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| General information about Tinos |
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Tinos is the third, in size, island in the Cyclades islands. It is situated at the Southeast of Andros and Northwest of Mykonos. Tinos combines beauty, faith and art. It is a well-known island for its painters and sculptors and miracles. Its various names from the ancient times can very well describe its ambience as "Idroussa" (lot of springs) or "Ofioussa" (land of snakes), but it is also known as "Aeolos's island" (Island of winds).
Tinos until recently was known only for the pilgrimage of Megalohari (Holy Mary). Today, it offers the ideal vacations to lovers of crystal clear sea waters and of the unexpected beauty of landscapes and villages.
A "wild" landscape, balanced with "steps" (scale ground fields), dry mountains and bright green dale. Surrounded by little traditional white villages, thousands of country churches and pigeon lofts. Its unique signs of Aegean culture, linked from ancient to modern time. Tinos ia an island of hidden beauty and you should not stay only in Hora. The beauty lies in the picturesque villages. | |
What to see & do in Tinos |
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Hora - Tinos, capital of the island and also its port, is where most of the population lives. A broad paved street leads from the port to the low hill on which stands the magnificent church of Our Lady. Built in marble from Paros and Tinos itself, the church stands overlooking the town on the site where a miraculous icon of Our Lady was discovered.
Inside the yard of the church there is the Gallery of Tinian Artists and Modern Greek Painters, which hosts a very interesting art collection. Further down of the Church of Mary, there is the Archaeological Museum of the island, where you can see parts of the temple of Amphitritis and Poseidon, located at Kionia.
Volax - Enormous, smooth, unique granite boulders surround the village of Volax, in an astonishing location. Most of the villagers are basket-weavers and one can even visit their workshops and buy baskets.
Pyrgos - At Pyrgos there is the famous 18th century cemetery, with its bas-relief tombstones, the home and museum of Giannoulis Halepas, the home of Litras, the workshops of marble sculptures and woodcarvers, the School of Fine Arts and the public square with its marble fountain. Pyrgos is a historic centre for marble-sculptors.
Isternia - At Isternia there is the museum of five artists of its village, the chapel of Agios Thanasis, a group of windmills and a little further the historic monastery of Katapoliani.
Kardiani - It is one of the most beautiful villages of Tinos. Walk around the narrow alleys, observe the traditional architecture, drink water from the various springs and enjoy the view from the main square. In Kardiani you will find the two renowned churches: Agia Triada (Orthodox) and Kioura (Catholic).
Xombourgo - At the imposing figure of Xombourgo (640m) was the location of the capital during the medieval period. There you can still find the remnants of the temple of the ancient goddess of Demetra (Minerva). There are also two contemporary churches, Agia Eleousa (Orthodox) and the church of the Sacred Heart (Catholic).
Beaches - There are plenty of beautiful beaches for swimming, most of them sandy and all of them with crystal clear waters. Pachia Ammos, Kolybithra, Kardiani (Ormos Giannaki), Livada, Ormos Isternion, Agios Sostis, Agios Fokas, Agios Ioannis Porto, Lichnaftia, Santa Margarita, Kionia. Livada is more difficult to reach but the lunar terrain is similar to Kolymbithres in Paros.
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Hints & tips about Tinos |
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The interior of the island has been little affected by tourism, and the 60+ villages have retained much of their traditional character and distinctive architecture.
Nature has kept its beauty on this island and you will be able to sense that, while you tour the villages, while you climb the hills or swim in the clear waters.
More than a thousand pigeon-houses (peristeriones) are scattered around the island, especially at Tarambados village, the meadow of Komi-Kalloni and in the area of Steni-Falatados.In mid September at the village of Falatados there is a famous raki festival, called "rakitzio".
There are also more than a thousand chapels with varying architectural design scattered all over the island representing the strong faith of the inhabitants of Tinos.
On the 21st of July the Icon of Megalohari is being walked-around from the Church in Hora to the Monastery of Agia Pelagia.
Going from town to Kionia you will find the ancient temple of Poseidon and Amfitriti.
Pachia Ammos is considered as the best beach of the island but sometimes it tends to be crowded, especially in August.
At the village Mesi there is the old monastery of Franciscans (1680) with its beautiful temple, its impressive coat of arms on its tombstones and a small museum worth visiting. Two other Catholic Monasteries located at Loutra are Jesuits with its impressive library and Oursouline with its School of Carpet.
The numerous villages with their cycladic architecture of whitewashed houses with colourful windows, blooming yards, cellars, fountains and picturesque arches. Some of these villages seem to cling on the mountainside where others are hidden in the revines (Karia, Tripotamos, Ktikados, Arnados, Dio Choria and many others).
You will enjoy the view towards Mykonos from the villages of Arnados, Dio Choria and Triandaros. From other areas you can also see Delos and Syros.
At the seashore of Panormos and the Ormos Isternion there are beautiful beaches, taverns with fresh fish and serenity.
Local buses connect the main villages and some beaches of the island. Check the bus schedules as soon as you get there in order to do a more appropriate holiday planning.
You will need a car in order to travel around the island and visit the 'correct' spots. You will find Rent Car - Bike services and taxis to take you around the interesting places.
Tinos is also ideal for fishing and hunting. Although, the weather is quite windy, if you own a yacht you will definitely enjoy a tour of the island and a visit to some secluded bays.
In August at Kolymbitra beach takes place the annual beach volley competition and after that a beach party, organized by the village Skalados.
In the beautiful village of Volax you should enjoy the splendid traditional delicacies of Tinos and grilled meat. Buy baskets and other local handicraft to help the local economy.
For those into hiking you can follow the trails that lead to the various villages and even now you can meet donkeys, sheep and cows on your way.
Do not forget to eat the famous custard-filled pastry (galaktomboureko) on the square of the village Pyrgos under the huge tree.
Buy local delicacies from the small open-air markets and the shops in Hora. We suggest the home made pasta (with tomato, basil, etc.), the sun-dried tomatoes, the local cheese (tiniako), the meat products (louza, siglino, wild rabbit and sausages) and the sweets (tiropitakia).
Just 4.5km from the port in the traditional village Ktikados you will find the best Greek food and an excellent view of the sea.
If you are into cheesey clubbing you should visit the bars that are in the area of Pallada. Otherwise you should go to 2-3 bars/clubs outside Hora, which have an excellent view of the sea and good music.
In August most of the villages hold dances and festivities that you should not miss. | |
Where to stay in Tinos |
In Tinos you will find accomodation at Agios Fokas, Agios Ioannis, Agios Romanos, Agios Sostis, Arnados, Falatados, Hora, Isternia, Kionia, Kolybithra, Ormos Isternion, Panormos, Pyrgos, Triantaros, Tripotamos.
For a detailed listing of all the available accomodation click here. | |
How to get to Tinos |
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Tinos is about 62 nautical miles from Rafina and 86 nautical miles from Piraeus. From the port of Rafina you can take either the boat to Andros-Tinos-Mykonos which last 4 hours or the highspeed which last 1 hour and 45 minutes. From the port of Piraeus you can take either the boat to Syros-Tinos-Mykonos which last 5 hours or the high speed which lasts 3 hours. Routes depend on the day of departure, other ports may be included.
Before your departure always check boat schedules and especially during the high season.
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Useful phones about Tinos |
Telephone Area code: +30 22830 | Port Authority: 22348 | Hospital/Doctor: 22210, 23781, 31206 (Isternies), 51210 (Komi), 41229 (Steni) | Police: 22100, 22255 | Other Phones: 23513 (Info), 24159 (Hotels Assosiation), 25887, 23539 (Rooms Assosiation), 22470 (Taxi), 22440 (Bus) | |
Links to other pages related to Tinos |
We recommend the following links for Tinos: Pigeon-Tinos complete - A very good web site about Tinos with complete information and pictures of the island
Tinos.tv - Detailed information and pictures of the island and its beaches
Tinos.gr - The official web site of Tinos island
e-tinos - Another web site of Tinos island
tinos.biz - Beauty Art Faith
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