Where to stay in Tilos
Tilos divides simply into two main settlements connected by a winding coastal road, plus a couple of micro-hamlets. Livadia is the working port and hub of daily life, offering tavernas and the island's longest beach. Megalo Chorio sits inland beneath a medieval castle, providing quiet medieval stone alleys. Eristos brings a wide, tree-backed sandy stretch favoured by independent campers and absolute quiet. Choose your base based on whether you want ferry steps or absolute isolation.
Livadia
Livadia stretches along a long pebble bay with a wide seaside promenade that fills with outdoor diners at night. It is the liveliest spot on Tilos, though lively here still means lazy village pace. From the central waterfront, you can easily walk to local bakeries, mini-markets, car rental agencies, and the southern rocky coves of Agios Antonios.
Megalo Chorio
Megalo Chorio feels like an open-air museum of stacked stone houses winding up a barren limestone hill. It is entirely walkable on foot, though steep in parts, leading straight up to the Knights' Castle and the Mikro Chorio ghost village trail. There is a small central square with a couple of traditional kafeneia, but virtually no late-night commercial nightlife.
Eristos
Eristos is a wide, semi-wild valley opening onto a long sandy beach flanked by giant tamarisk trees. The atmosphere is unpretentious and slow, centered around a couple of family-run tavernas and guesthouses. It is completely walkable if you stay near the shore, but you are isolated from grocery stores and pharmacies without a vehicle.
Rent a car in Tilos
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Compare car rentals in TilosOne thing to think about
Think twice about staying directly on the main port quay in Livadia if you are a light sleeper. Early morning ferries arrive with rumbling engines and cargo loading, and the nearby tavernas can stay lively late into the night during peak summer months.
Other places to stay in Greece: lastminute.com · Megabon
Once you have a bed
The things that sell out first in Tilos are the small-group tours and the skip-the-line tickets.
Top tours & activities in Tilos
Common questions
Do I need to rent a car or scooter on Tilos?
While Tilos has a local bus connecting Livadia, Megalo Chorio, and Eristos beach, it runs infrequently, especially outside the peak summer months. Renting a car or scooter gives you the freedom to reach remote chapels, trailheads, and windswept coves on your own schedule without being tied to limited timetables.
Which area has the best swimming beaches?
Eristos has the only proper sand beach on the island, making it the top pick for sand lovers. However, Livadia offers easy, direct sea access right from the promenade, and keen swimmers can explore the clear waters and rocky coves around Agios Antonios and Lethra on foot.
Where are the best places to eat out on the island?
Livadia has the highest concentration of traditional tavernas and seaside cafes, serving local goat, fresh fish, and homegrown vegetables. Megalo Chorio offers a couple of authentic village spots in the square, while Eristos features rustic beachside tavernas grilling simple, hearty Greek dishes under the trees.
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