You can park your vehicle in the parking lot below the village and walk into the village. After a few meters, you’ll reach the small village square of Emporios. There are two traditional taverns where you can recharge your batteries. A few steps lead you from the Plateia to the ruins of the former Kastro of Emporios.

Today, only the medieval church of St. Michael the Archangel (13th century) stands on the highest point, with a neat church square made of sea pebbles. From up here, you can see the vast caldera of Nisyros on one side, and the deep blue Aegean Sea and the neighboring islands of Gyali and Kos on the other.

Taverns in Emporios

In summer, tables and chairs are set up in the village square in the evening, and live music plays from time to time. The rustic atmosphere in the ruined village exudes an extraordinary charm, so that individual tourists and locals like to linger until late into the night. The church festivals (including Easter and the Assumption of Mary) in Emporios are particularly atmospheric.

The Tavern To Balkoni offers delicious appetizers (meze) and daily specials, as well as a magnificent view of the volcanic crater of Nisyros. At tavern Apyria, next to the blue-and-white Koimisis Theotokou Village Church, you can enjoy delicious Greek comfort food all day on weekends and dinner during the week.

The owners of the Apyria tavern, brothers Triantafilos and Gianni, are kind-hearted people who are always happy to chat. The Skordalia dip with almonds, the chickpea patties, and the Sheftalies (minced lamb balls) are especially delicious! You can find even more tips for Nisyros in our Kos travel guide.

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#7 Volcano of Nisyros

We return to the junction for Emporios and turn right toward the volcano. A winding road winds its way down into the impressive caldera of Nisyros, the so-called Lakki Valley. On the terraced mountain slopes, the vegetation is still very lush.

The further you go into the Nisyros volcano, the more barren the landscape becomes. The different rock layers and numerous lava domes make every geologist’s heart beat faster. At a ticket booth, you pay a €5 entrance fee to visit the crater.

However, before you join the crowds on a pilgrimage to Stefanos Crater, we recommend a short detour to the lesser-known Polyvotis Crater. Hardly anyone strays here, even though the twin craters are no less impressive.

At the restroom building, follow the well-trodden path on the right. Even from a distance, you can see several hills in magnificent colors. Behind them lie other hidden craters. Even if you can’t go down, you’ll get a good sense of this natural wonder.

The steaming sulfur fumaroles glow neon yellow and serve as a reminder that an active volcano still slumbers underground. Caution is advised—the rock is partly porous and there are no barriers!

Descent into the Nisyros volcano

The heart of the Lakki Valley is the spectacular Stefanos Crater. You can descend into the 4,000- to 5,000-year-old crater, which has a diameter of 330 meters, as long as you can tolerate the strong smell of sulfur.

Filled with awe and admiration, you stand in the middle of one of the largest hydrothermal craters in the world. In some places, the ground is very thin, and even though the permeable areas are more or less closed off, you should still be careful.

Tip for visiting the Nisyros volcano: If you visit the Nisyros caldera and its fascinating crater landscape before 10:30 a.m. or in the late afternoon, you’ll avoid the crowds of day tourists. Descending into an active volcanic crater is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There are probably very few craters in the world that are accessible at all.

#8 Church of Prophet Elias

We drive out of the caldera again and head toward Nikia on our Nisyros Island Tour. The road runs along the edge of the volcano, offering a fantastic view of the Aegean Sea, the mainland of Asia Minor, and the neighboring island of Tilos.

Shortly before Nikia, a road branches off to the right leading up to the church of Profitis Ilias. The location of this blue-and-white gem is dreamlike, and the panoramic view from the front of the church is breathtaking. We could stay here for hours, soaking up this heavenly atmosphere.

On the church’s forecourt, there are free high-performance binoculars through which you can look out over the caldera, as well as the village of Nikia and the Aegean Sea. On days with good visibility, the view even extends to the islands of Astypalea and Saria (Karpathos).

Alternatively, you can walk up to the church from the parking lot in the village of Nikia. The trail starts behind the Volcano Museum. The climb is short but quite steep. For individual tourists, a visit at sunset is well worth it.

#9 Nikia: Picture-perfect village of Nisyros

Nikia is the picture-perfect village of the island of Nisyros. With its white houses and red roofs, it immediately captivates visitors. You can enjoy the most beautiful view just outside the village from a small park bench. You can park your vehicle for free at the entrance to the village; the entire village is a pedestrian zone.

On the right side of the parking lot is the Volcano Museum of Nisyros. It is one of the best geological museums in the entire country. Here you will find a wealth of background information about the formation of Nisyros and the volcanic activity of the entire Aegean Sea. The museum is open every day except Sundays, and admission costs €5.

The narrow, picturesque main street of Nikia winds through the village like a ribbon. After a few meters, you’ll reach the heart of Nikia, the “Porta Nikia.” The Platia has already been voted one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, and rightly so. Between the white houses, the sky and the Aegean Sea seem to blend into a single hue.

If you climb the steps to the church of Issódia tis Theotókou, you can enjoy a great view of the village square decorated with sea pebbles. A visit to the church interior with its imposing marble iconostasis is well worth it. Donations for the preservation of the church are welcome.

Time out at Porta Nikia

On the picturesque village square of Nikia, there are two cafes. The owners of Café Porta are our longtime friends Nektaria and her husband Efthimios (Please say hello from both of us). Here you can order a cool drink and delicious Greek meze. For chocolate lovers, we recommend the legendary “Volcano chocolate cake” with vanilla ice cream.

If you follow the alley to the end of the village, you’ll come to another square that serves as a panoramic viewpoint of the volcano. Here you can enjoy an excellent view of the caldera. Especially in the evening, the atmosphere on the platform is magical. For us personally, this is one of the best places to enjoy the sunset on Nisyros!

In Nikia, we like to take time for a long walk through the charming alleys. Outside of peak tourist hours, you hardly meet anyone except for a few cats, and there is something very calming about walking through this silence.

We continue our exploration of Nisyros and drive back to the port town of Mandraki. Before reaching Hotel Romantzo, the road branches off to the left, leading up to Palaiokastro and the Monastery of Evangelistria.

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#10 Palaiokastro: Acropolis of Nisyros

On a hill above Mandraki stand the cyclopean walls of the Hellenistic Acropolis of Nisyros. The massive stone blocks of the ancient fortress were precisely stacked on top of one another and fitted together. The grounds of Palaiokastro on Nisyros are extensive and partly overgrown with vegetation.

With a bit of luck, you may spot a short-eared owl in the numerous oak trees during the day. Information boards provide details about the origins of the Palaiokastro (also Paleokastro). From the fortress, the panoramic view of Mandraki, the Aegean Sea, and the offshore island of Gyali is magnificent.

The gigantic walls (dating from around 330 BC) are among the best preserved of their kind in all of Greece. In some places, the wall—with stone blocks stacked precisely on top of one another—is up to 3.50 meters thick. The similarity to sites in other parts of the world (including Inca culture in South America) is striking. Admission to Palaiokastro is free.

Archaeological Museum of Nisyros

The Archaeological Museum of Nisyros in Mandraki displays, among other things, artifacts from Paleokastro. You’ll also gain insight into the island’s significant past. In the early Middle Ages, up to 12,000 people are said to have lived on Nisyros. The compact museum houses numerous remarkable artifacts from various eras. Admission to the museum costs €4 (closed on Tuesdays).

#11 Hike to the highest mountain on Nisyros

On the way back to Mandraki, a road branches off to the right leading to the Evangelistria Monastery. From here, you can hike up the island’s highest mountain, standing at 698 meters—Diavatis or Profitis Iliad—featuring its snow-white Prophet Elijah chapel.

You hike through beautiful natural scenery, past ruined houses from pre-Christian times and terraced fields—the hanging gardens of Diavatis. Below the summit, you’ll reach the church of Panagia Diavatiani. Opposite it is an old cistern, and fig trees line a sort of church square.

This is also where the hiking trail appears to end. Only a barely visible path leads up to the summit. The snow-white chapel shines from afar, and when you reach the top, it feels as if you can touch the sky. From the summit, you have a wonderful panoramic view of the Dodecanese Islands.

Inside the chapel, there is a heavenly sense of peace. Light a candle and pause for a moment. A magical place where you are mostly all alone. For the hike (there and back), you should plan about 2.5 hours. We therefore recommend that you only undertake the hike if you are spending the night on the island.

More tips for the island of Nisyros

Getting to Nisyros

You can only reach Nisyros by ferry. The island is served several times a day from Kos from May to October from the ports of Kardamena, Kos Town, and Kefalos. In addition to smaller passenger ferries, there are also large car ferries from Piraeus via Kos or from Rhodes.

You can buy tickets for the small excursion boats directly on board. For the large ferries such as Blue Star, SAOS, and Dodekanisos Seaways, we recommend booking online through our partner Ferryhopper*:

➲ To cheap ferry tickets*

If you don’t want to translate on your own, you can also book a guided tour here through our partner GetYourGuide*: Book a day trip to the island of Nisyros:

➲ To the Volcano Island Tours*

Nisyros Ferry Overview 2026

From Kos Town to Nisyros

• Blue Star Ferries (large car ferries): approx. 3 times per week
• Saos Ferries (car ferry): 2 times per week
• Dodekanisos Seaways (speedboat/catamaran): Tuesday and Thursday
• Supply ship (including Olimpis Ermis): up to 4 times per week, tickets available in Kos Town at Adris Nissia Travel

From Kardamena to Nisyros

• Passenger ferries: 2–3 ferries daily, including Capitan Dimitris, Agios Konstantinos, and the ship IRO; departure at 9:30 AM, return at 3:30 PM
• Pirate boat tours: tickets sold via Sailaway agency or Enetikon Travel; departure at 12:00 PM, return at 6:30 PM (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri)
• Occasional additional trip (one-way only): 5:00 PM with Sailaway (ask at the pier in Kardamena)

From Kefalos to Nisyros

• Kamari passenger ferry: daily during high season; from September to October on Tuesdays and Sundays; departure at 9:30 AM, return at 3:30 PM

→ An up-to-date overview of ferries to Nisyros can be found here: Diakomihalis Travel

Car rental on Nisyros

It is not absolutely necessary to book a guided tour to Nisyros. There are several car rental companies directly at the port of Mandraki. With a rental car or scooter, you can explore the island of Nisyros at your own pace.

In addition, you have the opportunity to visit beautiful spots away from the crowds. For example, it is recommended to drive first to Nikia and then down into the crater. Or to stroll through Mandraki right at the start and then drive up to Emporios. We personally recommend the following rental companies:

Manos K. Rent a Car & Motorbike, Mandraki

Manos and his daughter Popi run their extensive car rental business right at the port of Mandraki. They offer vehicles of all sizes, as well as quads, buggies, and scooters. The process is quick and straightforward; it’s advisable to contact Manos before arriving in Nisyros.

→ You can find more information at:

• Facebook: Manos Rent a Car
• Website: nisyros-rentacar.gr

Diakomihalis Travel, Mandraki

In addition to sturdy compact cars (including the Suzuki Ignis and Jimny), Haris’ travel agency also rents out quads and scooters. A scooter is a great way to explore the island of Nisyros. The Diakomihalis Travel office is located in Mandraki, next to Café Alexandros on Mandraki’s main square.

→ You can find more information on the website of Diakomihalis Travel

Accommodations and hotels in Nisyros

Unlike Kos, Nisyros still prioritizes sustainable tourism. So you won’t find any large hotel complexes or resorts on the island. Old stone houses have been restored and converted into guesthouses in the traditional style.

The furnishings are tastefully minimalist and exude their own unique charm. You simply have to experience the special atmosphere in these traditional Greek houses.

Is it worth spending the night on Nisyros?

We recommend that every Kos vacationer looking for the authentic Greece spend at least one night on Nisyros. There’s a world of difference between the bustling island of Kos and the quiet neighboring island of Nisyros. Especially those who love island hopping in Greece will be thrilled by the island.

Once the excursion boats have left Nisyros in the afternoon, peace returns to the volcanic island. Without all the crowds, you’ll feel the special magic of Nisyros. The main town of Mandraki invites you to take an evening stroll along its magnificent waterfront promenade.

The pretty villages of Nisyros are not only visually inspiring. A return to and reflection on the essentials are also the architectural cornerstones of the island. You will feel as though you have traveled back in time when you stay in the traditional accommodations of Nisyros.

The guesthouses on Nisyros have been restored with great care and effort, and the nightly rates reflect this. However, the unique location, seclusion, and magnificent sea views alone are worth every penny.

Nisyros sights in video

Impressions of the island can be found in the video by Thomas Polasek © :

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