Naxos

Naxos is the largest and most fertile island of the Cyclades. It is know as the "Lady of the Cyclades", a well-suited name due to its particular beauty with the whitewashed houses and the venetian residues.  Naxos is one of the islands of Cyclades with the cosmopolitan aura of a modern tourist resort while at the same time maintaining its traditional spirit, color and folk culture. The island of Naxos has to offer you a unique combination of stunning natural scenery, unique attractions, hospitable people and, of course, delicious food.

Naxos is an island with a long history, whose role has been decisive in the configuration of the Cycladic and also of the wider Greek culture. Excavations reveal evidence of habitation on the island from around 200 thousand years ago. The island has been conquered by various ethnicities and has taken different influences over the centuries. During the Byzantine period a lot of castles were built on Naxos. Later on and during the Venetian rule, Marco Sanudo founded the Duchy of the Aegean Sea, with his seat being in Naxos. At that time, towers were built on the island, which served either as summer houses, or for protection. Then the island passed into Turkish rule, which ends in 1829 when Naxos became part of the state of Greece.

In Naxos town you will find many of the main monuments of the island, such as the Portara, the huge gate at the entrance of the harbour with the ruins of the archaic temple of Apollo, the archaeological site of Grotta, which includes the ruins of a mycenaean settlement, as well as the Venetian Castle on the hill of Chora, along with the old venetian church. There are also interesting museums on the island such as the Archaeological Museum of Naxos, the Geological, the Folklore and the Natural History Museum of Apeiranthos. Apeiranthos village itself, with its separate idiom, the marble streets and stone houses, is a jewel of the mountainous traditional Naxos, as it keeps intact its architecture from the time of the Venetian rule. Lastly, the gigantic Kouros statues are one of the most popular attractions. They are colossal, half-finished statues of men-kouros located in the countryside, between Melanes and Apollonas.

Naxos has a really long coastline full of beaches for every taste, from secluded and quiet to crowded and cosmopolitan beaches. There are endless golden sandy beaches with cedar trees and turquoise waters to explore, and many of the beaches are located next to ancient monuments, near important wetlands, medieval castles or byzantine churches. Amongst the most known beaches are the beaches of Agios Georgios and Agios Prokopios. The first one has shallow waters and is sheltered from the winds, while the second one has coarse sand and crystal clear waters. Both are organized with a variety of shops, and have facilities for water sports. The beach of Mikri Vigla is essentially two beautiful sandy beaches, the Mikri Vigla beach and the Parthenos beach, separated by the Mikri Vigla outcrop. It is a well known beach and is particularly choosen by the lovers of windsurf and kite surf; it also features a few taverns.

The island of Naxos could be described as a culinary destination, as some of the most famous products of Greece are produced here. The most famous amongst them is the Graviera of Naxos. The cheese-making tradition of the island doesn't stop there though, as it also includes the production of the wonderful kefalotiri cheese,so-called Arseniko cheese, the sweet mizithra and the ladotiro, which is Arseniko cheese placed in olive oil for more than 3 months. Famous are also the potatoes of the island, due to the clay soil of Naxos that is rich in potassium. Moreover, give a try at the local sweets from citrus fruits. Lastly, the local spirit made from citrus, the local raki and the wines of Naxos complete the culinary tradition of the island.

Naxos has a very lively night life with many entertainment and dining options. In Naxos town, where beats the heart of the island, you will find restaurants where you can taste local delicacies. There are also a lot of clubs and bars, and live music venues where you can dance and party until the morning. In Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna there are cafes and bars for all tastes. Apollonas, on the other hand, is known for its picturesque port with the taverns and the ouzo bars serving fresh seafood, as well as for the cafes by the beach overlooking the colorful boats of the port.

You can arrive in Naxos either by boat, as there is a connection with the port of Piraeus and other ports of the Cyclades islands, or by airplane, as there is also an airport on the island. For your transportation in Naxos you can use the regular bus routes operating on a daily basis for the majority of the villages. Moreover, you can move around using the taxis of the island or rent a car from the several rent-a-car companies of Naxos. The local telephone prefix of Naxos is (+30) 22850.