Tilos

Choose Tilos if…

            You enjoy exploring paths and beaches by hiking and trekking. 

            You appreciate relaxing and quiet holidays in a pure environment. 

            You like privacy and seclusion, on an island respectful to difference.  

Top-3 Beaches:

Livadia

However bizarre it may sound, Livadia village’s beach, in a few meter distance from the port is a worth-mentioning one. You can find sunbeds and umbrellas in some parts of it, but in the rest of the long beach salt cedar trees offer shade. The beach is clean and the sea transparent, especially early in the morning and late in the evening. It may turn noisy though, as it is also frequented by families. 

Eristos

A long and wide sandy beach, with salt cedar trees for shadow. Clear blue sea and clean beach. You can reach the beach by the municipal bus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Beach

Red beach and Gaidaros islet

Lethra beach

An unpaved footpath, that passes behind the luxurious Ilidi Rock hotel leads to Lethra beach (2.5 km), a remote beach with pebbles, frequented by nudists, but not exclusively. Almost at half distance piles of pebbles indicate a secondary footpath that leads to Red beach, a small bay with red sand. Alternatively, you can hire a boat (sea taxi) for 12€ (Red beach) or 15€ (Lethra beach). I would advise you to walk though. In that way you'll have the chance to admire spectacular views of Livadia, wonderful view of the cliffs and small beaches, goats on the mountain and wild bulbs in the form of rose bouquets. You may take advantage of the sea transport to reach more remote beaches, like Skaphi, Tholos and Agios Sergios. 

View of Livadia from the path to Lethra

Beach down the cliffs on the way to Lethra

Wild bulbs like a rose bouquet

   

Best dining spot

Armenon (on Livadia’s seaside pedestrian road) [website] Gourmet dishes for all tastes. Tasty mezedes (e.g. fava), original salads (e.g. lentil salad with sardines, dried tomatoes and onions), fresh fish and shrimps, meat specialties, watermelon or grapes at the end of the meal. Highlight “Fotini’s corner”: herbs, jams, liqueurs, syrups in very reasonable prices, made by the owner’s young and friendly daughter, Fotini. Don’t miss the strawberry liqueur and the cinnamon syrup. Fotini may give you some herbs as a gift too.

Tips

- Mikro Chorio Bar: A drink under the stars in a village abandoned since World War II with ruined houses illuminated from inside is a unique experience, despite the …creepy ambiance. The experience is sadly spoiled by the unsuitable music selection. A playlist with lounge and instrumental music, ballads and romantic songs instead of club-like dancing music would better fit the atmosphere. Unfortunately the church with the unusual icons was not open to visitors. Free transportation from/to Livadia every one hour after 23:00 is offered. 

- Municipal public transport is frequent, punctual and reasonably priced. Therefore, you don’t necessarily need to hire a car / motor bike, especially if you like trekking.

- Make a stop at Agios Antonios port for swimming among byzantine ruins and eating fresh fish at the local tavern (“Delphini”). If you like mosaic pastry (chocolate with biscuits), try the huge portion from the café next door (3€). 

Agios Antonios beach

Agios Antonios port

Underwater byzantine ruins

- Check handmade jewels at "Osa fernei to Aigaio" (Anna Parliara, 2246044114, 6985800316) on the seaside pedestrian road of Livadia. They are originally designed and well priced.

- Choose one of the rooms/studios/apartments right on the seafront at Livadia, if you enjoy jumping anytime into the sea straight from your room. If breakfast is not included in your room’s price, don’t forget to taste leek, spinach or mushroom pie from the café next to the pharmacy at Livadia square. 

- There are four medieval castles waiting to be explored by those enjoying trekking and hiking. Visit the tourist information office for a map indicating trekking paths (3€).

- If you are interested in paleontology, don’t miss the exhibition about dwarf elephants, whose skeletons were found in Charkadio cave. Although the cave is not open to visitors for the moment, the municipal bus runs once per week to the exhibition.

- Locally produced honey is to be found in many shops. It costs 15 Euros per kilo. It is said that producer Tzelos’ honey in Megalo Chorio (6973219959) is the best one, but I didn’t have the chance to taste it.