Tinos, the authentic, the discreet, here we are again, ready to savor your crystal clear waters, to taste your prodigious products full of sun, wind and salt and to discover your enchanting drinks…
Tinos, it is white houses that look at the blue, terraces that fall towards the sea, it is the meltem, this wind that cleans the atmosphere. But above all, it is the luminous blue of the sky that meets its mirror, the sea, it is a desire for the beach, for sun cream and for time that flows slowly.
The beaches of Tinos
Tinos has 25 different beaches that can be visited depending on the wind and your mood.
First of all, on windy days, I suggest :
Organized and family ones with deckchairs, parasols, bars :
- Agio Sostis, Agios Fokas. Huge beach that, although exposed to the wind, is very organized and frequented. On the other side of the road, many hotels and restaurants
- Kionia. Very large, organized sandy beach with a water playground for children, restaurants and bars nearby.
- Ysternia. Small sandy beach, very protected with taverns nearby
- Giannaki. Protected, in front of the tavern umbrellas, mixture of sand and pebbles, crystal clear water.
- For those who practice surfing: Kolimbythra with its two beaches, the large sandy beach exposed to the north wind for surfers and the small organized one with its pretty tavern.
The wild one, Santa Margarita: very isolated so remember to take something to eat and drink, shaded with emerald waters.
The in-between: Kalivia with the long and wide sandy beach separated in two. One part is organized with its bar and the other is wider and wilder. The waters are very beautiful.
On the other hand, on days when the meltem falls asleep, I strongly recommend Livada, this picturesque gravel beach, surrounded by rocks with their peculiar rounded shapes, its river and its ducks. Remember to bring food and drink.
Laure M.
After soaking up the sun, regenerating in the pure waters of the Aegean Sea, it’s time for a meal.
At mealtime
I recommend: Tarsanas, on the port (tel: 0030.22.83.02.46.67). On the site of the old shipyard, the chef serves dishes cooked to the minute such as shrimp flambéed with ouzo or seafood risotto.
My preference To Thalassaki, Ormos Ysternion (tel: 0030.22.83.13.66). This tavern is one of the most famous of the Cyclades. Set on the sea, it offers the creative cuisine of Antonia and Aris. For example, fish, taramas including squid ink, colorful salads based on local products. Dishes with a refined aesthetic that are as beautiful to see as they are tasty.
Laure M.
The Maru restaurant: a very promising future for this restaurant. Fresh products, original dishes, extremely tasty, a careful presentation and an attentive service.
Special mention for the Maru salad.
A good alternative to the traditional Greek tavern.
Then, in the beautiful village square of Pyrgos, shaded by its huge plane tree, you can stop at the tavern. It offers a simple but authentic cuisine. And next to the ostentatious marble fountain, you can also taste a galaktoboureko, a cream puff with cinnamon.
In the square of the beautiful village of Dio Choria, Sto Kapaki offers itself to the eyes as a theatrical setting of another time. You can enjoy small dishes presented on a tray.
Laure M.
Culinary treasures of Tiniotes
On the menu, I invite you to choose the dishes prepared with local products. Dried tomatoes, Graviera and Tiniako cheeses, artichokes, capers, louza, flavored sausages and the fish offered by the sea. And to accompany them with a white wine (T), a local beer (Nissos) or an iced raki. These local products will be discussed in more detail in the next part of our tiniote journey.
This article was written by Myriam Elice
If you are looking for a nice, typical Cycladic house for a perfect vacation in Tinos, we recommend the house of Socrates and Myriam
And to learn more about the island of Tinos, read Myriam’s beautiful article “Tinos, the sacred island of the Cyclades”.
And finally, we share with you one of our favorite stores in Tinos: the concept store dedicated to the art of living Trela (” madness ” in Greek). Trela offers a selection of antique and contemporary design objects, which tell the story of France and Greece, yesterday and today, a link between the two countries (tableware, furniture, lighting, decorative objects, …). Trela also has a very nice Instagram account.
To find out more about this beautiful Cycladic island, here’s some reading:
