When I first learned of Tinos, I was surprised no one had recommended it to me before. Just a 15-minute ferry ride from Mykonos, Tinos remains relatively undiscovered: quieter, more authentic, and dotted with traditional villages that feel worlds away from its famous neighbor. After 10 days exploring hidden corners and uncovering one gem after another, Tinos has become one of the most unexpected discoveries I’ve come across in the Greek Islands.
Tinos is one of those destinations that grows on you the more you explore, but you also need to know where to go. There’s so much to see and narrow down (there’s over 40 traditional villages on the island), so it’s best experienced by car, allowing you to wind through mountain villages and discover secluded beaches. The food scene is surprisingly trendy and varied; we’ve had some of our favorite meals here out of all the islands we’ve traveled to. Tinos offers something increasingly rare in the Cyclades: authentic Greek island life where locals still outnumber tourists and every day brings a new discovery.
Left: A street in Volax; Right: Views en route to Malli Beach.
Where I Stayed: Vourni Beach
After quite a bit of research, I chose to base myself at Phos Villas on Vourni Beach. It’s a newer property, and each villa has its own private pool. The real draw (in addition to the view!) was the 2-minute downhill walk to one of the best beaches on the island, with a restaurant on the sand. Plus, a kitchen and an air-conditioned downstairs bedroom set up for a toddler. Having easy beach access was a big priority for us. We were also adjacent to Odera Tinos, where we met up with family during our trip. It’s a luxurious property with an incredible breakfast spread and its own private beach; the ideal set up for slow morning visits. Overall, our location gave us easy access to Tinos Town (about 15 minutes) for exploration and grocery runs, and we could easily reach the other beaches we visited during our stay.
Other properties I considered: Aeolis Tinos Suites (nice suites but inland between towns), Pnoes Tinos (a design hotels property), Xinara House (bigger than what we needed), Diles & Rinies (beautiful property but didn’t love location), Living Theros Luxury Suites (not easily accessible for our family to visit), and Ela Tinos (a bit too far of a walk to the beach with a toddler).
Top: Vourni Beach; Right: Our villa at Phos Villas.
My Favorite Villages (Don’t Miss These)
Kardiani is one of the more beautiful villages I’ve seen in the Cyclades. Perched on a mountainside, Kardiani delivers sweeping sea views and golden hour magic. The traditional architecture feels untouched by time, and the sunset views are absolutely breathtaking. We loved having dinner here at To Perivoli tis Kardianis and then walking up the steps to the square to watch the sun go down.
Volax is unlike anywhere else I’ve been in Greece. This otherworldly village sits among massive round granite boulders that make the landscape look almost lunar. Stroll through town for picturesque corners and handwritten poetry on the walls. We visited twice, once in the late afternoon and then again during golden hour for the most dramatic lighting.
Pyrgos is the marble village that put Tinos on the map. Home to a renowned sculpture school, this is where you’ll see master craftsmen at work and understand why Tinos marble has been prized since ancient times. The village itself is a work of art, with traditional architecture, sculptures in local artists’ windows, and peaceful cafés in the square. You’ll also find a few great boutiques sprinkled throughout.
Panormos is a quintessential fishing town flanked by a couple great beaches. Absolutely worth visiting for lunch to have seafood overlooking the water.
Left to right from top: The church at Pyrgos; marble carvings in Pyrgos; the seaside town of Panormos; Kardiani at golden hour; dinner in Kardiani at To Perivoli tis Kardianis.
Best Beaches Of The Trip
Rochari Beach is not your average Greek beach. The beach bar and umbrellas have a bohemian vibe reminiscent of beaches in Mexico. I loved the picturesque setting though (looking out into a distant island, comfy beach loungers) and my son loved the hammocks set up between the trees.
Agia Thalassa is a beautiful, peaceful beach with some trees for shade and the charming seaside town of Panormos nearby. It’s easy to combine with a visit to Rochari Beach, which is a short drive away.
Vourni Beach was right in front of our accommodation. It became our daily swimming spot with calm, clear waters and a great restaurant to sit at while our son played in the sand.
Malli Beach offers the ultimate secluded escape at the island’s northwestern tip, where picturesque Cycladic houses surround the coastline. Only two other people joined us on this beach, so we had it almost entirely to ourselves.
Koumelas Beach is another favorite that we stopped at on the way to Malli Beach. More of a swimming cove than a beach, but with crystal clear water and charming boat houses.
Kolymbithres Beach is fun to visit if you have time. It’s not as swimmable as other beaches due to large waves, but it’s great for watching surfers and enjoying the unique beach bar on the sand.
The private beach at Odera Tinos is worth mentioning for its pristine setting and peaceful atmosphere. I would 100% stay here if we returned to Tinos, the hotel and the beach are absolutely idyllic.
Top to bottom: Malli beach; Rochari Beach; Kolymbithres Beach.
Restaurant Highlights: Where to Eat in Tinos
The food scene in Tinos completely exceeded my expectations. Here are the restaurants that made this trip truly memorable:
O Ntinos Restaurant was a big hit this trip. This family-run waterfront spot serves fresh seafood with an amphitheater-like setting overlooking the bay. The sunset views, combined with seafood caught by local fishermen, create an unforgettable dining experience.
To Perivoli tis Kardianis in Kardiani Village offers what might be the most beautiful view on the island, paired with excellent homemade dishes (try the lamb cooked in parchment paper) and an incredible setting under 100-year-old grape vines. Our host recommended this spot, and it delivered on both food and ambiance.
Veneranda stole my heart with its magical courtyard setting among the trees. The stuffed grape leaves and homemade sourdough bread with olives and creamy feta were standout dishes.
To Thalassaki in Ysternia Bay is a must-experience restaurant where creative seafood cuisine meets dramatic seaside dining. Order the seafood, plus anything on the menu with saffron. Reservations recommended, and be sure to request a table right on the water if you don’t mind getting splashed by waves—it’s truly an experience!
Svoura Taverna in Komi village is a hidden gem family-run taverna with rustic charm in a quiet square. Their beetroot tzatziki and savory loukamades showcase traditional Greek flavors done exceptionally well.
Serviam All Day was a great last meal. While the food wasn’t the best we had on the trip, the atmosphere was top notch as its located within the garden of a former monastery.
Left: Ontinos Restaurant; Right: Serviam all Day.
Even after 10 days, there were still incredible restaurants on my list that I didn’t manage to visit. Here are the ones I’m bookmarking for next time:
- Kalopsia Restaurant in Kionia, near the port. Creative Greek dishes by chef Giorgos Stilianoudakis. I kept hearing about their watermelon salad and lamb shoulder.
- Aganta in Dyo Xoria. Recommended for its nice atmosphere and authentic local dishes.
- San To Alati at the end of Agios Fokas Beach. A waterfront spot that came highly recommended by locals.
- Tsampia Taverna and Choreftra Taverna in Kampos village. Both traditional tavernas that kept appearing on my recommendation lists.
Shopping & Boutiques on Tinos
Tinos is great for shopping if you know where to go; the local boutiques with handmade products and ones that feature Greek designers are sandwiched in between smaller side streets. Here are my favorite finds:
Hallelujah Tinos for both clothes and unique gifts. I found beautiful pieces here that perfectly captured the island’s aesthetic: effortless, artistic, distinctly Greek.
Sabrina Binda Ceramics for handmade pottery. I couldn’t resist taking home coffee mugs and bowls from her collection (her pottery wheel is visible from the store entrance).
Ena Karo offers a wonderful selection of local crafts and design pieces that make perfect souvenirs or gifts.
Marianna Petridi Tinos is a jewelry store where I found the most beautiful bracelet and earrings. The pieces have that timeless Greek jewelry aesthetic I’m always drawn to.
Katsika Tinos and Maison Stamata round out the list of boutiques worth seeking out for unique local designs and crafts.
Tinos’ Famous Dovecotes
Dovecotes are Tinos’s most unique architectural feature, and both spotting them while on the road and photographing them became a daily obsession. These ornate stone towers, built in the 18th and 19th centuries to house pigeons, are scattered across the island like architectural jewels and are of great significance to Tinos.
Head to Tarambados Village for the highest concentration of well-preserved dovecotes, many dating back to the 18th century. Agapi Village offers examples of intricate “stone embroidery” set among lush landscapes. Lastly, Tripotamos Valley provides a beautiful overlook of traditional dovecotes in a serene setting. There’s even a café there where you can sip coffee while admiring them.
Dovecotes on the hillside of Tinos.
What’s Next: Island Hopping to Andros, Paros & Mykonos
From Tinos, we’re continuing our Greek island adventure to Andros for a few days of resetting in nature. Though we were meant to head back home afterwards, we decided to extend our trip to re-visit Paros before flying home through Mykonos.
If you’re considering visiting Tinos, the best way I can describe it is a mix of Sifnos and Serifos—offering the same exceptional culinary experiences as Sifnos, but with more rugged, varied terrain that rewards exploration. I absolutely loved both these islands, so its no surprise Tinos won me over. If you’re looking for an authentic Greek island experience that goes beyond the main islands, Tinos should be on your list.
Planning a Greek Islands trip? Don’t miss my guides to Milos, Paros and Folegandros, and my tips for staying in Athens. View all Greece guides here.
Brianna Says
So glad you had such a lovely trip, this was incredibly helpful! I’m staying at Odera at the end of July and reading this has made me even more excited. Your photos are absolutely breathtaking!
Selena Says
Post authorWe loooooved the Odera, you’re going to have the best time! Enjoy it all!