Family trip to Tilos Island with children. Ideas on where to go with your child

Tilos Island would be a perfect place for calm family holidays. Unfortunately, there are no such children entertainments like theme parks, but, on the other hand, kilometers of deserted beaches stretch along the island as well as various natural and architectural objects. There are few playgrounds in the local capital city. Besides, if you come to the large beaches (e.g. the one near Livadia), you would find facilities for volleyball and beach football. In case if your kids are already able to float (even if only with armbands or something like this), you can offer them to learn snorkeling. Storms are quite a rare occasion for the Tilos’ water area and, what is more, the water there is highly clear, so one can easily watch marine inhabitants swimming at a depth of several meters.

Even three-years-olds should like snorkeling very much. Remote beaches like Eristos are the best variant for those who decided to immerse into the underwater world of Tilos Island. Perhaps, privacy is initial for your child? Then you can go to Plaka bay. Even though there is no proper infrastructure there, the beach is quite extended, so you can enjoy being on your own. Moreover, you can explore the island’s underwater world together with your children. A divers' license for kids is obliged. You can choose any set enjoy exploring at the permitted for children depth. Furthermore, there is actually something to see: various Mediterranean fishes, starfishes, seahorses, hermit crabs, crabs, and dolphins live right nearby Tilos. Submarine sceneries are tremendously magnificent as well.

If you’re fond of fishing, you can go to the open sea with kids and teach them this craft. However, if your child is rebellious and just can’t spend time sitting, there is an option to go on a cycling trip around the island. However, if your kid can’t ride a bicycle but highly energetic anyway, we can offer you to get some provisions and join a walking trip. There is a great choice of diverse roads of any length and complexity. And the change in elevation is not that big here too. Those who’re not fond of staying in one place for too long must like an idea of visiting any other adjacent island for a couple of days. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

When going to the capital, take your kids to the local museum. It’s not that big and located in the old town hall – which is a real memorial of ancient times as well. There are expositions in some halls that show the history of the settlement of Tilos Island and its nationalities of different time periods. Nevertheless, a casual walk around Megalo Chorio would also help you to understand how people used to live here before. The city is about 500 years old and it hasn’t changed a bit since its construction. Typical Cycladic small white houses, narrow streets, beautiful churches – these all are enough for children to immerse themselves into the atmosphere of a town of an island Greece.

Besides, kids are likely to notice an ancient fortress on the top of a hill during such walks. This is a the Johannites knights’ fort which was built in the 15th century. Even though the construction which has been deserted for already several years is getting decayed today, still any kid who is keen on stories about old times, knights and princesses should actually like it. But remember that it would take about 40 minutes to climb there. Despite it, the views on the way are tremendously fascinating.

Moreover, to spend some time on reaching Mikro Horio is definitely worth it. The place can be called a unique medieval Tilos settlement which is being completely abounded for a half century. The inhabitants left the village and settled in more populous and progressive areas of the island. The positive aspect is that children now can ramble around time-worn houses (some of them are about 5 centuries old) as much as they want to.

There is one more knight castle near Mikro Horio. It was built in the 14th century by Hospitallers. In addition, kids might also get interested in the fragments of the fortress’ inside walls which survived to the modern days.

If your kid likes pieces of church art or just ancient constructions, then you can visit St. Panteleimon Monastery together. It was built in the 15th century, so those children who have a fancy for history or simply love asking various questions concerning the way people used to live centuries ago should learn something peculiar there.