Exomvourgo
The rock of the Venetian castle, with a path to the top and a view over the whole island.
Tinos · Exomvourgo & the inner villages · Βωλάξ
Volax, the village of the boulders
Volax is a small village on a high plateau in the middle of the island, and it looks like nowhere else in Greece. It sits among hundreds of enormous round granite boulders, some as big as the houses, scattered across the land as if a giant had dropped them. Geologists explain them as granite worn into shape by wind and weather; the islanders have stories of their own. Only a few dozen people live here, in white houses between the rocks, and some of them still weave baskets from cane and willow in the old way.
A tiny village in a field of giant granite boulders, where baskets are still woven by hand
The story of Volax
The road from Tinos Town climbs past Exomvourgo and comes out onto an upland of fields and stone walls, and then the boulders begin: round, grey and gold, smooth as river stones, piled against each other and standing alone in the fields. The village is tucked in among them, with its church, a few lanes and a square with tavernas.
Volax was known for its basket makers, who wove the baskets the island used for grapes, olives and bread. A few still work, and you can watch them and buy their baskets in the village. There is a small folklore collection, and an open-air theatre built of stone among the rocks, where concerts and plays are put on in summer.
Where to eat
Tables we love in Volax
Taverna
Taverna Volax
Volax · Exomvourgo & the inner villages
The village taverna of Volax, among the granite boulders, open from morning to late evening. Breakfast or lunch here after a walk through the rocks and a visit to the basket weavers.
Taverna
Aeraki Tiniako
Volax · Exomvourgo & the inner villages
Tinian Breeze, a second taverna in Volax with tables outside, open for lunch and early dinner. Closed on Wednesdays, so plan around it.
Within an easy drive
Around Volax
Tarambados
The valley of dovecotes, a short drive west.
Good to know
Before you go to Volax
Getting there
Volax is about 20 minutes' drive from Tinos Town through Falatados or past Exomvourgo. There are a few buses a week in summer, but a car or scooter is much easier.
When to go
Late afternoon, when the low sun turns the boulders gold. In summer, check for evening events at the theatre.
More of Tinos
Villages you'll want to see next
Exomeria & the marble villages
Pyrgos
The village of the marble carvers, where even the graves are works of art
Tinos Town & the coast either side
Tinos Town
The port town of the pilgrims, climbing to the church of the Evangelistria
Exomvourgo & the inner villages
Tarambados
A hamlet above a valley full of the island's famous dovecotes
Fall for more of Tinos
Every stay we recommend across Tinos, from village guesthouses to rooms on the sea.
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