NAXOS

Naxos is the largest and greenest island in the Cyclades. Lounge on the white, sandy beaches, visit ancient temples, hike to the summit of Mount Zas, go windsurfing, and explore the charming villages…these all make the list of the best things to do in Naxos.

You can either fly direct, or fly or get a ferry from Athens. Naxos is such a beautiful island, it feels quiet, peaceful and uncrowded … just has a good soothing vibe about it. With its green rolling hills and mountains, Naxos looks and feels very different from the other islands in the Cyclades. The beaches are beautiful, walking the village trail and exploring old ruins can be fun and interesting, and the food is amazing.

Mid-April the island is just waking up from winter, so quiet, great time to go if you are looking for space, and nicer climate for hiking, some restaurants etc may not open but you can be sure you will still have plenty of choice for some amazing food and drinks.

Naxos is more mountainous than the other islands in the Cyclades. These mountains tend to trap the clouds, so the island gets more rainfall, and therefore it is greener and more fertile than nearby islands. It is criss-crossed with numerous hiking and walking trails so if walking and hiking are your thing, you will be in your element here. You can hike to the summit of Mount Zas, walk from village to village and explore other ruins and statues on the island. Naxos gets fewer tourists than the more popular destinations of Mykonos and Santorini so if you are looking for a chilled week away, Naxos would be an ideal destination for that.

CHORA, OR NAXOS CITY

Chora, also referred to as Naxos City, is the capital of Naxos. This is where the ferries dock and where most visitors stay while on the island. It is filled with great restaurants and small shops and makes a great hub for exploring the island.

The town is built on a hill. At the top of the hill is the Kastro, or castle. This medieval citadel was built by a Venetian Emperor in 1207 and was the seat of power in the Cyclades for 300 years. Located within the castle is the Archaeological Museum, a worthwhile visit for history buffs.

THE PORTARA – great at sunset

The Portara, also called the Temple of Apollo, is Naxos’ most famous landmark. It sits right beside Chora, the main city on Naxos, so if you are arriving by ferry, this will be the first thing you see.

The Portara is a large door, the entrance to an unfinished temple. It was constructed in 530 BC. There are two theories about why this temple was built; The Portara faces the island of Delos, so some people believe the temple was built to honor the god Apollo. Other scholars believe it was dedicated to Dionysus, who was worshipped on Naxos.

VISIT THE VILLAGES OF NAXOS

Dotting the hillsides and mountains of Naxos are small, quaint villages that are a joy to visit. You can drive from one to the other by car, or, if you want a more scenic experience, want the exercise and the scenary, you can walk the trails that connect these villages. On the list are Melanes, Ano Potamia, Myli, Kalamitsia, and more.

The walk from Melanes to Myli to the Kouroi of Flerio is a beautiful walk and easy to do, so it’s great for families and people of all ages. This walk takes about 2 to 3 hours and is done as a loop (it starts and ends at Melanes), so great for getting back to the car.

APIRANTHOS

Apiranthos, also called “Plenty of Flowers Village,” is one of the prettiest villages on the island. Wander the narrow marble-paved streets, see more Venetian architecture, and visit one of several small museums there.

MOUNT ZAS

Mount Zas, also called Mount Zeus, is the highest point in the Cyclades. According to Greek mythology, Zeus was raised in a cave on this mountain. You can hike to the summit of Mount Zas and explore the cave along the way. Once at the top you will have panoramic views over Naxos and also gives you the bragging rights to say you stood at the highest point in the Cyclades!

The only way to reach the summit of Mount Zas is on your own two feet. There are two routes to the top – The easiest route is from Aghia Marina. This hike is 7 km round trip with 300 meters of elevation gain. The second route starts at Aria Spring and goes past the Cave of Zeus before ending at the summit. It’s only 5 km round trip but is much steeper and more strenuous than the Aghia Marina route.

HIKE TO APANO KASTRO

Apano Kastro is the ruins of an ancient castle in Naxos. You can start your walk from the cute little village of Ano Potamia up to Apano Kastro. It is a beautiful walk with wonderful views across the interior of Naxos.

SPLURGE ON A ROOM WITH A VIEW

We don’t usually recommend restaurants or accommodation, it really is a personal thing with a lot of variables, but we felt this was something worth telling you about.

Naxos Rock Villas ….. Imagine touring the island by day and then lounging in your own infinity pool with one of the best views of Naxos in the evening. And you can get all of this for a fraction of the price you would pay on Mykonos or Santorini.

Have breakfast on the terrace, with views of Mount Zas, Naxos City, and the rolling hills of Naxos. In the evenings, hang out on the terrace, enjoying a wonderful glass of wine watching the sun go down and wondering what everyone else is doing 🙂 Naxos Rock Villas is located about 10 minutes from Naxos City, so tucked away but still really accessible.

THE TEMPLE OF DEMETER

This temple was built in the 6th century BC to honor Demeter, the goddess of grain and the harvest. In the 6th century AD, the temple was demolished and the marble was used to build a Christian basilica on the same site. Recently, German archaeologists restored the temple to its present form. The Temple of Demeter is located near the town of Sangri. From Naxos City it takes 30 minutes to drive here.

PANAGIA DROSIANI CHURCH

This is the oldest Christian church on Naxos and it dates back to the end of the 6th century AD. It’s free and quick to visit and worthwhile if you are road tripping around the island.

VALLINDRAS DISTILLERY

Citron is a liqueur distilled on Naxos from the leaves of the citron tree. Located in Chalki, it’s free to visit the distillery and do a tasting of Citron.

APOLLONAS

Apollonas is a fishing village on the northern coast of Naxos. It’s fun to explore, a great place to dine on fresh fish, and nearby is another Kouros (statue) to visit.

KOUROI OF FLERIO

In the 6th and 7th centuries BC, craftsman quarried rock on Naxos and used this rock to carve enormous statues. You can still see two of these statues, and the quarry, if you don’t mind doing a little walking.

You can drive to a point near the Kouros or include a visit here while walking the village trail.

GO TO THE BEACH

Take your pick from the white sandy beaches that line the coast of Naxos. Agios Prokopios, Plaka Beach, Mikri Vigla, and Agia Anna are some of the prettiest beaches on the island.

And, why not island hop?

• Paros – This takes around 40 mins to get to from Naxos, depending on conditions and timing. You can do it on a normal public ferry rather than by private tour in good conditions. Paros is more off the beaten path, and a bit more like Naxos (quiet and less touristy) than other islands around.
• Koufonisia – This takes just under 2 hours by private tour. Koufonisia is a small group of islands. You’re dropped on the island that’s inhabited, in a little fishing village. You get a whole day for relaxing and exploring.
• Santorini – It takes approx 1 hour 30 mins to get to Santorini from Naxos, and you should do it by private tour rather than public ferry, due to timing/conditions (you don’t want to get stranded!). It is a long day unless you stay overnight to make the most of it (then you could use the ferry) It’s more expensive and crowded than Naxos, but a great way to visit and see Santorini.
• Mykonos – This is a long day by private tour, and as above for Santorini, more people and more expensive, and probably worth overnighting due to the long day for a day tour. But, if it’s been on your bucket list, why not jump on the ferry and go and visit!

Source:
Thanks to earthtrekkers.com – we have borrowed some of their blog and added some of our own.

Happy travels 🙂