Tinos Self Guided Hiking Tour

Tinos Self Guided Hiking Tour

A self-guided hiking experience on one of the most authentic and traditional islands of the Cyclades!

ACTIVE PERIOD
April - October (excluding July-August)
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
1
DURATION
5 days
Tinos Self Guided Hiking Tour
Price from €720
PRICE FROM € 720 - DECLARE INTEREST

Overview

Tinos is one of the few Greek islands that have a vibrant community even during the winter. Hotels and restaurants run all year long and locals will welcome you with their warm hospitality!

Highlight of Tinos are its super picturesque villages, traditional dovecotes and windmills. The island is nowadays what the island of Delos was to pilgrims in antiquity. Twice a year, on March 25th and August 15th, religious travellers inundate the island to visit the magnificent church of Virgin Mary (in Greek: Panagia). Many pilgrims reach the church, 800 meters from the ferry wharf on their hands and knees as a sign of devotion. Apart from the main town, Chora, we visit many villages located in the islands interior. The most famous of which is Pyrgos, the marble art village. The village of Volakas on the other hand surprises travellers with its extraordinary lunar appearance! And Tripotamos, is the village of local customs. Tinos also boasts numerous magnificent sandy beaches and an absolutely delicious local cuisine!

This self-guided hiking tour is ideal for travellers who value authenticity, traditional villages and a hiking experience shaped by the island’s true character.

Day 1
From Athens to Tinos Island
Day 2
The three capitals of Tinos
Day 3
The Hike of Poseidon
Day 4
The marble villages
Day 5
Departure from Tinos

Activities / Schedule

From Athens to Tinos Island

We transfer you from Athens airport or Athens center to the port of Tinos for your embarkation to the ferry towards Tinos island. The trip lasts between 2 -2.5 hours depending on the ferry available. Upon arrival to Tinos you will be transferred to your hotel, located in the capital of the island, “Chora”. The friendly owners will welcome you and give you all necessary information for your stay in Tinos and will make you feel at home. The rest of the day will be free to stroll in the beautiful capital town of Tinos.

Overnight in Tinos.

The three capitals of Tinos

You will begin your island experience with a transfer to the hilltop village of Falatados, the second-largest on the island. Here is the start of your hike through the famous granite formations plateau of Tinos. You will walk down to Volax, an isolated, sparkling white settlement in the middle of the Plateau. From there, you will hike up towards Koumaros, another tiny village known for its unmanned self-service café. You will continue uphill towards Xombourgo, the medieval Citadel of Tinos. Built on a very strategic location on the second-highest summit of the island, the Castle's top offers one of the most spectacular panoramic views in the Aegean Sea. After resting on the summit, you will begin your downhill hike, passing by the ruins of the ancient capital on the foothills of Xombourgo and through the main stone-paved path of the island, which leads back down to the sea and Chora, the modern Capital of Tinos.

Overnight in Tinos.

  • Hike: Falatados – Volax – Koumaros – Xombourgo – Chora
  • Distance: 11.3 km/7 miles
  • Duration: 5 hours
    Elevation Gain: 450m - 1480ft
  • Elevation Loss: 790m - 2590ft

The Hike of Poseidon

Today you will discover the picturesque dovecotes of Tinos. Following an impressive medieval paved path (kalderimi), you will visit the old village of Ktikados, the heart of traditional dovecote architecture. The path crosses agricultural and shepherd land, formed on steep terrain with the help of literally endless stone terraces (pezoules), which have given Tinos the nickname “the handmade island”.  Hiking downhill on a stone-paved path with an impressive sea view, you will reach Kiona bay, the location of the ruins of the only ancient Temple dedicated to the god of the sea, Poseidon, in the Aegean Islands. Kionia beach is ideal for rest and swimming, so bring along your swimsuit and a towel! Return to Chora takes place by a 20-minute short hike or by taxi.

Overnight in Tinos.

  • Hike: Chora - Ktikados - Kionia – Chora
  • Distance: 7.7 km/4.8 miles
  • Duration: 3.5 hours
    Elevation Gain: 300m - 985ft
  • Elevation Loss: 300m - 985ft

The marble villages

The third of your hikes takes you to the north part of the island, world famous for its high-quality marble queries and long tradition of sculpting arts. You will be transferred to the village of Pyrgos, capital of the North and home to the Sculpting Department of the National School of Fine Arts. You will start with a stroll through the sparkling white houses of the village, covered by marble artwork, which takes you to the Museum of Marble Sculpting, at the edge of the village. After an optional visit to the museum, you will start an uphill hike through a stone paved path, to the hilly pass with the iconic windmills, offering a view towards both the North and South Aegean Sea. Then you will arrive in Isternia, a whitewashed village clinging high up in the steep hills, overlooking the archipelago. The hike continues through a hilly traverse with impressive sea views, towards one more picturesque village, Kardiani. From there, you will finally descent towards the beach in the bay of Giannakis. After some optional rest and swimming, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Chora. 

Overnight in Tinos.

  • Hike: Pyrgos - Ysternia - Kardiani - Yiannaki Bay
  • Distance: 9.7km/6 miles
  • Duration: 5 hours
  • Elevation Gain: 460m - 1510ft
  • Elevation Loss: 550m - 1800ft


Departure from Tinos

Time to return to Athens (or continue your travel to another Greek island!). After our delicious freshly made breakfast we transfer to the port to catch the boat for Athens. Upon Arrival, you will be transferred to Athens center or Athens airport, full of happy memories and images.

Important Info

In a glance

CURRENCY
euro (€)
TIMEZONE
UTC+02:00 (EET)

Price

Semi-Guided Mode:

  • 720€/person for 4-6 participants
  • 870€/person for 2-3 participants

Single supplement: 350€/person

Important Note

This program is offered as a semi-guided experience, giving you the perfect blend of support and independent exploration. A fully guided version is also available upon request.

Equipment

Please consider taking along the following items on your trip. This is not a fixed list, but more of a guideline, so feel free to add and remove items as you see fit.
Greece has a temperate climate. Base your clothing on the “layering system”, if it is hot you can “peel off” layers quickly, if it is cooler and windy you can quickly “dress up”.

Luggage

  • Duffel bag or rolling luggage
  • Day pack to carry a camera, water bottle, and snacks, etc.
  • Luggage locks and tags

Outerwear

  • Mid-weight polar fleece sweater
  • Rain jacket and rain pants, or poncho

Clothing

  • Hiking shorts
  • Casual clothing made of light-weight fabrics
  • T-shirts
  • Long-sleeve shirt
  • Hiking pants, loose and easy to move in
  • Underwear
  • Swimsuit

Clothing Accessories

  • Sun hat or baseball cap

Footwear

  • Lightweight and supportive hiking boots, broken-in with good ankle support
  • Beach sandals
  • Casual, comfortable shoes for evening

Accessories

  • Sunscreen and lip protection
  • Sunglasses and retainer strap
  • Beach towel

Optional Accessories

  • Security pouch or money belt
  • Trekking poles or walking staff
  • Camera, memory, and batteries
  • Reading and writing materials
  • Watch with alarm or travel alarm
  • Travel pillow
  • Motion sickness remedies
  • Personal first-aid kit
  • Insect repellent (low risk)
  • Electrical adapter plug/converter
  • Your own personal water bottle. As part of our environmental policy and actions, we are committed to eliminating the use of plastic water bottles.

The lighter you travel, the easier you travel. Use your best judgment and pack as lightly as possible. You will appreciate light luggage towards the end of your trip.

Tinos Self Guided Hiking Tour

A self-guided hiking experience on one of the most authentic and traditional islands of the Cyclades!

Price from €720

DECLARE INTEREST

FAQs

What should I bring with me?

  • What is listed above in Equipment section

What's the meeting point & time?

Meeting Point: TBA

Time: TBA

When is the activity available?

The activity is available throughout the year (excluding July and August) 

What weather can be expected?

During spring and autumn, there is a possibility of rain, so it is recommended to pack a raincoat or waterproof poncho. In the summer period, temperatures can range between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius during the daytime.

What type of accommodations are used in the itinerary?

3 or 4-star hotels with double/twin sharing rooms and private bathrooms are used in the itinerary.

How are meals described if they are included?

If meals are included, they are served family-style. Vegan/vegetarian meals can be provided if needed.

Are there any extra services provided, such as transfers or additional stays?

Transfers from/to airports and ports, as well as additional stay, can be provided upon request.

Is the activity suitable for children/families and/or elders?

The activity is suitable for children above 12 years old.

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