EAT YOUR WAY AROUND TINOS!
With crystal clear waters, picturesque villages, unique recipes, and beautiful hiking routes. Tinos is more than meets the eye and definitely more than its religious tourism. It may be known among the locals as the Greek island with the most significant religious character. However, Tinos is first and foremost an island with incredible beauty and a world of treasures waiting to be discovered.
Here, we will help you get introduced to the stunning Tinos . There are so many beautiful corners in its villages, so many beautiful beaches on its shoreline and so many inland shops that you will feel like you have discovered a little heaven on earth!
Would it really be a Greek Island if Tinos didn’t boast an excellent local cuisine that will ignite your senses? And it’s no secret that one of our loves of Greece is the food! So we decided to break our Tinos blog into 3, food, beaches and things to do and see, and felt that priority should be given to the culinary delights.
Firstly, let’s get you there:
The only way to reach the stunning Tinos is by boat, as the beautiful island doesn’t have its own airport and cannot connect with Athens airport. There are two ports from where you can take the ferry to Tinos. Starting from the port of Piraeus, the journey to the island takes about 5.30 hours. Alternatively, you can take the speedboats that depart both from the port of Piraeus and the port of Rafina. The trip takes about 3 hrs 30 mins from Piraeus, while from Rafina it takes between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the type of ship.
During the summer season, Tinos also has regular connections with a few Greek islands, specifically the Cyclades islands, such as Syros, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, and Andros and for example the ferry from Mykonos is approx 15-30 mins. So might be easier to fly into Mykonos than Athens. And of course once you arrive at the port the Alma rental office is there, but make sure you book in advance to be sure to get a car!
Start eating your way around Tinos!
Some of the most popular flavours of the island include ‘frutalia,’ which is essentially a thick omelet with sausage and spices. The local sun-dried tomatoes are also delicious and the perfect souvenir to take back home.
Another delicacy you can eat in Tinos but also buy is the famous ‘louza’ sausage, which is close to the Italian prosciutto or Spanish Serrano.
Some of the best local products we would suggest you try before leaving the island include are Tinos’ gruyere, honey, and round cheese – you can ask for it with those exact words – which is white when fresh but then turns slightly yellow and has a mild, not too-salty taste. We promise you cannot find its taste in any other islands or mainland destinations.
In regard to sweets, Tinos is known for its ‘tsibita,’ which are little pies with a sweet filling of mizithra cheese, honey, mastic, and orange zest that is beautifully pinched around its sides and in addition to tasting heavenly, it looks beautiful. ‘Xerotigana’ is also a treat, consisting of deep-fried dough drenched in honey and sprinkled with walnuts.
There are a number of fine restaurants and homey taverns in Tinos that will allow you to taste some of the best flavors on the island. Tinos has one of the best food in the Cyclades, and you will find it wherever you sit and eat.
At Mount Isternia, the amazing ‘Thalassaki’ in a very picturesque spot by the sea, checks all of the gastronomic boxes. Sit at the tables that have been painted by the owner and cook of the tavern and order seafood dishes and cheeses that she makes herself. On the beach of Agios Fokas San, ‘to Alati’ is the ideal place for a gastronomic adventure located in an idyllic location.
In Chora, the most popular tavern is called ‘Itan ena mikro karavi’, which is a line from a traditional Greek children’s song. It serves delectable dishes of Greek cuisine made with local products. The menu is long, and every choice is excellent. Sit in the cool yard and enjoy your food, rid of the stress of everyday life.
In Panormos, try ‘Marina’ for the wonderful fisherman’s spaghetti. ‘Svoura’ offers incredible food against the background of Kosi square. In ‘Koutouki of Eleni,’ on the street of the market, enjoy the cooked homemade goods from local products and recipes that have been passed down through generations.
In ‘Marathia,’ on the beach of Agios Fokas, ask for the homemade cheeses and pickled artichokes, and enjoy its excellent creative dishes. At ‘Dino’ in Kardiani, you will eat great fish and enjoy the services of the friendly staff that will serve you fish soup accompanied by a blanket in order for you to feel cozy and comfortable during your meal.
Visit the traditional cafe of ‘Kyra Leni in the village of Krokos for the best handmade fried bread, ‘froutalia’ omelet, and Tinian cheeses. Let no one say we don’t love cheese … But, Tinos hold 1st place in the production of Kopanisti (PDO) – as salty spicy soft cheese produced in the Cyclades. Tinos has, for the size of the island, have a relatively large population of cattle and a unique terrain for grazing and consequently they produce some amazing cheeses! Just to give cheese lovers a little taste of what they will find on Tinos: Kopanisti, Analati (soft, white), Petroma (pressed in cloths, traditionally used for Easter pies), Volak (used soft or hard depending on drying time and oil content), Malathouni (named after the small basket made of rush and used as a cheese mould), Kariki/Flaski or Trahilas (traditional cheese from the mountain villages), Graviera (mild, rich, slightly spicy). And, for all diary lovers, the butter they make on the island is legendary!
‘Perivoli’ in Kardiani, a shady terrace with stunning views, delicious food, and awesome homemade orange pie awaits you.
Tinos really hides a trump card behind the touristy display of its port: dozens of villages, incredible architectural experiences, first-line museums, and interesting archeological sites. Not to mention the intriguing Tinos landscape, which is semi-mountainous and a paradise for hikers, strewn with old quarries and marked trails.
If you add to these the luxurious accommodation, delicious cuisine, evening entertainment, and summer cultural events -ranging from live traditional festivals to an important literary festival- even the most demanding of travelers will find reasons to visit Tinos for as long as possible.
Watch out for the blogs to follow on things to do and beaches to visit!
Credit goes to:
Greeking.me
