Fresh off-the-ferry visitors are in for a treat, since the languorous port of Nisyros will not prepare them for the energetic underground going-ons. Welcome to the super-star of Greek volcanoes! Nisyros is part of the Dodecanese archipelago and one of those islands that you need a LOT of time to get to. We are talking at least 15 hours of sea-gazing, sun-bathing, seagull-counting, snack-munching - mind you, you will need that long to leave all mortal cares behind and set the mood for the absolute miracle that Nisyros is!
The site of one of the oldest and grandest volcanic craters in the Mediterranean is still alive and kicking. Gurgling fumes are abundant and the dominant sulphuric – ahem, egg-y – odour is tinting the air yellow. Nothing though will take away the jaw-dropping, thought-provoking beauty of one of the best preserved hydrothermal sites on Earth. Once you set foot on Stefanos, a 330m-long and 30m-deep beast of a crater, amidst sparkling crystalline formations, you are bound to engage in some serious contemplation over one’s minuscule existence through the millennia – after all, Stefanos has been around for over 4,000 years. But it’s not the oldest, neither the biggest, so be prepared (water and hat-equipped) to explore the twenty or so craters of the region.
If you’d rather go swimming, get ready for some of the most idyllic beaches in Greece. Cliffy mainly, yet some sandy, some pebbly, some black-lava pebbly. But, the island’s volcanic character will catch up on you there, too. Thermal springs are commonplace – a mixture of sea- and rainwater, rich in minerals is awaiting to soothe aching muscles, skin disorders or simply to warm your heart!
If neither of the above speaks to your soul, then Nisyros’ architecture is bound to do the trick. Byzantine monasteries with elaborate frescoes (the most important being Panagia Spiliani or Holy Virgin of the Caves) are dotted throughout the island inspiring a special kind of spirituality irrespective of religion. The acropolis of the ancient town of Mandraki dating back to classical Antiquity as well as the various Knights Castles offer a glimpse into a wide spectrum of activity through the millennia, that few islands are capable of containing. Unbearably quaint stone-paved alleyways will accommodate your steps, leading you away to hidden treasures and mystical corners in settlements, often as old as the acropolis.
For nature lovers, Nisyros presents the curious visitor with an extraordinary variety of local trees (pistachio, oak, fig, almond) and at least 30 species of wild birds, as well as a plethora of endemic ones.
Whichever aspect of Nisyros draws you more, you are surely going to forget the long ferry journey. Being here for some time will make you realise, it was actually necessary!
