Naxos - Things to do and places to see

Things to do and places to see in Naxos

The main town on the island of Naxos is called "Chora" (pronounced "Hora").

Generally speaking, everything in Chora Naxos is within walking distance. You can walk from one side of the town to the other within 30min, and as such you can go around on foot very easily. However, that does not mean that it is not tiring to walk around. There is a lot to see and so many things different from many other places in Europe, that you will often find yourself wondering around without heading directly for a specific place.

 

 

 

Below there is a list of some things and places that we feel you should try or see. Enjoy.....

Things to see in Chora Naxos

 

Portara

This is the "trademark" of Naxos, if you will. It has many names. Some of them are: Portara, Palatia, Temple of Apollo, Church of Ariadne. It's been there for thousands of years and still stands there, showing the glory of ancient Greece.

 

 

Venetian Castle

The Venetian castle still remains one of the biggest "live" parts of the history of Naxos and Chora Naxos in particular. There are still people living in the Castle area. One of the most well known families still living there is the one of Dellarokas.

 

 

Museum

The museum of Chora Naxos is at the heart of the Castle. It has a big number of artefacts from various periods of the history of Naxos. You will be able to see samples of ancient local art and the influences coming from other civilizations. In order to go to the museum, get into the old town of Chora and you will see little signs every now and then pointing you to the museum. Alternatively, just ask one of the locals there. 

 

 

The Old Town/Market

The old town of Chora Naxos hides a lot of the secrets of the old Naxos. The old style houses, the little shops, the small tavernas and old style bakeries show the beauty and friendliness of the old town and its people. It is highly suggested that you go for a walk there.

 

 

Church of Panagia Mirtidiotisa

Just near the port, you will see a small church in the sea, isolated from the main town yet just a few meters away from land. 

 

 

Naxos Eye

The famous Naxos' Eye is a special stone that can only been found on the island of Naxos. Created by the combination of the Greek sea, sun and other climatic conditions Naxos Eye remains one of the trademarks of Naxos. You can find it on jewels sold at jewellery shops on the island. 

 

Outdoor Cinema

There is an outdoor cinema at the area of Agios Georgios in Chora Naxos. If you feel like spending a quiet relaxing night watching a movie, it might be what you are looking for. There is usually two "sessions" each night, and the movies change about once every 2 days. In other words, the same movie plays for two days. That should give you a chance to see the movie you might wanted to see.

 

 

Summer Activities

During the summer, there is a variety of social activities, from regular musical festivals and theatre to weaving exhibitions and sport contests. The town's social activities council usually posts a list of the activities (with dates and times) at main points in town. Keep an eye on the posters around while walking. Sometimes the local government also publishes a list of summer exhibitions and events.

Sports-wise there there's various options there too. For example the sports below are some of the things you can find on the island.

1. Gyms (eg. Naxos island gym)
2. Hiking
3. Kitesurfing
4. Windsurfing (the current world champion is from Naxos and lives on the island)
5. Horseback Riding
6. Mountain Biking
7. Scuba Diving
8. Tennis
9. Watersports

 

 

Food to try

Souvlaki, with pita

It's essentially similar to what many know as Kebab, typically made with pork or chicken skewers, placed in greek pita bread along with tzatziki (garlic, cucumber,yogurt sauce), tomatoes, onions and fries. Some souvlaki places replace these with lettuce, mayo+mustard sauce and friends when chicken skewers are used.

There is also Gyros (pronounced "Yeeros") which is eiher pork or chicken (usually more fatty compared to the skewer version) that is roasted on a vertical spit and cut as it turns around and cooks.

 

Naxos potatoes

Potatoes from Naxos are well known for their already-savoury flavour and regularly win global awards for quality and taste.

 

 

Citro (local alcoholic liqueur)

Citron is a liqueur type of drink, typically found in 3 flavours (and colours). It is made using the leaves of citron tree, while also jams are made using the fruit of the same tree.

 

 

Local Cheeses

Naxos has a long history and tradition in cheese making and dairy products in general. From Gruyere cheese to fresh milk, Naxos has a great variety of quality dairy and cheese products.

 

 

 

Things to see in Villages, outside Chora Naxos:

 

Temple of Goddess Dimitra (village of Saggri)

An ancient temple of Goddess Dimitra was found and "refurbished" relatively recently. This is a site worth visiting. However, bare in mind that it's not very easy to go there and that you will need either a car or a motorbike.

 

Towers: (Himmaros Tower , Agia Tower, Glazos Tower, etc)

There are many towers on the island in places such as Chora Naxos, Halki, Galanado, Saggri, and areas near the village of Filoti and Melanes. eg. Bazeos tower below.

 

Kouros (in the villages of Melanes and Apollon)

"Kouros" is a statue of a man and is representative of the old Cycladic Art. There are 2 huge Kouros statues on the island. One in Melanes, and the other (and biggest one) in the village of Apollon.

 

Churches

Naxos has a lot of VERY old churches, some of which are thousands years old. If you are into this sort of thing, there is a lot for you to see on the island.

 

 

Beaches

There are many wonderful beaches on Naxos. Everywhere around the island you will find great spots for swimming, relaxing, wind-surfing, or anything else you can imagine. It's plainly...wonderful! Just explore....

Some popular beaches....

Agios Georgios (aka St. George)

This is located in Chora, easily accessible. It is long, sandy, with lots of bars and restaurants at one end and this is by far the best beach for families with small children. The shallow waters perfect for little kids who love to run around freely. When it's windy though expect some waves.

 

Agios Prokopios

One of the best beaches of the island and one of the best place to swim when windy, because the beach is protected by land from the northern winds. As such, when it's quite windy, usually the waters at Agios Prokopios are still calm. The beach is not sandy but comprises ot tiny little stones, but they are so small they all almost like sand. Lots of bars and restaurants in the area too.

 

Agia Anna

Agia Anna is essentially a continuation of Agios Prokopios, just further down the road. Same kind of waters, and again with a few cafes, bars and restaurants around.

 

Plaka

Plaka is, once more, a continuation of the Agia Anna beach. It is more quiet, the area is less developed and the road is no longer an asphalt one there. There are still some cafes, bars and restaurants around but overall it's a lot quieter compared to Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna.

 

 

 

Day Trips and Island hopping

Naxos is well placed to function as a base for daily trips to nearby islands, both big and small. From Naxos you can easily arrange day trips to Paros, Santorini, Ios, Mykonos at a local travel agency as well as smaller islands like Iraklia, Schinoussa, Koufonissia and Donoussa. In fact the complex of small islands around Naxos is called Mikres Cyclades (ie. small cyclades). The local government has published relevant maps and guides both for Naxos as well as Small Cyclades islands.

 

 

General Tips:

 

1. The best way to explore Naxos is probably by motorbike if you intend to go mostly to beaches or areas near the sea, or by car if you want to see the mainland, villages and mountains more. 
2. The scenery on Naxos can differ greatly. Ask the locals for villages or places worth going, depending on your preferences.
3. There are some interesting caves (as well as emery extraction caves) and sources to visit on the mountains, near the village of Koronos.
4. The view from Naxos is marvellous. On clear sunny days you will be able to see other islands from there, such as Paros, Donousa, etc
5. If you are into windsurfing and you have chosen Naxos as your vacation spot you will find windsurfing facilities, rentals, etc. in Agios Georgios, Plaka, Mikri Vigla and Agia Anna.
6. If you love the outdoors, there are some Camping places on the island, typically in Agia Anna / Plaka area.
7. Beware of the restaurants that say that serve Greek food. Often restaurants serve food that has been modified to accommodate the taste of tourists. One thing however that is definitely Greek and you should try is Souvlaki! (yum!)
8. Definitely try the local liqueur of Citro, made out of citrus leaves. It comes in three different colours: white, green and orange.
9. Local buses connect the main villages and some beaches of the island. Check the bus schedules to plan your trip there but note that bus public transport is not great when it comes to the mainland villages, whereas for seaside ones there's regular buses.

 

Other Naxos Experiences - Beyond the Beaches

While Naxos is famed for its stunning beaches, the island offers a wealth of authentic cultural and culinary experiences that delve deeper into its rich heritage and vibrant local life. Discover Naxos beyond the sun and sand.

1. Naxian Culinary Journeys

Naxos is an agricultural powerhouse, renowned for its produce, cheeses, and unique spirits.

• Cooking Classes: Immerse yourself in the flavors of Naxos by learning to prepare traditional dishes using fresh, local ingredients. Many family-run tavernas or dedicated culinary centers offer hands-on classes where you can prepare dishes like Naxian potato pie, rosto (pork with pasta), or kalogeros (beef and eggplant stew). Often, these classes culminate in a shared meal of your creations, accompanied by local wine.
• Search for local providers offering "Naxos cooking class" or "Naxos farm-to-table experience."
• Olive Oil Tasting & Museum Visits: Visit an active or traditional olive press (like the Eggares Olive Oil Museum) to learn about the island's centuries-old olive oil production. Enjoy a guided tasting session to discern the nuances of different Naxian olive oils.
• Kitron Distillery Tours: Discover the unique citrus liqueur of Naxos, Kitron. Visit the Vallindras Distillery in Halki, one of the oldest distilleries in Greece, to learn about its history and production, followed by a tasting.
• Cheese Farm Visits & Tastings: Naxos is famous for its PDO cheeses like Graviera Naxou. Some local farms offer tours where you can see the cheese-making process and, of course, sample a variety of delicious Naxian cheeses.
• Wine Tasting: While not as globally renowned as some other Greek wine regions, Naxos produces its own local wines. Explore small, family-run wineries (like Saint Anna Winery) to taste local varieties and learn about their viticulture.

 

2. Traditional Arts & Crafts

Naxos has a long history of craftsmanship, particularly in marble and pottery.

• Pottery Workshops: Engage in a hands-on pottery workshop in villages like Damalas, where the tradition dates back to ancient times. Learn basic techniques and even create your own Naxian ceramic souvenir. You can often find third-generation potters eager to share their craft.
• Marble Carving Demonstrations: Witness the skill of Naxian marble sculptors, who continue the island's ancient tradition of marble artistry. While not typically "workshops" for tourists, you can often observe artists at work in various villages or studios.

 

3. Discovering Naxos' Hidden History

Beyond the well-known archaeological sites, delve deeper into the island's past.

• Byzantine Churches & Monasteries: Explore the countless small Byzantine churches scattered across the Naxian countryside, many adorned with ancient frescoes. Panagia Drosiani near Moni and Agios Georgios Diasoritis are just a couple of examples. These offer a glimpse into the island's deep religious history and unique architectural styles.
• Exploring Abandoned Villages: Discover the atmospheric ruins of abandoned villages, offering a poignant look at past island life and often providing stunning views. These require a bit of exploration but are incredibly rewarding.

 

4. Active & Adventure Naxos

For those seeking more active pursuits beyond typical beach activities:

• Sea Kayaking to Rina Cave: Embark on a guided sea kayaking tour along Naxos' southern coast to the stunning Rina Cave, a natural sea cave with crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
• Kitesurfing/Windsurfing Lessons: Naxos, particularly Mikri Vigla beach, is a world-renowned spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing due to its consistent winds. Beginners can take lessons, while experienced enthusiasts can rent equipment.

 

These unique experiences provide a deeper connection to Naxos, allowing you to taste, create, and explore the island's soul beyond its beautiful coastline.