The island of Nisyros is almost circular-shaped.
In fact it’s about a volcanic cone containing one of the most ancient and bigger volcanic craters in the Mediterranean.

Around Nisyros there are the islets of Gyali, where there is a pumice stone excavation pit, and obsidian excavation during ancient years, as well Kantilioussa, Pyrgoussa, Stroggili and Pachia.

In Nisyros, horizontal lanes of dry wall (vastadia) support the ground creating lanes of cultivable land (pezoula (terraces) or tavla). Rocky cottages (apostrofi, spiladi), old distilleries, (kazanari where the famous koukouzina is being made), chapels, paved paths (kalderimia) spread in the whole area, testimony the human endeavor of survival and expression as well.

The 4 traditional settlements, with their dense continuous layout, are built on or next to ancient settlements, including a castle usually dominating on the hill top. Remnants of the ancient walls are all around the island, penetrating the settlements, tangling with history, narrating various events. Italians, Turkish, Venetians, Dorians, Mycenaeans, Pelasgians. We recommend seeing:

Mandraki the capital of the island and port with the unique walls of the ancient Greek acropolis (Palaiokastro 4th bef. J.C.) and the Venetian castle with the monastery of Spiliani (1.600 post J.C.).

On the way to Palloi there are the municipal therapeutical baths which operated in 1870 by N. Apostolides.

The village of Palloi is built on an ancient city from which there are still remnants of the Roman and paleo- christianic period. There are still remnants of the Hippocratic Therapeutical Baths, along with the chapel of Panaghia Thermiani.

The village of Emboreios, with the medieval fort and the Taxiarchis church.
Visit the historical coffeeshop in the square and enjoy the view to the volcanic crater.

The village ofe Nikia with the tile- roofs and the famous square which has been given an award for its elliptic shape.

Small beautiful churches, such as of Panaghia Listiriotissa of Aghia Triada, the monastery of Aghios Ioannis Theologos, of Panaghia Kyra, of Armatos Stavros, the monastery Siones, the Faneromeni temple, the church of Evanghelistria and of Panaghia Diavatini are sculling around the slopes. In the beach of Argos you can find the sulfur processing remnants.

The biggest settlement where you can find the port, the Folkloric Museum, the Archeological Museum, the Paliokastro (6th- 4th century bef. J.C.), the Venetian Castle with Panaghia Spiliani (14th cent.,/ celebrated from 6-15 of August), the Municipal Therapeutical Baths, the pebbled beaches of Dimarcheio, Potamos and of Ilikiomeni. The beach of Chochlakoi is ideal for swimming. Don’t miss visiting the monastery of Armas with the famous frescos on the way to Evanghelistria.