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A LESSER-known European island with tranquil, quiet beaches and a fascinating natural history could be the perfect holiday destination for you this summer.

If you want the charm and beauty of a Greek island without the extortionate prices or the swathes of tourists, there are plenty of places you can head to.

Tilos has the charm and beauty of a Greek island without the extortionate prices
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Tilos has the charm and beauty of a Greek island without the extortionate pricesCredit: Alamy
Micro Horio contains the remains of an abandoned village and church
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Micro Horio contains the remains of an abandoned village and churchCredit: Alamy
Tilos has long stretches of empty beach
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Tilos has long stretches of empty beachCredit: Alamy
The island sits between Rhodes and Kos, who seem to take the bulk of the tourists to the area
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The island sits between Rhodes and Kos, who seem to take the bulk of the tourists to the areaCredit: Alamy

One of those is the Dodecanese island of Tilos, known for its clear seas, long stretches of empty beach and its ancient villages.

It sits between the more famous Rhodes and Kos, who seem to take the bulk of the tourism trade in the region.

However, its landscape, featuring towering mountains, rocky and sandy shores and varied wildlife make it well worth considering for holidaymakers.

Bird-watchers are particularly well catered for, with rare species like the Bonelli’s eagle, the Eleonora’s falcon, the long-legged buzzard, the European shag, the European bee-eater all among its inhabitants.

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What's more, it's believed to be the final home of the European dwarf elephants, who are believed to have lived there until around 4,000 years ago.

explained: "The last elephants of Europe lived here: the dwarf elephants appeared on the island 45,000 years ago and disappeared about 4,000 years ago.

"It is today a quiet island of picturesque villages and amazing beaches where you can have a relaxing holiday."

Among the best of those beaches are the likes of Eristos Beach, Lividia Beach and Plaka Beach, among others.

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According to the pick of the bunch is Eristos, for its clear seas and lack of other tourists.

They wrote: "Eristos is a long bay that can be accessed through a rough street from Megalo Chorio. Its water is pure and its ambience barren."

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However, they also praised the other two, adding them to their list of the island's best beaches.

After a trip to the seaside, an evening out can be spent in the port town of Lividia.

describes it as "a small, laid-back town with a tree-lined main square and some lovely tavernas" which serve Greek food and affordable drinks. 

Meanwhile, the capital, Megalo Horio, is labelled as "a charming flower-decked town of cobblestoned alleys, tiny courtyards and friendly people".

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  1. Lucky Bay, Australia
  2. Source D'Argent, Seychelles
  3. Hidden, Philippines
  4. Whitehaven, Australia
  5. One Foot, Cook Islands
  6. Trunk, US Virgin Islands
  7. Honopu, Hawaii
  8. Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland
  9. Navagio Beach, Greece
  10. Balandra, Mexico
  11. Cala Goloritze, Italy
  12. Pipe Creek, Bahamas
  13. Pink, Indonesia
  14. Grace, Turks & Caicos
  15. Gardner, Ecuador
  16. Mcway, California
  17. Turquoise, Australia
  18. Le Morne, Mauritius
  19. Sancho, Brazil
  20. Seven Mile, Cayman Islands
  21. Lanikai, Hawaii
  22. Maya, Thailand
  23. Moro, Spain
  24. Kelingking, Indonesia
  25. Meads, Anguilla
  26. Flamenco, Puerto Rico
  27. Arena, Dominican Republic
  28. Little Hellfire, Australia
  29. Lazio, Seychelles
  30. Vaeroy, Norway
  31. Horseshoe, Bermuda
  32. Myrtos, Greece
  33. Hidden, Mexico
  34. Grand Anse, Grenada
  35. Xpu Ha, Mexico
  36. San Josef, Canada
  37. Matira, French Polynesia
  38. Capriccioli, Italy
  39. Pasjaca, Croatia
  40. Boulders, South Africa
  41. Salines, Martinique
  42. Champagne, Vanuatu
  43. Marinha, Portugal
  44. Balos, Greece
  45. Achmelvich, Scotland
  46. Kaputas, Turkey
  47. Radhangar, India
  48. Varadero, Cuba
  49. Piha, New Zealand
  50. Pink Sand, Bahamas 

Some get it confused with Micro Horio, one of the island's other tourist spots, consisting of an abandoned village still containing the remains of a medieval castle and church.

Olympic continued: "It’s a tiny island, but Tilos has earned a big reputation for the good things. Like many other small Dodecanese Islands it promises a relaxing taste of traditional Greek life. 

"The mountains, forests, meadows and beaches provide safe homes for hundreds of plants, birds and other wildlife such as turtles and seals.

"It has Numerous beaches, including lovely, sandy Eristos, pretty Plaka cove beside a peacock park, and , where tamarisk trees and a traffic-free promenade line a long pebble beach."

The best way to reach the island is by ferry, with services running from both Athens and Rhodes.

A night for two on the island can be booked from around £26.

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Meanwhile, this underrated Greek island has surprisingly cheap holidays.

And this Greek island is the most affordable to visit in 2024.

Its beaches have clear blue seas for people to swim in
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Its beaches have clear blue seas for people to swim inCredit: Alamy
The towns have small tavernas serving drinks and Greek food
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The towns have small tavernas serving drinks and Greek foodCredit: Alamy
A night on the island can be booked from £26 for two
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A night on the island can be booked from £26 for twoCredit: Alamy
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