Nisyros is a volcanic Greek island in the southeastern Aegean Sea. It is part of the Dodecanese islands.

According to Greek mythology, Nisyros was formed when the god Poseidon grabbed part of the island of Kos, located just outside of the Dodecanese group, and threw it a Titan named Polyvotis, who was trying to escape from him.

The rock became the island of Nisyros, and Polyvotis, trapped beneath the rock, became the island's volcano.

The crater of this volcano is the one of the largest volcanic craters in the Mediterranean.

Today, the volcano still gives off sulfurous fumes. However, it has not had a major eruption since 1888.

Nisyros has inhabited by humans asl ong ago as the Neolithic period. Mandraki. the main port and largest town on the island, contains the ruins of a 4th century BC fortress known as the Palaiokastro. A Venetian castle in Mandraki, which includes Panaghia Spiliani monastery, was built around 1400 AD.

An archeological museum and an art museum are located located in Mandraki.

There are Roman and paleo-Christian ruins in the village of Paloi..

Nikia, a small village on Nisyros, is located on the lip of the crater of the island's volcano. In 2008, a museum of volcanology opened here. Tourists who come to Nikia can look out over the caldera and can walk from the Nikia to the floor of the volcano, a trip that takes about a half an hours. Nikia's village square is covered with black pebbles.

Close to the village of Nikia is the monastery of Agios Ioannis Theologos, which has a bell tower made out of lava.

Because it is a volcanic island, Nisyros has many hot springs. There are popular spas at Loutra in Mandraki and in Thermiane in Paloi.

Nisyros has many beautiful beaches along its 16 mile (25 kilometer) long coastline. Black pebbles cover Houchlakous Beach, which is located in Mandraki.

Lies beach, which has fine, white sand, is in Paloi.