Tinos

Overview of the Greek Island Tinos

On the Cycladic island Tinos – as well as on the neighbouring island of Andros – there are officially less than 10,000 inhabitants. Tinos is better known as Andros for a main reason: The island is the most important Marian pilgrimage in Greece. According to Greek mythology, Tinos is considered the birthplace of the wind god Aiolos (by the way, the wind god lives up to its name, but more about that later). Tens of thousands of believers travel to Tinos, more precisely to the Sanctuary of Panagia Evangelistria. And even on regular days, the old town of Tinos resembles an open-air church: incense, icons and statues of Mary as far as the eye can see.

The rest of Tinos is a combination of barren, typical Greek landscape, beautiful villages and idyllic, partly deserted bays. Although there are more tourists on Tinos compared to Andros, the island has retained a very authentic character. If you are looking for a very authentic island with great beaches, but you do not want to miss out on some touristic infrastructure, then you will definitely feel at home on Tinos. However, one thing is always present: wind. Tinos is considered a very windy island and the “Meltemi”, the Greek wind blows sometimes pretty neat.

Activities and Attractions in Tinos

Chora: Visiting the Capital of Tinos

If you are travelling to Tinos, you will land in the capital of the island. All ferries to Tinos arrive here, albeit a few hundred meters outside the city center. “Chora”, as the capital of a Greek island is typically called, is located in the southwest. Arrivinag at the long waterfront, which is lined with restaurants and coffee shops, there is a lot going on here – especially at weekends – where seats in the restaurants are rare.

Chora is especially famous for the pilgrimage church of Panagia Evangelistria, perched on a small hill. From the shore, two streets lead to the church: One of them is a pedestrian walkway that leads past countless of religious shops. On the other street, a carpet is rolled out for the pilgrims. Believers come to Tinos to take the ascent to the pilgrimage church on their knees.

The Villages on Tinos

Tinos is well know for its many little small villages. They are all very well maintained and beautiful both from a distance and from up close.

Pyrgos

If there is such a thing as the most photogenic village in Greece, then this must be it! Pyrgos is located in the north of Tinos where all the Greek stereotypes become reality. White houses, blue shutters and blooming oleander. There is a fairly busy square in the village with restaurants and coffee shops, where a lot of domestic and foreign tourists are frolicking. The remaining streets, however, you have them almost for yourself.

Volax

The barren inland of Tinos looks a lot like a lunar landscape. In the middle of nowhere, a white village suddenly appears: Volax. Only 50 people are supposed to live here. Volax is surrounded by gigantic, rounded boulders. The exciting thing about it is that many houses are built on or around these rocks. The village itself is tiny and quickly explored, but it is definitely worth a visit.

Tarambados

Tinos is known for its pigeon towers which remained from Venetian times. You will find these very typical houses scattered throughout the island, but mostly around the village of Tarambados. If you park your car in Tarambados, after a short (signposted) walk you will come to a small observation deck, from where you have a great view of the famous pigeon houses.

Kardiani

One of the most beautiful villages on Tinos is Kardiani. It is quite spectacularly situated on a hillside and for this very reason something very special. From Kardiani you also have a great view of the coast.

Beaches on Tinos

Kolimbithra

Kolimbithra in the north of the island attracts especially the young and the young at heart. The waves on the north coast are sometimes quite high, so surfers come to Kolimbithra. There are two sandy beaches in Kolimbithra. The smaller beach is supposed to be more crowded. Expect a lot of wind here!

Pachia Ammos

Very quiet and almost deserted was this sandy beach during our visit. Pachia Ammos is located in the east of Tinos and is only accessible via a footpath. To get to the beach, follow the signs for Porto Rafael to the Country Club in Pachia Ammos. You park your car here and walk down to the beach (walking time about 5 to 10 minutes). At the beach of Pachia Ammos there is neither a shower nor a toilet or shops. You just enjoy seclusion. The water here was very quiet.

Rochari

With amenities, a cosmopolitan beach near Panormos at the small port of the settlement Platia. Sparse tamarisks in the sands and view towards the Northern Aegean Sea.

Aghios Romanos

“Godfather” of the rather leeward large sandy shore at the southern part of Tinos (11km away from Chora) was the chapel of the left side of the bay. Nature has endowed the beloved of the Tinians with shady trees, crystal clear, emerald waters and unobstructed sight of Syros.

Kalyvia

The cherished seaport of Kardiani (13km from Chora), next to Aghios Petros beach. Exotic moments with crystal, shallow waters, shady tamarisks all along, relaxation in chaise lounges under the rattan umbrellas and cocktails or raki from the Kardiani Kalyvia beach bar; always in speed and at your disposal, the beach bar supplies you with snacks, juices, coffees, cocktails and raki directly at your chaise lounge.

Other Activities on Tinos

Hiking to the Summit of Exomvourgo

The Exomvourgo is a mountain on Tinos whose summit can be reached by hiking. The best parking space is in the nearby village. From there you only have to hike up about 20 minutes to the summit. A very un-touristic thing to do but the view from the top is quite impressive. One word of warning: It is extremely windy up there! Despite 30 degrees Celsius in the shade it was pretty cool up there.

Visiting the Nissos Brewery

Something we can wholeheartedly recommend is a visit to the Craft Brewery Nissos. The brand was only founded in 2012, but it is no longer indispensable from Tinos and Greece. Meanwhile, the Nissos beer is even exported to Germany, Australia and many other countries. It is still only brewed in the Nissos brewery on Tinos, which can be visited as part of a guided tour.

Food & Drinks: our Restaurant tips for Tinos

Thalassaki

The restaurant Thalassaki is one of the most famous restaurants in Tinos. Fine Greek cuisine is served on a very high level.Accordingly, the price level for Greek standards is pretty high (a visit is of course still affordable, no question). We liked the fact that they serve many tapas (small dishes to share). The menu includes many fish specialties, but there are plenty of vegetarian options as well. The restaurant has a nice outdoor terrace and is beautifully located at the waterfront.

How to get there: The Thalassaki restaurant is located in Isternia, down at the beach (not in the village). It takes about 40 minutes by car from Chora. At Isternia you have to drive down the serpentines to the beach. The Thalassaki is located directly at the water.

Mpouroú

We also had an excellent meal at the restaurant Mpouroú. The kitchen there can be described as classical Greek with creative influences. Romeo has found his beloved Moussaka on the menu. The covered terrace is very comfortable but quite dark (therefore forgive us the quality of the photo). The prices at the Mpouroú are less than the Thalassaki`s, but for Greek standards also on the upscale.

How to get there: The restaurant Mpouroú is located on the western edge of Chora along the coastal road. Coming from the old town, it is on the right side.

Skouna

We visited the restaurant Skouna for a quick lunch. It is located directly at the restaurant promenade in the capital Chora. We can not say anything negative. Both dishes we ordered tasted very good.

Kaktos Bar

For a sundowner we can highly recommend the Kaktos Bar. It is located right outside the capital Chora on a hill. Even tough you can not see the sun setting behind the city (but at the sea), the atmosphere is still great. In addition, we found the staff to be really friendly. We felt very comfortable and would come back again.

Transportation on Tinos

We would definitely recommend to rent a car on the island of Tinos. This way you can visit all places independently. The road conditions are relatively good. Apart from the fact that the roads are very winding, driving is pretty easy there.