Europe's greenest island runs entirely on wind and solar, recycles 85% of its waste, and welcomes cruise passengers with medieval castles, a ghost village, dwarf-elephant fossils, and peacocks on the beach — all within a 7 km radius of the tiny port of Livadia.
Most cruise ships anchor in Livadia Bay and tender passengers to the small marina pier — a 5-10 minute boat ride.
💡 Pro move: Tilos is extremely small — roughly 800 permanent residents. Services are limited; bring cash for the bus, museum, and small shops.
Tilos' port of Livadia has a small pier usable by compact vessels; larger ships anchor and tender.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Small/expedition ships (<150 m) | Livadia pier, Tilos📍 | Docked |
| Most cruise lines | Livadia Bay anchorage📍 | Tendered |
Tilos rewards those who venture beyond the waterfront — medieval ruins, a ghost village, and wild island beaches are all within easy reach.
Take the bus to Tilos' hilltop capital, explore whitewashed alleys and the tiny Elephant Museum (fossilized dwarf elephants, ~€2), then hike 30 minutes up to the 15th-century Castle of the Knights of St. John for sweeping Aegean views.
Find Tilos village tours →An abandoned medieval settlement in the hills above Livadia, evacuated in the 1950s and left frozen in time. Stone houses, a small church, and winding lanes make for an eerie, photogenic wander. Reachable on foot via a marked trail (about 1 hr each way) or by scooter.
Find Tilos hiking tours →The island's finest sandy beach — a 1 km arc of golden sand and fine pebbles with wild, uncommercialized surroundings. About 15 minutes by bus or taxi from Livadia. Bring water; facilities are minimal.
Find Tilos beach excursions →A secluded northern bay where a flock of wild peacocks roams the tamarisk trees fringing the beach. The combination of turquoise water and free-roaming peacocks is uniquely Tilosian.
Find Tilos island tours →A 15th-century monastery built into a cliff face on the wild western end of the island, featuring ancient frescoes and a sacred spring. Requires a taxi or ship excursion to reach — about 8 km from Livadia.
Find Tilos monastery tours →Livadia's flat waterfront is instantly walkable; the trail to Mikro Chorio is the standout longer hike from the port.
Walk the length of Livadia Beach from the port pier to the far end of the bay, passing tavernas, a mini-market, and ATM. The pebbly beach with tamarisk shade begins immediately at the tender dock.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →A marked footpath climbs 3.5 km from the edge of Livadia up to the abandoned village of Mikro Chorio. Wear sturdy shoes; the reward is a perfectly preserved stone village frozen in the 1950s with panoramic island views.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →