Duncan Greenfield-Turk, a British travel consultant with 30 years of experience, has named Tinos as his favourite Greek island, praising its unspoiled character and authenticity.
Having visited as many as 14 Greek islands over the past two decades, Greenfield-Turk told Metro's Travel Editor Alice Murphy that Tinos is his go-to recommendation for a lesser-known destination that rewards the journey.
Why Tinos stands out
Located just 30 minutes by boat from Mykonos, Tinos offers a striking contrast to its famous neighbour. The island features elegant Venetian-influenced architecture, a living tradition of marble carving, and a landscape of granite hills, dovecotes, and villages that have remained largely unchanged for generations.
Tinos holds deep religious significance. It was once a centre of worship for Poseidon, and in 1823 a famous shrine to the Virgin Mary was established in the main town, with the grand Orthodox church of Panagia Megalochari built over it. Pilgrims still visit year-round for the Church of Panagia Evangelistria, some crawling on their knees from the ferry along a carpet leading to the church.
Food and lifestyle appeal
The island has quietly become one of the most exciting food destinations in the Aegean, with several restaurants working seriously with local ingredients. Visitors can see chefs hanging octopus tentacles to dry outside tavernas and plates being smashed through doors.
Greenfield-Turk noted that Tinos has not yet reached the point where the experience has been "managed away." People who long owned homes on Mykonos are now selling up and relocating to Tinos, drawn by the slower pace of life.
Getting there and staying
From the UK, the most elegant route is a direct flight to Mykonos from London Gatwick or Luton with easyJet, or from Heathrow with British Airways, followed by a high-speed ferry. A cheaper but more arduous alternative is flying direct to Athens from airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Bristol, then taking a ferry of approximately five hours from Piraeus.
Accommodation options range from Odera, a five-star Autograph Collection hotel in a converted neoclassical mansion, to Pnoēs Tinos, a small three-villa property in the hills, and Under the Sun Cycladic Village, a four-star villa-style option.
Other recommendations
As a wildcard, Greenfield-Turk suggests Ikaria, a Blue Zone island in the northern Aegean with villages that run on nocturnal hours, panigiri festivals that start after midnight, and geothermal springs flowing into rock pools. He also recommends Milos, Porto Heli, Hydra, Dokos, Ermioni, and Nafplio as alternatives to Mykonos and Santorini.
