Tinos, The miraculous island of Cyclades

The miracle of Tinos is not only the image of the Virgin Mary, which has made her famous. It is the wild beauty that will accompany you, the rocks sculpted by the wind, the beaches with the clear blue waters, the Cycladic villages with the steep slope and the charming settlements with the flowered courtyards.

On this Cycladic island, you will discover a thousand more wonders: isolated or organized beaches, fine local dishes served in the villages, rich history, labyrinthine alleys and countless churches.

It is known mainly for the Holy Temple of the Virgin Mary and its pilgrimage, but it also stands out for its cultural and historical wealth, traditions, picturesque villages and beautiful landscapes.

And while the legend wants Pheidias to teach sculpture to the people of Tinos, great artists of the time such as Giannoulis Halepas leave behind a legacy of great works. You will be able to see some of them if you visit the Tinian Culture Foundation.

Enjoy Tinian cuisine

Tinian gastronomy uses and mixes the items of its local production and give you a pure, local identity. The inhabitants have always been producers and cultivate legumes and vegetables, create their own wine and raki, cheese, raise animals. Local and exquisite products,that are worth trying include mageiritsa soup, savori with petimezi, octopus with vinegar, louza, pitsounia, cabbage stuffed with rice, quail with rice, rabbit stew, artichokes, salad with kritamo, rusks with anise, pumpkin pie, quince paste, xerotigana, fish, donuts, sweet cheese pies and of course sausage.

Best time to visit Tinos and why

If your goal is to relax and enjoy the beauties of the island, the sea and some sights, then by all means avoid visiting the island on the feast of the Virgin Mary (15th August) . Alternatively, we recommend September which is an equally ideal holiday month with less tourists.

How to use transportation in Tinos

Port transfer options

You will reach Tinos from the ports of Rafina and Piraeus.

Depending on the ferry company and the port of departure you choose, the trip takes from 1.5 to 5 hours. Alternatively, you can travel by airplane to Mykonos and take a boat to the island of Tinos.