Small & Boutique Hotels in Nisyros

Imagine an island in the Aegean... No all-night parties, no crowded beaches, no hordes of selfie-taking tourists. Nisyros is an island that stands quietly on its own, inaccessible to impatient visitors, but once you're on it, you'll never want to leave. If you are overwhelmed by the crowds, the noise, the speed, this is the perfect slowness therapy.

How to get to Nisyros Island?

Nisyros is a small but characterful Greek island in the Dodecanese group. It is located just south of Rhodes, a little off Kos Island. There is no direct ferry from Turkey; first you have to cross to Kos from Bodrum or Turgutreis. Then, you can reach Nisyros with the ferries departing from Kos with a journey of about 1 hour. Although transportation may seem a bit inconvenient, this inconvenience is also one of the things that makes the island special. The fact that it is not easily accessible has kept it out of mass tourism.

What Not to Expect from Nisyros Island?

It is useful to reset your expectations before coming to Nisyros. Because;

There are no nightclubs open until dawn,

There are no huge resorts, chain hotels, crowded beach clubs,

There are no tourist shops on every corner,

But these shortcomings are the real excesses of Nisyros. Because on the island, there is the sound of wind instead of noise, stars instead of screens, and serenity instead of speed.

What's on Nisyros Island?

1. Walking in the Heart of a Volcano: The biggest feature of Nisyros is that it is built on top of an active volcano. Don't panic just yet, because it's not dangerous, but it's one of the few craters in the world where you can walk down into: Stefanos Crater. You walk down into it, the surface temperature is still close to 100 degrees in some places. If you smell something like rotten eggs, you know that it is still underground. Walking around the crater is like walking on the surface of the moon. Yellow sulfur deposits, steam vents and cracked earth make you feel like you are on a different planet. It is best to go early in the morning; you can walk without the heat and you will be away from the crowds.

2. Nature Walks and Photography Routes: Nisyros is an open-air studio for nature lovers. The center of the island is lush green and the surrounding area is covered with lava stones. Hiking is very enjoyable thanks to the lack of car traffic. As you go up the hills, the view gets more beautiful with every step. The sea on one side and the crater on the other. Especially the hiking route between Emporeios and Nikia is one of the most recommended trails with its scenery and pathways.

Which Villages to Spend Time in Nisyros Island?

Nikia Village: One of the most photogenic villages on the island. White stone streets, houses with blue shutters, and the famous mosaic paved village square. Nikia is situated high up and has a great view of the sea and the crater from above. There are small but characterful cafes and boutique souvenir shops.

Emporeios Village: A little quieter, a little more rustic but very peaceful. It is full of abandoned houses but has been slowly revitalizing in recent years. It's very close to the crater, so it's ideal for early morning walks.

Mandraki: The harbor village of the island. This is the first place you set foot on the ferry. With its whitewashed houses, taverns along the beach, small cafes and ice cream parlors, it is very pleasant at sunset. It is good to go up to the castle ruins and have some quiet time with the view. There are also accommodation alternatives here.

Where to swim in the sea in Nisyros Island?

Pachia Ammos: It offers a different experience with its black volcanic sands. You have to walk a bit, but it is secluded and peaceful.

Hochlaki Beach: Very close to Mandraki, covered with large black pebbles.

Avlaki: Rocky but clean. Take your mask, underwater is quite interesting.

Unknown Things About Nisyros Island

Volcanic Heritage Nisyros is located on one of the youngest volcanoes in the Aegean Sea. One of the most important features of the island is its volcanic crater, the Stefanos Crater. This crater is home to one of the largest hot springs in the world and offers spectacular views.

Historical Traces: There are many historical ruins from ancient times on the island. The most remarkable are the Pantoniki Castle, a medieval fortress in the center of the island, and the ancient theater in Mandraki Port.

Natural Beauties: The natural beauty of Nisyros includes volcanic beaches, caves and lush green valleys. The island's wildlife is also very diverse, making it an ideal place for nature walks and explorations.