Agios Panteleimon Monastery in Tilos

The most visited sight on Tilos is the Monastery of Agios Panteleimon (also spelled Agios Panteleimonas). The monastery lies in a spectacular and, to say the least, wild landscape in the north-western part of the island. The drive to the monastery is at least as worth-seeing as the monastery itself. You can go by bus to the monastery on Sundays. The bus leaves from the square in Livadia.

In the picture above you see the island of Gaidouronisi to the right and the small island on the left (see arrow) is called Vrachonisida Giakoumi. On the latter island, one of the Mediterranean's most unusual birds, namely the Audouin's gull (Ichthyaetus audouinii). The island visible on the horizon is Nisyros.

Looking for after Eleonora Falcons outside the monastery.

From Plaka beach and up to the monastery the way becomes more beautiful and dramatic the closer one gets. To say the least, a breathtaking distance. From the parking lot outside the monastery there is 200 meters down to the sea and the view is adorable. Please stop for a while at the parking lot, if you are lucky you will see Eleonora Falcons plunging down the cliffs. That's how majestic as anything else.

The entrance to the monastery.

Agios Panteleimon is originally from the late 15th century, but over the centuries it has been renovated and enlarged. Previously almost 15 monks lived here, but nowadays it is uninhabited. The courtyard is covered with beautiful mosaics, the church has decorative wall paintings from the 18th century, along the castle-similar walls is the monk cells in a row. On July 25th a three-day annual festival is held with food and dancing inside and outside the monastery. Do not miss if you are on Tilos then.

Agios Panteleimon monastery.

The inner courtyard of the monastery.

Some of the monk cells in the monastery.

The beautifully decorated floor in the courtyard.

Inside the church.

The beautiful ceiling in the church.

There are usually many cats outside the monastery. There is access to fresh water, so that is probably one of the reasons. When we were here once, there was a deer inside the monastery grounds. Guess if we were surprised. It is the first and only time we have seen deer on the islands.

A beautiful deer outside the monastery.

Just before the monastery, a hike begins that ends at Mylos beach. From the monastery itself begins a long hike that goes to Eristos beach. The latter hike is demanding and one should be a experienced hiker to go that hike. The distance between the monastery of Agios Panteleimon and Eristos beach is 5.7 kilometres.

This is where the 5.7 kilometer hike to Eristos beach begins.

Do not miss Plaka beach, which you can read about here »

READ MORE ABOUT TILOS