...Dodecanese island walks

About Nisyros

Volcanic Nisyros is very different from its eroded limestone neighbours, less dependent on tourism, apart from day-trippers, though the hilltop villages and remnants of thermal spas attest to its past importance. Although the lava eruptions ended thousands of years ago the volcano is still hydrothermally active, so you can get up close and personal to sulphurous fumaroles, hot springs and recent craters. The volcanic geology has influenced the islands flora; greener and more varied than the other small Dodecanese, and its agriculture has left a network of paths which are being restored and waymarked. Nisyros is almost circular, about 8Km across, area 40Km2, population about 1,000.

 

Nisyros has

  • an un-missable volcanic crater whose story is told in the large modern museum
  • terraced hillsides, covered with wild flowers and woods, including endemic species
  • some good beaches and a loyal fraternity
  • some ruins including some with a mysterious puzzle to solve

Getting to Nisyros

Nisyros is well served by day boats from Kos, Tilos and Rhodes and is visited by some big ferries as well as the catamaran between Rhodes and Kalymnos.

 

Web links for Dodecanese ferries include:

www.gtpnet.com, www.hellenicseaways.gr, www.diavlos.gr, www.greekislandhopping.com, www.bluestarferries.com

Getting around Nisyros

As one of the smaller islands, it's feasible to rent a motor bike or other vehicle if you prefer. There are a few taxis and buses too between the main population centres.

 

Day boats are available between beaches and across to nearby islets, notably the mining island of Ghyali.

Staying on Nisyros

The main tourist accommodation centre is near the harbour although there are alternatives in the quieter inland parts of the town as well as in the hill village of Nikia. Some beach camping is well established along the northern shore.

Maps and other information

Orama 328, ISBN 960-8385-90-3, www.nakas-maps.gr gives a topographic map at 1:35 000, with a latitude/longitude grid to align with GPS. Roads and tracks, but not paths, are marked.

 

There is also a detailed map drawn by a German couple Beate & Dr Jürgen Franke www.bjfranke.privat.t-online.de and another produced by the tourist agency, see www.nisyros.gr.

 

In 2009, Skai published a contoured, GPS compatible hiking map of Nisyros and the nearby island of Ghyali at 1:20,000, Product code ΡΧΑΡΝΙΣ http://shop.skai.gr/default.asp?pid=84&itm=8317&ct=317&la=2

 

There's a number of interesting publications about the volcano and other aspects of the island listed in our Info sheet "Further reading".