Tilos Holidays
Tilos
Contact Sunvil Holidays
020 8758 4758
Opening hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00-17:30 and Saturday - 09:30-16:30.
Tilos holidays
Tiny Tilos (pop. 550), midway between Rhodes and Kos, is the most enlightened Greek island we know and leads the way in environmental protection and eco-tourism. The islanders, led by a progressive mayor, realised years ago that the way forward was in limited, high quality tourism a world away from the mass market. To this end they dedicated their efforts to sustainable tourism – becoming the first island in Greece to ban hunting was a bold start – and have never looked back.
The island’s 64 sq kms, together with its surrounding archipelago of 16 uninhabited islets, have been designated an Important Bird Area, an EU-registered Special Protection Area and a Natura 2000 site amongst others. What this all means is that visitors here will find a protected natural environment with a wonderful diversity of flora and fauna, especially birds (there are 155 documented wild species, including the rare Eleonora’s Falcon).
Holidays In Tilos
Tilos is therefore a paradise for walkers and now boasts 67km of signed walking trails (many being restored cobbled mule paths) which run through untamed countryside, linking rugged mountains with fertile valleys of wild flowers, pine, oak and almond watered by the island’s many underground springs. From the heights, the views to six neighbouring islands and Turkey are stunning. A walking map is available locally and, for a nominal charge, Tilos Park (an NGO) will drop you off at the start of a trail and pick you up at the end.
And there are certainly things to explore whilst out and about – some 200 Byzantine country chapels, seven Crusader castles, abandoned villages, a Byzantine monastery, and one of the most important archaeological finds in recent history – a cave full of dwarf elephants, the last of their kind to survive in Europe. The small museum here is a must-visit.
Many walking trails start from the main port of Livadia. This sleepy, traditional and overwhelmingly friendly little village boasts a lovely long pebble beach, shaded by tamarisk trees, lapped by the clearest of seas and backed by a car-free walkway. It also has some dozen very good tavernas and the same number of café-bars, five mini-markets (will deliver), a bakery and a bank with an ATM. Cars can be rented and some organised trips do run, by bus, boat or on foot, including (last year) Monastery and Sunset, a boat BBQ and beekeeping! A water-taxi service operated in 2012 from Livadia harbour to other local beaches, whilst a regular bus runs to the other main settlement of Megalo Chorio and (in season) to sandy Eristos beach. Tilos has 19 beaches, many of which can be reached only on foot or by boat as they have been purposefully left road-free.
Of course all the usual benefits which make Greece such a great destination for a relaxing holiday are present in abundance on Tilos – sun, sea, tavernas, village life etc. But Tilos offers so much more, and is a shining example to other small islands under similar economic pressures. By visiting you will not only have a splendid holiday, you will be supporting the island’s initiative and helping others to see that an alternative to mass tourism can work.
Getting there
Wednesday flights from Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham to Rhodes (other regional airports may be available).
The direct ferry service which used to connect with our Wednesday flights to/from Rhodes did not operate last year. We understand the island is trying to get a replacement boat for 2016 - however should this not happen then the following arrangements will be made. Transfer on arrival to a central Town hotel for overnight on BB basis. Thursday morning transfer to port for high speed ferry dep 08:30 arr Tilos 10:30 where you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. Departures will be on Tuesday afternoon - dep Tilos 16:20 arr Rhodes 18:20 where you will be met and transferred to ann overnight hotel in town. Transfer the folloing day to the airport. Please keep and eye on our website which we will update should the ferry situation change. Please note these ferry timing are based on 2015 schedules.
We have our own local representative based on Tilos. However please note that transfers are not escorted.
Available locally - please see our representative.
With any other island served by flights to Rhodes or Kos. However should ferry schedules remain as last year an overnight will be required in the middle of the holiday except for combinations with Nissyros, Kos, Kalymnos and Halki which had a direct ferry connection on Tuesday and Thursday.
Livadia Beach - AC charge now 7 euros per day.
Marina Studios - AC charge now 5 euros per day.
We handcraft flexible holidays to lesser-known places that will surprise and delight the experienced traveller and new visitor alike
