From the pebble-mosaic courtyard of the Church of the Ascension in Arnados, the view stretches as far as Mykonos. At the same time, hiking trail T2 passes through the village. If you are looking for a hotel on Tinos, you can assess Arnados against specific interests: its architecture and a hiking route that connects the village with the coast and with villages at higher elevations.
Arnados: Hillside Setting, Arcades and T2
Arnados lies on the slope of Mount Kechrovouni, near the Monastery of Agia Pelagia. The village dates from the 13th to 14th century and is considered one of the island’s oldest villages. Its distinctive architectural features include numerous arcades, or covered passageways. Hiking trail T2 passes through Arnados; the arcades give this section in the village an architectural point of reference. This brings together a historical context and a clearly recognizable architectural feature.
T2 connects Agios Ioannis Porto on the coast with Arnados and Dyo Choria, the two highest-elevation villages on Tinos. This makes it possible to understand the route through its named reference points: it runs between the coast and villages at higher elevations, passing through Arnados.
Church and Museums in the Village
The cultural attractions are also clearly located in the village. A little below the church is a folklore museum; next to the church is a museum of icons and ecclesiastical treasures. These different themes complement the church surroundings with a focus on folklore and religious heritage. If you take culture into account when choosing accommodation on Tinos, these two museum themes offer an additional point of reference for Arnados.
Tinos in a Broader Context
Beyond Arnados, it is worth looking at Tinos as a whole: Tinian marble craftsmanship was included in Greece’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013 and in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2015. In Pyrgos on Tinos, the Yannoulis Halepas Museum is housed in the sculptor’s former home; the building is designated as a historic, protected monument. The Museum of Marble Crafts in Pyrgos presents the technology of marble processing. Its focus is on pre-industrial and early industrial Tinos as the most important center of marble craftsmanship in modern Greece.
The hiking trails also offer another perspective on the island. Tinos Trails is Tinos’s official hiking network, created, maintained and promoted by the municipality. M4 is a different kind of route: a circular trail through the Lower Villages. It starts in Volax and passes through granite formations and old cultivated fields. By contrast, T2 connects the coast with Arnados and the highest-elevation villages. The difference between this route and the circular trail starting in Volax can help you choose your hiking focus.
Ferry services to Tinos are available from Piraeus and Rafina; check the timetable for your travel dates. On the island, you can get around in your own or a rental vehicle, using the KTEL bus network or by taxi. If you plan to use one of these options, you can check schedules for your specific travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Agios Sostis, Panormos, Agios Romanos, Ormos Panormou, Agios Fokas, Tinos, Tinos, Isternia.
Return to the main travel overview: Tinos.
