Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ayíou Pandelímona monastery
Daily: May-Sept 10am-7pm, may close briefly at noon; Oct-April 10am-4pm
The paved road ends 8km west of Megálo Horió at fortified
Ayíou Pandelímona
monastery
, founded in the fifteenth century for the sake of its miraculous spring, still
the best water on the island. A fitfully operating drinks café hosts the island's major
festival
of July 25-27. The monastery's tower-gate and oasis setting, high above the
forbidding west coast, are its most memorable features, though a photogenic inner
courtyard boasts a
votsalotó
surface, and the church a fine tesselated mosaic floor.
Níssyros
The volcanic island of
Níssyros
is unlike its neighbours in almost every respect. It's
much lusher and greener than dry Tílos and Hálki to the south, blessed with rich soil
that nurtures a distinctive flora, and it supported a large agricultural population in
ancient times. In contrast to long flat Kos to the north, Níssyros is round and tall, with
the high walls of its central caldera rising abruptly from the shoreline around its entire
perimeter. And Níssyros conceals a startling secret; behind those encircling hills, the
interior of the island is
hollow
, centring on a huge crater floor that's dotted with
still-steaming vents and cones.
For most visitors, the volcano is Níssyros' main attraction. It's easy enough to see it
on a day-trip from Kos, so few bother to spend the night. That's a shame, because it's a
genuinely lovely island, very short on beaches but abounding in spectacular scenery.
The port and sole large town,
Mandhráki
on the northwest coast, is an appealing
tight-knit community with some fine ancient ruins, while two delightful villages,
Emboriós and Nikiá, straddle the crater ridge.
These days, much of the island's income is derived from the offshore islet of
Yialí
, a
vast lump of pumice, all too clearly visible just north of Mandhráki, that's slowly being
quarried away. Substantial concession fees have given the islanders economic security.
Níssyros also offers good
walking
, on trails that lead through a countryside studded
with oak and terebinth (pigs gorge themselves on the abundant acorns, and pork
figures prominently on menus).
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
8
NÍSSYROS
By ferry
Ferries moor at a concrete jetty a few hundred
metres east of Mandhráki, out of sight of town. Níssyros is
connected with the following ports: Astypálea (1 weekly;
5hr 30min); Hálki (2 weekly; 1hr 40min); Kálymnos (2
weekly; 2hr 50min); Kastellórizo (2 weekly; 8hr 30min);
Kos Kardamena (3 weekly; 40min); Kos Town (8 weekly;
1hr-1hr 40min); Náxos (1 weekly; 10hr); Páros (1 weekly;
12hr); Pireás (1 weekly; 17hr 30min); Rhodes (4 weekly;
3hr 10min-4hr 45min); Sými (3 weekly; 3-4hr); Tílos (3
weekly; 50min).
Travel agencies
Dhiakomihalis (
T
22240 31459) or
Kendris (
T
22420 31227).
GETTING AROUND
By bus
Buses from the jetty head up to six times daily to
Emboriós and Nikiá, via Pálli.
By taxi
For fixed-rate taxi service, call
T
22420 31460.
By car and scooter
Rental outlets include Manos K on
Mandhráki harbour (
T
22420 31029), and Dhiakomihalis
in town (
T
22240 31459).
By c oach
Several coach trips daily set off from the jetty to
visit the volcano. English-run Enetikon Travel, nearby on
the road into town (
T
22420 31180,
E
agiosnis@otenet
.gr), are typical in offering €8 round trips every morning
from 10.30am onwards, each of which takes a total of 1hr
45min.
Mandhráki
The ancient harbour of
MANDHRÁKI
, the capital of Níssyros, silted up centuries ago,
creating a fertile patch that now serves as the
kámbos
(community orchard),
surrounded in turn by the modern town. Nonetheless this remains the island's sole
