SUMMER GUIDE FOR TINOS ISLAND

I have visited many islands in Cyclades at the Aegean Sea, but Tinos has the biggest variety and the most STUNNING cute villages you can find! Beaches are beautiful either organized or not, food is delicious and nightlife is magnificent! This is the reason TINOS is full of Greeks…<3

Keep reading if you feel this is an island for you!

WHEN to go: A wonderful island for all year since even if it too cold to swim ,  you can plenty of villages to discover. Great during Easter and summer season from early June till late September. It is very busy though from late July till 25th of August. If you already know that you will be visiting during that period, better to book your accommodation well in advance.

HOW will I go: there are 8-9 vessels per day during summer season, departing from Rafina port  and 1-2 vessels from Piraeus port. Some of them can accommodate car trasnfer as well. Rafina is approximately 50 minutes drive from Athens city center and 30 minutes from Athens International airport. There are many sites you can book your ferry tickets, use below link: Ferryscanner.com.  Angel’s tip: Better choose to travel from Rafina, ferry trip is 3-4 hours and cheaper than Piraeus, unless you pick the high speed ferry that does less than 2 hrs. Piraeus-Tinos is around 4:30-5 hrs.

TRANSPORTATION: I would totally recommend to have or rent a car, since the island is big and same are the distances among the villages, the beaches and the restaurants/bars you will choose. I don’t think public transport is a good choice for Tinos since you will lose lots of time waiting under the hot sun and it may be crowded. Some companies that you can use in order to rent a car are: Jason, Dassiras, Dimitris, Dellatolas, Apergis.  Angel’s tip: Call them, sometimes they may do better price than booking online.

WHERE TO STAY: The island has gorgeous villas and beautiful apartments or luxury hotels, outside the city center in the beautiful villages but far from the bars and the nightlife. Angel’s tip: In case you want to go out every night and drink, I would totally recommend to stay in or close to the center. If this is not your purpose, I would certainly suggest to stay in a beautiful traditional village that are usually closer to the popular beaches and have their own small bars or restaurants.

MUST DO: Discover the villages of the island! Oh yes, this is my favorite part in Tinos…to stroll around the villages, have breakfast before heading to the beach, visit some of them for a drink at night, have a nice dinner in a small local tavern or just walk around and interact with the locals that live there. There are sooooo many villages but don’t miss a visit to the below:

• Pyrgos
• Kardiani
• Ysternia
• Triantaros
• Falatados
• Myrsini
• Volax
• Agapi
• Aetofolia
• Dio Choria
• Tripotamos
• Arnados
• Ktikados
• Steni
• Monastiria

BEACHES & BEACH BARS: The island has beautiful, crystal clear waters and lovely beach bars with sunbeds and umbrellas. There are also not organized beaches but If you visit the island don’t miss the below:

• One of the most famous beaches in Tinos and really incredible: Kolibithra. There are 2, the big and the small one. My favorite is the big one. Surf lovers visit it a lot (due to the regular winds), the few umbrellas are so unique and no sunbeds. Long, sandy with a great beach bar. The small Kolibithra is organized with sunbeds and plenty of parking space if you move after the narrow part of the road. Bar with beverages and snacks also available.
• Agios Romanos and “Lefko beach bar“. Usually a beach sheltered from the winds. Limited food menu but cool drinks.
• In Kardiani beach visit the “Kalyvia beach bar” in case you want a sandy beach with shallow clean waters and a bay sheltered from strong winds. It is located close to the Ormos Giannaki, where you can visit the “Dear John” beach bar with tasty food, easy parking, a bit expensive but wonderful setup -beach though is not so good! Reservation is recommended.
• Agios Fokas for a beach close to the city center. “Sundara”, “Pegu” and “Elia” beach bars. Angel’s tip: lovely beach but strong winds regularly. Click here to see the weather in Tinos island.
  

  Sunset time in Agios Fokas

• I love Panormos bay with 2 different places to swim. On the right as you reach the seaside port, follow the signs and drive to “Alohari beach bar” for Rochari beach. On the left, drive through a difficult dirt road towards the Agia thalassa beach. I think this year the beach bar didn’t open. Angel’s tip: In Agia Thalassa, follow the path from the beach towards the Saint Nicholas church, stay on the path and you will step into a magical scenery with rocks and the endless sea as shown in the picture.
• In Kionia area in Vourni Beach: “Bianco Beach House Restaurant”, one of the most fashionable beach bars on the island with brilliant menu, drinks and food.
• Agios Ioannis beach with “Lala Louza” beach bar. Beautiful sandy beach with sunbeds, interesting snack menu, remarkable cocktails, music…
  

  Agia Thalassa beach

• Apothikes beach: a long beautiful sandy beach with a beach bar called “Akri“.
• Apigania beach with the golden sand and crystal clear blue waters. Accessible only through a difficult long path 10-15 minutes (after you park your car) and if the wind allows you to get there. Have an umbrella for shade with you, water and enjoy!
• Pachia Ammos beach: sandy beach not organized, mainly visited by nudists/naturists. Easy access by car.
• Lichnaftia beach: Beautiful, calm, unorganized with many spots under the trees to get away from the heat, access only by a short walk.
• Livada beach: Incredible waters. The scenery with the rocks and the different colors of the sea is unique. Angel’s tip: Access is not the best – dirt road so be careful with the car.

LOCAL PRODUCTS: Greek cuisine is absolutely amazing but Tinos has some local dishes that everybody who visits the island has to taste. Not sure whether you will love them all, but it is worth a try!

• Tinos Sausage called Louza
• Saltsitsi like salami
• Local cheeses like Malathouni, Kopanisti, Stroggylo
• The caper of Tinos used in the salads
• Artichokes produced every year in villages Komi and Exomvourgo.
  

  Don’t forget to try the local beer, Nissos

FOOD: You are in the right place if you want to eat delicious Greek food with local fresh incredients! My recommendations below:

• “Tereza” in Myrsini village, Greek traditional food owned by the experienced Mrs Tereza, with delicious appetizers and main courses! Angel’s tip: Make a reservation if possible.
• “Thalassaki” for modern seafood cuisine in Ysternia port. ($$$) Angel’s tip: Make a reservation for sure. There are many visitors coming for dinner here even from nearby islands.
• “Xoreutra” restaurant in Kampos village.
• “Komissa” the new entry in Komi village as an all day cafe-bar for local modern cuisine. (chef became famous from his participation in the Greek Master Chef)
• “O Ntinos” with magnificent seaview and tasty seafood in Kardiani village. Angel’s tip: Reservation is a must & ask for a table with the view.
  

  “O Ntinos” tavern

• “Katoi” in Smardakito village with the typical village atmosphere and a Greek incredible cuisine.
• “Douar” for meat in Steni village.
• “Svoura” in a beautiful square in Komi village. Angel’s tip: Reservation is recommended.
• “San to alati” (which means “Like salt” in greek)  and “Marathia” on the beach , both in Agios Fokas / super local, reasonable prices.
• “Sta Fys ‘Aera” and “Kounaria” in Aetofolia village for exquisite local food.
• “Thama – Tinos inspired food” for modern creative cuisine in the town of the island.
• “Dough and Shaker” in Pyrgos village if you want to taste fantastic Pizza.
• “Boheme”, “Ta Mironia”, “To Kentrikon” and all these lovely coffee shops in the square of the Pyrgos village under the trees for deliiiicious sweets. Angel’s tip: try the Galaktoboureko.
• “Kafeneio tis kyra Lenis” in Krokos village. Angel’s tip: Imagine your grandma is cooking you lunch and enjoy!

FOR COFFEE & BRUNCH:

• “Athmar” in Pyrgos village for a fantastic breakfast.
• “Mikro Cafe Tinos” and  “Antilalos” in the town.
• “Myrtilo” bistro in the town.
• “MAYOU All-day Bar” in Ysternia village.
• “Nero Tinos all day bar & restaurant” in Agios Fokas.
• “Krok Monsieur” in Krokos village.
• “Komissa” in Komi village.
• “Triantaraki” in Triantaros village
  

  Triantaraki

BARS: Many bars are all day cafe-bars apart from the ones in the city center that open only at night.

In the town:

• “Koursaros”
• “Argonautis” that opens around 21:00
• “Three Donkeys” that opens around 21:00
• “OmmA” with a lovely view
• “Cardoon” a bistro with gorgeous cocktails
• “Prickly Bear”
• “Santiago” if you are looking for brilliant drinks, tacos and tequila
• “Drunk Sinatra”, a new entry for excellent cocktails.
• “Kaktos” for late drinks till the early morning with awesome Tinos views.

In Ysternia Village: “MAYOU All-day Bar” for super cocktails & drinks. Angel’s tip: View is magnificent, so try visiting during daylight/sunset time!

In Pyrgos village: All the restaurant/bars mentioned above in the square for early night drinks.

In Triantaros village: new addition with perfect drinks and lovely atmosphere, “Labo bar”.

*Visit the island and let me know your impressions! And don’t forget to check my Instagram for more pictures! *