Livadia in Tilos

Livadia is the largest village on Tilos in terms of number of inhabitants (480 people) and the island's major tourist resort and port. The village is set in a tremendously beautiful and wide bay. The approach to the port is adorable: on the left the moon-like and treeless mountain, straight ahead the long pebble beach are stretching out and to the right, the small white village are getting closer. You can hardly wait to disembark.

View of the port and the beach in Livadia.

Livadia seen from a hike around southeast Tilos.

Livadia from another angle.

Livadia seen from Ilidi Rock.

Livadia seen from the small port of Agios Stefanos.

Livadia is quite small and easy to get the hang of. One can say that the village is divided into three parts: the harbour, the square and the seafront promenade. In the cute little port, fishing boats and sailboats packs together. Speaking of sailboats, Tilos is an immensely popular night port. There are a great pleasure to see when the sailing boats are about to berth at the small port, usually it becomes fully in the port, many sailing boats therefore have to swing at anchor, making the attractive bay even more beautiful.

Sailboats in the beautiful Livadia Bay.

The port of Livadia.

Along the long and pedestrian seafront promenade a nice pebble beach stretches out. The water is lovely, but the stones are a little to big in some places and it can get quite uncomfortable after a while. Thongs are a must. Many of the tavernas along the seafront offers free sun beds to its guests, and the many tamarisk trees give shade.

The pebble beach and the seafront promenade in Livadia in one direction.

The long pebble beach beach in Livadia in the other direction.

In 2012, the immensely popular mayor Tasos Aliferis passed away. He came to Tilos as a doctor from Rhodes and helped shape life on the island through his vision and hard work. Tasos Aliferis was the first to marry a gay couple in Greece and was the one who banned all hunting on Tilos. Just to name a few of all the things he did that were unique to Greece. In honour of Tasos Aliferis, the beach promenade in Livadia Tilos was named Tasos Aliferis street.

The beach promenade in Livadia is called Tasos Aliferis street.

Many tavernas along the beach promenade offer free sunbeds to their guests.

The beach in Livadia during low season.

To the right of the port (nose to land) is Ilidi Rock surrounded by bougainvillea.

Below Ilidi Rock is this small beach.

The strange building to the left of the port is the island's police station. The building was built by the Italians when they occupied Tilos (and other islands in the Dodecanese). Next to the police station is the Eleni Minimarket and two tavernas: Gorgona and Nikos. Gorgona is located above Eleni Supermarket and has a very beautiful view of the port and out over the sea. The food is very good, and if you like fresh fish and seafood, this is where you should go.

The police station was built by the Italians when they occupied Tilos.

Restaurant Gorgona is located above Eleni Mini Market. Nikos Taverna on the right in picture.

View of the port from Restaurant Gorgona.

Above the port is a square with a bus stop, kiosk tavernas, shops and a few bars. The square is a popular meeting place for both tourists and islanders, especially in the evenings when many people have a drink here before or after dinner. We often have an ouzo in the square before going out to eat and we always go to George Cafe Bar which is at the far end of the square. The bar has many tables in the square and the owner George is very nice.

The square in Livadia.

George Cafe Bar on the square in Livadia.

Me and George at the George Cafe Bar on the square in Livadia.

To the right of the square, under some majestic trees, lies the pleasant Ouzeria Omonia. They serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food is good-tasting, as everywhere on Tilos, but at Omonia it's not just the food that attracts, it is also the charming, and very Greek atmosphere that attracts. The locals get together here both during daytime and during the evenings. Omonia is the perfect place for board games or a good book and a nice place to end the evening. You will surely pass Omonia sometime, because this is where Tilo's ATMs are located.

Sitting at Ouzeria Omonia is like being in a Greek living room.

Ouzeira Omonia in the evening.

When I am in Tilos, I go to Omonia at least once a day, either for lunch or dinner. It is just not me, here are many returners. Do you want to be sure to get a table in the evening it is best to make a reservation.

When I'm in Tilos, I eat at Omonia at least once a day.

Michalis and Maria is the names of the nice owners. Michalis (who hear a little badly) serves and crack jokes, and Maria is responsible for the cooking. She cooks food like her mother did. In other words, good old-fashioned Greek homely fare. Try their "Baby pork from Tilos" and their Gigantes.

Maria and Michalis who have Omonia. Don't miss this gem!

Along the street that leads from the square is a small souvenir shop, and a little further - on a side street - is the bakery run by Mike, who owns Anna's Studios. After the bakery is a cosy place called Mediterranean Delights. The restaurant is run by the super-friendly chef Tony who lives in New York half the year. Tony served fantastic good food, many dishes are only available here. Please ask if he has any specialties for the day.

The bakery in Livadia. Baker Mike stands by the white arrow.

Mediterranean Delights is next to the bakery in Livadia.

Opposite the bakery, we find Taverna Kiriakos where, among other things, you can have a gyros. Further on are two supermarkets (my favourite is Yannis), one scooter rental place and Taverna Michalis. The taverna lies in a garden and do often serves good food.

At Taverna Kiriakos, I usually eat gyros.

At Taverna Michalis, we usually order a lot of small dishes.

Taverna Michalis on the left and Yannis Supermarket on the right.

Along the promenade are several tavernas, most of them are good. My favourite restaurant is Armenon that serves excellent food. They have even received an award for its superb food, something the owners Nikos and Beba are very proud of.. Try the dishes prepared according to traditional recipes. Do not miss "Tonight's tip" written on a slate. To make a reservation is necessary if you want to sit closest to the sea. Would it be fully on Armenon there are many other restaurants to choose from, most are good.

My favorite restaurant in Livadia is Armenon.

Armenon Seaside Restaurant.

From Armenon it is crawling distance to the beach.

The magnificent church of Agios Nikolaos is located on the beach promenade.

Ino Bar is also located on the beach promenade and is well worth a visit.

The beautiful full moon in Livadia.

The beautiful sunrise in Livadia.

Pictures of 15 beautiful sunrises in Livadia can be found here »

View of Livadia from Annas Studios.

ACCOMMODATION IN LIVADIA

We almost always stays at Anna's Studios where we like it very much. The views from the balconies are so stunning that you forget time and space. If it is fully booked at Anna's Studios, we usually stay at Marina Studios or Michalis Studios. The view from there is also really something. But there are many other good hotels and studios, such as Hotel Eleni Beach, and Ilidi Rock.

Book Annas Studios here »

Book Marinas Studios here »

Book Michalis Studios here »

Book Hotel Eleni Beach here »

Book Ilidi Rock here »

Book other hotels in Livadia here »

READ MORE ABOUT TILOS