Things To Do in Nidri

This is a cheerful, relaxed place that serves authentic Greek fare – best of all it’s right on the beach, with a view over to the beautiful island of Skorpios. Owner Tom likes to chat with his customers while the kitchen prepares specialities like the souvlaki, moussaka and stuffed vine leaves. Stamna, or beef with cinnamon, is a particularly stand-out dish and goes well with the local Retsina white.

The waterfalls at Rahi village are 40 minutes away on foot. Here, water trickles down the cliffs and you can take a dip in the pools below. It’s an easy walk but wear good shoes – the rocks near the water can get slippery and it gets a little steep at the end. Along the way you pass through lemon groves and cypress tree forests – right before you get to the falls, there’s also a little restaurant that makes a nice stop-off for lunch.

The nightlife is centred on the main street – here the places get livelier as the evening goes on, but always have a laid-back, relaxed feel. It’s all about sitting outside, sipping ice-cold Amstel beer. Nidri has 2 clubs as well – one at the northern end of town, the other in the south – where you can stay ’til the early morning, dancing to techno and electronic.

The islands around Nidri are home to Greece’s wealthiest people – so it’s no surprise to see a sailing regatta held here. Almost 200 boats set off from Nidri Harbour and jostle for space in the water. You can jump on a boat trip to follow the race, or drive 20 minutes to Sivota, where the race ends with a big open-air party in the village square.

Café de Paris is a family-run bar with views across the water. Its owner is called Paris, rather than this being a French place. His son Panos runs the place, and he’s happy to talk you through the cocktail list. The classic mojito is just one of many on offer. And if you fancy a sweet treat, the brownies and waffles are the most famous in Nidri.

There are a few supermarkets in Nidri, plus souvenir shops selling novelty T-shirts and beach essentials. For fine embroidery and lace, head to the little hillside village of Karia, 25 minutes’ drive away. All the major tourist towns sell Karia goods, but here you can buy straight from the ladies who make them. Their workshops and stalls are along the village’s 1 main street – sometimes you can even see them work outside.

Meganissi Island is a quiet place about 20 minutes’ ferry from Nidri. You dock at Spilio village, where the white pebble bay is lapped by crystal clear water. It’s a secluded and uncrowded beach, with shade coming from the surrounding pine and cypress trees. A 10-minute walk to the town in the hills above brings you to little tavernas and shops to buy picnic stuff – from here the views stretch all the way back to Nidri.