Visit Tilos: what are the best things to do and see on this peaceful island in the Dodecanese archipelago?
Don’t wait another minute to discover and visit Tilos. This tiny Greek island of 64 km² is one of the 160 islands and islets of the Dodecanese archipelago. Located between Kos and Rhodes to be exact, it has a population of no more than 500.
A true haven of peace in the heart of the Aegean Sea, the island of Tilos is ideal for relaxing and romantic vacations. This authentic island, with its arid, mountainous landscapes, is renowned for its conviviality. The island’s inhabitants are as welcoming as they are warm-hearted, and are committed to green tourism that respects nature, the environment and the island’s heritage.
Discover the island’s picturesque beaches, small traditional fishing port and ancient sites, for a relaxing and convivial vacation.
Wondering what to do in Tilos? Follow our guide! We reveal the 8 must-do things to do on this island of incredible charm.
1. Livadia
If you’re visiting Tilos by boat, you’ll arrive at Lividia, the island’s main port. You’ll immediately fall under the spell of this small, traditional port and its vast bay, surrounded by mountains.
Lividia boasts a number of hotels along the bay, as well as tasty, traditional tavernas where you can dine and sample local specialities.
2. Agios Panteleimon monastery
Looking for something to do in Tilos? The monastery of Agios Panteleimon is definitely worth a visit. St Pantaleimon is the patron saint of Tilos. Its monastery, the most important on the island, was built in the 15th century.
It’s now abandoned, but still of great beauty, with its frescoes and beautiful courtyard paved with pebbles. It’s located near the top of the island. The route to get there offers some absolutely incredible views!
3. The Tilos Museum
If there’s one place you shouldn’t miss when visiting Tilos, it’s its museum! It’s located in Megalo Chorio, right next to the Charkadio cave. This museum contains many incredible paleontological finds, resulting from the excavation of the Charkadio cave in 1971.
Thanks to these excavations and the bone remains found, it has been discovered that dwarf elephants lived on the island over 40,000 years ago, and disappeared 4,000 years ago.
In this museum, you’ll discover incredible prehistoric relics, including tools and fossilized bones of dwarf elephants, deer and tortoises, dating back 70,000 years. A must-see in Tilos, without a shadow of a doubt.
4. Megalo Chorio
Of course, you can’t visit Tilos without discovering its capital, Megalo Chorio. The village is built at the foot of a hill, dominated by the ruined castle of the Knights of St. John.
The village’s traditional architecture is typical of the Dodecanese islands. Along the narrow streets, you’ll discover charming whitewashed houses. Don’t miss a visit to the Taxiarchis church and its sublime 16th-century frescoes.
5. The beaches
Visiting Tilos without relaxing on its sandy or pebble beaches wouldn’t be much of a vacation. The most accessible and best-known beaches are certainly those ofEristos and Lethra, on the island’s southeast coast.
Eristos is a large beach with golden sand, located 2 km from Magalo Chorio. A bus can take you there every hour or so. Lethra beach is a pebble beach, less frequented as it’s only accessible on foot. You can also enjoy the sea at Livadia, Plaka or Aghios Antonis.
A word of advice: let yourself be carried away as you stroll along the island’s footpaths. You’re bound to come across some lovely little deserted beaches, just the thing for a romantic moment.
6. The knights’ castle
All that remains today is a section of the outer wall of this castle, once the stronghold of the Knights of St. John in the 15th century. It stands on a hilltop just above the island’s capital, Megalo Chorio.
A short path leads to the top, at the end of which a breathtaking view awaits you. Not to be missed if you visit Tilos.
7. Mikro Chorio
The date of construction of this small village, deserted by its inhabitants since 1930, is not really known. Located a few kilometers above Livadia, Mikro Chorio is today an abandoned village.
It’s a must-see in Tilos, because even though the houses are gradually deteriorating, there’s a special atmosphere and a certain charm about them. The church is still in very good condition.
In season, there’s even a small discotheque that opens its doors! If you’re visiting Tilos in summer, you can’t miss this unique nightclub.
8. Discover the surrounding islands
Take a day out and discover the other islands of the Dodecanese. Charming Symi, Nisiros and Chalki are not far away.
Find out about the days and times of the boats that arrive on the island of Tilos, and then continue on to the surrounding islands.
How do I get to Tilos?
Want to visit Tilos and wondering how to get there? We’ll tell you all about it here!
By plane from France
As you may have guessed, there’s no airport in Tilos. From France, the easiest way is to fly to Rhodes. To find the best rates, use a flight comparison service like Skyscanner, which will help you in your search. You’ll then need to take a boat to Tilos.
By boat from Rhodes
When you arrive in Rhodes, you can take a boat from the port of Mandraki, located in Rhodes town, less than 20 km from the airport. To get there, you can choose between :
- the bus, for €2.20 and 40 minutes of transport
- cab, which will cost you around €30 for a 20-minute journey
The crossing takes between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the ferry. However, we would advise you to find out in advance about the ferry connections. There aren’t any every day, only 2 or 3 a week.
Getting around the island of Tilos
As the island is very small, and very much involved in green tourism, the best way to discover it is above all on foot. But you can also rent a bike. That way, you’ll be free to move around the 64 km² island as you please.
The island has a few local buses and cabs, as well as a boat to take you to some inaccessible beaches.
Where to stay in Tilos?
As you can see, the island is very small, with two villages: Livadia, the island’s port, and Megalo Chorio, the capital. As a result, the accommodation on offer is rather limited. But that’s what makes this island so charming, untouched by mass tourism. So if we can give you one piece of advice, it’s to book your accommodation in advance if you want to visit Tilos.
You’ll be able to choose from around twenty pretty little hotels, which you can easily find on a hotel comparator, at very affordable prices. Private individuals also offer charming apartments and houses for rent, listed on Airbnb.
Now you’ve got everything you need to make the most of your visit to Tilos! Are you ready to go?
Map of hotels and accommodation – Dodecanese