Naxos Island

Category related to Naxos, its culture, beaches, villages, sights and more

Naxos sunset behind trees and lakes

Exploring Naxos in a Day

A Guide for Families and Adults

Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades island group in the Aegean Sea, is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. With its rich historical background, stunning landscapes, and vibrant local culture, it’s an ideal destination for both families and adults looking to make the most of their day in this beautiful Greek island. Here’s how you can soak in the essence of Naxos, whether you’re traveling with kids or just adults.

Morning: Historical Beginnings and Scenic Views

 

For Families:


• Start at the Portara: Begin your day with a visit to the Portara, the iconic ancient marble gateway standing on the islet of Palatia. It’s a fantastic spot for family pictures with the backdrop of the Aegean Sea. The history behind this unfinished temple dedicated to Apollo will spark the curiosity of both kids and adults.

• Explore the Old Market: After soaking in the views at the Portara, head into the Old Market in Chora. It’s a maze of narrow streets filled with shops, where kids can look for souvenirs and parents can enjoy a cup of Greek coffee.

Apollos temple in naxos, front view with boat in the background

For Adults:


• Hiking to Mount Zeus: For those seeking adventure, start your day early with a hike to Mount Zeus. This trek offers breathtaking views and leads you to the highest point in the Cyclades. The summit is the perfect spot for capturing panoramic photos of the island.

Afternoon: Cultural Immersion

For Families:

• Naxos Castle: Spend your afternoon exploring the Naxos Castle (Kastro). This Venetian castle houses museums that are both educational and entertaining for children. Don’t miss the Archaeological Museum of Naxos located here.

• Puppet Show at the Castle: Check if there’s a puppet show happening in the castle grounds, a delightful experience for kids.

For Adults:

• Winery Tour: Visit a local winery in the afternoon. Naxos is known for its superb wines. A tour will not only offer insights into winemaking but also provide an opportunity to taste some unique local varieties.

Evening: Sunset and Traditional Greek Night

For Both Families and Adults:

• Sunset at the Temple of Demeter: Around sunset, make your way to the Temple of Demeter. This 6th-century temple offers a peaceful atmosphere and stunning views of the sun setting over the hills.

• Greek Night in Chora: End your day with a traditional Greek night in Chora. Whether you’re with family or adults-only, the experience of Greek music, dance, and cuisine under the stars is not to be missed.

Remember, Naxos is an island that caters to all tastes, offering a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you’re a family seeking fun and

educational experiences or adults looking for adventure and relaxation, Naxos in a day can be a memory to cherish for a lifetime.

palm trees in front of Naxos island beach

”If paradise was on Earth, it would be here,” wrote Nikos Kazantzakis, Greece’s foremost 20th century writer, about the short spell he spent as a teenager in Naxos’s fertile valley of Eggares.

The nature of Naxos talks to the heart of every artist with its authenticity, richness and simplicity. The island is marked by great variety:

  • Mountains with ravines, caves and gullies shade verdant valleys with olive, fig, orange, lemon trees and vineyards, abundant waters.
  • The valleys end at smooth, sandy beaches adorned with juniper and tamarisk trees; villages are surrounded by fields and vegetable gardens; migratory birds find refuge on trees, while wild pigeons and swifts in the inaccessible coastal rocks.
  • Protected biotopes with rare fauna and flora complete the mosaic of an island that offers the visitor all the lavish gifts of nature.
  • But the seabed around Naxos also offers another, exciting world, with marine ecosystems of astounding beauty, huge variety, reefs and rocks full of life, meadows of Posidonia oceanica with colorful plates and reefs.

Just pick your route, either on or off shore, and abandon yourself to the magic of Naxos’s nature. The thrill is there throughout the year.

Geomorphology

Naxos has an area of 430sq.km and a coastline of 148km. It is a mostly mountainous island, with a widely alternating landscape (mountaintops, torrents, gorges and caves, predominantly encountered in the northwestern, northeastern and southeastern sections of the island). The flat areas (basins, plateaus, valleys) are found in the central and southwestern parts. The greatest part of the island’s coastline is laced by pretty beaches, while almost the entire western coast is an endless string of long, sandy beaches. Naxos’s geological structure mainly consists of stone transformed into marble, emery, slate e.t.c.. The western section is dominated by granite, to which the beaches owe their formation. The significant alternations in geomorphology and the climatic conditions of the hinterland make Naxos a unique island which combines the rarity of the Cycladic landscape with the beauty of mainland Greece.

Biotopes – wetlands

Starting from the sea zone and the coastline, then crossing the lowland areas and ending on the hills and uplands, a visitor comes across a spate of natural habitats unlikely to be found in on any other Cycladic island.

  • The open sea and the coastal zone
  • The steep, rocky coastline – particularly on the eastern side.
  • The sandy and pebbly beaches and the sand dunes with juniper trees in southwestern Naxos.
  • The coastal, seasonal wetlands, such as the lagoon of Alyki

Mount Zas and its cave

The summit of Mount Zas, which rises southeast of the village of Filoti, is the highest peak in the entire Cyclades region, with an elevation of 1,003m. According to mythology, god Zeus spent his childhood years here and an eagle was said to have offered him the thunderbolt at the top of this mountain which subsequently helped him reign supreme on Mountain Olympus. Besides its mythological interest, Mount Zas is endowed with wonderful natural beauty -a great place for trekking through old and very scenic routes.

Routsouna waterfall

Two important streams that start from the massifs of Koronos and Fanari run north and south of Keramoti respectively.

The two rivers converge at the western end of Keramoti, at a point named Dipotamata. Continuing its flow through rocks and rich vegetation, the stream unites with a creek running from Kanafa to create the Routsouna waterfall, a spectacular 20m drop. A plane tree is rooted at its base, while a lake of considerable depth offers a delightful swimming basin for Keramoti’s youngsters during the summer months. From here, the water continues its flow all the way to the fields at Eggares and irrigates the area before reaching the sea, at Ammitis beach.

The area’s water, which maintains its flow even during the summer months, creates an enchanting verdant locale that differs greatly from standard Cycladic settings. A uniquely beautiful path, starting near the old bridge of Keramoti, leads to the waterfall.

Naxos marble

Naxos’s white marble has been one of the island’s most important natural resources since antiquity. It is mostly found on the western section of the island and its quality rivaled the marbles of any other origin.

Quarries are seen in various locations – the most important being the one near the village of Kynidaros, which has an imposing presence and makes for a lunar landscape that extends from the mountain side to the main road. Marble in antiquity was the exclusive material used in sculpture and its significance is shown by the island’s ancient quarries (Flerio, Melanes, Apollonas). Splendid examples of the use of marble were the ancient sanctuaries of the Temple of Apollo, of Gyroulas at Sagri and of Dionysus at Yria. The fact that the first marble statue of a large size was sculpted on Naxos in 660 BC (Kouros) signifies the importance of the art of marble sculpture on the island, which is retained to this day. Examples of this art can be admired on various buildings dispersed throughout the island, both ancient and modern.

Emery

Emery, a very hard type of rock with important industrial uses as an abrasive and burnishing agent, is found in abundance on the slopes of Mt. Amomaxis of Naxos, between the villages of Koronos and Apiranthos.

It is dark gray or black in color and the superior quality of Naxos emery (smirigli in the local dialect) has been known since antiquity. Virtually the sum of emery deposits that can be mined in Greece are found on the island. The mining of emery was a hazardous occupation but also a significant factor in the survival of the inhabitants of the villages in the Naxos uplands.

Naxos town view from above

The biggest Cycladic island has something for everyone. Whether you’re a beach lover, a food addict or you’re a culture enthusiast, Naxos has you covered. You know you’ve arrived when you see the popular and iconic Portara, the remains of an ancient temple, which lies on Palatia island overlooking the sea. It’s a beautiful place and becomes even more magical during sunset.

The beaches

Naxos has amazing beaches with crystal clear waters! Plaka and Mikri Vigla should be on your list; golden sand and good vibes. Agios Prokopios is also worth a visit, but be prepared for a possible smell, coming from the salt evaporation ponds.

If you prefer something ‘wilder’ and a more imposing scenery, then head to Hawaii beach. Access can be a bit tough but the scenery is breathtaking!

There are also numerous beaches near Apiranthos, which you can explore. One of them is Psilli Ammos.

You now know a few things about us and you can ask for more, for sure, so you could freely decide whether you want to stay with us and be friends or not, without any offense of course

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Gastronomic adventures

Naxos is a blood relative to good food. It’s known for its popular potatoes and delicious cheese. One of the best places to eat at is ‘Axiotissa’ but you have to make reservations in advance. It’s a tavern in high demand and for a good reason; its food is mouthwatering! It has the best potatoes (chips), amazing meat options and tasty starters.

One more top restaurant that you need to visit is ‘Nissaki’. Make sure to order octopus salad and pasta.

For delicious fish bites go to ‘Meze2’ in Chora (the main town). Locals will suggest ordering the little fish called ‘gouna’. Listentothem!

Overall, Naxos offers excellent honey, citrus, and cheese. You must try the local graviera with truffle. Heaven!

The ones with the sweet tooth will find their own paradise in Waffle House; delicious ice cream and waffles.

And the night goes on in Naxos. For drinks, I strongly recommend bar 52 and Swing. Nevertheless, there are many bars around Chora, I am sure you will find the one you love.

Picturesque Villages

Chalki and Apiranthos (or Aperathos) are two more reasons why you will fall deeply in love with Naxos. Cute villages, with narrow cobblestone streets and lovely corners.

Chalki is known for its delicious ‘galaktoboureko’ and ‘keftedes’ (meatballs). Apiranthos is the jewel of Naxos. It manages to keep its authenticity, whilst its architecture and stone-built houses will open the door to the old times. Don’t miss having coffee or food at one of the cafes that overlooks the green valley.

Lastly, one morning and before you head to the beach, enjoy a coffee under the big plane tree of Damarionas village.

Archaeological interest

If you are a traveler with culture interests, then I am sure you will find the list below useful:

  1. The aforementioned Portara, which is the remains from Apollon’s Temple
  2. Dimitra’s Temple in Sangri is of importance, as it offers useful details on various temples’ architecture
  3. Kouros and Kori Melanon
  4. Kouros of Apollon
  5. Archaeological Museum of Apiranthos
  6. Venetial Museum of Naxos

Naxos can be very expensive during high season and in case you want to take your car to Chora, you will need at least 30 minutes to find a parking spot.

But this Cycladic island is so enchanting, it will really steal your heart. I have already visited three times and why not, once more?