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Holidays to Tilos

Overview

Introduction

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 Tilos is now the first island to become fully self sufficient in energy. The latest initiative is Just Go Zero which aims to make Tilos the first zero waste island.

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).

Tilos is therefore a paradise for walkers and now boasts 67kms 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 comprehensive walking guide is available to buy locally - 'Exploring Tilos' costs 20 euros and documents 55 walks together with maps and notes on the landscape, flora and fauana.

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 a regular bus runs to Megalo Chorio and (in high 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.

 

 

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Getting to Tilos

Flights to Rhodes - the optimum days for same-day transfers to Tilos are Wednesday and Sunday - also Saturday but only if the flight back to UK departs 20.30 or later.

These will use the local ferryboat Panagia Evangelistria operating from the small port of Kamiros Skala on Rhodes’ west coast, an approximate 35 minute transfer time from the airport. In 2025 the boat operated from 13 April to 26 October using the following schedules.

  • Departs Kamiros Skala 18.00, arrives Tilos 19.15 (Wed, Sat, Sun)
  • Departs Tilos 07.00, arrives Kamiros Skala 08.15 (Wed, Sun)
  • Departs Tilos 16.30, arrives Kamiros Skala 17.45 (Wed, Sat, Sun)
There are also morning departures from Kamiros Skala on Wednesday and Sunday departing 08:30 arriving Tilos 09:45

There is a cafe and taverna at Kamiros Skala where you can leave luggage and wait for the boat or departure transfer. If you have a long connecting time on departure between ferry arrival and the flight departure (3 hours plus) we can delay your pick-up time from Kamiros Skala on request.

Ferries from Rhodes Town are also scheduled to operate in 2025 on Wednesday and Thursday (morning out with an afternoon return) - we would arrange an overnight hotel in Rhodes Town as required.

Representative

We have our own local representative based on Tilos. However, please note that transfers are not escorted.

Car Hire

Available locally - please see our representative.

Multi-Centre Options

Tilos is not the easiest island to twin centre or island hop from due to limited ferry connections. In 2025 there is a connection on Wednesday and Thursday with Halki, Nisyros, Kos, and (on Thursday only) Patmos. Halki is also possible on some other days using small local boats with a connection at Kamiros Skala port on Rhodes. Last year Symi had a direct ferry to/from Tilos 3 times a week (Mon, Thu, Fri - NB better ferry timings with Symi first). Other islands are possible via Rhodes.

Walking on Tilos

Independent walkers will find a network of trails, some of which can be viewed here. There is an excellent book 'Exploring Tilos' available locally detailing 55 walks. Our island representative will also be able to give information on walking options locally.

The greenest isle in Greece

Tilos is the most enlightened Greek island we know and leads the way in environmental protection and eco-tourism. The island’s 64 sq kms, together with the surrounding archipelago of 16 uninhabited islets, have been designated an important Bird Area, an EU-registered Special Protection Area and a Nature 2000 site among others.

Ambitious Tilos is the first island in the Mediterranean to be powered solely by renewable energy, as reported here, and is equally proud also to be the first Zero Waste island in Greece.

 

Useful information

Talk to one of our experts

020 8568 4499

We're open tomorrow at 9:15 AM

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Shirnett Ballantyne
Shirnett Ballantyne
Best time to go
  • JAN
  • FEB
  • MAR
  • APR
  • MAY
  • JUN
  • JUL
  • AUG
  • SEP
  • OCT
  • NOV
  • DEC
Time Difference

GMT + 2 hours

Currency

Euro

Language

Greek

Average flight times

3 hours 40 minutes (Flight to Rhodes). Then transfer on to Tilos.

  • Average temperature

    Average rainfall

  • JAN
  • FEB
  • MAR
  • APR
  • MAY
  • JUN
  • JUL
  • AUG
  • SEP
  • OCT
  • NOV
  • DEC
Note: Map is for guidance purposes only.
Shirnett Ballantyne

Talk to our Greece expert

Shirnett Ballantyne
Shirnett Ballantyne

With over three decades of experience working for major travel companies in the UK, Shirnett brings a blend of expertise and enthusiasm to her position within our Greece & Cyprus sales team at Sunvil. Shirnett has extensively explored the Greek islands of Crete, Lemnos, Kefalonia, Corfu, Paxos and Lefkas, and is looking forward to visiting many more in the coming months to expand her knowledge. Her affection for Cyprus dates back to her initial visit in 1992, and her love and knowledge of the island enables her to personalise the ideal Cypriot holiday experience for you.

Call one of our experts to discuss your next holiday with Sunvil on

020 8758 4758

We're open tomorrow at 9:15 AM

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We promise that a member of our specialist reservation teams will reply personally to your holiday enquiry before 5.30pm if received before 12.00pm (Monday to Friday). Enquiries received after 12.00pm will be replied to within 24-hours (excluding Sundays).

If your enquiry is of an urgent nature, please telephone our dedicated reservation teams on the numbers listed below.

Our lines are open from 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday and from 9.30am to 4.30pm Saturday.

  • Greece: 020 8758 4758
  • Cyprus: 020 8758 4759
  • Portugal, the Azores, Spain, Italy, Sicily and Scandinavia: 020 8758 4722
  • Latin America: 020 8758 4774
  • Marketing: 020 8758 4731

Required Information

* Mandatory Information
Title *
First name *
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Alternative telephone number
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Confirm email address
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If you would like to be called during a specific period, please specify
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Thank you for your enquiry. A member of our specialist reservation teams will be in touch shortly.

If your enquiry is of an urgent nature, please telephone our dedicated reservation teams on the numbers listed below.

Our lines are open from 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday and from 9.30am to 4.30pm Saturday.

  • Greece: 020 8758 4758
  • Cyprus: 020 8758 4759
  • Portugal, the Azores, Italy, Sicily and Scandinavia: 020 8758 4722
  • Latin America: 020 8758 4774

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