Tilos is the kind of Dodecanese island that doesn’t try to compete with anyone. It has no airport, no resort hotels, a nature reserve covering most of its land area, and a permanent population of fewer than 500 people. The accommodation stock is small and almost entirely family-run. That is not a weakness — it is precisely what makes Tilos worth staying on, rather than passing through on a day trip from Rhodes.
The island has two main settlements: Livadia, the port village on the western coast where almost all hotels are located, and Megalo Chorio, the larger traditional village in the interior with a Venetian castle above it. Eristos, a beach in the south, has a small cluster of rooms near the waterfront. All prices below are approximate peak-season rates as of 2026.
Livadia
Livadia is where the ferry arrives and where the majority of tourists stay. The village is small and pleasant — a horseshoe bay, a strip of tavernas along the waterfront, a pebble beach, and a handful of lanes behind the port. It has what you need: food, a small market, places to hire bikes and scooters, and access to the road network that connects the rest of the island.
Tilos Mare Hotel — The most established hotel in Livadia, set back slightly from the harbour with well-kept rooms, a pool, and a terrace. Good management and consistent reviews. From approximately €75–110 per night for a double in peak season. Book on Booking.com
Irini Hotel — A mid-range family hotel 200 metres from Livadia Beach, with sea-view rooms on the upper floors and a garden pool. Rated 9.5 by couples. From approximately €65–95 per night in peak season. Book on Booking.com
Studios and apartments in Livadia — Several families rent out self-catering studios, some listed on Booking.com and Airbnb, others bookable directly. Quality varies but is generally good. From approximately €50–75 per night in peak season. Self-catering works well here given the small number of restaurants and the fact that supplies from the weekly ferry or the village shop make simple cooking practical.
Rooms along the harbour — Livadia has a tradition of rooms-to-rent in family homes, some of which have been hosting visitors for decades. Not always listed online — worth asking around if you want something more informal. From approximately €40–60 per night in peak season.
The Livadia beach — pebbled, with clear, calm water — is a short walk from most hotels in the village. It is not a dramatic beach, but it is clean and uncrowded, and the bay is sheltered enough for children.
Megalo Chorio
Megalo Chorio sits on a hillside a few kilometres inland from Livadia, below the ruins of a Venetian castle. It is the island’s main traditional settlement — older architecture, a central square with a kafeneion, and views out over the valley. There are very few tourists here even in August, which is either its main selling point or its main limitation depending on what you are looking for.
Studios and rooms in Megalo Chorio — A handful of independent lettings are available, mostly from local families. Numbers are small. From approximately €50–70 per night in peak season. Not practical without your own transport for anything other than walking to the castle and the nearby cave system.
The Harkadio Cave, where dwarf elephant bones were discovered dating from approximately 3,500 BC, is signposted from the road below Megalo Chorio. The archaeological museum in Mikro Chorio (an abandoned village turned into an open-air site) is worth a morning.
Eristos Beach Area
Eristos is the best beach on Tilos — a long, wide stretch of sand on the southwestern coast, reached by a road through a valley with good bird habitat. The beach is backed by tamarisk trees and has one or two seasonal tavernas.
Studios near Eristos — A small number of studio complexes have been built near the beach, primarily for visitors who want immediate beach access. From approximately €60–80 per night in peak season. Transport is required to reach Livadia for restaurants and shopping — approximately 8 kilometres by road. For walkers, the valley path to Megalo Chorio is well-marked and gives access to some of the island’s best birdwatching habitat.
Eristos is quieter than Livadia even in the height of summer. The beach rarely gets crowded — Tilos’s total visitor numbers are too small for that to happen.
The Protected Landscape
Almost the entire island of Tilos is designated under the EU Natura 2000 programme, and the island became the first energy self-sufficient island in the Mediterranean in 2018 through its solar and battery installation. The environmental context matters for accommodation choices: there are no plans for large-scale development, which means the island’s character is likely to remain as it is. What you book today is what Tilos will look like in ten years.
Eleonora’s falcon nests on the coastal cliffs through summer; the valley between Livadia and Megalo Chorio is productive for migrating raptors in spring. Anyone with an interest in birdwatching will find that staying in Livadia puts them within easy walking distance of good habitat.
Getting to Tilos
From Rhodes: Approximately 2.5–3.5 hours depending on the service (conventional ferry or high-speed vessel). Fare from approximately €12–18 one way. This is the most common route, as Rhodes has an international airport with good connections. Dodekanisos Seaways operates the route in summer with several sailings per week.
From Kos: Approximately 2–3 hours. Fare from approximately €14–20 one way. Kos also has an international airport, making this a useful alternative entry point. Frequency is lower than the Rhodes connection in some seasons.
From Athens (Piraeus): Blue Star Ferries include Tilos on the Rhodes–Dodecanese route, with a sailing time of approximately 16–18 hours from Piraeus. Fares from approximately €45–70 for a seat or deck ticket. The frequency is typically three to four sailings per week in peak season, fewer in winter. Check openseas.gr for current schedules.
Tilos does not have its own airport and has no helicopter transfer service. The ferry is the only way to reach the island. If you are travelling in the shoulder season (May–June, September–October), verify schedules in advance — service can be as infrequent as three times per week.
Booking Notes
Tilos’s accommodation capacity is genuinely limited. In peak season, the island’s best properties can fill up 4–6 weeks in advance. Unlike larger islands where you can usually find something last-minute, Tilos regularly reaches full capacity across all accommodation types in July and August. Book early. Most properties are also happy to take direct bookings — a phone call or email to a family-run guesthouse is entirely normal here, and often the way to get a room that is not listed on international platforms.
Best Areas Summary
| Area | Best for | Average price (peak, double) |
|---|---|---|
| Livadia | Ferry access, restaurants, all amenities | €40–110/night |
| Megalo Chorio | Traditional village feel, peace, castle views | €50–70/night |
| Eristos beach | Beach access, nature, walkers | €60–80/night |