TinosThe Holy island with authentic charm

Tinos Island is a hidden gem in the Aegean Sea, proud of its authentic villages, the miraculous icon of the Virgin, its unique beaches, and the verdant sceneries.

The island is a place of spirit and enlightenment; so much of Tinos’ fame has been built around its religious centerpiece, the Panagia Evangelistria church, a beacon in the Orthodox faith and a famous pilgrimage site dedicated to the Virgin Mary, where thousands of believers flock every year to pay their respects and seek blessings, while all around Tinos are 750 chapels and churches.

What makes Tinos different is that the touristic pilgrimage has been limited to the Hora, the main town, and, in a sense, this has saved the rest of the island from massive tourism and retained its hinterland untouched.

Tinos is home to over 40 villages of unspoiled beauty, with many carrying the torch of marble craftsmanship and other age-old traditions that have given the Cycladic island a matchless artistic flair. Mostly mountainous, forgotten in another era but with surprisingly verdant landscapes that do not resemble the barren sceneries of the Cyclades, Ysternia, Kardiani, Pyrgos, Volakas, Panormos, and the rest of the island’s villages are sure to steal your heart.

Tinos is also a heaven for hikers, as it has an incredible network of 200-mile walking paths crisscrossing the entire island; hiking is the ideal way to explore a landscape that exudes authenticity, as residents initially used the paths to link otherwise unconnected settlements across the island.

All these, combined with the scrumptious dishes and the island’s numerous fantastic beaches, make Tinos a unique destination that any experienced traveler seeking tranquility and authenticity should consider.