GREECE TRAVEL GUIDES
"TINOS offers a large variety of landscapes, spanning, rocky mountain views, seaside villages, cute harbours and sand dunes," says ERE Athens' DORA KALOGIROU. "You never get bored of TINOS!"
TINOS island guide
by DORA KALOGIROU
DORA KALOGIROU is co-founder—along with pastry chef Georgia Romanou—of the fresh ERE ATHENS space in the beautiful Athenian neighbourhood of Koukaki. At ERE you will find a hand-picked assortment of local products and artisan design works, emerging international brands of homeware, as well as personal items. You will also find a carefully crafted menu of sweet and savory pastries using the freshest ingredients, boasting an array of flavours from Greece and around the world. Visiting ERE is one of our favourite ways tostart our day in ATHENS -- always the perfect spot to take a moment to pause, and browse beautifully designed products with a coffee and treat.
DORA kindly took time to talk to us about her love of the Cycladic island, TINOS.
What makes TINOS different from the other Cycladic islands like Syros or Paros?
TINOS is unique for its large number of villages. It’s also well known for its amazing traditional Tinian architecture with the two-storey houses with their arches and marble lintels. Lastly, TINOS offers a large variety of landscapes, spanning, rocky mountain views, seaside villages, cute harbours and sand dunes. You never get bored of Tinos!
There are over 60 villages to explore on the island, many with their own unique views and character.
What’s the vibe like in the summer—busy, chill, somewhere in between?
During the high touristic seasons (July-August), TINOS is busy with visitors. It’s mostly busy in CHORA where you can find many restaurants and bars. In most of the villages—even the larger ones—the vibe is typically more chill, unless there’s a panigiri (a traditional community celebration), when often times you can meet virtually every person on the island at the same time and place!
"TINOS offers a large variety of landscapes, spanning, rocky mountain views, seaside villages, cute harbours and sand dunes."
If someone only had a couple of days on the island, what are the absolute must-see or must-do things?
Go to KARDIANI and YSTERNIA for spectacular views, to VOLAX for the unique stone landscape and visit the Holy Church of the Virgin Mary Evangelistria in CHORA.
Is having a car recommended?
Having a car is necessary so you can visit the different villages and beaches.
"PYRGOS is also home to the Tinos School of Fine Arts – a historic and rather prestigious school dedicated to the preservation of marble craftsmanship on the island."
Where do you think is the best area to stay?
If you’re into a quiet stay overlooking the Aegean Sea, stay in KARDIANI. Nice villages to stay close to CHORA are TRIANTAROS, and DIO CHORIA.
TINOS has a religious history—can you tell us a bit about the famous church here and why people make pilgrimages to it?
The famous church of TINOS, officially known as the Church of Panagia Evangelistria, is one of the most important religious sites in Greece. It houses a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, believed to have healing powers. Pilgrims travel to TINOS, especially on August 15th (feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary) to pray for healing and miracles, fulfillment of vows, seek blessings or out of religious devotion.
There are over 700 churches on the island; which stand out for their architecture or design?
Holy Church of the Virgin Mary Evangelistria in CHORA, Catholic Church of Saint Anthony in SMARDAKITO, Catholic Church of Sacred Heart in LOUTRA.
There are a straggering 700 churches on TINOS.
TINOS is famous for its marble carving tradition—can visitors see artists at work or learn more about this craft?
Visit the museum of Marble Crafts and house of Yannoulis Chalepas (famous Tinian sculptor). There are many marble workshops in the village of PYRGOS and some of them might offer open to public. PYRGOS is also home to the Tinos School of Fine Arts – a historic and rather prestigious school dedicated to the preservation of marble craftsmanship on the island.
"If you’re into a quiet stay overlooking the Aegean Sea, stay in KARDIANI. Nice villages to stay close to CHORA are TRIANTAROS, and DIO CHORIA."
Does TINOS have any traditional or special dishes found only on the island?
Froutalia (omelet with sausages or cured pork), tomato fritters, xerotigana (dough rolls with honey and walnuts).
Are there any local tavernas or food spots you'd recommend?
In the last couple of years there is an explosion of exquisite restaurants and food spots, making TINOS a must visit culinary destination. Some of my favourite classics include fish and seafood at THALASSAKI (Ysternia bay), traditional Tinian cuisine at DROSIA (Ktikados), and TEREZA (Myrsini), yummy tapas at SVOURA (Komi), and the gorgeous breakfasts at ΚΡΟΚ ΜΕΣΙΕ ("Krok Mesie" in Krokos).
What are your favourite beaches on the island?
Apigania, Livada, Pachia Ammos, Kolibithra.
"The people of TINOS are very kind and friendly, and visitors are warmly welcomed."
With over 60 villages, which are worth exploring, and why?
KARDIANI for the great views, VOLAX for the unique stone scenery, beautiful XINARA, LOUTRA and their URSULINES monastery, SMARDAKITO for its captivating simplicity and serenity, PYRGOS to discover the marble art and to chill at the central square, the cozy feeling of KTIKADO and of FALATDOS, the beautiful square of DIO CHORIA.
As we discussed earlier, the island does have religious significance. What can tourists do / what should we know to be mindful and respectful? And what can tourists do to be more mindful to local customs in general when visiting the island?
The people of TINOS are very kind and friendly, and visitors are warmly welcomed. A couple of ways to be mindful and respectful while visiting in terms of religion are to dress modesty when visiting religious sites, speaking softly during services and respecting pilgrims by providing space to those making offerings or crawling up to the church.
Photographs by DORA KALOGIROU and DION SERRAS.