Kardiani
The first settlement in Exo Meria in the southwest part of the island sets upon the steep hillside of Pateles mountain, in an altitude of 240m, with view to Syros. Surrounded by intense vegetation and many springs, it boasts for the arcades, the catholic church of Holy Mary’s Birthday-Kioura and higher for the orthodox one of Trinity, with the one and only arch of six arches in Cyclades.
Ysternia
In the “ysterna” (SW) of Tinos, ten minutes away by car from Kardiani, the village of the marble sculptors, built amphitheatrically on the hillside of Meroviglia mountain, in an altitude of 300-340m over the port of Ysternia. Looking at the fountains, the busts and sculptures, you will realize that here had thrived great sculptors, like Fytalai and Malakate brothers, Georgios Vitalis, Lazaros Lameras, Antonis and Lefteris Sochos. Their artworks are shown in the Ysternian Artists’ Museum which operates at the old school. You will also see N. Glynis square, the byzantine church of Agia Paraskevi and the Monument in honor of the piers of 1912 and 1940.
Plateia-Venardados
Tiny settlement in the north part of Tinos. Its sights include the church of Holy Mary’s Birthday, the monument of the fallen people of Panormos during the Balkan Wars and the museum of ecclesiastical artifacts. In Venardados, you will see the church of Agios Ioannis Theologos, with the remarkable marble temple and hagiographies of Nikos Gaitis. Among the trees of its ravine, you will discover the chapel of Agios Fanourios.
Pyrgos
The homeland of Chalepas, Nikiforos Lytras and Giannis Gaitis, surrounded by the mountain peaks Patela, Meroviglia, Profitis Ilias and Kaki Scala, during the 18th and 19th century it was at its great prime, while it was then when the exploitation of white and green marble deposits of the area began. Walking down Giannoulis Chalepas Str.) that passes from Tinian Artists’ Museum and Giannoulis Chalepas’ house, you will see blazons, “portosies”, doorsteps, fountains, inscriptions, busts, alleys, carved tables, everything made of marble. Continue till the central, marble paved square (of the Heroes of 1821) with the shady plane, the monumental fountains and the coffee-pastry shops and visit the Tinian Artists’ museum, but also the newly founded Museum of Marble Crafts of the Cultural Foundation of Piraeus.
Panormos
The seaport of Panormos, the natural port of Panormos, in the northeast part of Tinos (35km away from Chora). In the center of the bay, Planitis islet with the deserted lighthouse “paints” the picture of the picturesque bay. From the 70’s and on, the once small fishery village began to get touristic progress, resulting today to be considered the most significant holiday settlement of the area. In the beautiful port, there are fish-taverns for the fresh fish and seafood lovers but also cafes for relaxation with view to the moored fishing boats and yachts.
