Nisyros
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
674 reviews
Excellent
472
Very good
153
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30
Poor
11
Terrible
8
Abbie C
United Kingdom29 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Volcano trip was ok. Not much too it really and was bored after 5 mins. After the trip we went into the town, we had an average meal (rude waiters - asked for halloumi gyros however they wouldn’t do it even though halloumi and chicken gyros was on the menu) however there wasnt much to do after that. Nice bar found in the town, however we was just burning free time. Wouldn’t go again. Might be nice for people who enjoying walking and exploring new places.
Written May 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike A
Kingston-upon-Hull, UK113 contributions
Oct 2022
We went on a boat trip to see the islands volcano. Once we landed we were allowed a couple of hours to visit the port and harbour of this lovely island. Lots of gift shops to peruse and lovely quaint back terraces to explore.
Written October 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
taith
Llandudno, UK161 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
The ferry to the island took an hour each way. We had time to swim and wander about in a couple of villages, followed by an interesting visit to the caldera. We really enjoyed it. Be prepared for a steepish walk up and down if you want to go to the bottom of the caldera.
Written July 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob R
Tredegar, UK2,625 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Before my visit to Kos, I had never heard of this island. After my visit it will remain long in the memory.
A delightful little island with a traditional village on the coast and in the mountains and the opportunity to walk in a volcano, there are not too many opportunities to do that.
Lots of lovely bars and tavernas to have a drink or picturesque lunch.
If staying in Kos this is definitely worth your time in visiting.
A delightful little island with a traditional village on the coast and in the mountains and the opportunity to walk in a volcano, there are not too many opportunities to do that.
Lots of lovely bars and tavernas to have a drink or picturesque lunch.
If staying in Kos this is definitely worth your time in visiting.
Written October 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daithai
London, UK237 contributions
South of Kos and facing Kardamena is the island of Nisyros, a brooding
and from a distance a mysterious presence in the sea in the Dodecanese
islands, between Kos and Tilos. It is basically a volcanic caldera 8 miles in diameter about 8 miles seawards south of Kos. It is a quiet place, far from the well trod tourist path, which is meant to fascinate and charm visitors with its strong colourful character, the dark brown of its volcanic earth, the white of its houses and the deep
blue of its sea. Close by is the other volcanic island of Giali under the flight path to Kos Airport which looks like it has been bisected as it is mined for pumice. There are no large towns on Nisyros but rather a collection of villages by the coast and on the crest of the caldera (Emboria and Nikkia) joined by the one road.
It is an island I had long wanted to visit but had been put off by the
reports of the “Volcano bus tour” which meets you at the harbour, then
brings you to the “volcano” and back to the harbour. I wanted to see the real Nisyros so I arranged with Sevi in Lauzimis Tours (who operate boats and hydrofoils between the islands) to book a taxi to show us around Nisyros. There are only two taxi drivers listed on the island so she suggested Irene as she was the better one and spoke English.
So, it came to pass on the appointed day we found ourselves waiting on the quayside of Kos Harbour for the boat to Nisyros. Only the boat had broken down so after some confusion we found ourselves on MV Petros, a 40 year old hydrofoil on the way to Nisyros. These are soviet built thunderbird like vessels originally built for the Volga and Don rivers and the Black Sea. Petros seemed to be one of the original stock and we sat in the back cabin behind the noisy engines and looking at the ritual of the crew making frappes for themselves in the rudimentary kitchen but no service for the passengers! Even by the standards of these old vessels Petros sounded rough and our suspicions were confirmed next day when we saw it out of the water for
repair at Kos Marina being subject to frantic hammering and welding.
After a while Nisyros loomed closer, dark and mysterious from afar but closer up you begin to detect the houses and greenery and soon our
destination, Mandraki, the harbour town. Because the hydrofoil takes half the time of the boat our taxi driver Irene wasn’t there but in the best Greek tradition we had a coffee at the harbour and mentioned we were early and a call was made to Irene who turned up in 15 minutes.
Up the side of the volcano we headed on the steep road taking more than a passing interest in old Audi’s wheezing & rattling. The island of Nisyros is one big strato-volcano with a large central caldera. The island was built up above sea level about 66,000 years ago and may have risen as high as 1000 metres 24,000 years ago. The main central cone of the volcano then collapsed during an eruption to leave the caldera we see today, around 400 metres high. Pumice from this eruption may be found in 100m thick beds on the higher parts of the island. The last eruption was in 1873 when tuff cones were formed at the base and an explosion created Stephanos, a circular pit 300m in
diameter and 25m deep. This pit is the site of the only volcanic activity on Nisyros at the moment in the form of sulphurous hydrothermal fumaroles, mud pots and hot springs. It is this blast pit that tourists are presented with as the "Nisyros Volcano". Nisyros
also has therapeutic springs with good curative properties at Loutra and on Kos at Thermes there is a hot spring in the sea from a fissure from the volcano 12 miles away.
First stop is halfway on the 8km road to Nikia at the village of Emboreios, which is just off the road. Emboreios is the type of special and poignant place which makes traveling in Greece so different. It is a village still only accessible by track where there are only 20, mostly old, people still living here. Wandering through this largely deserted village and its vista of white and blue houses. many derelict and some collapsed, it is possible to imagine the harsh and frugal lives of the people who were once here like the village clinging to existence in a place of sparse resources. I tried the door
to the village church and was surprised when it opened – inside was a treasure of icons and paintings and above all in the sanctuary a dome painted sky blue with golden stars. This orthodox tradition of painting a starry sky on their domes which represent the heavens comes
from the Egyptian tombs - a pre Christian tradition imported by the Ptolemy’s.
Onwards to the end of the road to Irene’s home village of Nikia. In this atmospheric totally pedestrian (People & Donkey) village you find
the loveliest little town square in Greece with a wonderful Zodiac design in the cobbles and around area it built in seating and two Kafeions. Most Greek villages have two Kafeions as families who were on opposing sides in the Civil War wouldn't drink or take coffee together – things are more relaxed today but the dual cafes remain! The church in the village overlooks and frames the square and the caretaker is happy to show you the icons and contents and out the back there awaits a splendid vista of the volcano crater – looking down on it you can feel sorry for the tourist ants below who have missed out on the real Nisyros. Back down to the harbour where Irene gave us an extempore demonstration of navigating hairpin bends on the side of a volcano whilst smoking with one hand and holding a mobile in the other and having a heated argument in Greek all at the same time – a truly virtuoso display which we all appreciated as a somewhat
relieved party bade farewell to Irene and her vintage vehicle back at the harbour.
The main town of Nisyros is Mandraki which in Greek means harbour or by extension, the harbour town. It has 650 inhabitants and it is impressively picturesque with lovely traditional houses on the waterside and white washed houses - some coloured - with flat roofs externally layered with pumice stone and internally covered with reeds. Balconies and gardens filled with flowers and creepers. Narrow little streets take you up to the castle and the monastery of Panagia Spiliani. (The Virgin Mary of the Caves.)
The monastery is located on the opposite side of the harbour (northwest) and sits on a rock 30m high which it shares with a Venetian fortress from 1315 A.D. The monastery was built around 1600 A.D. and its church is a basilica with a beautiful iconostasis from the 18th century. There is a small library with Greek and Turkish documents and a collection of valuable holy relics and ecclesiastical vessels, crosses, Bibles and icons. The 270 steps lead to the holy cave and the icon of the Blessed Virgin from which the monastery takes
its name. Mandraki is a pleasant and photogenic town with some nice shops and straight forward tavernas.
Wandering back through Mandraki we caught sight of Irene having a coffee and chat in a house. Who knows what secrets the Taxi Driver of Nisyros has to tell us? If you book her for your trip you may not discover her secrets but you will have a character forming experience on the side of a volcano and discover a unique island away from the tourist track. Yammas!
and from a distance a mysterious presence in the sea in the Dodecanese
islands, between Kos and Tilos. It is basically a volcanic caldera 8 miles in diameter about 8 miles seawards south of Kos. It is a quiet place, far from the well trod tourist path, which is meant to fascinate and charm visitors with its strong colourful character, the dark brown of its volcanic earth, the white of its houses and the deep
blue of its sea. Close by is the other volcanic island of Giali under the flight path to Kos Airport which looks like it has been bisected as it is mined for pumice. There are no large towns on Nisyros but rather a collection of villages by the coast and on the crest of the caldera (Emboria and Nikkia) joined by the one road.
It is an island I had long wanted to visit but had been put off by the
reports of the “Volcano bus tour” which meets you at the harbour, then
brings you to the “volcano” and back to the harbour. I wanted to see the real Nisyros so I arranged with Sevi in Lauzimis Tours (who operate boats and hydrofoils between the islands) to book a taxi to show us around Nisyros. There are only two taxi drivers listed on the island so she suggested Irene as she was the better one and spoke English.
So, it came to pass on the appointed day we found ourselves waiting on the quayside of Kos Harbour for the boat to Nisyros. Only the boat had broken down so after some confusion we found ourselves on MV Petros, a 40 year old hydrofoil on the way to Nisyros. These are soviet built thunderbird like vessels originally built for the Volga and Don rivers and the Black Sea. Petros seemed to be one of the original stock and we sat in the back cabin behind the noisy engines and looking at the ritual of the crew making frappes for themselves in the rudimentary kitchen but no service for the passengers! Even by the standards of these old vessels Petros sounded rough and our suspicions were confirmed next day when we saw it out of the water for
repair at Kos Marina being subject to frantic hammering and welding.
After a while Nisyros loomed closer, dark and mysterious from afar but closer up you begin to detect the houses and greenery and soon our
destination, Mandraki, the harbour town. Because the hydrofoil takes half the time of the boat our taxi driver Irene wasn’t there but in the best Greek tradition we had a coffee at the harbour and mentioned we were early and a call was made to Irene who turned up in 15 minutes.
Up the side of the volcano we headed on the steep road taking more than a passing interest in old Audi’s wheezing & rattling. The island of Nisyros is one big strato-volcano with a large central caldera. The island was built up above sea level about 66,000 years ago and may have risen as high as 1000 metres 24,000 years ago. The main central cone of the volcano then collapsed during an eruption to leave the caldera we see today, around 400 metres high. Pumice from this eruption may be found in 100m thick beds on the higher parts of the island. The last eruption was in 1873 when tuff cones were formed at the base and an explosion created Stephanos, a circular pit 300m in
diameter and 25m deep. This pit is the site of the only volcanic activity on Nisyros at the moment in the form of sulphurous hydrothermal fumaroles, mud pots and hot springs. It is this blast pit that tourists are presented with as the "Nisyros Volcano". Nisyros
also has therapeutic springs with good curative properties at Loutra and on Kos at Thermes there is a hot spring in the sea from a fissure from the volcano 12 miles away.
First stop is halfway on the 8km road to Nikia at the village of Emboreios, which is just off the road. Emboreios is the type of special and poignant place which makes traveling in Greece so different. It is a village still only accessible by track where there are only 20, mostly old, people still living here. Wandering through this largely deserted village and its vista of white and blue houses. many derelict and some collapsed, it is possible to imagine the harsh and frugal lives of the people who were once here like the village clinging to existence in a place of sparse resources. I tried the door
to the village church and was surprised when it opened – inside was a treasure of icons and paintings and above all in the sanctuary a dome painted sky blue with golden stars. This orthodox tradition of painting a starry sky on their domes which represent the heavens comes
from the Egyptian tombs - a pre Christian tradition imported by the Ptolemy’s.
Onwards to the end of the road to Irene’s home village of Nikia. In this atmospheric totally pedestrian (People & Donkey) village you find
the loveliest little town square in Greece with a wonderful Zodiac design in the cobbles and around area it built in seating and two Kafeions. Most Greek villages have two Kafeions as families who were on opposing sides in the Civil War wouldn't drink or take coffee together – things are more relaxed today but the dual cafes remain! The church in the village overlooks and frames the square and the caretaker is happy to show you the icons and contents and out the back there awaits a splendid vista of the volcano crater – looking down on it you can feel sorry for the tourist ants below who have missed out on the real Nisyros. Back down to the harbour where Irene gave us an extempore demonstration of navigating hairpin bends on the side of a volcano whilst smoking with one hand and holding a mobile in the other and having a heated argument in Greek all at the same time – a truly virtuoso display which we all appreciated as a somewhat
relieved party bade farewell to Irene and her vintage vehicle back at the harbour.
The main town of Nisyros is Mandraki which in Greek means harbour or by extension, the harbour town. It has 650 inhabitants and it is impressively picturesque with lovely traditional houses on the waterside and white washed houses - some coloured - with flat roofs externally layered with pumice stone and internally covered with reeds. Balconies and gardens filled with flowers and creepers. Narrow little streets take you up to the castle and the monastery of Panagia Spiliani. (The Virgin Mary of the Caves.)
The monastery is located on the opposite side of the harbour (northwest) and sits on a rock 30m high which it shares with a Venetian fortress from 1315 A.D. The monastery was built around 1600 A.D. and its church is a basilica with a beautiful iconostasis from the 18th century. There is a small library with Greek and Turkish documents and a collection of valuable holy relics and ecclesiastical vessels, crosses, Bibles and icons. The 270 steps lead to the holy cave and the icon of the Blessed Virgin from which the monastery takes
its name. Mandraki is a pleasant and photogenic town with some nice shops and straight forward tavernas.
Wandering back through Mandraki we caught sight of Irene having a coffee and chat in a house. Who knows what secrets the Taxi Driver of Nisyros has to tell us? If you book her for your trip you may not discover her secrets but you will have a character forming experience on the side of a volcano and discover a unique island away from the tourist track. Yammas!
Written January 2, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter Nimmo
Congleton, England, United Kingdom4 contributions
Oct 2013 • Family
Saw a review before I went that someone was moaning about the volcano because it looked like a disused quarry/wasn't a big crater filled with lava and I feel I need to take it upon myself to counter this.
Basically you get the boat from Kardamena (if you're staying in Kos town to can get a transfer to Kardamena as part of the trip) which takes about an hour. You then get a bus from the port to the crater which takes about 20 minutes. When you're travelling you get breathtaking views across the caldera in which you can see 360 degree views of the caldera rim, crater and lava dome as well as thousands of olive trees that grow in the fertile soil. You then get off the bus and have time to walk down into the crater where there are pools of boiling mud (don't get too close to these unless you want an early death) and large numbers of active fumaroles as well as take in the views of what looks like a lunar landscape. After the trip to the volcano you have time to walk around mandraki that has hundreds of small tavernas selling greek food.
All in all, this volcano is well worth a visit for most people but if you aren't interested in volcanoes or have deluded views of what a volcano is then don't bother going and save yourself from moaning. There are very few accessible volcanoes on earth that have an active lava lake and won't kill you from the toxic fumes emitted. Since this volcano likes to spew out rhyolitic lava (which is basically just glass) you would never see a pool of lava here anyway.
Basically you get the boat from Kardamena (if you're staying in Kos town to can get a transfer to Kardamena as part of the trip) which takes about an hour. You then get a bus from the port to the crater which takes about 20 minutes. When you're travelling you get breathtaking views across the caldera in which you can see 360 degree views of the caldera rim, crater and lava dome as well as thousands of olive trees that grow in the fertile soil. You then get off the bus and have time to walk down into the crater where there are pools of boiling mud (don't get too close to these unless you want an early death) and large numbers of active fumaroles as well as take in the views of what looks like a lunar landscape. After the trip to the volcano you have time to walk around mandraki that has hundreds of small tavernas selling greek food.
All in all, this volcano is well worth a visit for most people but if you aren't interested in volcanoes or have deluded views of what a volcano is then don't bother going and save yourself from moaning. There are very few accessible volcanoes on earth that have an active lava lake and won't kill you from the toxic fumes emitted. Since this volcano likes to spew out rhyolitic lava (which is basically just glass) you would never see a pool of lava here anyway.
Written October 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy_Lisa_9
Newcastle Upon Tyne14 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
Beautiful island - rather than taking bus to volcano hire a moped or car at the harbour and make sure you visit the beautiful villages
Written May 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Temitope A
1 contribution
Sep 2016 • Couples
Firstly, I wasn't informed there were health conditions to consider before you can visit the volcano. You can't have any mobility problems, you can't be asthmatic or pregnant. If you are not seeing the volcano, you literally don't get any tour guide and you are left to wonder a village by yourself for 5hrs. The ferries only depart the village at 3:30pm. We were done in 2hrs. I felt trapped. If you have seen a village before this won't be so impressive.
Written September 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeanie12346789
Thessaloniki Region, Greece29 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
We took a day trip from Kos to Nissyros and it was a fantastic trip! Nisyrros has retained its traditional architecture and doesn't cater to mass tourism. It has small traditional towns with narrow streets decorated with colored pebbles depicting various images. It is also home to one of the still active volcanoes of Greece. You can walk on the caldera and see steam and hot spots. Impressive for children and adults. There are some great traditional food and drinks. The beaches are rugged since it is a volcanic island. I would highly recommend visiting to get a feel of traditional settlements.
Written January 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CristianTataru
Targu Neamt, Romania28 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
This small island is really stunning! We were there through an organized trip coming from Kos; the island has stunning views, an old (and still active) volcano to visit and a beautiful small village which can be visited by foot in less than 2 hours; plenty of small shops to buy any souvenir you can imagine.
Written December 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi - what are toilet facilities like on the boats / ferries that travel across and what are toilet facilities like when exploring the island (the volcano etc). Thanks in advance
Written September 24, 2022
Bonjour, est-ce que le chemin pour aller au volcan à pieds est long et difficile ? Merci d'avance pour vos réponses
Written July 14, 2021
I've been here 15 years ago
Is it changed?
Should i go again ?
Written September 1, 2019
Ik ben hier 15 jaar geleden al eens geweest
Is er veel veranderd?
Written July 29, 2019
Traghetto da Kardamena c'è tutti i giorni?
Abbiamo prenotato un hotel a Nisyros x inizio luglio (da lunedì a martedì).
Mi è venuto un dubbio...il traghetto da Kardamena a Nisyros c'è tutti i giorni?
A noi servirebbe il lunedì e martedì.
Grazie mille.
Written June 20, 2019
Si, di sicuro almeno 2 dei 3 armatori effettuano la traversata ogni giorno. Nell'isola c'è la possibilità di noleggio auto e moto ma da quello che ho visto almeno uno dei tre traghetti può trasportare un eventuale veicolo noleggiato a Kos (chiedere comunque per sicurezza). Gli orari di partenza dei traghetti (almeno ad inizio giugno) era tassativo alle ore 09:30 così come il ritorno alle 15:30.
Written June 22, 2019
If we catch the ferry from Kardamena to Nisyros independently will we be able to get to the volcano without a car? Thanks
Written May 23, 2019
It’s way too far and difficult to walk and probably cycle (unless you are a mean cyclist). You can book on a tour bus or hire a vehicle at the port easily - which is a trade off between cost and freedom to decide when and where you go. Either way, it’s worth a visit.
Written June 23, 2019
Mersaw
Moscow, Russia
Hi everybody,
Can you make clear if it is possible to get to the volkano by yourself? Not excursion, afoot or by scooter / bike. We like to walk and do not like buses and excursions with time restrictions and so on :)
Written September 4, 2018
Ich finde leider nicht genau zu welchen Uhrzeiten und wo genau eine Fähre von Kos nach nisyros geht. Kann mir jemand helfen?
Written June 4, 2018
Hi there. Can someone tell me if there will be any day time ferries running from Rhodes to Nisyros in July. All I can find is the Blue Star night time one.
Many thanks, Peter
Written April 3, 2018
Hello mr.Peter, Every Tuesday and Thursday the Dodecanisos Pride leaves at 08.30 a.m from rhodes and arrives on Nisyros at 11.20 a.m. You can check the itineraries of all boats at my website: visitnisyros.gr. I hope to help you!
Written May 24, 2018
We are planning to go to nisyros 3rd week of September will restaurants bars etc be closing up.by then? Ps we do.understand it's aliquot key quiet destination
Written September 8, 2017
I am not sure sorry I could not answer your question.
Written September 9, 2017
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