Easter on Tinos is something special, with wildflowers blooming everywhere and the air filled with the aroma of wild herbs. It’s springtime at its best! Easter on Tinos isn’t just about the beautiful scenery; it’s also a chance to dive into genuine Greek holiday vibes.
And let’s not forget about Tinos itself – this island’s got it all, making it the perfect place to soak up Greek culture during this festive season.
Greek Orthodox Easter is the most important religious holiday for Greeks, which includes rituals, a strict 40-day fast before Easter, special food preparation, and celebrations.
This post will focus on how best to spend your Greek Orthodox Easter in Tinos, a low-key and authentic Greek island. The island is unique as it combines the Greek Orthodox religion with Catholics, who celebrate Easter together.
Tinos is famous for the 15th of August Holy Mary Pilgrimage, for marble sculpture, its gorgeous Cycladic villages (around 90 villages in total), and gastronomy, a real foodie island.
TIP: Note that Museums and Archaeological Sites will be closed on Good Friday and Easter. The Churches will be open all day, although their main Service will be in the afternoons and evenings.
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Tinos Quick Reference
- Heading to the Greek Islands from Athens? Book your ferry tickets in advance with no hidden fees with FerryScanner.
- What food not to miss in Tinos: fourtalia (omelet with sausage), loutza (like Italian prosciutto), Tinian cheese, and thyme honey
How Best to Spend Greek Orthodox Easter in Tinos
Every day of the Holy Week has its different local customs that you may want to participate in. I have also included some of the best sites that you can visit in Tinos.
Tinos has (too) many villages, which are all exceptionally beautiful and a delight to explore. You can use the buses, but perhaps a rental car is the best way to explore the island.
Holy Monday
The Holy Week in Greece starts on Monday and is dedicated to Joseph, the most beloved son of Jacob. The relative Gospel is read in the Churches and a lot of Greeks will begin the strictest part of the fast of Holy Week until communion on Holy Saturday.
On your first day on Tinos island, you can explore Chora Tinos and visit its most important landmark, the Shrine of Panagia (Holy Mary) Evangelistria.
The magnificent Church is the most popular and famous pilgrimage destination for Orthodox Christians and gets very busy around the 15th of August. The Shrine has an interesting story that connects a Sacred Icon of Panagia that was found with the Greek War of Independence in 1821.
Inside the premises, you can also visit the six museums and galleries related to the Temple and Tinos’ religious and local history. The Shrine is open daily from 7.30 a.m. with free entrance.
Close by is the archaeological Museum of Tinos, which has interesting exhibits, and an entrance fee of €3.
Holy Tuesday
On Tuesdays, the houses bake the sweet Easter cheese pies, made of unsalted local cheese and flower-shaped, a unique and delicious custom found only on Tinos.
Check if they are being served with your breakfast, or buy them from a bakery nearby.
If you love the outdoors, go to Volakas village with the lunar landscape and wander around this extraordinary area.
The whole area of Volakas is covered in gigantic granite rocks, and you often see people climbing them. The geologists say they are volcanic rocks, others say they are meteorites, and in any case, they are beautiful.
Holy Wednesday
In the afternoon of Holy Wednesday, the Mystery of the Eucharist (Service of the Holy Unction) is held. The day is dedicated to the memory of the sinful woman, who repented, believed in Jesus Christ, and anointed His feet with myrrh.
If you want to swim (too cold for me in April, but perhaps OK for you?) or stroll by the most beautiful beach in Tinos, go to Kolimbithra. Kolimbithra is a sandy beach, with crystal clear waters about 15 km to the north of Tinos, with one of the best beach bars in the Cyclades.
Go to Teresa Coffee and Grocery Store in Myrsini village, and taste their different local specialties every day: pickled artichokes, cheese pies, louza, garlic sausages, and lemon lamb. Contact +30 2283 041320.
Visit the Pigeon Houses all over Tinos, a breeding custom brought by the Venetians in the 15th century. In Tarabados village are the most impressive pigeon houses.
Holy Thursday
On Thursday, Greeks dye their eggs red to symbolize the blood of Christ, and they are never made of chocolate. The eggs will not be consumed until Easter Day.
They also bake the Easter sweet bread called Tsoureki and the special cookies called Koulouria. Buy them from any bakery in Tinos or check your hotel breakfast, they may include them.
On Holy Thursday, you can go to the gorgeous seafront of Panormos or the marble-built, famous Pyrgos village with the beautiful maze of whitewashed alleys. Go to the cemetery to admire the marble works of Gianoulis Halepas, a famous Greek sculptor.
Taste the galaktoboureko sweet under the plane tree in the main square for a little energy before visiting the Marble Museum (Closed on Tuesdays, Good Friday, and Easter).
Good Friday
Good Friday is a very holy day for the Greeks, it is the day that Christ died. The bells of all churches on Tinos chime sadly, and women from each parish decorate with flowers their own Epitaph.
In the evening, the Epitaph of each parish passes through the alleys of each neighborhood and the parishioners follow the solemn procession with their candles and sprinkle the way of the Epitaph with flowers.
On Good Friday night, six decorated epitaphs, together with the unique wood carving of the Virgin Mary, gather on the beach platform in Chora Square, at the port, where the praises are sung.
The Epitaph of the church of Saint Nicholas in Kalamia will be taken into the sea which is quite an impressive and moving spectacle.
As the shops will be closed all morning until noon, mourning Christ’s death, this is a good day to relax or explore the nearby seaside Kionia village, have lunch by the sea, and visit the archaeological site of Poseidon and Amphitrite.
Holy Saturday
Everyone is getting ready for the big celebration of Easter, so you will see a lot of commotion around the town, people painting the pavements with limestone, and the supermarkets will be full of customers buying the necessities for the Easter meal.
During the day, you can go to Krokos, a village of 10 permanent residents, and visit the cafe of Mrs. Lenis. The cafe serves mouth-watering local cold meat cuts, handmade spicy cheese (kopanisti), sausages, and local fried bread.
In the evening, dress up like all Greeks, and get ready for the big spectacle of the night.
On Holy Saturday, the Orthodox Patriarch breaks the seal of the door of the tomb of Christ in Jerusalem and emerges with the Holy Fire, which is then flown to Athens to the church of Agia Anargyroi in the Plaka. From there, the light is distributed to churches all over Greece.
At 11 pm, everyone is at the Church’s yard, and just before the Resurrection procession, candles and red candles are distributed. After “Christ is Risen,” one parish competes with the other in which one will be heard more.
Everyone carries their lit candle, the bells chime festively and the fireworks make a lot of impressive coloring in the sky.
Meanwhile, the families kiss each other and wish ‘Chronia Polla’. After the church, everyone hurries back home to eat Magiritsa, a soup made of the internal organs of the lamb. If you are interested in tasting it, check with your hotel or a tavern near you that may be serving it.
Greek Orthodox Easter in Tinos
Easter Day is a happy day for everyone as they celebrate in the most festive way the Resurrection. Lambs are being roasted in the house yards in a skewed way, people wish each other ‘Chronia Polla’, which means ‘Many Years’. Families come together, they eat all day, drink, and dance.
The Red eggs prepared on Thursday are used to clink each other’s eggs, with the hope that you will win everyone and your egg will be the hardest victorious one! While clinking, you tell each other, ‘Christos Anesti’ (Christ has Risen), and reply, ‘Alithos Anesti’ (He has indeed risen).
Easter Sunday is a great day to drive to a village for a very traditional Greek Orthodox Easter and I strongly recommend Kardiani, one of the most beautiful villages of Tinos.
Kardiani has picturesque narrow cobbled streets, beautiful arches, and traditional old houses with flat roofs, colorful windows, doors, courtyards, and balconies full of flowers.
The village has the most stunning sea view and is the ideal place to admire the sunset.
FAQ on Tinos Island
Where to Stay in Tinos
Three of the most amazing and budget-friendly hotels in Tinos are:
Aggelikoula Rooms (Tinos Chora)
Tinos apartments Zalonis with a swimming pool (Agios Ioannis)
Vega Apartments with a swimming pool (Agios Markos).
How to Get to Tinos Island
Tinos island is well connected by ferries from Athens’ main port, Piraeus, and the smaller ports of Rafina and Lavrion.
Rafina – Tinos: There are many ferries per day and the trip duration ranges from 2 to 4 hours.
Piraeus – Tinos: There is at least 1 daily sailing from Piraeus to Tinos (trip is 4.5 hours).
Lavrion – Tinos: This crossing typically operates during the summer, with one scheduled departure per week. The ferry ride takes approximately 4 hours
I use FerryScanner to check out timetables for the islands.
❓ How do I get around Tinos Island?
Getting around Tinos is pretty easy once you arrive! Here are your main options:
🚗 Renting a car or scooter is the most flexible way to explore the island, especially if you want to visit multiple villages, beaches, and hidden spots at your own pace. Roads are generally in good condition, and driving is straightforward.
🚌 Public buses run between Chora (the main town) and some of the bigger villages and beaches, especially in summer. They’re affordable, but timetables can be limited..
🚕 Taxis are available, especially in Chora, but they can get pricey if you plan to do a lot of exploring. Always ask for an estimate before your ride.
👣 Walking is a great option if you’re staying near Chora or in a traditional village. Tinos has some beautiful old footpaths (kalderimia) perfect for short hikes.
How is the Weather in Spring in Tinos
Since Easter falls on April 5th this year, you can expect temperatures to be similar to last year, typically around 16 to 22°C (60 to 72°F). You can see details on the Greek weather and when is the best time to travel to Greece here.
🙏 What to Wear for Greek Orthodox Easter in Tinos
If you’re visiting Tinos during Greek Orthodox Easter, especially for church services or monastery visits, it’s important to dress modestly out of respect for local traditions.
👩 For women: Avoid short skirts or shorts. Instead, choose a longer skirt or dress that covers the knees and a top that covers the shoulders.
👨 For men: A shirt and long trousers (pants) are best—avoid sleeveless tops or beachwear.
🧢 Also: Remember to remove your hat when entering a church.
📸 Photography tip: Always ask before taking photos inside a monastery or church. Flash is usually not allowed, as it can damage the icons and frescoes.
What Island Hopping Can I Do from Tinos
Many Greek islands are just a short ferry ride from Tinos, making it easy to explore more of the Cyclades. Andros is about 1.5 hours away, Mykonos is just 30 minutes away, and you can reach Paros in around 2 hours.
If you love the atmosphere of Greek Orthodox Easter in Tinos, you’ll also find unforgettable celebrations in places like Chios, Corfu, Folegandros, and of course, Athens—each with its own unique traditions and local flavor!
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How to Get to Athens Port (Piraeus) from Athens Airport
- Bus: If you are arriving at Athens International Airport you can travel straight to the port by taking the X96 express bus (€5.5, children <6 yo, free entrance), which departs every 40 minutes and the average trip lasts 1 hour – runs 24/7.
- Metro: (€9) is easily found across airport arrivals (blue line – M3) going directly to Piraeus port. The average trip to Piraeus lasts 1 hour.
- Taxis are available in front of the airport (around €45 to Athens, €55 to Piraeus (depending on the traffic in Kifisos), and take up to 3 or 4 people with small luggage)
- Rent a car with Discover Cars for reliable, new cars at affordable prices
- You don’t like driving but love hassle-free solutions? Book a Private transfer with an English-speaking driver from Athens International Airport to Piraeus Ferries, or anywhere else in Greece.
Where to Stay in Athens
Looking for the best hotels and apartments near old Athens Plaka and Acropolis Parthenon? Find in my complete list below the best accommodation in Athens for a unique travel experience!
- Where to Stay in Plaka, Athens’ Old Town
- Acropolis View Hotels & Apartments in Athens
- Best Athens Beach Hotels (By the Athens Riviera Coastline)
- Central Apartments in Athens (near Acropolis)
- Athens Budget Apartments
- Athens Budget Hotels
Some of my Favorite Travel Resources for Greece
- ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Greek: “Ya sou” and “Efharisto”
- Booking.com: I use Booking.com mostly for Europe.
- All-Inclusive Resorts in Greece
- FerryScanner to book ferries to the Greek Islands
- Rent an Affordable Car in Greece
- Athens Metro Website (timetables and ticket info)
- Trains (Hellenic Train)
- Public Buses KTEL
- Get Your Guide: For all your day or multi-day tours and city guide needs, I use Get Your Guide
- Emergency Numbers Anywhere in Greece: AMBULANCE 166 – FIRE 199 – POLICE 100– EMERGENCY NUMBER 112
