This Unassuming Greek Island Has Over 700 Churches

With many inviting beaches, plenty of natural beauty and a sacred aura, Tinos is the third largest island in the Cyclades, located near Syros, Mykonos and Andros. This little gem has been spared of mass tourism compared to its neighbors, which many credit to the protection of the Virgin Mary, but is known throughout the Orthodox world as a major pilgrimage destination.

With a long Venetian tradition, Tinos is often seen as a miraculous place, since the discovery of an icon of the Virgin Mary, thought to possess healing powers in the Church of Panagia Evangelistria (Our Lady of Good Tidings) or Church of the Annunciate Virgin, built in 1823. Since then, Tinos sees thousands of devout pilgrims visit the pristine island, especially in August, for the celebration of the Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin, where thousands of visitors crawl to reach the church to pray for a miracle or a blessing, sometimes as mundane as passing an exam, giving the island the status of the Greek Lourdes.

Besides the majestic Renaissance-style church, the island is home to over 700 churches and chapels (more than in the Vatican), of which some are Catholic. Why so many churches you ask? Well, it is very simple. While many parochial churches were built during the Byzantine era, Tinos boasted a special agreement with the Ottoman authorities, once the land was conceded to them by the Venetians.

The Tinians were free to build as many churches as they wanted, which was a novelty at the time. As such, a small family chapel was built in every property, as owning a church was seen as a blessing for locals. The tradition was transferred throughout the years up to this day. Another reason is that, as with many other islands, Tinos has a high number of sailors and seamen, and people took up the habit to build some chapels dedicated to the patron saint of sailors. As a rule, today, it is not rare to stumble upon a church or a chapel in the forest, in gorges and in other inaccessible places.

Besides this incredible number of churches, the island, also known as a paradise for hikers, boasts a complex of roughly 40 villages which have conserved their authentic charm and beauty and are also known for their many pigeon houses, or dovecotes, dotting the Tinian landscape. Built with skills and intricately decorated, these are another vestige of the island’s Venetian past.

While you can visit the island virtually at any time of the year, try to come during the summer, as the period coincides with a rich cultural program of events and celebrations, such as the mountain running race Tinos Marble Trail, the Tinos World Music Festival, the Kyklos Kykladon, a festival held on four islands of the Cyclades, or even the Tinos Festival.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.