Tinos is full of attractions and is called a “handmade island” or “island of artists“. It is the birthplace of great artists who with their works traveled the name of Tinos and Greece to the ends of the world. Wherever you go, wherever you look, works of art around you, from the innumerable kilometers of dry stone, the buildings of exceptional beauty for pigeons (pigeon houses), the cells, the farmhouses, the mills, and the rare traditional settlements. Lintels, fountains, and coats of arms adorn the Tinian houses, an island of intense architectural interest.

We highly recommend a visit to the traditional settlements where you will admire many of their works of art.

Tinos Attractions – Museums and sights

Museum of Traditional Pottery of Tinos

The Museum of Traditional Pottery of Tinos is located in the Aetofolia village. It features exhibits donated by the residents of the village and the surrounding areas, with the aim of contributing to the recording of the Tinian pottery. The museum collection mainly includes jars and various household utensils.

The Exomvourgo rock

This imposing, 640-meter-high rock is visible from almost every part of the island. If you wish to reach the top, you will have the chance to admire a wonderful 360° view of Tinos, the Aegean Sea, and the neighboring islands. This rock is one of the most famous climbing fields in Greece. Following the path leading to the top, you will come across the remains of the old castle.

Tinos Attractions – Churches and chapels

Church of Panagia of Tinos

The island is inextricably linked with the Church of Panagia of Tinos, Megalochari, where the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary is kept. It is one of the most significant places of worship for Orthodox people in the world and thousands of believers visit it all year round. Within this building, remarkable museums are housed, including the Gallery, in which important works of Greek and foreign painters are exhibited, and the Tinian Artists Museum, which brings together original and copied works of Tinian Artists, both from the world of sculpture and that of painting.

Cultural Foundation of Tinos

The Cultural Foundation of Tinos is located in the Chora of Tinos and features exhibition areas, conference rooms, and multipurpose halls. It is considered a reference point for the cultural activity of the island, seeing that it promotes the history, art, and tradition of the island of Tinos through permanent and temporary exhibitions, conferences, seminars, and cultural events. One of the halls houses the first permanent exhibition of art pieces created by Yiannoulis Chalepas.

The Tinian dovecotes

Traditional dovecotes can be found all over the island of Tinos and they constitute monuments of unique folk creation. These are mainly small buildings made of stone and decorated with intricate geometric patterns. It is estimated that there are approximately 800-1300 dovecotes, which were used for pigeon breeding.