Tilos

Tilos is a small island in the Dodecanese between Rhodes and Kos with regular ferry connections, hotels, rooms to rent, beaches, tavernas and ancient remains.

Ferry Arriving in TilosFerry Arriving in Tilos

Tilos is a small island in the Dodecanese, about halfway between the much bigger islands of Rhodes and Kos. It's a delightful and pretty island, with a healthy amount of tourism but not so much that it spoils the friendly atmosphere. It does ensure there are several good hotels, plenty of rooms to rent and other accommodation options, and some very good restaurants and tavernas.

Getting to Tilos

Flights to Tilos

Tilos does not have an airport so taking one of the ferries is the only way to get there - which is one reason it remains such a delightful island.

Ferries to Tilos

In summer ferries link Tilos with other several other islands. There is a daily ferry from Rhodes, several each week from Kos, and two ferries a week from Piraeus, Athens. Some of these ferries call in at other islands including NisyrosSymi, HalkiKalymnosNaxos and Paros.

Ferries in Greece

Ferries in Greece has an excellent and very thorough website where, in addition to checking ferry schedules and times, you can also book tickets and get lots of useful information about travelling by ferry in Greece.

Tilos, GreeceFerry in Tilos Harbour

Birdwatching in the Greek Islands

Tilos has also become an attraction for birdwatchers, as several rare species can be seen there as they migrate. Most notably there are large numbers of Eleonora's falcons, with about 650 pairs (10% of the world's population) breeding on Tilos each year. It's quite amazing to be able to sit having a drink in a café and watch these beautiful birds sweeping through the skies. In all, 155 species have been recorded on this one small island, making it a big draw for birdwatching.

Read our Page on Birdwatching in Greece

What to Do on Tilos

Apart from birdwatching, Tilos is great for other nature lovers as there are also many rare plants and orchids to be found. It's a good island for walking, and for beaches for those who like to find quiet coves away from the crowds.

Mikro Chorio deserted village on TilosMikro Chorio Deserted Village on Tilos

The port and main town is Livadia, an attractive little town where most of the accommodation and eating places can be found. The island's only other town, Megalo Chorio, is at the other end of the island and is linked to Livadia by a bus that goes back and forth each day, stopping off at some of the beaches on the way.

From Livadia you can walk to Mikro Chorio, a deserted village which used to be the island's main town when it was necessary to hide inland from would-be invaders. A few houses here are being renovated, so Mikro Chorio may spring to life once again, one day.

The Monastery of Áyios Pandeleímon, the island's patron saint, can also be visited, and there are several ruined castles dotting the landscape. One of the most famous sites is the Kharkhadió Cave, where the bones of a dwarf elephant and some Neolithic remains were found in the 1970s, though the cave is not open to the public.

More Travel Information about Tilos
Tilos has its own website so for further information and up-to-date news visit the Tilos island official website.

Our Pick of Greek Islands Guides

Rough-Guide-Greek-Islands-2022.png

Other Dodecanese Pages

  • Travel information on Lipsi in the Dodecanese group of Greek islands, including flight and ferry information from Greece Travel Secrets.

    Lipsi

    Travel information on Lipsi in the Dodecanese group of Greek islands, including flight and ferry information from Greece Travel Secrets.

  • Travel and vacation information about the Dodecanese islands of Rhodes, Symi, Kos, Patmos, Halki, Tilos, Karpathos, Leros, Lipsi, Astipalea.

    Dodecanese

    Travel and vacation information about the Dodecanese islands of Rhodes, Symi, Kos, Patmos, Halki, Tilos, Karpathos, Leros, Lipsi, Astipalea.

  • Kos in the Dodecanese islands of Greece has good beaches and night-life, and archaeological remains.

    Kos in the Dodecanese Islands of Greece

    Kos in the Dodecanese islands of Greece has good beaches and night-life, and archaeological remains.

  • Kalymnos in Greece in the Dodecanese islands is most famous for its history of sponge fishing, and see here information about flights and ferries.

    Kalymnos in the Dodecanese Islands of Greece

    Kalymnos in Greece in the Dodecanese islands is most famous for its history of sponge fishing, and see here information about flights and ferries.

  • Karpathos in the Dodecanese islands of Greece is noted for its traditions, its music, and mountain villages like Olympos.

    Karpathos in the Dodecanese Islands of Greece

    Karpathos in the Dodecanese islands of Greece is noted for its traditions, its music, and mountain villages like Olympos.

  • Nisyros is a unique volcanic island in the Dodecanese and easily reached on day trips from Kos Town and Kardamena.

    Nisyros

    Nisyros is a unique volcanic island in the Dodecanese and easily reached on day trips from Kos Town and Kardamena.

  • Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Kos, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

    Best Time to Visit Kos

    Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Kos, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

  • Arki is a small island in the Dodecanese close to Lipsi, with beaches and tavernas with rooms to rent and ferry connections with Patmos, Samos and Marathi.

    Arki

    Arki is a small island in the Dodecanese close to Lipsi, with beaches and tavernas with rooms to rent and ferry connections with Patmos, Samos and Marathi.

  • Mermaid Singing by Charmian Clift is a fine example of 1950s travel writing about the Greek island of Kalymnos in the Dodecanese.

    Mermaid Singing: Kalymnos Travel Writing

    Mermaid Singing by Charmian Clift is a fine example of 1950s travel writing about the Greek island of Kalymnos in the Dodecanese.

  • Wild Abandon by Jennifer Barclay and published by Bradt Guides is A Journey to Deserted Places of the Dodecanese islands in Greece, including Rhodes and Kos.

    Wild Abandon

    Wild Abandon by Jennifer Barclay and published by Bradt Guides is A Journey to Deserted Places of the Dodecanese islands in Greece, including Rhodes and Kos.

  • Travel information on Halki in the Dodecanese group of Greek islands, including flight and ferry information from Greece Travel Secrets.

    Halki

    Travel information on Halki in the Dodecanese group of Greek islands, including flight and ferry information from Greece Travel Secrets.

  • Patmos in the Dodecanese islands is famous for the monasteries of St John and the Apocalypse and on this page you can also read about flights and ferries

    Patmos in the Dodecanese Islands of Greece

    Patmos in the Dodecanese islands is famous for the monasteries of St John and the Apocalypse and on this page you can also read about flights and ferries

  •  Astypalaia in the Dodecanese islands of Greece is a largely unspoilt island with good beaches.

    Astypalaia in the Dodecanese Islands of Greece

    Astypalaia in the Dodecanese islands of Greece is a largely unspoilt island with good beaches.

  • Leros is a sizeable island in the Dodecanese with flights from Athens, ferries from Rhodes and Piraeus, good beaches, restaurants and hotels.

    Leros in the Dodecanese Islands of Greece

    Leros is a sizeable island in the Dodecanese with flights from Athens, ferries from Rhodes and Piraeus, good beaches, restaurants and hotels.

  • Travel information on Kasos in the Dodecanese group of Greek islands, including flight and ferry information from Greece Travel Secrets.

    Kasos

    Travel information on Kasos in the Dodecanese group of Greek islands, including flight and ferry information from Greece Travel Secrets.

  • Greece Travel Secrets helps celebrate a feast day on Astipalia in the Dodecanese Islands of Greece, for the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven.

    Our Feast Day on Astipalia

    Greece Travel Secrets helps celebrate a feast day on Astipalia in the Dodecanese Islands of Greece, for the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven.

  • Agathonisi is a small island in the Dodecanese with quiet beaches, a few hotels, pensions and rooms to rent.

    Agathonisi in the Dodecanese islands of Greece

    Agathonisi is a small island in the Dodecanese with quiet beaches, a few hotels, pensions and rooms to rent.

  • Travel information on Kastellorizo in the Dodecanese group of Greek islands, including flight and ferry information from Greece Travel Secrets.

    Kastellorizo

    Travel information on Kastellorizo in the Dodecanese group of Greek islands, including flight and ferry information from Greece Travel Secrets.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Latest Posts

  1. Syros’ Hidden Soul: The Timeless Charm of Apano Meria

    Apano Meria, rich in geology and Cycladic history, captures the timeless charm of the Greek islands.

    Read More

  2. Santorini Remains on Cruise Schedules as Companies Monitor Seismic Activity

    Royal Caribbean, the world’s second-largest cruise operator, confirmed it will not cancel itineraries to Santorini at this time, despite recent seismic activity on the island.

    Read More

  3. Athens Taxis to Strike for 24 Hours on Wednesday, February 19

    Taxi drivers in Athens will hold a 24-hour strike beginning at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19, in protest of changes to street mobility regulations and increasing competition from ride-hailing apps.

    Read More

  4. Kastoria’s Hidden Delights: 3 Must-Visit Stops in Western Macedonia

    From world-famous giant beans and crisp mountain apples to alpine-raised beef and legendary chestnuts, Kastoria is a food lover’s paradise waiting to be explored.

    Read More

  5. Kerameikos: An Oasis in the Ancient City

    The Kerameikos archaeological site provides a peaceful escape, transporting visitors to the history-rich northwestern gates of ancient Athens.

    Read More

  6. Greece Tops Mediterranean in Hotel Satisfaction Ratings

    Greek hotels lead the pack with 87% guest satisfaction, surpassing Spain, Italy, and France, but challenges remain in peak-season management.

    Read More

  7. Frygana Honey: The Rare Wild Lavender Honey of Serifos

    The honey derived from the wild lavender of Serifos is a premium Greek product. Beekeeper Nikos Kokolakis produces one of the finest varieties on the island.

    Read More

  8. Top 5 Archaeological Discoveries in Greece in 2024

    From a mysterious Minoan structure to a rediscovered ancient city, these five archaeological finds from 2024 offer fresh perspectives on Greece’s rich history.

    Read More

  9. Food Tours in Athens

    athens-greek-food-tour-3.webp
    Greekality is a Greek company offering food tours in Athens including street food tours, wine and nightlife tours, vegan tours and cooking classes.

    Read More

  10. Patras – Pyrgos Motorway in Western Peloponnese to Open by December 2025

    The 75-kilometer-long Patras–Pyrgos Motorway in the western Peloponnese is expected to be completed and open to traffic by December 2025, significantly upgrading the region’s road transport system and…

    Read More