Slow living at its finest: relaxing in the beautiful Odera Tinos

Tinos had been on our radar for a while – less touristy than the other islands we have visited, but just as charming. And honestly? The island exceeded all our expectations. We stayed at the stunningly beautiful, brand-new Odera Tinos hotel, where design, tranquillity and views come together seamlessly. From there, we discovered the rugged beauty of Tinos: from charming villages to hidden beaches and delicious local cuisine. In this blog, I share our favourite hotspots and experiences on this surprisingly beautiful island.

Odera Tinos is a fairytale where you can completely unwind. Our room was a dream in itself – minimalist design, soft earth tones and, as the icing on the cake, a private infinity pool overlooking the Aegean Sea. Every morning, we enjoyed a fantastic breakfast and, as we sat at the breakfast table, we could hear the goats running across the mountains in the distance. A buggy drove us from the top to the private beach in the small bay with super-deluxe sunbeds and a lovely beach restaurant. Pure luxury, stylish, peaceful and completely in harmony with nature. You will never want to leave.

Culinary delights on Tinos: from cosy tavernas to dining under the stars

Tinos is truly brimming with cosy and delightful restaurants where you can discover something new every evening. We enjoyed an atmospheric dinner at To Perivoli tis Kardianis in Kardiani, which has perhaps the most beautiful view on the island, with Syros visible in the distance. The village itself is somewhat reminiscent of a small village on Santorini, as it is completely nestled against a mountain, but it is much quieter.

At SVoura Taverna in the village of Komi, we enjoyed pure Greek flavours under a tree in a charming little square. It is a unique place, and the restaurant is actually the only thing to be found in the village, apart from a few houses.

We also dined at Choreftra in the village of Kampos. Another special place in a small village where there is nothing else. This family restaurant is also in a lovely spot, next to a small church, and here too you can enjoy delicious local Greek food.

Kalopsia, near the harbour of Tinos, is a trendy place with a Moroccan vibe. They serve dishes in a modern setting.

And as the icing on the cake, we ended the days in the restaurant of our hotel, Odera Tinos, where we dined under the starry sky with the soft sound of the sea in the background, a glass of wine and a wonderful dessert.

Whether you prefer traditional or innovative cuisine, Tinos has plenty of great places to eat and spend hours dining. And the variety of restaurants is what makes it so enjoyable, from traditional and cosy to modern and luxurious.

The charming Chora: from trendy coffee bars to pilgrimage sites

Chora, the lively harbour town of Tinos, is the beating heart of the island. In the narrow streets, you will find trendy coffee bars where you can wake up in the morning with an ice-cold freddo or, like me, with a delicious cappuccino.

And among the boutiques and cosy restaurants, the impressive Panagia Evangelistria suddenly appears, the most famous church in Greece and an important place of pilgrimage. The atmosphere is very special: believers climb the hill to the church on their knees, while others stroll through the alleys in search of the next nice place to eat or have a drink. Chora is a charming village, full of contrasts and charm, and definitely worth a visit.

Kolymbithres Beach, sun, wind and a touch of retro

We also visited Kolymbithres Beach, a beautiful, expansive beach that immediately exudes a relaxed surfing vibe. Although unfortunately no one was braving the waves that morning because it was too windy, it was still a great place to look around. There were cute little straw parasols everywhere and in the middle of the beach was an old Volkswagen van that had been converted into a cosy bar, the perfect place for a coffee or a cold drink and the favourite hangout spot for surfers.

Right next to our hotel was another nice beach club, Bianco Tinos. We only took a quick look because the private beach at our hotel was great, but it's definitely a nice place to spend a day. There are also some lovely villages to visit, but because I often found the roads leading to them a bit scary, we didn't go. In hindsight, I regret that a little, so maybe we should go back again.