Greece - Korina Miller [298]
There are two ferry departure quays in Hora, known locally as ‘ports’. The Outer Port is the main dock for conventional and larger fast ferries. It is about 300m to the north of the main harbour. The Middle Port, where smaller, fast ferries dock, is at the north end of the town’s main harbour. When you buy a ferry ticket it’s essential to check which of these two ports your ferry is leaving from. Allow at least 20 minutes to walk from the centre of Hora to the Outer Port.
Getting Around
From June to September there are frequent buses from Hora (Tinos) to Porto and Kionia (€1.40, 10 minutes) and several daily to Panormos (€4, one hour) via Kambos (€1.40, 15 minutes) and Pyrgos (€3.30, 50 minutes). Buses leave from the bus station on the Hora harbour front opposite the bus ticket office, which is next to the Poseidon Hotel. You buy tickets on the bus.
Motorcycles (per day €15 to €20) and cars (minimum per weekday €44; on weekends €60) can be hired from a number of outfits along the waterfront at Hora. Rates drop out of season. Vidalis Rent a Car & Bike ( 22830 25670; Trion Ierarhon 2) is a reliable firm.
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HORA (TINOS) ΧΩΡΑ (ΤΗΝΟΣ)
pop 4934
Hora, also known as Tinos, is the island’s capital and port. The harbour front is lined with cafes and hotels and the narrow streets behind are full of restaurants and tavernas. The streets leading up to the Church of Panagia Evangelistria are lined with shops and stalls crammed with souvenirs and religious ware.
Orientation & Information
There are two ferry departure quays, the locations of which visitors definitely need to know (see opposite).
The uphill street of Leoforos Megaloharis, straight ahead from the middle of the main waterfront, is the route pilgrims take to the church. The narrower shopping street of Evangelistria, also leading to the church, is to its right.
The post office is at the southeastern end of the harbour front, just past the bus station, and the National Bank of Greece (with ATM) is 50m left of Hotel Posidonion.
Malliaris Travel ( 22830 24241; fax 22830 24243; malliaris@thn.forthnet.gr; Paralia) On the waterfront near Hotel Posidonion; sells ferry tickets.
Port police ( 22830 22348; Kionion) Just up from Windmills Travel.
Symposion ( 22830 24368; Evangelistria 13) A pleasant cafe-restaurant with internet access (€3 for 30 minutes).
Windmills Travel & Tourism ( 22830 23398; www.windmillstravel.com; Kionion 2) Just across the way from the Outer Port ferry quay, Windmills is very helpful, and staff can arrange accommodation, car hire and much more.
Sights
The neoclassical Church of Panagia Evangelistria (Church of the Annunciation; 8am-8pm) is built of marble from the island’s Panormos quarries. The complex lies within a pleasant courtyard flanked by cool arcades. Inside the main building, the acclaimed icon of the Holy Virgin is draped with gold, silver, jewels and pearls, and is surrounded by gifts from supplicants. A hanging garden of chandeliers and lampholders fills the roof space.
Set into the surface of the street on one side of Leoforos Megaloharis is a rubberised strip, complete with side lights. This is used by pilgrims, who may be seen at any time of year heading for the church on their hands and knees, pushing long candles before them. The final approach is up carpeted steps.
Within the church complex, several museums house religious artefacts, icons and secular artworks.
The small archaeological museum ( 22830 22670; Leoforos Megaloharis; admission €2; 8am-3pm Tue-Sun), on the right-hand side of the street as you descend from the church, has a collection that includes impressive clay pithoi (Minoan storage jars), grave reliefs and sculptures.
Sleeping
Hora should be avoided on 25 March (Annunciation), 15 August (Feast of the Assumption) and 15 November (Advent). If not booked into a hotel months ahead, you’ll have to join the roofless devotees who sleep on the streets at these times.
BUDGET
Camping Tinos