greek-islands.org - My visits to laid-back Greek Islands in the Cyclades and the Dodecanese

Tilos is in many ways a lovely island. The subject line may indicate that there are only a few nice spots on Tilos, but on the contrary. The nature is lovely on this island, and you would be able to find you own favourite spots when you get there! A few places I would like to recommend are listed here:

• Megalo Horio

This is the capital of Tilos island. It's a small but pretty village with an attractive main street with lovely flower arrangements, a few taverns, and a couple of supermarkets, a coffee shop and some bars. Furthermore there is a tiny museum with bones and some information about the Pleiocene midget-elephant bones that was found in the Harkadhio cave in 1971. I was invited to the museum by a lady working there. Unfortunately the information in the museum is not that impressive. There is a few bones and information in Greek. Then you can borrow a paper written in English and read about the elephant.

Anyway, the atmosphere in the village is peaceful and from the village, situated on the hill side below the Knight's Castle, you have an impressive view over the agricultural valley stretching downward to Eristos bay. Another nice feature is a beautiful stone floor (see photo) outside the town hall. If you want a hard workout, you can walk up to the castle from the north end of the village.

• Mikro Horio

The inhabitants of Mikro Horio (see photo) abandon the village a few years after the second war, due to shortage of water supply. People moved down to Livadia and started to build houses there. Livadia was initially build by the Italians during the second war; mainly fortification buildings and similar.

What's left of Mikro Horio are the churches that been kept all years. Two houses have been repaired during the latest years, which of one operate as a music club during July, August and September, from 0 AM until about 05 AM.

It's fascinating to walk towards the village as well in the alleys of the village. First of all the ruins are beautiful to look at. The village is like a huge art exhibition that changes by Mother Nature for each year. Secondly I get a feel of respect for nature and the winds of change that we as humans not always can do anything about.

So this village is worth visiting for at least two reasons: its beauty and for partying, the latter during main-season only.

• Monastery of Aghiou Pandeleimona

My last full day on Tilos, I did rent a scooter and went to Plaka beach, but after 15 minutes in the sun it started to rain! Can you imagine? It was actually my second day of rain on Tilos, well not heavy rain and not all day.

Anyway, I was standing beneath some trees to get some protection during one hour. Then the sun was returning, so I decided to continue on the road until it ends at the fortified Monastery of Aghiou Pandelomona (see photo), founded in the fifteenth century for the sake of its miraculous spring. This place is really as they use to say: "Away from it all". If you feel stressed and un-relaxed, this is the place to go. It's very tranquil and peaceful.

The buildings are well kept of a few people living there. During my visit I met two nice ladies there and besides taking care of the place they run a small cantina that offers coffee, drinks and snacks.

Interesting features of the monastery are the tower-gate, inner courtyard with a hokhlaki surface and the marble floor in the church. But I would say that the best feature is the splendid location some 200 metres above the west coast and all the greenery thanks to the good water supply by the spring.

The settlement hosts a major festival taking place from July 25 to 27.