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Tradional Villages
Mandraki, Emporeios, Pali, Nikia
Mandraki
The port and the capital of the island, Mandraki is located in the north and sits on the sea below the Monastery of the Panagia Spilianis, which is located within the walls of the 14th century Castle of the Knights of Saint John, with much of it built into a cave. It is actually two churches; Kimisi tis Theotokou (the Assumption) and Agios Charalambos (Saint Charalambos).
Emporeios
Emboreios is a small village with a mix of inhabited and ruined houses. It's build on the edge of the caldera in 330m hight. By the church of Agia Maria there is a dirt road that leads to a spot where you have a view of the volcano
Nikia
The village of Nikia has some exceptional views of the volcano as well as one of the most beautiful churches in Greece, Isodia tou Theotokou, dedicated to the Panagia (Virgin Mary) and sitting in an elliptical square called The Porta, with a mosaic design by Paschalis Paschalakis, a famous local artist of the 19th century. There are a couple cafe/restaurants in the square where you can find a perfect example of an unspoiled Greek Island village. If you walk to the peak and the church of Profiti Ilias you will have one of the best views of the volcano and the island. It's also suggested to wander around the narrow streets of the village and admiring the traditional island architecture. Don't forget to visit the Volcanological Museum, the first and only one in Greece at the moment.
Pali
Going east from Mandraki you come to the village of Pali, a small fishing village with a nice beach, several tavernas, a few places to stay, and the incomplete restoration of the Ippokratis Ancient Springs, an historical spa that Andreas Pantelides, grandson of the famous doctor who built it, attempted to restore before realizing that this is a project that is beyond the means of any one mortal. If he had been successful it might have been one of the best and most famous hotel spas in Greece if not the world. Instead it is just a very large, impressive group of stone buildings in a dramatic location on the sea.
