A ingeniously conceived contemporary sea-view villa with an inspiringly positioned infinity pool.
Nestling into a rocky headland above the sea on the west coast of Tinos, Enyalos is very much at one with its habitat. Walls in local stone emerge discreetly, as if an ancient extension of the terrain, but step over the threshold and one enters a world of refined contemporary luxury. Imbued with a warm, mellow atmosphere, the expertly designed, beautifully appointed interiors offer serene living and a sensation of complete tranquillity.
Inside: accommodation at Enyalos is spread over a main house and a guesthouse, both of which are on one level.
The main house is laid out in the shape of a U oriented directly towards the sea. The communal areas sit at the base of the U and the bedrooms extend along the sides.
The main house entrance leads into a generously proportioned open-concept communal space that has been finished to exacting standards. To the right is a sleek, well-equipped contemporary kitchen with matt black cabinetry, and an adjacent guest WC. In the centre is a dining table, and to the left is the living area, furnished with a pair of designer sofas and featuring a stylish fireplace flanked by built-in bookcases.
The design elements of this space are many, and their combined effect is ravishing: dark hard-wood flooring runs horizontally to create the illusion of widened space; a skylight above the kitchen (reprised in other rooms), together with subtle integrated lighting, infuses the ambience with a soft, harmonious aura; and a gentle earthy palette adds to the overall sensation of tranquillity. The masterstroke, however, is the wall of sliding pocket windows that looks out over the pool to the sea. In theory, these windows delimit the interiors, but a rectangular extension following the lines of the living area's ceiling, walls and floor protrudes some two metres beyond, creating a telescopic effect that frames the views, funnels them inside and conjoins the indoor and outdoor spaces.
A door on one side of the kitchen opens into a little vestibule, off which is the laundry room and the first bedroom, a double with en-suite shower room and access to the side terraces.
Doors on either side of the living room, meanwhile, lead into two more double bedrooms, both of which have en-suite shower rooms, sea views and access to the terraces flanking the pool.
The guesthouse is situated on slightly higher ground up the hill behind the main house. Its façade in local stone mirrors that of its sister, but inside things are somewhat different (though of no lower quality or aesthetic appeal). Polished grey concrete floors run throughout, raw concrete ceilings alternate with white-washed wood-beamed ones, and most of the walls are clad in milky-grey stone.
The guesthouse entrance leads from a shady terrace into a central living area, off which the rest of the accommodation flows. To one side is a generously proportioned suite with double bedroom, a large en-suite shower room, and another double bedroom with access to the surrounding terraces.
On the other side of the central living room, the space flows into a little hallway, off which is a well-equipped kitchen with skylight, a shower room, and the second bedroom, a double with sea views and access to the terraces.
Outside: the main house's al fresco areas are an integral extension of the interiors. Accessed directly from the living area and two of the bedrooms, and following the lines of the U, a pair of shaded sea-view terraces with secluding stone walls runs out towards the sea. One is home to a comfortably furnished sitting area, the other to a convivial dining area with outdoor kitchen.
At the centre of this veritable oasis is the wonderful infinity pool, whose slender form reaches out to the sparkling waters of the Aegean.
The guesthouse has also been designed with carefree outdoor living in mind. Running along its sea-facing façade outside the living room is a shaded sitting and dining area. The double bedroom flows out onto its own little terrace, while the sitting room of the suite accesses part of the front terrace. To one side of the house is a secluded outdoor kitchen, while to the other is a little courtyard.
Between and around the two houses the gardens are planted with low-lying Mediterranean shrubs with some areas left in their natural state.
When the ferry connections timetable is not yet published for your travel dates, we recommend choosing a flight arriving in Athens or Mykonos by midday or, alternatively, adding a night in Athens or Mykonos the day before and/or after your time in Tinos.
Due to the nature of the property including terraces low walls and several drops around the grounds, children must be supervised at all times.
Parts of the route to this property are unpaved and a little rough. We therefore strongly recommend guests hire a car with high ground clearance.
Enyalos features a fantastic infinity pool, offering swimmers stunning views while in the pool. There is a drop off the infinity side so we recommend children are supervised at all times. Please refer to our general safety page if you would like more information about infinity pools.
Enyalos is located on a headland between the beaches of Agios Petros and Kalivia, about half-way up the west coast of Tinos. Up above is the little village of Kardiani, which, together with the nearby seafront hamlet of Ormos Kardianis, offers a few tavernas and bars.
The islandâs capital, Tinos Town, is just over 25 minutesâ drive away, and it is here that you will find all the amenities you might require, from minimarkets and banks to petrol stations and chemistsâ. Itâs a gentle place, with a weave of pretty streets, a good selection of tavernas, and a bustling port. Arguably the star of the show is the church of PanagĂa EvangelĂstria, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Greek Orthodox world. Built in 1830 in florid renaissance style, it houses an icon of the Virgin Mary that is said to have performed numerous miracles.
Measuring just 27km long and 13km wide, Tinos is easy to explore in a week or two. The west coast is a series of little coves, many of which have little sandy beaches, including Kantani, Giannaki, and Vathi. A day or two exploring these by boat is highly recommended, also because some are difficult to access on foot or by car. Longer stretches of sand can be found at Agios Fokas and Laouti on the south coast below Tinos Town.
The interior of Tinos is mountainous and home to a liberal scattering of pretty whitewashed villages, such as Pyrgos (Panormos), Steni, Dio Choria, Komi, Ysternia, Tripotamos and Skalados. Many of these have their origins in Byzantine and Venetian times and it is no coincidence that they were all built at a safe distance from the sea. The rocky landscape is also home to numerous intricately designed dovecots and cylindrical windmills, both architectural traditions introduced by the Venetians, who ruled the island between the 13th and the early 18th century.
The most northerly quarter of Tinos is largely uninhabited, but there is a curious profusion of churches and chapels. The simple roads that connect them are interesting to explore on foot or by bike, and one really has the feeling of being off the beaten track.
The highest point of the island is the mountain of Tsiknias, which stands at 750m, but arguably the most interesting peak is the jagged stone cone of Exomvourgo (641m). It was here that the Venetians built an impregnable fortress that was never vanquished, despite numerous attempts by Ottoman forces. It only fell into Ottoman hands in 1715, when the governor surrendered, an act of treachery that enraged La Serenissima so much that he was sentenced to life imprisonment on his return home.
Lastly, if you wish to indulge in a little island-hopping, frequent ferry services connect Tinos Town to Mykonos. Crossings take just 22-35mins, meaning that itâs perfectly viable to go for a daytrip.
Arrival details will be confirmed by The Thinking Traveller after your villa is confirmed.
The Thinking Traveller can organise transfers and car hire and an agent will be in touch with you once your villa is confirmed.
