On the Marble Trail Tour in Tinos

Tinos Streets and Towns Made from Marble

Tinos is a relatively small island in the Aegean, part of the Cyclades archipelago. It's a sleepy and barren island known for its many villages, stately churches, windmills, and ruins of Venetian fortifications on the mountaintop. It's also famous for marble crafting. A walking tour of sites relating to this bit of heritage covers the whole process, from the locations of the raw materials to the artists' workshops where the marble gets refined.

The tour begins in the village of Pyrgos, at the Museum of Marble Arts. Informational exhibits explain how Tinian artisans start with marble slabs, transforming them into everything from artful statues to fountains to altarpieces to tower bells and even palaces and entire stadiums. There are many examples of this craftsmanship in town, including in the cemetery of Pyrgos, an open-air sculpture museum, and Pyrgos Square.

Take a break in Pyrgos' main square to enjoy a traditional Greek coffee, ouzo, or local raki. Pair your drink with some sweets or Greek meze (similar to appetizers or tapas). As you snack, your guide will share more stories about the island's culture and marble's impact on the islanders' daily lives.

Your next stop is Giannoulis Halepas’ house to learn about the greatest Greek sculptor. The house acts as a small museum of Tinian artists and hosts a workshop with one of the sculptors. You'll observe the artisan working on the marble as he explains all the production stages, the tools used, and the secrets of his art.

After observing and learning about the craft, you'll make your own piece of art! Your local sculptor will give you a crash course on the art of marble carving and provide you with all the necessary equipment. Then, he'll help you bring your own masterpiece to life. Finally, finish up the tour at the Museum of Tinian Artists.

To end your visit to the marble villages of Tinos, enjoy a refreshing swim in the sea and relax at Agia Thalassa Beach. If you want, you can extend your tour and savor a seafood dinner in the nearby fishing village of Panormos.

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Tinos Streets and Towns Made from Marble

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Itineraries with On the Marble Trail Tour in Tinos

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Need a vacation? Find your piece of paradise with the 2-week version of this laidback itinerary. Start with street food and native wine varietals in Athens, before heading to Tinos for a cultural tour. Glamorous Mykonos and Santorini are next, before continuing to Crete, where turquoise lagoons and village tours making sure you're fully blissed out before you go back to Athens.

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See the lesser-known side of the Cyclades on this 16-day island itinerary. After sampling the street foods of Athens, you'll ferry off to the Cycladic islands that deserve just as much of the spotlight as their more-famous siblings. Tour the mansions of the Cycladic capital on Syros, explore the Tinos marble scene, bike the beaches of Naxos, and see the villages and vineyards of Ios before your return to Athens, accompanied by the sweeping of the Aegean Sea.

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The Greek alphabet is the oldest written language still in use today, so study up for your 10-day trip through Greece's history and modern influence. Go from up on the Acropolis to down to the Aegean Sea, circling through the Cycladic islands of Tinos, Mykonos, and Naxos with temples, food tours, historic terraces, and more.