EMBORIOS

Emborios is a mountainous village built amphitheatrically among verdant land, 8 km south-east of Mandraki. Its few inhabitants are mainly farmers and stock-breeders and are assisted financially by the emigrants' remittances from the USA and Australia. The village's beautiful traditional houses are built around its only square. From Emborios one can visit the Monastery of Panagia Kira which is in a height of 450 metres and the remains of a Venetian fortress on the outskirts.

MANDRAKI

Mandraki is the island's capital and harbour. This picturesque settlement of about 500 inhabitants is spread along a hillside. Its traditional houses are brightly painted and have well-kept courtyards. At the centre of the town there is the big Square of the Elderly and one of the traditional buildings houses a significant Folk Art Collection. At the top of the hill there is the Castle of the Knights of the Order of St John and the Monastery of "Panagia Spiliani", the island's patron saint. From Mandraki one can visit the area of the Cemetery which is of great archaeological interest, the ruins of an ancient city in Palaiokastro and the Medicinal Springs, 1 km further.

NIKIA

The picturesque village of Nikia lies 400 metres above sea level and is 14 km south of Mandraki. Its 150 inhabitants are mainly stock-breeders and farmers. From Nikia, one can visit the volcano, with its astonishing landscape, and the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Theologos, where a big festival is held on its feast day on the 26th of September.

PALI

Pali is a beautiful seaside village 4 km east of Mandraki. It is one of the tourist resorts of the island, and its few inhabitants are mainly employed in fishing, and in recent years, in the tourist trade. On the waterfront are many tavernas which offer every kind of seafood and fish.