May 2023
In this blog
T1A walk to Kionia, Poseidon Sanctuary, walk from Kionia to Chora (Tinos town).
There are a wide range of walks around the Greek island of Tinos. Look out for wild goats, the most stunning variety of local flowers, and unexpected chapels with cool interiors, often with murals and other atmospheric images. On the whole the paths are quite well signposted, and the ones I made travelled through varied scenery, almost all taking in at least one of the famous dovecots. There are no high mountains, but there is some climbing and descending. Do look out for trails that can be dusty from lack of rain and slippery, also narrow and overgrown ones through lack of clearing, however, none of the ones I tried were impassable.
T1A trail – flora, Ktikados, chapel, and geology
It was a wonderful day which took me steeply out of the city, hard by the Panagia shrine (Holy Monastery of Virgin Mary Evangelistria) and an olive grove, past hens, goats and ladybirds in the fields, and a vast array of wild plants: pink and white oleander, fig trees, sea lavender, and a giant cacti replete with prickly pears. I meandered along crazy-paving paths with spectacular views of the sea, across slopes with small churches, and amongst giant geological specimens.
Oleander, sea lavender and prickly pears along the T1 trail, Tinos, Greece
There was a small church open for me to visit. Co-ordinates 37°33’35.8″N 25°09’34.2″E
I stopped in the small village of Ktikados for a break, enjoying melizanosalata (baba ganoush / aubergine dip) and a cup of tea.
This walk comes highly recommended.
Eventually I descended to the beach in Kionia (see below) and had a refreshing swim.
The Poseidon Sanctuary
Along the boardwalks I was delighted to discover, by chance, the Poseidon Sanctuary which, in its heyday, attracted pilgrims from beyond the borders of the Greece, as far away as Italy, Asia Minor, and Africa.
The Poseidon Sanctuary is believed to date from the 4th century or earlier, placing it in the Hellenistic Period. Dedicated to the sea nymph Aphrite (Amphitriti) and Poseidon, god of the sea, it was a place where visitors would come to clean and purify themselves. As a complementary therapist, I was particularly interested in the site of the former therapy rooms (above left).
I gave Shiatsu to one of the artists I met, on the beach below this typical church while a kitten played with my rucksack, Kionia, Tinos, Greece.
I returned to Chora from Kionia, a walk of 40 plus minutes, along the main coastal road. Careful as there is no pavement in parts!
During my stay on Tinos, I crocheted wild flowers that I found as I walked and offered them in little niches by way of thanks for my experience on the island.
The title photo showing the peacocks, is of a plaque outside the Panagia shrine in Chora town. All images are my own.
Links
See also my blog: Tinos and Chora
Kirki Projects – about Tinos and artist’s residency
Map and walks by Desired landscapes
Poseidon Sanctuary on Secret Tinos site
Walking without a donkey 
Internet playing up – apologies for ‘some’! I was trying to say Some things never change do they, what a charming island, your photos are lovely, the cafe with the blue painted tables and chairs could have been any one of the islands we used to visit 50 years ago )when we were very young! ) And the cats!
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That’s really interesting, Liza, that it all looks so familiar. Tinos seems to have managed to retain some of the old charm you remember. Thanks for reading.
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