Tourism is an integral part of the Greek economy. As a result, every island in Greece is continuously in a race to entice travelers by presenting unique features and excursions. For some, it’s their nightlife or historical findings, while for others, it’s their beaches or rustic aura. Similarly, the sights in Tinos are full of surprises, fascinating tourists with their vibrant nature. The six reasons to visit Tinos highlight these very attractions, showcasing the island’s alluringly distinct character.
Located a short hop away from Mykonos, Tinos makes for a fun day trip. As a base island for an extended holiday, it is ideal for tourists who prefer to spend time in quieter pastoral surroundings. Having a heavy Italian influence, Tinos is easily reachable from Mykonos by ferry. You can book tickets via Ferryscanner for boats that take less than half an hour to cover the 26km distance between the two islands.
Pigeon Houses
Ancient architecture is a massive draw across Greece and is also one of the reasons to visit Tinos. Although, the island’s specialty is its uncommon pigeon houses.
Built during the Venetian era, between the 13th and 15th centuries, over 500 such buildings now remain on the island. The structure of the stone houses comprises two floors. Constructed at the height of pigeon breeding on the island, for food and fertilizer, the lower section of the building was typically a warehouse. The second floor, decorated with geometric folk-art designs, is where the pigeons lived.
You’ll come across pigeon houses readily while touring the central regions of Tinos. Still, Tarambados, Potamia, and Kardiani are three villages particularly renowned for their pigeon houses.
Tinos Villages
Whimsical, full of kaleidoscopic personalities, and picturesque to the core, the villages on Tinos are among its top attractions. Enticing visitors with their unassuming charm, each town adds an element of individuality to the island’s combined identity.
Pyrgos, for instance, in the northwest of the island, is the center for marble art. Home to the famous Greek sculptor Giannoulis Chalepas, it is also the most popular village for a day trip. At the same time, offbeat travelers will find that the abandoned town of Monastiria is brimming with fascinating discoveries.
Another village worth visiting is Volax. Known for large granite boulders surrounding the habitation, Volax’s residents are expert basket weavers. As for arguably the prettiest village on the island, Dyo Choria occupies a scenic spot on the slopes of Mount Xombourgo. The town has a beautiful cobblestoned square with cave fountains. However, its picture-perfectness is primarily due to the Dyo Choria’s whitewashed homes with colorful doors and shutters.
Festivals Celebrated in Tinos
For a modest, often overlooked Greek island, Tinos plays host to an array of festivals throughout the year. Events occur across various towns celebrating everything from music and food to theatre, religion, and the arts.
Among the most prominent festivals on the island is Jazz on Tinos, held towards the end of August. The music-filled decade-old affair transpires over three days and includes several live shows.
At the same time, Tinos Food Paths is an extravagant gastronomic experience that shines a spotlight on local produce. Taking place in May every year, it consists of multiple chef demonstrations and tastings.
Additionally, Tinos Festival is a three-month-long cultural event, with theatre, music, and dance performances held regularly between July and September.
Wine
The much-admired gastronomic heritage of Tinos leads to every stay on the island becoming an unforgettable culinary affair. While food is undoubtedly one of the top reasons to visit Tinos, the revival of its wine culture is of particular interest.
Once common across the island, wine production and agriculture in Tinos declined sometime in the late 19th century. However, over the last decade, organic wine production has again taken off in a big way.
Mainly done by hand, wine cultivation in Tinos makes the most of the land’s unique soil and microclimate. The result is a combination of distinctive wines that are quickly making their mark in the world.
Travelers in Tinos can visit different wineries, learn about the process, and partake in wine tastings. T-Oinos and Volacus Wine are two of the most famous wineries on the island, producing organic reds and whites.
Panagia Evaggelistria of Tinos
There are several reasons to visit Tinos, but a religiously significant one is the Holy Church of Panagia Evaggelistria. Situated in the heart of Tinos Town, the church is an important pilgrimage that sees thousands of devotees visit every year.
The main attraction at the church is a sculpture of the Virgin Mary, found on-site in 1823 by a nun who had dreams about its location. The Greek Orthodox consider this Holy Icon the “protector of Greece.”
On August 15th, the island celebrates the feast of the Virgin Mary with much fanfare. Followers come here from across the country, often completing the last leg of their journey by crawling on all fours. A red carpet covers the ground from the port to the church to make this ordeal safe. During the day, locals take the Icon around the city, attracting enormous crowds of disciples wishing to touch the sculpture.
Wind Surfing
Some tourists find Tinos’ windy nature to be an inconvenience. For water sport enthusiasts, though, it’s a remarkable opportunity and one of the main reasons to visit Tinos, where they can hone their surfing and windsurfing skills.
Tinos has a 114km long coastline with plenty of beaches in the north and south, ideal for various surfing escapades. Kolymbithra and Livada in the north are favorites with professional surfers. The waves and currents here can be a little tricky for novices. However, Kolymbithra is home to the first surf club on the island, Tinos Surf Lessons. As a result, the beach has an inviting bohemian vibe worth experiencing, even if you are not into surfing.
Travelers interested in windsurfing and kitesurfing will find the southern beaches of Agios Romanos, Kionia, and Agios Fokas to their liking. The latter is the longest sandy beach in Tinos. Furthermore, all three are within a short drive from the capital Chora.