Tinos town, also known as Chora, is the capital of the island. This is where the main port is situated and therefore, your first contact with Tinos Island. It is obvious that in Chora beats the heart of tourism. You will find countless varieties of taverns and restaurants here, bars and night clubs. Also, you will have the opportunity to shop in many shops blended among the alleys. Local products should be your first choice. That is because Tinos Island is well-known for its cuisine. Cheese products, sausages, legumes etc., might be the perfect gift for those back home.

Religious Tourism

Probably the most famous aspect of Tinos Island and consequently of its capital, is the religious tourism. Here, you will find one of the most well-known churches in Greece called Panagia of Tinos or Lady of Tinos. It attracts thousands of pilgrims every year, not only from Greece but from around the world. According to the legend, a nun named St. Pelagia had a vision, during which Virgin Mary pointed to her where an icon was buried. In fact, the icon was excavated on January 30th 1823. Since this occurred during Greek Revolution, it was considered by its leaders as a sign from God. During the excavations in this location, also ancient temple of Dionissos was discovered, as well as the temple of St. John. The construction of today’s church, where the icon was found, ended in 1880.

Of course there are many other attractions to see in Tinos capital. Therefore, you should gather your strength. There is Archaeological Museum, painting gallery etc.

Tinos town features many picturesque alleys. During the evening, when the temperature is lower, those alleys become alive with tourist from all over the island. You can enjoy delicious dinner or the world famous souvlaki. Afterwards, an exotic cocktail is a good choice.

Beaches

On both sides of Chora, north and south, you will find beaches where you can relax and enjoy swimming. To south-east from the town, there is a long beach with beach bars and sunbeds. You should know that you will have to use the bus or your own mean of transport to get there.

In the capital of Tinos, there is the starting point of local bus line. Therefore from here you can get to many places of the island.

Kardiani is probably the most famous village of Tinos, after Chora, the capital of the island. It is situated on the north-west part of Tinos, about 16 km away from the main port. As one of the most beautiful villages, you should not miss it! It is built on a steep mountain side and it offers stunning view of the Aegean Sea. Although it is quite small, it features picturesque alleys. There are few unique and beautiful churches here: Kimisis, Agia Triada and Kioura. The last one features fresh water spring. You can sit and relax in the main pavement. You will find a small fountain here, as well as bench. Scenery here is accompanied by breath-taking view of the sea. Therefore, it is hard to stand up and leave. Do not forget to take a walk among the alleys. They are narrow, to protect inhabitants from the wind. You will pass below camaras and feel how local people live.

At the steps of Pateles, this is the name of the mountain, there are few beaches you can visit. The main beach of Kardiani is called Ormos Giannaki. It consists of crystal Aegean Sea and big pebbles. Also, you there are taverns here, where you can enjoy delicious lunch. Few minutes away towards the south from there, you will find another beach called Kalivia.

To get to Kardiani, you can take the bus. Yet, to have more options like go for a swim afterwards, we suggest a car.

Pyrgos is the largest Tinos village after the capital of the island. As it is located 23 km away from Tinos town, it is worth a trip. It features picturesque Cycladic alleys but marble dominates here. The whole village is like a folklore museum due to its architecture and its tradition regarding art. You will have the opportunity to see few marble sculptures and decoration above entrances of houses. In Pyrgos village there is also Art School. A nice attraction to visit is the house and at the same time museum, of the well-known artist Giannouli Chalepa. Other attractions are interesting as well, like the museum of art and cemetery with sculptures.

Quite unique spot of Pyrgos village is the main square. It features few traditional taverns, pastry and cafeteria. As Tinos Island is famous for its cuisine, lunch here follows “home-made” philosophy. You will experience here 100% of Tinian hospitality as well.

Combination of visit in Pyrgos village and swim is easy here. You can drive about 2.5 km towards north-east and find Panormos beach. This is the main beach of the village which features also a seaside settlement. For more privacy, there is Kavalurko beach little bit further as well.

Regarding accessibility, we suggest you use your own mean of transport. It will help you to be more flexible on this side of the island.

Falatados is an interesting location among Tinos villages. This is another example why this island is famous, first of all for its villages. Falatados is the third biggest settlement of the Tinos, after the main town and Pyrgos village. It is situated in the inland of the island, 11 km away from the capital.

The architecture of Falatados, just like in other villages, is strictly Cycladic as well. Houses are built close together, there are many passages and camaras, and of course, warm local people. The main attraction of Falatados is its main church, Agios Ioannis-Trinity. It was built in 1900 and it features important icons dating more than 3 centuries. An impressive belfry is dominating proudly 18 meters above the ground.

You will enjoy delicious dishes of a local cuisine here. There are few taverns and small traditional cafes in Falatados. Yet, this beautiful village is well-known for its raki production. This of course, must be accompanied by quality distilleries, which you will find here. Wine production also thrives in Falatados. Therefore, if you wish to by local gifts for those back home, you will definitely find something interesting here.

In September, there is a festival called “rakizio” organized in the village. It is something you might be interested in.      

To reach Falatados, you will have to use your own means of transport. You might be trekking enthusiast and therefore, you should know that the village is surrounded by unique nature. 

Triantaros is a small yet unique among Tinos villages. It is situated only 7 km away from the capital of the island. It is built on a slope of Kechrovouni Mountain and therefore, the view from here is stunning. You can see the Aegean Sea of course, as well as part of the capital. During days with good visibility, you might see as far as Syros Island.
Triantaros is probably the closest spectacular mountainous village to Tinos Town. Although it is small, it features picturesque alleys and camaras which you can enjoy. But you have to be aware that there are many stairs to climb. Like we mentioned before, it is built on a slope.

There are few taverns in Triantaros where you can enjoy your meal. They “play a role” of coffee house as well. As it is just 7 km away from the capital, it is easy to visit it just for few minutes.

Kalloni, like most of Tinos villages, is a beautiful settlement in the center of the island. It is located 12 km away from the main town of Tinos and it is surrounded by trees. It features picturesque alleys. Of course, you can walk among them and discover the way of life in a small Cycladic village. There is a church in Kalloni named Agios Zacharias, which is one of the biggest on Tinos Island. There is a tavern in the village, where you can enjoy your meal. You can visit Kalloni on your way from or to Kolympithra beach.

Dio Choria or Dyo Choria (in translation: two villages) is situated near Triantaros village, 10 km away from the capital. You can imagine from where its name is inspired. There used to be two villages here, which in time became one. Just like Triantaros village, Dio Choria is built on a slope of the mountain. The panoramic view is amazing as well. You will see a part of Tinos main town and infinite view of Aegean Sea as the village is built on an elevation of 450 meters above sea level.

The signature of Dio Choria village is its main square with two plane trees. In this spot you can enjoy your coffee and admire the view. The other unique aspect of this amazing Tinos village is that it features natural springs. Of course, you will enjoy walk among beautiful Cycladic alleys here. Because there are other villages in the area as well, you can visit them in half of day. We suggest you use your own mean of transport for that, in order to be more flexible.  

Kampos is one of Tinos villages close to the main town, about 8 km. It is a quiet place yet, there are few attractions here which you can visit. There is a traditional, well preserved, outdoor laundry spot. It was used by local people for many years, before modern technology arrive in the village. Kampos village features two churches; Agia Triada and Agia Aikaterini. In the second one, you will have the opportunity to see wooden iconostasis, built in 1770. In fact the church was built under Russian occupation, to honor the empress, Catherine A’. In the village, there is also a museum of Kostas Tsoklis.

If you find yourself in Kampos village, you should know that there is a traditional tavern in the center of the village.  

Volax or Volakas is one of the smallest among Tinos villages, situated in the center of the island. Its distance from the capital is about 12 km. There are two interesting aspects in this village. First of all there are the rounded rocks surrounding Volax. This is unique natural scenery. You will see rounded rocks, placed among olive trees and fields. Secondary, Volax is known for had made baskets. This is an art cultivated here for many years. There are several workshops in the village which you can visit and by one for you or your family back home. There is also an option of customization, as you can order a basket and it will be made before you. In Volax you will also find an open theatre as well as two taverns. You will enjoy delicious dishes here, which follow traditional recipes.  

Steni village is situated at Tinos inland as well, 11 km away from the capital of the island. This is another place small enough to see how local life floats but bid enough to visit it. Steni is also surrounded by other villages like Falatados and Mirsini. You can visit them as well by your own mean of transport.

In the village you can take a walk among its interesting alleys. You will notice the unique architecture and few gardens between houses. In the past, Steni used to be known for handmade shoe production. Of course today, this art is almost extinct. The village features two churches called Agios Nikolaos and Agios Antonios. There is a tavern in the village as well, where you can enjoy quality dishes. Few hundred meters away from Steni, towards southeast, you will find Domaine De Kalathas Winery.

Agapi (Agapi=Love) is a secluded Tinos village, located 15km north of the capital of the island. It is built among mountains and that is one of the aspects which makes it interesting. Its main church is called Agios Agapios. The architecture of the village is quite interesting. There are paved alleys, camaras, old houses as well as traditional dovecotes. As Agapi village is surrounded by mountains, it is obvious that it will have its own traditional well. There are natural springs here as well. Like most of Tinos villages, Agapi features a traditional tavern. 

You can visit this village on your way to or from Kolymbithra beach. You will have to make a turn to the east, where Komi village is.

Arnados is one of Tinos villages built on a mountain slope, 9 km away from the capital of the island. It has few attractions which are interesting to see, if you visit the village. On the main square of Arnados, you will find Analipsi church. It features few aspects from 1600 and incredible view from its entrance. That will probably be the spot where you will take most of the pictures. The other thing that you will recognize here, are the alleys with many camaras. This type of architecture protects houses from wind and hot sun. Therefore, it is so popular especially in villages built on mountains in Cyclades.

In Arnados, like in most Tinos villages, you will find traditional tavern. You can use a car to reach it and visit other surrounding villages nearby as well. Triantaros and Dio Choria are just around the corner.

Komi village is situated in the center of Tinos, 13 km away from Chora, the capital of the island. It features picturesque church, which is quite impressive inside. In Komi as well, there are few Cycladic alleys, where you can take a walk. When driving from the capital of Tinos towards Kolympithra beach, you will pass Komi on your left side. Therefore, you can stop for a visit on your way to or back from the beach.