Ferry from Symi to Nisyros

Symi Guide

The Greek island of Symi is one of the Dodecanese Islands and is located around 40 km to the north west of the island of Rhodes and 420 km from the Port of Piraeus. Symi's closest neighbours are the Datca and Bozburun peninsulars of Mugla Province in Turkey. The island's terrain is mainly mountainous and its coastline is made up of either beaches and secluded coves, or rocky cliffs. Located on the north east coast of the island is its main town, also called Symi. The lower town is the area around the harbour, called Yialos, and the upper town is called Horio or Ano Symi. There isn't a great deal to see or do on the island, and this is perhaps where its charm is. Apart from lazing on the beach or swimming in its crystal clear waters the Monastery of the Archangel Panormitis, which is an early 18th century Greek Orthodox monastery built on the coast in the south west of the country, is worth visiting. Overlooking Ano Symi is the Kastro which was built by the Knights of St. John as an expansion of a Byzantine castle on the same site. Quite a bit of the structure remains and there are also signs of an ancient citadel on which two later castles were built.

Nisyros Guide

The Greek island of Nisyros is one of the Dodecanese group of islands and lies in the Aegean Sea, between the island of Kos and the island of Tilos. Nisyros is regarded as one of the most beautiful islands in the region and is largely untouched by tourism. The island, which has a coastline of around 28 km, was created, according to mythology, during the war between Gods and Giants where Poseidon chased the Giant Polyvotis down to Kos, cut a part of it and threw it to his enemy, sinking him forever in to the bottom of the Aegean Sea. This rock is Nisyros and the volcano's eruptions are said to be the angry breathing of the defeated Giant.

The island's capital, and home to the island's port, is Mandraki and is one of the largest villages on Nisyros. Mandraki is characterised by charming cobblestoned streets and squares and typical Greek whitewashed two storeyed houses complete with wooden balconies. The nightlife is not very intense but you will surely have a good time in the village where there are little tavernas and some bars to enjoy.

It can be reached by ferry from Piraeus, Kos and Rhodes.