The best places to stay in Tinos depend on your interests. There are villages with aesthetically beautiful lodgings, like Pyrgos, that is home to the impressive marble artwork in the cemetery and quaint narrow streets.
The town of Tinos is also convenient as it hosts most of the hotels, cafes, restaurants and the Megalochari Church. It is also close to the beaches and has great bus routes to other villages.
Aggelikoula Rooms
Aggelikoula Rooms is located in Tinos, and is within walking distance of Taxiarchon Cathedral. Its facilities include a terrace, free wireless internet access in public areas and room service. It offers family studios, simple studios and single rooms that are ideal for couples or families. It is also within walking distance of a variety of restaurants and bars. It is a great choice for those looking to explore the best of Tinos.
The rooms at the hotel are well equipped, with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and a fridge. They also have a kitchen, which is ideal for those who want to cook while they are on vacation. The staff is also helpful, and will be happy to offer suggestions on what to do in the area.
Guests can also try one of the many bars and cafes near the accommodation, or head to the beach for some sunbathing and relaxation. For those who enjoy a more active holiday, there is a range of sports available, including cycling and hiking. The local bus service is also easy to use, and will take you to all the main attractions.
A few of the things to do in Tinos include visiting the Archaeological Museum of Tinos, which is within a short walk of Aggelikoula Rooms. You can also take a stroll to Stavros Beach, which is less than a 15-minute drive away.
The accommodation is located in a beautiful setting with stunning views. It is close to the port, and there are numerous restaurants and bars in the vicinity. The owner of the guest house is very friendly and helpful, and will always make you feel welcome. She will provide you with tips and recommendations to help you find the most interesting places on the island. You can also book tours and excursions at the on-site reception, or hire a car to explore the island. You can even order breakfast in the comfort of your own room if you wish. You can also visit the onsite spa for a relaxing massage, or book a tour of the surrounding countryside.
Xinara House
At the top of Tinos’s main village, Xinara House is the sort of place that would be in the running for smart new escape of the year. This quirky, six-bedroom villa has a soaring stone terrace with an enviable pool, luminous views over 16 islands and knock-out linen-mad rooms.
The villa was designed by a British couple, Susan and Peter Marston. They’d set out on a personal odyssey looking for somewhere’real and raw’; they found it in this quiet, car-free village in the centre of the island. The building dates from the 18th century, and the interior has been reconstructed and refreshed. Tinos has a long legacy of marble craftsmanship, and Xinara’s rooms are lined with it – along with traditional pebble-pattern paving, a nod to local style.
Across the garden is a 5.5-x8.5m pool with loungers and table, fed by a freshwater mountain spring. There are also a few luxury refinements, such as a coiled rope sculpture made by local craftsman Markos Trigwnis from two marble boulders, and a balancing stone sculpture by Peter, a St Martin’s sculptor (for guests only).
Quirky touches keep the house from feeling too Elle Decor-staged: little alcoves filled with tarnished icons and old embroidered sheets, and a wall of willow-pattern serving dishes. There are also plenty of plants and flowers – peonies, daisies, roses and irises.
The largest bedroom has a vast window and an outdoor dining room that’s the loveliest sun trap. In the daytime, the sweeping views are of cypress-clad hills, whitewashed churches and green-blue sea. At night, the windows draw in a lulling beat from a distant lighthouse.
The housekeeper will prepare a breakfast to order each morning, and can arrange meals in the restaurant or for you to dine on the terrace. There’s a private patio for barbecues, and the grounds are filled with roses, cacti and citrus trees. There’s a car rental company at the property, and guests can also book a boat trip around the island or to distant beaches.
Kionia
The quaint island of Tinos, a less-visited compared to neighboring islands like Mykonos and Paros, is a walker’s paradise with mountain valleys full of dovecotes, rocky villages of basket weavers, and cliff-to-sea ancient paths. It’s also a destination for spirituality and art with dozens of churches dotted around the island.
There’s a great variety of things to do in Tinos but the best place to stay is in the main town and port of Tinos (Chora). This area is the most practical option for most first-timer visitors to the island because it has the biggest selection of hotels, tavernas, cafes, and local attractions such as the Church of Our Lady of Tinos.
Another popular choice is the resort-style hotel of Nama Boutique Hotel, a classic Greek island high-rise with rooms that are compact in size but large in aesthetics. The central location and attentive service make it a favorite among visitors looking for the convenience of a city stay with island vibes.
For something more traditional, the all-villa hotel of Tinos Habitart is a great option for families or couples looking for a little space to themselves. Set high above the Agios Ioannis Bay, this hotel offers sweeping sea views and a sun terrace with one of the island’s largest private pools. Two traditional tavernas are within walking distance and the town of Tinos is a 10-minute drive away.
With ultra-minimalist rooms and a blissful coastal location, Venus is a favorite among travelers to Tinos who come for the outdoor activities and beach days. The minimalist rooms here are made of natural materials like wood and cotton and have plenty of light, making them ideal for getting a good night’s sleep so you can enjoy your time exploring the island.
The southeastern part of the island is where most of the wild beaches are located, and where the most popular hotels are found. One of the best options is the all-inclusive beachfront resort of Infinity View Hotel which has beautiful, modern rooms and an impressive infinity pool that overlooks the blue sea. Guests can also dine at the on-site restaurant, take a yoga class, and book massages.
Volax
The village of Volax (also known as Volakas) is one of the most unique places in Tinos. It is located on a little plateau in the middle of the island and at an altitude of about 284 meters. It is surrounded by huge almost perfectly round granite boulder formations that give the landscape a lunar appearance. These stones vary in size from less than half a meter to more than three meters high.
The landscape is especially eerie at sunset. The rocks seem like the remains of a volcanic eruption and they have a strange natural charm. The stone monoliths resemble images of birds, animals and even human heads depending on the angle you are looking at them from. They are definitely a must-see attraction in Tinos.
Although the number of people living in the village is small (around 50), Volax is a lovely place to visit. The village is inhabited by people of different nationalities and they all live in traditional whitewashed houses. The main street of the village is very quiet and only gets a bit busier at night when Greek tourists and some European travelers come to enjoy the local taverns and souvenir shops.
There is a small folklore museum in the village that opens during the summer and there is also a beautiful 380-seat amphitheatre. The main occupation of the villagers has been basketry and you can still see them weaving their products through the open doors of their workshops.
Volax is also a great spot for hiking and exploring the island. There are many old networks of stone paved paths that make up hiking trails with spectacular views. The village is also close to the beautiful sandy beach of Isternia that is considered one of the best beaches in Tinos. A must-see sight is the marble-paved church of Panagia Evangelistria that is worth visiting when you are in the area. There is also the monastery of Kechrovouni that is a major tourist attraction in Tinos. It attracts thousands of pilgrims every year and is also a popular place for hikers.