tilos

Nightlife in Tilos island Greece

tilos-nightlifeYou certainly don’t come to Tilos for the liveliest nightlife in the Aegean. If you’re after “anything goes” round-the-clock partying you’ll be better off in frantic Faliraki on the neighbouring island of Rhodes. The low-key night scene here consists of an ouzo as the sun goes down followed by a leisurely meal in one of the island’s good quality traditional tavernas. A handful of bars play music till the early hours and there’s one night club which opens in high season for those who simply can’t take any more of the island’s tranquility. If you’re visiting in July and August you’ll be able to join in one of the religious celebrations.it’s a lot more fun than it sounds!

One of the best value for money places to dine in Livadia is Restaurant Eirina on the seafront near the church. It’s a lovely evening location with tables set right at the water’s edge and you can always be sure of tasty, home-cooked Greek fare. The fasolada (bean soup), gigantes (haricots beans), mousaka and papoutsakia (stuffed aubergine) are among the chef’s specialties.

Restaurant To Armemon on the shore road is an excellent beach taverna and ouzeri where you can sip a sundowner and enjoy a pre-dinner portion of mezedes (the octopus salad is particularly good). Blue Sky, above the ferry dock, is one of the best places in town for freshly grilled fish and mezedes. Meat eaters make a beeline for Psistaria Kritikos in the town centre – a good grill joint serving up goat chops, sausages and chicken.

Later in the evening Café Ino, on the shore near Restaurant Eirina, and Bozi at the eastern end of the bay play music and throng with locals and visitors till way past midnight in the summer months. But if you’re into more serious partying, jump on the courtesy minibus to the ghost village of Mikro Horio where one of the old stone houses has been converted into a night club. Greek hits and international chart music blast here until 4am in July and August.

There’s not much happening in terms of nightlife elsewhere on the island though the capital Megalo Horio has some decent tavernas and a couple of music bars – Ilakati for rock and blues and Anemona for mainly Greek music.

If you’re here towards the end of July you’ll be able to join pilgrims from around the world who flock to the Agiou Panteleimonos monastery on the west coast for a three-day festival. The celebrations take place between July 25th -28th and involve traditional music and dancing along with much feasting and general merrymaking.

Another festival is held at the Church of the Holy Virgin in Mikro Horio in mid-August (the only time the church is open to the public). And on August 23 rd there’s another hard night of traditional partying when the Politissa Festival takes place at the old church just outside Livadia. Check with one of the port travel agencies for a full programme of events.