Tinos guide: the church, marble villages and beaches
The quiet island next to Mykonos: a pilgrimage church, marble villages, dovecotes, granite boulders and beaches.
- The main sight is Panagia Evangelistria church, with a great procession on 15 August.
- The island has more than 1,000 dovecotes and the marble village of Pyrgos.
- Reach it by ferry from Rafina or Piraeus, and in summer from Mykonos.
Tinos suits those seeking a quiet, authentic island. Visiting in mid-August means booking everything ahead.
Why visit Tinos?
Tinos is a Cycladic island between Andros and Mykonos. It is best known as a pilgrimage site: Greek believers come from across the country to its great church. But it also has marble villages, thousands of dovecotes, landscapes of giant boulders and quiet beaches. It is close to Mykonos yet far calmer.
How to get to Tinos
Tinos has no airport; you arrive by ferry. From Athens, ferries leave from Rafina and Piraeus. In summer there are also daily sailings between Tinos and Mykonos, Syros, Andros and other islands, so it's easy to combine with another island. See our Rafina to Andros and Tinos ferry guide.
What to see in Tinos
- Panagia Evangelistria church – the island's key church, built in 1823 after an icon credited with miracles was found on the island. It stands in Tinos town on a hill above the port. On 15 August, the Dormition, a great procession is held and the island fills with visitors; if you're coming then, book accommodation and ferries well ahead.
- The dovecotes – Tinos has more than 1,000 decorated stone dovecotes scattered among its villages and valleys, one of the island's symbols.
- Pyrgos – the famous marble village, where marble craftsmen still work. It is also home to the Museum of Marble Crafts, which tells the story of the island's tradition.
- Kardiani – a village on a green slope with sea views.
- Volax – a small village among giant round granite boulders, a landscape unlike anywhere else in the Cyclades.
Tinos beaches
- Kolymvithra – in the north, a bay with two sandy beaches; wavy on north-wind days.
- Agios Sostis – a long sandy beach in the south, close to Tinos town.
As elsewhere in the Cyclades, strong winds often blow in summer; on those days look for a sheltered beach.
Who is Tinos for?
Tinos suits those looking for an authentic, quiet Greek island with villages, local food and walks, and fewer parties. It also pairs well with nearby Mykonos: stay on Tinos and visit Mykonos for a day. See our complete Mykonos guide.
FAQ
How do you get to Tinos? By ferry. From Athens, ferries leave Rafina and Piraeus, and in summer there are daily sailings from Mykonos, Syros and Andros too.
What is there to see in Tinos? Panagia Evangelistria church, the dovecotes, the marble village of Pyrgos and its marble museum, and Volax with its giant granite boulders.
What happens on Tinos on 15 August? The feast of the Dormition: a great procession at Panagia Evangelistria. The island fills with visitors, so book accommodation and ferries ahead.
Can you do a day trip from Tinos to Mykonos? Yes. In summer there are daily sailings between the two islands, so you can visit Mykonos and return the same day.
