The sandy beach of Agios Romanos

Tinos · Beaches

The beaches of Tinos

Tinos is not mainly a beach island, and it is honest to say so: people come for the church, the villages and the marble, and the beaches are a bonus. But it is a good bonus. Sandy bays run either side of Tinos Town, a string of them faces Mykonos round Porto, and the north coast has wilder sand and granite where the wind decides everything. The rule of the island is the meltemi: on the days it blows hard from the north, go south.

Our favourites

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A wave breaking on the beach of Agios Fokas

Sand & pebblesOrganised

Agios Fokas

The long beach just east of the harbour, a walk from the centre: sand and fine shingle, sunbeds at the town end and more space the further you go. Boats anchor off it on calm days, and there are tavernas along the road behind.

  • In town
  • Long walks
  • Families

A 15-minute walk or a short drive east from the port

When the wind comes from the south it brings waves straight in. Then cross to Kionia, which faces the other way.

Tinos Town & the coast either sideStay in Tinos Town

The beach of Kionia, west of Tinos Town

Sand & pebblesOrganised

Kionia

The beach of the hotels, about 3 km west of town, below the columns of the sanctuary of Poseidon and Amphitrite. Sunbeds, beach bars and clear water, with the open strait in front of you and Syros on the horizon. On windy days it is where wingfoilers and windsurfers go out.

  • Families
  • Watersports
  • Sunset
  • History

Paved road and buses from Tinos Town, about 5 minutes

Walk round the excavation before your swim; it is right by the road.

Tinos Town & the coast either sideStay in Tinos Town

Pick your kind of day

Every other beach worth the drive

Organised
Sunbeds, umbrellas and a beach bar. Easy with children.
Easy-going
A taverna or a few umbrellas, plenty of room for your towel.
Wild
Nothing but the sea. Bring water, shade and snacks.
The sandy beach of Agios Romanos

SandEasy-going

Agios Romanos

A small sandy bay past Kionia, below the road along the west coast, with a little breakwater and the ferries passing on their way to Tinos Town. Quieter than its neighbour, with fewer sunbeds.

  • Quiet
  • Swimming
  • Sunset

Paved road west from Kionia, a few minutes by car

Tinos Town & the coast either side

Yellow buoys off the beach of Agios Ioannis Porto

SandOrganised

Agios Ioannis Porto

A wide sandy bay under tamarisks about 7 km south-east of town, facing Mykonos and Delos. Hotels, apartments and tavernas sit behind it, but it is big enough to stay calm. One of the beaches to choose when the north wind is up.

  • Families
  • Shallow water
  • Sheltered

Paved road and summer buses from Tinos Town, about 15 minutes

Lunch at a taverna in Porto, then walk the coast to Pachia Ammos.

Porto & the east

The coast at Agios Sostis

Sand & pebblesEasy-going

Agios Sostis

A run of small coves on either side of a chapel between Tinos Town and Porto, with clear water over rocks and sand. Mykonos fills the view across the water.

  • Snorkelling
  • Sunrise
  • Quiet

Paved road towards Porto, then short paths down

Come early: the sun rises out of the sea behind Mykonos.

Porto & the east

The sandy beach of Pachia Ammos

SandWild

Pachia Ammos

Thick Sand, and that is what it is: a deep sandy beach with low dunes beyond the last houses of Porto, with nothing built on it. Mostly sheltered from the meltemi, and much emptier than its name suggests.

  • Quiet
  • Dunes
  • Long walks

A dirt road and a short walk from Agios Ioannis Porto

There is no shade and nothing to buy. Bring water and an umbrella.

Porto & the east

The bay of Kolymbithra on the north coast

SandEasy-going

Kolymbithra

Two sandy bays on the north coast below Komi: a bigger one with a few sunbeds, a surf school and a taverna or two, and a smaller one next door. It faces straight into the north wind, so in summer there are real waves, and on calm days it is one of the prettiest beaches on the island.

  • Surfing
  • Windsurfing
  • Wide sand

Paved road through Komi, about 25 minutes from Tinos Town

Check the wind before you drive over. In a strong meltemi the sea is for surfers only, and the south coast is the better swim.

The north coast

Granite rocks on the beach of Livada

Sand & pebblesWild

Livada

A remote bay at the end of a track beyond Steni, closed in by great rounded granite rocks like the ones at Volax, and a protected Natura 2000 area. There is a small taverna in season, and otherwise nothing.

  • Quiet
  • Rocks
  • Wild landscape

A long, partly unpaved road down from Steni and Falatados

Exposed to the north wind. Go on a still day, and drive slowly on the track.

The north coast

Shallow water on the beach of Ormos Isternion

Sand & pebblesEasy-going

Ormos Isternion

The bay at the bottom of the road down from Isternia: a beach under tamarisks with shallow water, a handful of white and blue houses, and fish tavernas by the sea.

  • Lunch by the sea
  • Shallow water
  • Sunset

A winding paved road down from Isternia, about 10 minutes

Swim in the afternoon, then stay for the sunset over Syros and dinner on the water.

The west-coast villagesStay in Isternia

PebblesWild

Giannaki

A small beach below Kardiani at Ormos Kardianis, at the foot of the steep green slope of the village, with a taverna or two nearby and a view across to Syros.

  • Quiet
  • Snorkelling
  • Sunset

A steep road down from Kardiani, or the old path for the fit

If you walk down, keep strength for the climb back up in the heat.

The west-coast villagesStay in Kardiani

A beach on the bay of Panormos

SandEasy-going

Rochari and the bay of Panormos

The small sandy beaches around the deep bay below Pyrgos, the nicest of them Rochari, a short walk from the harbour. Good for a swim before fish at the waterfront.

  • Lunch by the sea
  • Swimming

Paved road down from Pyrgos, then a short walk

The bay is open to the north-west and gets choppy in a strong meltemi.

Exomeria & the marble villagesStay in Panormos

Wind and sea change by the day. On windy days swim on the sheltered side of the island, and watch for red flags.

Wake up near the water

Find a room a short walk from Tinos's best beaches.

Where to stay

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