The Best of the Greek Islands: Naxos

Take the Naxos trip with us. Dare to discover a continuous surprise along its coastal landscapes and mountain villages. Roads leading to impressive sceneries, mysterious archaeological sites and some of the best beaches of Greece. This island can prove to be a terrific journey.

The Beaches of Naxos

When it comes to the delicious joys of seaside lifestyle, Naxos has an endless offer for you to choose from. Such an extended territory, it counts with a very long coastal area. Turquoise waters,soft sand and wild nature can easily recall some of the best places in the Caribbean. And yet, you're still in Greece.

Choose from tranquil sandy shores, ideal for families and kids, to secluded areas, romantic coves and even naturist corners. Solitary beaches as well as fashionable hangouts with tavernas and cafés, and ideal spots for snorkelling and diving.

Downtown Naxos, the Chora

Probably one of the most charming traditional cities in the Aegean, the old town of Naxos is locates on the coastal area facing the port. A maze made of narrow alleys, some of them covered, others with a dead-end; patios, balconies, stairs, and passages. An intricate array that clearly shows how the earlier inhabitants were determined to protect themselves. Inside the old town, neoclassical facades are decorated with fantasy and taste. All the streets lead to the doors of the Kastro of Sanoudo, a castle built around 1207 for protection purposes. This Venetian world can be accessed through the southern door or Paraporti; or the northern door, Trani Porta.

Mysterious sites

Naxos has always been of interest for archeologists, but also for people with an interest in history and culture. The island's extension, together with its central position in the Aegean and its rich soil have made it a self-sufficient territory thus allowing important developments since Ancient times. In fact, archaeological findings repeatedly prove the presence of an advanced society. Traces can be found in the Archeological Museum of the island, located in Chora, Naxos town, but also in some of the archaeological sites.

One of the earliest temples on Naxos is the Sanctuary of Demeter. It is a Late Archaic Greek temple located in Sangri, built around 530 b.C. I was completely made of local marble and it is still possible to percieve its characteristic square plant. In the same area, there is an museum which exhibits other objects found during the excavations, such as as sculptures, jewelry, vases and several rests of the temple itself.

Naxos is a land of mystery, one of the most famous ones are the ancient Kouroi, three statues that date back VIII to VI centuries b.C. A Kouros (pl. Kouroi) is a statue representing free-standing, ancient Greek, nude young male figures. The ones in Naxos are quite impressive due to their size, and remain an enigma since they had been abandoned incomplete and were later found in the same place where probably sculptors had been working in the past.