Tinos Iraklia Ferry

Tinos Guide

Located in the Cyclades group of islands, the Greek island of Tinos lies in the Aegean Sea and is situated close to the islands of Andros, Delos and Mykonos. Originally named Opiussa and Hydroessa in ancient times, the island is home to the Church of Virgin Mary, or Evangelistria Church, at Hora which is one of the grandest churches in the whole of Greece. The church was built on the site where the Orthodox Image of the Virgin Mary was found, following a vision by nun Pelagia, between 1823 and 1831. Of traditional architectural style, the spacious church has many arches and is made up of two floors with many other smaller buildings in its courtyard. Another popular attraction on the island is the Monastery of the Lady of the Angels at Kechrovouni which was built after three sisters had the same vision of the Virgin Mary telling them to build a monastery at a specific location at Kechrovouni, where they saw a strange light.

Tinos is connected by boat to the ports of Piraeus and Rafina and also to the islands of Andros, Syros and Mykonos, and to almost all of the Cycladic islands.

Iraklia Guide

The small Greek island of Iraklia is located at the western edge of the Small Eastern Cyclades group of islands and only has around 100 inhabitants. The island is characterised by hills, thick vegetation, clear waters with the od shipwreck on the sea floor, and scenic bays which all combine to make it one of the most unspoilt islands of the Cyclades. For nature lovers the island is home to the Mediterranean seal and the marine turtle, Caretta Caretta. The island only has two villages. Ayios Georgios, which is home to the island's harbour, and Panayia.

Perhaps because the island is so small its history remains largely unknown with speculation that is may have been a Minoan settlement in the 2nd century BC, as there is an similar city in Crete. Under Venetian and Ottoman rule, the island paid taxes but it seems that it was the only obligation the Iraklians had.

From the island's port there are ferries available that depart to the Port of Piraeus with a crossing time of between 8 and 10 hours, depending on itinerary. There are also ferry services to the other islands of the Small Cyclades and to Naxos and Amorgos.