Considering Naxos for your holiday this year? There are so many things to do and places to explore that you can never get bored for sure. Here is some systematized information to guide you in preparing your bucket list for the island.
Explore the Old Town of Naxos
The Old Town of Naxos is the neighborhood around the castle and the port. It is a network of small narrow alleys and steps which go up the hill with Kastro atop. Prepare more time for the stroll as the place would grab you more and more with each step. The neighborhood is pedestrian only and cars can be left at the free public parking nearby.
A notable part of the old town is the Old Market, also known as Naxos labyrinth and when you discover it, you`ll be fascinated to get lost in these tiny alleys between the houses. The old market is full of cozy restaurants and shops which get liveliest in the evenings.
Old Town of Naxos
The Old Town of Naxos is the area around the port, with numerous intersecting narrow alleys. Its charming atmosphere attracts visitors both day and night.
Kastro
The castle of Naxos, called Kastro, is practically part of the Old Town. It has preserved towers, gates and walls from the fortress built by Marco Sanudo. Unlike the Old Market area, there are not many shops and places to eat inside, expect for a cafe with panoramic view and a couple of tavernas. Kastro hosts two museums and a few old catholic churches.
Enjoy the view from Portara
Portara is one of the most significant landmarks of Naxos. The giant marble monument lies on a small islet next to the port of Naxos Town and you will see it as soon as you approach the island by ferry. The islet is connected to the port via footbridge and Portara is easily accessible both during the day and at night. Except for the panoramic view of the town and Kastro, the sunset is another reason to drop by here.
The name Portara comes from the Greek word "porta" which means "door, gate" because this is the only intact element from the ancient sanctuary of Apollo which once existed on the islet.
Explore the old inland villages
The inland villages differ from the seaside resorts of the island mostly with the calmness and the authentic spirit. Apeiranthos, the marble village of Naxos, is a must but don`t stick to it only. Get a car and inspect both the popular and unknown settlements to get an idea of how life on a Greek island looks like.
Apeiranthos
The so called "marble village" of the island is not very close to Naxos Town but the visit is worth the drive. Apeiranthos is famous for its marble-covered alleys on which you can have a walk while you explore the village, its small squares and the tower of Zevgolis on the top of it.
Chalkio
Chalkio distinguishes for its architecture which differs very much from the Cycladic one and rather looks like the Venetian. It has a small car-free center with a couple of nice cafes, shops and taverna. Here you can also see one of the preserved towers of Naxos- the Barozzi-Grazia tower.
Ano Sangri
Ano Sangri stays a bit away from the more popular villages of Naxos but it is close to the ancient temple of Demeter and to the Bazeos Tower. The village is small and quiet and you sometimes you may turn out to be the only visitors.
Filoti
Filoti is one of the largest and most populated inland villages of Naxos. It is surrounded by high hills with small white churches on the top.
Visit Kouros of Apollonas
Kouros of Apollonas is a giant male sculpture which lies in an ancient marble quarry above the village of Apollonas. The statue is not finished and according to reliable sources it was intended to be a statue of Dionysus. It is made of marble and really huge (over 10 meters high). There is no entrance fee and the statue is not fenced.
Join a boat cruise around the Small Cyclades
The tiny inhabited islands of Koufonisia, Iraklia and Schinoussa are known for the magnificent color of the sea around them - it is so blue that it looks almost unreal. Daily trips are organized in the summer from the port of Naxos Town and from Agia Anna.
Koufonisia
Pano Koufonisi is the smallest inhabited island of the Small Cyclades group, with soft sandy beaches and interesting coastline. You can visit it for a day via group or private boat cruises which usually combine it with the island of Iraklia and the uninhabited Kato Koufonisi.
Iraklia
One way to reach small Iraklia is via some of the boat cruises from Naxos Town or Agia Anna. There are also two ferry lines which connect Naxos with Amorgos and stop at Iraklia on the way. The island is small and has only two tiny settlements and isolated beaches.
Find the painted shark
The stone shark of Naxos is not a notable landmark of the island but both adults and kids find it amusing. It is a large piece of stone which someone has painted as a shark. You will find it between Agia Anna and Marangas, just follow the path which leads from the harbor to the small chapel.
Discover the historical towers
These towers look like mini castles and they are scattered all over the island, each with its own history. The biggest and most noticeable are:
* The Bazeos Tower near Ano Sangri, dating back to 17 century and open to visitors
* The Barozzi-Gratsia Tower in Chalkio
* The Markopolitis Tower in Kerameio (between Filoti and Chalkio)
* The Zevgoli Tower in Apeiranthos
* The Krispi Glezos tower in the Kastro of Chora
* The Belogna Tower near Galanado - private property, not open to public
* The Barozzi Tower in Filoti
Bazeos Tower
The Bazeos Tower is located near the village of Ano Sangri and it functions as museum. It is one of the best preserved towers of Naxos which is open to public.
Stop by Panagia Drosiani
Churches are something common for Naxos and the Greek islands in general. You will see hundreds of small white chapels but Panagia Drosiani is different. It is an Early Christian church made out of stone only, with frescos from 6th century. The church is inthe village of Moni, by the road to Chalkio.
Watch the sunset from Theologaki church
Theologaki Church is close to Chora, on the way to the monastery of Chrysostomus. Partially built in a rock, this small white church offers a gorgeous view of Naxos Town, Portara and the sunset.
Admire graffiti art at the abandoned hotel
A lonely unfinished building dominates over the peninsula of Aliko, surrounded by cedar trees and sand dunes. It was planned to be a hotel but for some reason it was never completed neither destroyed. The walls inside the building have stunning graffiti art. It is intriguing to see it if you spend some time at the beaches of Aliko.
Dive in history at the Temple of Demeter
The ruins of this ancient temple can be easily reached by car. It is in a valley near the village of Ano Sangri, with a small museum on site and entry fee of a few euro pp. The temple is not very big but may be of interest for those who like historical sites.
Find the cave of Panagia Spiliani
Panagia tis Spilianis, translated as Holy Mother of the cave, is a unique small church in a rock cave. It is not popular and away from the typical tourist routes. The church is close to the Bazeos Tower, reachable via short dirt road section.
Make a tour of Valindras Kitron Distillery
The oldest distillery for kitron on Naxos is located in Chalkio. Its building functions both as a museum and shop where you can buy kitron and learn interesting facts about the product and the production process.
Peek into the oldest monasteries of Naxos
The monastery of Fotodotis is located near the mountainous village of Danakos. The building looks like a real castle and dates back to 6 century. Just note that it is open to visitors only in certain hours, from 11 a.m. to early afternoon (Mondays excluded).
Another landmark of the island is the abandoned Jesuit monastery of Kalamitsia. The building is partially in ruins and thus not recommendable to walk in, although some of the premises are almost intact. The monastery lies near the village of Melanes, accessible via dirt road.
Dine in the Labyrinth
What could be the best finish of a day spent in search of landmarks and hidden corners around Naxos? The answer is: awesome food and awesome atmosphere. The labyrinth in the Old Town of Naxos offers both of them. Discover the small cozy restaurants in the tiny alleys, choose any of them for your dinner and enjoy your evening!