Tinos – Guide to the slow Greek Cyclades Island of culture

Escape to Tinos – the Greek island of over 60 Cycladic villages, art, culture, great natural food, pristine beaches and enough churches (1500+) to feel totally blessed – and slip into a new way of living, the Tinos way.

Tinos is very different from any of the other Cyclades, but then again, this is so true for each of the islands. Each has a very personal character, history, and purpose, and we think each has a remedy for every type of travel.

Tinos is more about discovery; it is the quiet sister to nearby Mykonos, and as such, it is a perfect combo holiday treat. We tend to sandwich a trip here between the party scene and soak up some holistic culture of Tinos. It is officially a Saintly island, but don’t let that put you off - explore the countless Monasteries, most built and skillfully crafted in the white local marble (the island is famed for marble and has a new interesting Museum of Marble Crafts) – and the many Cycladic villages, each of which has its own story to tell.

Tinos boasts over 60 villages to discover and more than 1500 orthodox and Catholic churches – highlights are the fabulous The Church of Virgin Mary or Evangelistria Church in the hora (main town) – check out the dazzling jewels donated by the local women during prayers and hours of need, the Monastery of the Lady of the Angels at Kechrovouni, and the Abbey of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Village exploration is high on most visitors agenda, including ours – Volax is a must – just for the bizarre setting in Tinos, famous for giant stones and basketry, Kardiani is known for its fountains and arches – a place to get pleasantly lost in, Isternia is like a balcony to the Aegean Sea and Pyrgos is one of the oldest ones and an artsy cultural hub of the island.

For example, Tinos is the birthplace of many Greek marble sculpture artists; and its Museum of Marble Crafts in the village of Pygros is a fantastic place to visit.

Tinos – Guide to the slow Greek Cyclades Island of culture

Church architecture on the saintly island of Tinos , Greece, Cyclades

Church architecture, against the blue Aegean seas on the saintly island of Tinos , Greece, Cyclades

Tinos wilderness, landscapes of this Greek island

If you don’t wish to exert yourself too much then make the most of the stunning landscape by relaxing and taking in the spectacular views. With more than 120 km of shoreline around the island there is plenty to discover, with the famous Agios Sostis beach just 3km from the estate. Otherwise we dipped our toes into the beaches of Isternia, Lichnaftia, Agios Romanos, Kolumbithra and the very private Pachia Ammos.

Our favourite route is to hop through Athens and either ferry on down to the island, alternatively, you can fly into Mykonos and take the fastcat 20 minutes to the unspoilt Tinos. Travel between the Cyclades has recently been made, at last, much easier to plan with many ferry services now fully online – yeah. Check out Hellenic Seaways for the fastcats services and Greek Ferries for the softer pace, or for a real fast access to more than 16 island destinations, try out a charter helicopter with Hoper.