The picturesque villages of Tinos await the visitor who wants to discover the islands authentic side.
«The handcrafted island». That is what the philosopher Cornelius Castoriadis called Tinos. From dry-stone terraces and lace-like dovecotes to the high art of marble sculpture, whatever you see on Tinos is art.
To uncover the allureof the «handcrafted» island you should explore the interior and visit its beautiful and well-preserved villages. From marble Pyrgos to Volakas with its «lunar» landscape, your journey through the villages of Tinos - even outside summer - will be unforgettable. Lets see some of the most beautiful.
Pyrgos
Pyrgos, about 25 km north of Chora, is Tinoss largest village, designated a traditional settlement and one of the most picturesque villages in the Cyclades. Birthplace of renowned sculptors and painters (Giannoulis Chalepas, Dimitris Filippotis, Nikiforos Lytras, etc.) and the center of marble craftsmanship on Tinos, Pyrgos is, as a whole, an open-air museum of folk art, with wonderful marble creations adorning every corner - from churches, houses, and fountains to even a bus stop. In Pyrgos youll find the house-museum of Giannoulis Chalepas (creator of the famous «Sleeping Girl»), the Museum of Tinian Artists and the Museum of Marble Crafts, while the School of Fine Arts also operates here. After your strolls, relax in the villages lovely square with its fountains, the great plane tree, and traditional cafés.
Kardiani
Clinging to the brow of a steep slope, unexpectedly green, with distinctive traditional architecture and panoramic views of the Aegean, Kardiani is a delightful surprise you shouldnt miss when you visit Tinos. Kardiani lies on the southwestern side of the island, on the road to Pyrgos and Ysternia,about 15 km from Tinos Town. Thanks to abundant springs, the village is lushly green.At the village entrance youll leave your car and continue your wandering on foot. Kardiani is an architectural gem. The houses and churches, the narrow lanes, vaulted arcades, marble fountains, flower-filled courtyards, and the central square with its fountain give a unique character to this village, built from the areas stone and marble.Below the village, enjoy the crystal-clear sea in Kardiani Bay (Giannaki), while nearby youll also find the beaches of Kalyvia and Agios Petros.
Ysternia
On the slopes of Mount Meroviglia, the amphitheatrically built Ysternia is a true balcony over the Aegean, since the view from here to the sea and the surrounding islands is truly unique. The great tradition in the art of marble is also evident everywhere here - from the houses, alleys, and chapels to the famous windmills that are a unique example of the islands folk art. Below stretches Ysternia Bay with its lovely sandy beach and traditional tavernas by the water.
Volakas
A lunar landscape on Tinos? It really exists! Volakas is built at an elevation of 284 m, on a small plateau in the middle of Tinos, 11 km from Chora. It is a very distinctive village, among the islands oldest and best known. The settlement is small, with pretty houses, well-tended courtyards draped in bougainvillea and flowers, cobbled lanes, and traditional basket-weaving workshops where you can watch artisans at work and buy their products. It owes its name to the massive granite boulders (volakoi) that surround it, creating a unique setting - a «lunar» landscape in the middle of the Aegean. Arriving here youcant help but wonder how these large, perfectly rounded rocks found their way to Tinos. Some claim that a fragment of a meteor once struck the area, while other researchers believe the rocks resulted from a volcanic explosion 20 million years ago.
Dyo Choria
Built amphitheatrically on a lush and fertile, water-fed slope, this village has unobstructed views of the port of Tinos and the surrounding Cycladic islets. Its worth strolling its narrow lanes with picturesque arches to admire traditional Cycladic architecture. The villages large square, with plane trees and a wonderful view, is one of the islands finest.
Falatados
Falatados is an old village dating from 1400, built amphitheatrically opposite Kechrovouni. Its jewels are the marble church of Ai Giannis and the beautiful Cycladic square of Megalochari. The village is famed for its raki. Many wine presses and distilleries operate here, while in September, Rakizio is a major local festival.
