Ferry from Tilos to Symi

Tilos Guide

The Greek island of Tilos is one of the Dodecanese group of islands in the Aegean Sea and is located halfway between the island of Kos and the island of Rhodes. The island's landscape is characterised by mountains, hills and plains where visitors can see around 400 varieties of herbs and flowers growing. The island also has a number of species of rare birds nesting there including Nightingales, Goldfinches, Bonelli's Eagle, Hawks, Herons and Bee-eaters, to name just a few. The whole island is a vast ecological park and is protected by international treaties.

The island's main town and port is Livadia where visitors will find the remains of a castle, deserted stone houses, Byzantine churches and paved streets. Although Livadia is the largest town, the island's capital is actually Megalo Chorio which is about 2 km from Livadia. A popular attraction on the island is the beautiful abandoned 15th century monastery of Agios Panteleimon which has some interesting icons. Also worth visiting is the Castle of the Knights which is where the Knight of St. John were based during the 15th century.

Ferries from the island's port depart to Piraeus, Rhodes and to other islands in the Dodecanese.

Symi Guide

The Greek island of Symi is one of the Southern Dodecanese and is located to the north of the island of Rhodes and is close to the coast of south west Turkey. The island is around 13 km in length, north to south, and about 8 km east to west and has a total land area of around 70 sq. km. The four main areas on the island are Yialos, which is where the island's main harbour is located, Chorio is the top town, Pedi Bay is the valley that is located below Chorio and Nimborios is the bay and settlement that lies to the north of Yialos. Also on the island is the small village of Marathounda and the Monastery at Panormitis.

There are a number of popular sites across the island and includes a number of old churches and monasteries with one worth visiting being the Church of Constantinos and Eleni on the southern slopes of the Vigla which has lovely gardens and terraces. Also on the island, and built by the Knights of St. John in the 14th century, is the Monastery of the Archangel Michael at Roukouniotis which was built on the site of a 5th century monastery, which itself was built on the site of a pre-Christian temple.