Tinos (Chora)

Tinos (Chora): “The capital city of the island”

Chora is the capital of the island, and its commercial and tourist center, as well. It has two ports: the outside (the “new”), which is the port where you disembark when coming by ferryboats and the (“old”) one when coming by a speedboat.

At first glance, Chora is not the most picturesque part of Tinos, since the lawless and often inconsistent with the traditional structure elements, being intensified during the late ’60s, altered the traditional Cycladic color. However, you will find spots and areas reminiscent of the picturesque and attractive Chora of the past.

The coastal road (the “Paralia”), which starts from the new port, is the focus of tourist traffic, which though is open only for pedestrians, in the evenings of summer.

Moving away from the outer harbor, you meet, over the road, the picturesque district of Pallada, with typical Cycladic alleys, the catholic church of Saint Anthony (behind the playground), taverns and nightclubs, the “pelican” square (as it is known, named after the pelican-mascot of Chora) and the cathedral of the Archangels with a marble campanile of 1803.

Continuing north of Pallada, you also reach the scenic area around the churches of St.Nicholas and St. Eleftherios (renovated in 1800), with old mansions, cobbled streets and the old faucet.

The main street, Avenue Megaloharis, starts from the marble platform (square Pantanassas) on the beach and leads to the Church of Annunciation (Panagia Evagelistrias).

Going up the street on the left side of the road, you will find the church of St. George (of 1691), shops, the Archaeological Museum, the Cultural Center, the church school. On the right side, the City Hall, the Municipal Library and the Sacred Grove Foundation busting for major Tinian artists.

The carpeted runway on the right of the road, is used by pilgrims going up the road to Panagia (Church) on their knees. The pilgrimage to the Church of Annunciation (Panagia) can be combined with a visit to the Museums of P.I.I.E.T, located in the same complex.

Leaving from the church of the Blessed Virgin (Panagia) you can take the pedestrians’ cobbled Evagelistrias street, featuring shops throughout its length, the Textile School and art galleries of local artists. Explore the picturesque alleys and the district Malamatenias (church of the Assumption).

Passing the coastal road you meet the roundabout that directs you to the villages along the avenue Zannaki Alavanou. Turn left for the “new” road or go on straight and then follow the left fork road (after the church of Agia Paraskevi) for the “old road” leading to villages.

After reaching the roundabout and the small park, you find the impressive Polymereio that houses the Cultural Foundation of Tinos (I.TI.P.). The coastal road ends at the port with the old shipyard. If you continue the road that passes over the coastal road (at the chapel of St. John) you are directed to Agali and to the coastal road of Agios Fokas.