About the island

The biggest island in the Cyclades is also a majestic island.  Everything here looms large: from the Naxos landmark, the gigantic gate of Portara, to the colossal ‘dormant’ mens’ statues in Apollonas and Melanes, and from the imposing mountains of the inland to the longest accessible coastline in Cyclades with the endless golden beaches.
There’s another contrast to the other islands of the complex though: Naxos is fertile, in many places verdant, generously blessed by nature with numerous crops and good stock farming.  Tasty cheese and potatoes, fine wine and the famous citrus liqueur, honey from fragrant thyme, excellent milk and meat, and so many other products that have always offered precious self-sufficiency to the island.

The rich Naxian landscape is a harmonic relief of grand mountains that are divided by deep ravines and embracing green plateaus, to end up in the low lands and then the sea.  The coastline is laced with a sequence of wonderful long strands with white sand and crystal azure waters, idyllic coves and romantic little beaches, while white traditional villages, churches and derelict towers add a unique Cycladic color to this extraordinary canvas.  That same color that tinges Chora, the capital, crowned by the remains of the Venetian castle, which stands surrounded by an amazing castle-town and the maze of the picturesque island quarters.

But Naxos is also rich in historical and folkloric tradition.  With a continuous habitation from the late 4th millennium B.C. to the present, its history is marked on great monuments scattered around the island, others Cycladic and Archaic, others from the Byzantine, the Medieval, the Venetian and the Ottoman periods.  And despite the fact that it is rapidly evolving into a modern tourist destination with good infrastructure, Naxos retains its folkloric culture and traditional character intact.
An ideal holiday island that offers pleasures for every taste, from authentic beauty and tranquility, to cosmopolitan aura and vivid nightlife.
 

Beaches

Agios Prokopios
10 km south of Chora, one of the best beaches not only in Greece, but Europe as well (steadily included in the ‘top beaches’ lists of the most reliable travel guides), spreads its length of almost 2 kilometers.  Golden granulated sand, crystal aqua waters, dunes and a picturesque little church on one side compose a magnificent landscape, ideal for relaxation under the sun.
The beach, in the western part of the island, is protected from the winds and well-organized.  It offers a variety of water sports (a diving school also operates here), while in the small settlement behind the dunes there are a number of cafés and eateries.
 
Αgia Anna
As the natural continuation of Agios Prokopios, another of the island’s famous beaches will enchant you with the sugary sand, the clear blue waters and the rare cedars that offer precious shade to the swimmers.  The beauty of the Cycladic landscape is complemented by a small fishing harbour on one side, where you’ll be able to find fresh fish, and the promontory with the white little church of Agios Nikolaos embraced by cedars.
The beach is well-organized, offering a variety of choices for water sports, food and fun at the beach bars.
 
Plaka
Third in line after Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna, this is one of the longest and most beautiful beaches of Naxos.  With its fine white sand, the azure waters and dunes, Plaka is popular enough to be considered a second Chora by the sea (it is located 6 km from the port). It has is a wide range of restaurants and bars, as well as water sports and beach facilities.
 
Agios Georgios
An often crowded beach, since it is only 3 minutes away from Chora.  Protected from the winds and with shallow safe waters, it’s organized and ideal for families, offering various water activities, bars and eateries for every taste.
 
Orkos
To the south of Plaka, Orkos’s lovely scenery of idyllic coves will please nature lovers and those who seek isolation.  Turquoise transparent waters, white sand, tranquility and a panoramic view to the island’s southeast side compose a unique landscape, away from the hectic and crowded beaches.  There also excellent wind conditions for windsurfing, so the beach is very popular among the fans.
 
Mikri Vigla
It consists of two lovely golden beaches, Parthenos and Sahara, divided by a rocky foreland. Thanks to their position, the first is often exposed to strong winds, which makes it a real paradise for wind- and kite surfers, while the second is protected and offers excellent conditions for swimming and relaxing.
 
Pyrgaki
Backed by a peaceful background of cedars this beautiful long beach with the golden sands is a small heaven for the romantic ones. Sunsets here are just stunning.
 
Psili Ammos
Located in eastern Naxos, its name in Greek means ‘fine sand’. This, along with the azure waters and the tall, shady cedars in the dunes give the beach an almost ‘tropical ‘feel.  It is a unique and tranquil scenery, offering a counterpoint to the crowds of the busy beaches.
 
Kastraki
With a length of almost 3 kilometers, it is the longest beach in Naxos, a lace of fine white sandy stretches, interrupted here and there by small rocks and fringed by cedars and dunes.  It is a peaceful beach, ideal for long walks, and in its small taverns you’ll be able to enjoy your meal right next to the water.
 
Abram
An idyllic isolated cove in the northwest side, with pebbles and friendly deep blue waters, backed by trees and running streams.  The lovely scenery includes a taverna with a splendid sea view.
 
Lionas
This picturesque cove in the northeast part hosts a small settlement with little traditional fish tavernas.  The colourful pebbles and the deep crystal waters, often rough by the strong winds that dominate the beach, combined with the rocky surroundings, compose a landscape of wild and authentic beauty.
 

Worth Seeing

PORTARA
It is the landmark of Naxos and the very first thing to draw the eye when entering the port by boat.  This giant portal dominating the islet Palatia –today unified with the town– is built of 4 huge marble stones, each more than 6m long and 20 tons heavy, consisting whatever is left from the ancient temple of Apollo of the 6th century B.C., which was never completed.
 
THE NAXOS TOWN CASTLE
An imposing monument on the hill that used to serve as a natural citadel of Chora (Naxos Town) and is linked to the 3 century-long Venetian rule on the island.  It has been continuously habited ever since the 13th century to the present and is among the few preserved castles in Greece with an unfailing human presence through the centuries. Enter this medieval town by its impressing surrounding walls and you’ll enter the atmosphere of another era. Narrow streets, Venetian mansions marked by their coats of arms, churches and island houses with lovely yards, arches and vaults, along with the various museums, like the Byzantine and the Archaeological one, compose a stunning castle-town where time looks like standing still.
 
KOUROS STATUES AT MELANES (FLERIO) AND APOLLONAS
The ancient quarry of Naxos is found by the picturesque fishing village of Apollonas.  You will admire a gigantic, almost 10m long, male statue (Kouros), one of the most significant archaeological finds not only in Naxos but in Greece too. The impressive statue is half-finished, lying on the ground, possibly on the spot where its shaping had begun during the 7th or 6th century B.C.  It is assumed it represents either god Dionyssus or god Apollo.
Another famous Kouros dating back to the 7th or 6th century B.C. is also half-finished and lying on the ground at Flerio, near the village of Melanes.  Colossal as well, about 6,5m long, it depicts a naked youth.
 
CHURCH OF PANAGHIA DROSSIANI
This little church near the village of Moni consists one of the oldest Greek Christian temples and a most important monument of the Byzantine history.  The oldest of its rare frescoes date back to the 7th century A.D.
 
PYRGOS CHIMARROU (CHIMARROS’TOWER)
Among the island’s great monuments, this well-preserved edifice is towering almost 15m above the ground on a strategic hillside of the southeast part, between Mt. Za and the sea.  Of round structure and made of local marble, it dates back to the 3th or 4th century A.D. serving most likely defensive purposes.
 
TEMPLE OF DEMETER - SAGRI
The temple, of the 6th century B.C., is considered in architectural terms – along with the sanctuary at Iria – a precursor of the Pathenon.  Devoted to Demeter, goddess of earth and fertility, the temple, a supreme specimen of the Ionic order, was made entirely of white marble (including the roof).  Today it is partially restored and hosts a museum exhibition.
 
DIONYSSUS’S SANCTUARY -  IRIA
Devoted to the god of affluence and feasting, Dionyssus, the sanctuary at Iria, south of Chora, was the official religious core of the ancient urban center of Naxos.  It is a group consisting of 4 separate temples, found in overlapping earth layers, and was built during the 6th century B.C., an excellent specimen of the Ionic order. Today you can easier access the ruins via the village of Glinado.
 
PLATEAU OF TRAGEA
In the center of the island, the large area of Tragea has always been the most fertile part of Naxos, overgrown with olive- and fruit trees.  Here is where the famous Naxian Citrus is produced, which makes excellent liqueur and spoon desserts.  Thanks to the numerous churches that are scattered throughout the plateau, Tragea is also known as the ‘island Byzantine Mystras’.  The largest village, Chalki, enchants visitors with its beautiful mansions, the lovely yards and fragrant gardens, plane trees and running waters.
 
TRADITIONAL VILLAGES OF APIRANTHOS AND KORONOS
Apiranthos, in the mountains of eastern Naxos, is one of the most picturesque traditional settlements in Greece, retaining its authentic character intact thanks to its unique architectural style.  Also known as the ‘marble village’, since marble is everywhere to be found, it is amphitheatrically built around two towers of the 17th century, once belonging to French landowners.
Koronos, in the mountainous part of the North, is one of the oldest and largest villages of the island, built on the two facing slopes of a green ravine.  Its exceptional street plan and traditional architecture remind the beauty of the mountainous settlements of Northern Greece, combined with a distinct Cycladic character, evident in the white houses and narrow streets.

Useful Tips

GET TO NAXOS ISLAND
By air
From Athens International Airport (El. Venizelos)
www.olympicair.com

By ship
From Piraeus Port 
www.bluestarferries.gr
www.hellenicseaways.gr

USEFUL PHONES
Port Authorities of Piraeus +30.210 4226000-4, +30.210 4511310-17
Port Authorities of Naxos +30.22850-22300
Airport Authorities of Naxos +30.22850-23292
Travel Agencies  +30.22850-23330 , 24000 , 22302 , 24581 , 23830
Police Station +30.22850-22100
Bus Station +30.22850-22291
Taxi 22850 : +30.22850-22444,24331
Health Center : +30.22850-23333