Looking for places to stay / things to do on Tinos

I would also love to hear any suggestions you may have for specific hotels or guest houses (within a modest budget)

It is easier if you state what your budget is, than make every one guess what 'modest' means to you.

Of course, that’s a good point. I’m hoping to book someplace in the range of $100 USD / €90 or less per night, if possible. Thank you for any insight or ideas you might have!

I couldn't say what the "best" home base in Tinos might be. As long as you have a car, the "best place" can be just about anywhere. The most important is that it suits you.

We spent 6 days in Tinos in 2022. There are plenty of things to see and do in Tinos, including many small traditional villages. There are also some beautiful beaches. Tinos Town, where the ferries arrive, is the capital; it's a bit like Naxos Town. We've visited many islands in the Cyclades, and I'd say Tinos has a lot in common with Naxos. Fortunately, it's quieter because it's less heavily promoted by tourist marketing. It doesn't have an airport, and it's mainly accessible from the port of Rafina.

We stayed in a very nice Airbnb a few kilometers east of Tinos Town, halfway between a local microbrewery and Agios Fokas beach (Not a bad location, right? LOL ).
But it's no longer listed on Airbnb (I checked). That said, after visiting Tinos, I think we could have found an even better location.

For example, there are a group of pretty little villages close together just north of Tinos Town: Ktikados, Mountados, Tripotamos, and a few others.

Another superb village is Kardiani, perched high above the sea.

Some photos:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2be55sLLmEUmQZQX9

Daylily you are also making us guess about what to recommend on your budget because you do not say WHEN you want to be on Tinos.... August is a HUGE Religious holiday, so I'm guessing booking will be heavy and prices high that month -- jUne would be much better on both counts.. Is there a problem in providing dates?

have the chance to escape to Greece for a last-minute trip this May
( from OP's other posting)

Presumably in the very near future.

Hello, as far as the travel dates, this is a very spur-of-the-moment adventure with my youngest daughter, who just finished her university semester abroad — I am meeting her in Athens in a week! So the Tinos dates will be mid-May. Actually, our timing will be nearly identical to the dates noted in the beautiful photos posted by JoLui! Thank you, JoLui, for the photos and all the information. I’m so excited that this last-minute trip is starting to come together! Can’t wait to experience Greece : ).

Tinos is a gem of a Greek Island and in fact it's one of my top three favorites.

It has some of the most beautiful villages I've seen in my trips to Greece, lovely coastline and beaches, a few archeological sites and is not only famous for its dovecote structures but also for it's magnificent stone wall terracing all over the island. Not only are the functional they are work of art!

I stayed in Tinos Town and it served its purposes for me. It was a perfect base to explore the island and return for a town that has a good selection of shops, markets and tavernas.

I also agree that Kardiani is a superb village but may be one of the prettiest in all of Greece (in my humble opinion)

Other villages visited:

Pirgos--lovely

Isternia--lovely

Tripotamos--lovely

Falatados--lovely

Triantaros--lovely

Dio Horia--lovely

Panormos--lovely

Loutra--lovely

Tarambardos--lovely with best preserved dovecotes on island!

Volax--wow factor with unique geological features all around!

Lots more, in fact just about every village I went to was nice, but the best villages & scenary was the western 2/3 of the island.

You can check out my photos of Tinos:

https://tinyurl.com/y6w5ncb8

Also you can check out a small report I made on another travel forum about Kardiani including videos of Kardiani!

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g503711-i10185-k9966711-Kardiani_Tinos_The_Most_Beautiful_Village_in_Greece-Tinos_Cyclades_South_Aegean.html

I had never even heard of Tinos until I started reading this thread. Now the beautiful pictures have enticed me. Another wonderful place to visit….

Wow -- thank you so much for this wealth of information, and for the affirmation that I've definitely chosen a fantastic island to visit. (Also many thanks to JoLui for the initial recommendation!!!!) The thoughtfulness and generosity of everyone on this Greece thread blows me away.

For those traveling to Tinos who are wine lovers, I suggest a visit to the Vaptistis Winery.

https://vaptistiswinery.com/en/

Nissos beer is also good, but I'm not an expert.
You can find it in restaurants and bars around the island, or pick it up directly at the brewery.

https://nissos.beer/en/

Warning: excessive alcohol consumption is bad for your health. :-))

Thank you -- Great tips!!!! : )

The second week in May is the Tinos Food Paths highlighting their local ingredients, dishes, cheeses, wine, etc. Portions of the daily activities may be held in different locations. Tinos is known for using local ingredients in their recipes. The vines for their local wines have been around from the ancient Greeks.

We were there in 2018 and really enjoyed their special foods. Staying in Tinos Town gives you the most restaurant options.

Oh wow — that sounds lovely!!!!