Welcome!

A map and a few words… The magic of Tinos lies in its secret interpretation, in everything that is discovered by sight and through the senses the longer one gets to know the island.

The map is to be redrawn! So as to put an exclamation mark on your favourite beach, circle the village that will steal your heart, write down the name of the taverna with the local delicacies.

Images. Pigeon houses, windmills and countless chapels. Prickly pears, springs, green marble, sage and capers that thrive on rocks with peculiar shapes.

Beaches. Fascinating, with thin, golden sand, smooth and wide rocks and crystal clear waters. Kionia. Porto. Santa Margarita. Livada. Kolimbithra. Isternia.

Architecture. Unspoilt inland villages. Arches, geraniums and basils, carved lintel, cobbled roads, threshing floors, terraced yards, cellars. Marble mortars, earthenware jars, and woven baskets.

Katomeri – Panomeri. Feasts. Serenades. Catholic villages, French Ursulines boarding-school at Loutra, the lunar lanscape at Volax, pigeon houses at Tarambados, the House of Exhibitions at Falatados. Aetofolia. Agapi. Xinara. Kechros. Mirsini.

Exomeri. Endless Blue, with a view to the islands, the Marble-Sculptors' Workshop at Pyrgos of Halepas,. Panormos. Isternia. Kardiani.

Chora. Narrow alleys; bougainvilleas; the old port of Stavros; the Sacred Church of the Virgin Mary; the Gallery of Tiniot Artists next to the church; the Art Gallery; the temple of Poseidonas and Amfritis at Kionia; the archaeological museum.

Tripotamos. Triandaros. The Orthodox monastery of Agia Pelagia; the catholic monastery of the Jesuites with the folklore museum; the catholic church of the Iera Kardia at Xombourgo; Panagia at Vrisi.

Delicacies. Louzes from smoked pork, stuffed vine leaves, sea food, home made lasagna, sun dried tomatoes, froutalia omellete. Sweet cheese pies, crushed almond and marzipan confectionaries called "amygdalota", greek delight meringue ‘pastelli’ in lemon leaves, dried figs and thyme honey.

Tavernas at the capital’s alleys, at the villages, by the sea, coffee at the port, ouzeri, night bars for all tastes.

Welcome to your own Tinos.

Text: H. Nikolaou.