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Tinos

The island of Tinos in the Cyclades has several daily ferry connections from Rafina on the Greek mainland and is most famous for the Feast of the Assumption.

Tinos, GreeceTinos

Tinos Town

Tinos Town is a typical Cycladic island capital, with a busy little port and narrow streets zigzagging through blindingly whitewashed buildings. There are several ferries a day to Tinos from the mainland port of Rafina.

Tinos has an Archaeological Museum with a very rich collection for such a comparatively small island that lacks any major sites. The major one is the Sanctuary of Poseidon and Amphitrite, a few kilometers west of Tinos Town and built in the 4th century BC.

Tinos Pilgrimages

To all Greeks Tinos is known for just one thing: the Church of the Panagia Evengelistria, or the Annunciation. On August 15th, the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin and a national holiday in Greece, Tinos is packed full of pilgrims who come to pray to a miraculous icon. Many of them crawl on hands and knees up the main street that leads to the church and is lined with stalls and shops selling candles, icons and votive offerings. The icon is paraded through the streets, which also happens on the Feast of the Assumption, March 25th, another national holiday and also Independence Day.

Tinos in the Cyclades Islands of GreeceOur Lady of Tinos

The Nun's Vision

A nun at the convent of Moni Kechrovouniou, in the hills above Tinos Town, had visions of the Virgin Mary in 1822, the Virgin telling her where an icon lay buried. When the nun’s directions were followed, an icon showing the Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel was found, which had lay buried for 850 years and yet remained in good condition. It was believed to have healing powers, hence the many pilgrims include people in need of healing, with Tinos being a Greek Orthodox equivalent of the holy shrine at Lourdes. If you want to be on Tinos on either March 25th or August 15th, you will need to plan well in advance as ferries and accommodation will both be fully booked.

Tinos in the Cyclades Islands of Greece

Getting to Tinos

Flights to Tinos

Tinos does not have an airport so you will need to fly to Athens or to one of the islands with ferry connections to Tinos. The closest is Mykonos.

Ferries to Tinos

There are several fast ferry connections per day between Rafina and Tinos with a journey time of 1 hour 40 minutes. Slower and cheaper ferries take 4 hours. 

There are several ferries a week from Piraeus, with a journey time of just under 5 hours.

There are ferries from several other islands in the Cyclades, the closest being Mykonos (15 minutes).

Ferries in Greece

Ferries in Greece has an excellent and very thorough website where, in addition to checking ferry schedules and times, you can also book tickets and get lots of useful information about travelling by ferry in Greece.

Map showing location of Tinos(c) Google Maps
Church on Tinos, GreeceThe Church of Agios Sostis on Tinos

Where to Stay on Tinos

Other Cyclades pages

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    Sifnos

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  • Serifos is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea, a rugged and mountainous island with a small population.

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  • The island of Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades and on this page you can see information about flights and ferries to Naxos.

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  • The island of Ios in the Cyclades group of islands in Greece is noted for its nightlife in summer, as well as its beaches, churches and the grave of Homer.

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    Delos in the Cyclades Islands of Greece

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  • Surrounded by bigger and better-known Cyclades islands such as Ios, Naxos and Santorini, Sikinos is a delightfully untouristy island.

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  • There are plenty of things to do on Mykonos, one of the most popular Greek islands, such as nightlife, beaches, churches and visiting the ancient site of Delos.

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  • Kythnos is a small island in the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea, with easy access from Athens and popular with Athenians on summer weekends.

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  • The best time to visit Mykonos depends on if you want crowds or quiet, heat or cooler temperatures, all of which affect when is the best time to visit Mykonos.

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  • Travel advice and information on Amorgos in the Cyclades, a dramatic and growing holiday destination with ferries from Athens and other Greek islands

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  • You can get from Mykonos to Santorini, and of course from Santorini to Mykonos, by ferry, by plane (sort-of) or even by helicopter.

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  • The island of Milos in the Cyclades in Greece is noted for its museums and beaches, and read about flights and ferries to Milos.

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  • Travel information about Antiparos near Paros in the Cyclades Islands of Greece from the Greece Travel Secrets website.

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  • Kimolos is in the Cyclades islands of Greece, close to Milos.

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  • This is the first travel guide to Schinoussa and Iraklia, two tiny islands in the Cyclades, published by Real Greek Experiences.

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  • Travel information about the Cyclades group of Greek islands including Mykonos, Santorini (Thira), Naxos, Paros, Delos, Tinos, Siros, Milos, Amorgos.

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  • Syros is in the Cyclades islands, with Ermoupoli as its main town and some good beaches, described here on the Greece Travel Secrets website.

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