Naxos
Naxos is the largest of the Cycladic islands with high mountains, fertile valleys, sandy beaches and charming villages. Naxos or “Chora” is the capital and the port of the island, one of the most beautiful towns of the cycladic islands. Among its many landmarks are the imposing Portara on Palatia islet, the Castle and the famous Kouros. Don’t miss to visit the Archaeological Museum. Naxos has a typical Mediterranean weather with summers that are hot and dry, while winters are mild and wet. Its famous locally produced products are a various kinds of cheeses like xynotiro, kefalotiri and athotiro, Citron liqueur and Honey. It’s picturesque villages and beautiful beaches are worth a visit. In the summer there are also one-day excursions to the smaller islands, Koufonisia, Irakleia and Donousa, of the Eastern Cyclades.

Chora
Is the islands port and capital, a typical Cycladic town with narrow streets and classical cycladic cubed houses. Chora is built on a hillside to the northwest side of the island. It looks impressive with its Venetian castle at the upper part of the town, the most romantic location from where to enjoy the sunset. Interesting monuments are to be found all over the town like Byzantine churches, the castle itself and traces of Mycenaean building, as well as the Archaeological museum with Mycenaean pottery and Cycladic figurines and Portara a huge portal of the unfinished temple of Apollo, which you should visit. The Chora of Naxos is a very lively town. Most of the people walk up and down the waterfront where numerous bars, discos, cafι, taverns, restaurants, souvenir shops and boutiques are concentrated.

Villages
Apiranthos:
Apiranthos is 27 Kilometres from Naxos town and one of the most beautiful village of Naxos island situated on Zas Mountain. Panagia Apeiranthitissa, at Apiranthos, is one of the oldest and remarkable churches with some excellent post Byzantine icons.

Apollon:
A fishing village situated on a bay sheltered by high mountains, at the north of the island. Its tourist development was due to the famous kouros and the crystal clear water of the beach carrying the same name.

Filoti:
Filoti is build at the lower slops of Za Mountain. The plane-tree (Platanos) in the village’s central square is an ideal spot for the visitor to enjoy a cup of coffee or a traditional Greek meal at the taverns around the square. The village church dated 1801, Our Lady Filotissa, is one of the island's finest.

Archaeological Museum
Includes exhibits from the early Cycladic period, containing marble vessels, fine decorated earthenware pots, tools made of wood, stone and copper and Cycladic statues famous for their simplicity of expression. The Mycenaean collection with exhibits mainly from the excavations at Grotta, such as pots of differing shapes, funeral gifts made of gold, cameos and assorted small ornaments and exhibits from the Geometric, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman period.

Portara
Portara is the entrance to the uncompleted Temple of Apollo. Portara is of 6 meters height and 3,5 meters width and It is built on Palatia islet. Archaeologists believe that the building of the temple had stop when war broke out between Naxos and Samos and thereafter it remained unfinished.

Kouros
Apollon and Melanes Kouroi are unique monuments to the history of ancient Greek sculpture. These statues represent the gods in an anthropomorphic form but also much taller from a tall man. The Kouros of Apollonas has a length of 10 meters and is located to the old settlement Apollonas. The Kouros of Melanes measuring 6,40 meters, also known as “Ellinas” can be seen at Flerio, where there is an ancient stone quarry.

Castle of Naxos
The Castle of Naxos and the border tower (Tower of Glezos) protecting the fortress are situated at Chora. The Glezos tower has four levels and it is the only tower in Naxos that has a round tower attached to it. The Venetian Markos II Sanoudow built the fortress of Chora in Naxos with circuit towers, one of which, the Glezos tower is still preserved. The tower has been given to the Archaeological service, which plans to use it as a museum.

Beaches
Agios Prokopios:
It stretches for many kilometres along the southwest coast of Naxos and is considered to be one of the most beautiful of the island. The water is crystal clear and the sand is gold and due to its position protected from the north winds. Bars and restaurants are available just by the seashore.

Agia Anna:
Another long and golden sandy beach actually to the right of Agios Prokopios beach with the same characteristics.

Plaka:
The continuation of the Agia Anna and Agios Prokopios beaches. Plaka is famous for its white sand. On the seashore there are many taverns with exceptional food

Apollon:
A small sandy bay in the village and a wide pebble beach near by. Coffee shops, taverns, snack bars, “ouzeri” and souvenir shops are available in a walk distance from the beach. Apollon village main attraction is the crystal clear waters and the kouros.

Shopping
In the Chora of Naxos there is a variety of shops, from souvenirs and traditional local products to top designer labels clothes, leather goods and jewellery. A few suggested local products for purchase are Citron liquor, Honey and the various kinds of cheeses (xynotiro, kefalotiri and athotiro).

How to get there

• By air: from the Eleutherios Venizelos airport of Athens
• By ferry: from Piraeus and from Rafina port