Once upon a time, thousands of years ago, which stipulated a god of the sea and said Neptune, trying to help Zeus in the fight against the Titans, katedioke a terrible giant, Polyvoti, steries and seas. Do not unable to catch, and now having arrived in Kos, triaina cut with a piece of the island and has plunged by more. The giant buried underneath, with his mouth open in the box is now the volcano and vrychithmous to cause vibrations in regular small piece of land which was later named Nisyros.
Without ever losing a close link with the island which, in theory at least, once formed part, Nisyros followed, historically, the state of Kos and the rest of the Dodecanese, shaping, but its own, special character. One character is not justified in brochures and postcards, not apokalyptotan tourists to the island hopping, which retained the original, almost mysterious beauty fylagmeni for those who entered the trouble to devote time to discover.
And so it remained. An island with a charming atmosphere and apokosmi, volcano sagineftiko and dangerous, with visitors fanatics, who, if they ask for five reasons to visit, she will focus on concrete things. I'll talk about «this magical atmosphere», «this feeling that conveys the volcanic landscape, which is both wild and idyllic», «these sunsets, which have different colour», «this serenity, not to find anywhere »- Much more than that for beaches, villages, taverns or other hot spots.
This is the Nisyros. The understand from the first moment of disembarkation at Mandraki, capital and port of the island, where antikrizeis image of the traditional village, with white houses with wooden balconies, and the Venetian castle which crowns. The feel of the first walks in the alleys of stone-built, that the party has an atmosphere katadiki, a fascination that goes beyond the natural beauty and the creations of local residents. Such will say that due to energy vibes of the volcano.
Apart from Mandraki, which collects the greater movement of the island, and proudly displays some of the most beautiful images - katalefka houses with blue and tirkouaz windows, olanthistes paved courtyards and cobbled streets-the Nisyros has three more settlements. Palloi, the picturesque fishing village, built by the ancient town, with the popular spa, where sozonati and Ippokrateia ruins of the Baths of seniority, and two of the most popular beaches on the island, Pahia Ammo and Lyes is closest to the capital. Here, even if you do not deleasoun the curative properties of water, you will certainly stand for a ouzaki and meze side to wave.
Over the port of Pallon, the medieval village of Emporeiou, skarfalomenos on the slope, looking from the balcony of a less photographed, but equally charming, Caldera. When you manage to apochoristeite the stunning views, will walk in the Castle of Pantonikis, the church of Taxiarches, Physical Sauna.
The settlement also mountain of Nikeion will appeal to the unique architecture and the majestic view of the Caldera, while paved with pebbles square Portas, awarded as one of the best in Europe, winning several hours in - anyway loose - your program. Speaking about squares, the famous square of Ilikiomenis with soaring of fikous is at Mandraki, and offers endless soumades - yes, there are still-and long discussions with the locals. We all end up, apomesimera for natural cooling and the deilina for entirely different meaning it acquires in this part of socializing.
And from beaches? Apokrimnes coast and kataprasines slopes leading to dantelota beaches, ammoudera other and with other prominent in the black pebbles the vicinity of the volcano, form a jigsaw difficult to meet another island. Ifaisteiogenes landscape and unique sunset to Chochlakous, katalefki fine sand in - homonym-White Ammo, exotic scenery in Kochlaki, hot springs that anavlyzoun into the sea in Avlaki. The islets - satellites Glass, San Antonios and Round have also good beaches, which you can visit by boat.
The volcano of Nisyrou, still active in itself a reason to visit the island - and this applies not only to those involved with the geology. Open-air museum, with six kratires, the largest of which, Stefanos, is one of the largest and best preserved ydrothermikous kratires in the world, brings many visitors each year - maintains, however, the mysterious charm of aloviti from cameras and postcards.
The sightseeing continues to countless churches on the island, xefytronoun each slope, near or far from their villages, monasteries, most important of which is the Virgin Mary Spilianis, built into the rock which dominates more than Mandraki, museums Mandrakiou , Archaeological and Folklore, Ippotika Ruins of Emporeiou, Nikeion and Mandraki, and the Mires, the ancient citadel of classical times, and finally, the ancient Roman baths in Pallous.
More than the sights, but the real Nisyros is on the experience offered to visitors. Visit small taverns in the alleys and taste the local cuisine, «pitthia» as saying the revythokeftedes and «cheese tyrias», local cheese cooked in red wine. Walk silent volcano anapneontas in the breeze. Pieite soumada with the locals on skieres votsalostrotes squares. Xaploste in black pebbles of Chochlakon, to admire the best sunset on the island. Live the unique experience of dodekanisiakon fairgrounds. Close your eyes and wish to be authentic and for all parties, away from tourist traps and other «use». When opened, Nisyros will still be there.
Accommodation
The «fashion» of all inclusive resorts and hotels pentasteron not, fortunately, still hit the Nisyros. Instead, to stay in sympathestata, carefully rented rooms with stunning sea views, as the White Beach (22420 31497-8, approximately 50 euros) at Mandraki and Mammis Appartments to Pallous (22420 31453, from 30 per double). The Porfyris (22420 31376, 35 euros) features a swimming pool with seawater, while Polyvotis (22420 31011) is minimal steps from the sea - both at Mandraki.
Food
Psarofagias lovers will find in the Nisyros paradiZe. The Captain's House and Makis to Pallous is from klassikoteres addresses for fresh fish and seafood, beside the surf. Both serving and mageireftes specialties, in case the company is divided. Calculate approximately 15-20 per person.
Hot spot for steamed considered the Balcony of Emporeiou, which will enjoy homemade delicacies and baked and souvlista meat, with a magnificent view of the Caldera, and only around 15 euros per person, as well as the Panorama, in Mandraki, claiming worthily Prize for local specialties - slightly more expensive, around 20-25 per person.
In Nikeia, will certainly make a stand for pitia and kokkinisto katsikaki to Door, homonym square, while another famous square, this Ilikiomenis in Mandraki, the proposal to hear the name Peace and serves home made steamed and baked in souvla. Approximately 15 per person for both.
