Tinos

Tinos

Tinos is a large Cycladic island 194 square kilometres southeast of Andros and north of Mykonos, with dramatic mountains of granite and marble rising to 727 metres at Tsiknias and over 40 villages built in marble. Its main town Chora, also called Tinos Town, is the harbour, with beaches like Kolymbithra and Agios Fokas around its coast and a landscape covered in dovecotes, terraces and Venetian towers.

Known as Greece’s most important place of pilgrimage for the Church of Panagia Evangelistria in Chora, which draws thousands of Orthodox faithful each August 15th, Tinos is also famous for its marble sculpting tradition centred on Pyrgos, birthplace of sculptors like Halepas and Filippotis. More rugged and cultural than party-focused neighbours, it has a strong food scene, contemporary art museums and a year-round community.

The sacred 194 km² where 750 churches and 1,000 dovecotes outnumber villages

Tinos Greek Τήνος or Tenos island is in Cyclades, between Andros and Mykonos, located between Andros and Mykonos, south of Andros separated by only one kilometre water, near geographical center of Cyclades island complex, southeast of Attica group of northern Cyclades, 161km 87 nautical miles SE of Piraeus, 20-minute boat ride from more famous Mykonos. Elongated shape NW-SE orientation about 27 km long and about 12 km wide, also 27.5 km long 12 km widest, surface area 194 sq km and coastline stretches almost 114 km, also fourth largest island of Cyclades area 194 km2 coastline 114 km, also 195 km2 with about 8,500 inhabitants, 196.7 km2 coastline 107.1 km, 79 sq mi 204 sq km, third largest Cycladic island, largest 194.5 km2 twice size of Mykonos, large island spanning 197 km2.

Population some 10,000 of these 3,500 live in Chora, less than 10000 residents 200 sq kms, 7,747 1991 pop. Tallest peak Tsiknias 729 m 2392 ft. Ancient names Ophiussa from ophis Greek for snake once infested huge number snakes and Hydroessa from hydor Greek water because number springs, also earlier name. Between 1207 and 1715 Venetian hands, 1715 to 1821 Ottoman before joining Greece, leader group Ionians arrived around 1130 BC.

This is for you if you want marble, faith, and villages — not beach clubs. 50-64 active villages.

Why pilgrims crawl to Evangelistria and why you come for marble doorways

The directory nuance that lists miss: Tinos is famous amongst Greeks for Church of Panagia Evangelistria Our Lady of Good Tidings sometimes called Lourdes of Greece, for island’s 80 or so windmills, for about 1,000 artistic dovecotes 18th Century dovecotes little white towers inhabited by flocks white pigeons, for 50 active villages and for Venetian fortifications on mountain Exomvourgo Exobourgo. Tinos owes real fame however to miraculous icon of Madonna discovered 1822 now housed magnificent church Panagia Evangelistria in Tinos Town. Every year 15th August thousand Greek pilgrims visiting to pay respects Virgin Mary miraculous Icon cathedral, August festival thousands pilgrims travel island event always shown on TV.

Second critical: both Greek Orthodox and Catholic populations coexist almost one-third Catholic island claims over 750 churches and chapels largest number Cyclades, also 780 churches, plus well known sculptors and painters Nikolaos Gysis Yannoulis Chalepas Nikiforos Lytras. Well-restored ancient donkey trails connect villages beaches churches dovecotes Venetian windmills. Handsome villages with houses decorated locally carved marble doorways and window fanlights, legacy still alive local workshops — island shaped by faith and craftsmanship, contemplative grounded atmosphere apart from neighbours. Not Mykonos party; pilgrims often arrive on hands and knees to worship miracle-working icon.

Sources

  1. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-7081/2/4/123 | island Tinos belongs Cyclades Island complex elongated shape NW-SE orientation about 27 km long about 12 km wide southeast Attica group northern Cyclades fourth largest island Cyclades area 194 km2 total coastline length 114 km
  2. https://www.greeka.com/cyclades/tinos/geography/ | belongs Cyclades complex islands located between Andros Mykonos Distinguished third largest Cycladic island surface area 194 sq km coastline stretches almost 114 km
  3. https://greece.org/tinos-cyclades/ | lies south Andros separated only one kilometre water 27.5 kilometres long 12 kilometres wide population some 10000 3500 live Chora Almost one-third islanders Catholic island claims over 750 churches chapels largest number Cyclades
  4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinos | famous amongst Greeks Church Panagia Evangelistria island’s 80 or so windmills for about 1000 artistic dovecotes 50 active villages Venetian fortifications mountain Exomvourgo both Greek Orthodox Catholic populations coexist well known sculptors painters Nikolaos Gysis Yannoulis Chalepas Nikiforos Lytras
  5. https://cruiserswiki.org/wiki/Tinos | mountainous island 195 km2 about 8500 inhabitants tallest peak Tsiknias 729 m famous many villages 64 distinctive Venetian dovecotes 800 little white towers inhabited flocks white pigeons owes real fame miraculous icon Madonna discovered 1822 now housed magnificent church Panagia Evangelistria Tinos Town

Back to all Greek islands

The Greek Island Directory is a project of passion where a love of Crete, Data Integrity and Directories converge to create something truly special for users: Learn More.

Last Updated on September 2, 2026 by admin