Naxos

Map of Naxos

Naxos is the largest and most fertile of all the Cyclades islands, 430km² extension and 18.864 population, and with its green and mountainous highland scenery it appears immediately dissimilar to its neighbours. The difference is accentuated by the unique architecture of many of the interior villages: the Venetian Duchy of the Aegean, headquartered here from 1204 to 1537, left towers and fortified mansions scattered throughout the island, while medieval Cretan refugees bestowed a singular character upon Naxos's Eastern settlements.

Today Naxos could easily support itself without visitors by relying on its production of potatoes, olives, grapes and lemons, but it has thrown in its lot with mass tourism, so that parts of the island are now almost as busy as Paros in season. The island has plenty to see: the highest mountains of Cyclades, intriguing central valleys, a spectacular North coast and long, marvelously sandy beaches in the Southwest. It is also renowned for its wines, cheese and kitron, a sweet liqueur distilled from the leaves of this citrus tree and is available in green, yellow or clear varieties depending on strength and sugar level.

Capital of the island is Naxos Town. A really special place because of the looming fortifies castle. This is where Marco Sanudo, the 13th century Venetian who founded the town and established the Duchy of the Aegean, and his descendants ruled over the Cyclades. The most of the town's life occurs by the crowded port esplanade but there is more life in Naxos Town in the vast network of backstreets and low-arched narrow alleys that lead-up through the old town, Bourgo, to the Castle itself. There are a lot of taverns, shops and cafes in Evripeous Square, too.

Beaches

Agios Georgios

One of the most popular beaches in Naxos is Agios Georgios, 3 minutes away from the town. It's a wide and well organized beach with shallow waters and fine sand are ideal for families and water sports.

Agios Prokopios
Another famous and popular beach of Naxos. It is one of the best in Greece and perhaps one of the top in Europe. The main feature is the very thin pebble -like sand- which does not stick to the skin and the crystal sea, which make it resemble a huge pool. Here visitors can combine swimming, water activities and food. It is located 5 km away from the town.

Agios Prokopios

Agia Anna
The wide, golden beach of Agia Anna is the natural continuation of Agios Prokopios. The cedar forest that provides welcome shade to bathers and the picturesque harbor with fishing boats are the Highlights of Agia Anna. Beach bars and taverns with flavors of the Aegean surprise visitors pleasantly.

Plaka

The beach is a continuation of the beach of Agia Anna and Agios Prokopios. It's one of the most beautiful and long beaches of Naxos. The fine white sand with large sand dunes make a magnificent scenery. Beside the sea there are tavernas and rooms overlooking the sea.

Mikri Vigla

Essentially there are two beautiful sandy beaches the one of Mikri Viglas and the other of Parthenou separated by a rock. The weather conditions here make this beach a meeting point of activities like windsurfing.

Mikri Vigla

Other Beaches

Pirgaki, Moutsouna, Lionas, Kastraki, Apollonas, Glyfada, Agiasos, Abram, Kalantos, Orkos, Psili Ammos, Aluko, Amitis.

Sights

Portara

Portara, the large marble gate which stands on the Palatia islets, is the trademark of the island. Portara is what remains of the Temple of Apollo which begun building in the 6th-7th century BC and never completed.

Portara

Temple of Goddess Demeter

The temple is made ​​entirely from white marble in a square format, with columns in the front. Inside also had columns which supported the roof in a specially designed interior, which was used for the worship of the goddess Demeter. Dated the decade 530-520 BC and is Ionic. The sanctuary of Demeter with the temple of Iria are considered architectural precursors of the Parthenon.

Cheimarou Tower

Located on the Southeastern side of town, between Mount Za and the sea, in a hill shows the strategic position of the tower. Although there are scattered around the island many Venetian and Frankish towers, what makes the Tower torrent trademark of the island, is the fact that survives almost intact and has 15 meters height.

Other Sights

Upper Castle, Castle of Kalogeros, Apalirou Castle, Mpazaios Tower.

Transportation

By plane: Naxos is served by regular flights from Athens(1-2 daily, 45min). The airport is a 10min bus ride South from Naxos Town.

By Ferry: Ferries dock in the Northern harbor quay of Naxos Town.

Destinations: Amorgos(7-9 weekly, 3-4hr), Anafi(3 weekly, 7hr), Andros(2-4 weekly, 4hr), Astypalea(1-4 weekly, 3hr), Dhonoussa(3-7 weekly, 1hr 30min), Folegandros(1-4 daily, 4hr), Ios(4-5 weekly, 1hr 30min), Iraklia(2-5 weekly, 1hr 30min), Koufonisi(3-7 weekly, 2hr 30min), Mykonos(1-3 daily, 3hr), Paros(2-3 daily, 45min), Pireas(2-3 daily, 4-5hr), Rafina(4-8 weekly, 3-6hr), Santorini(1-2 daily, 1-2hr), Serifos(1 weekly, 2hr 30min), Sifnos(1 weekly, 3hr), Sikinos(3-5 weekly, 2-5hr), Schinousa(2-4 weekly, 2hr), Syros(4-5 weekly, 2hr 30min), Tinos(4-8 weekly, 1-2hr).

Getting Around

By bus: The bus station is opposite the main dock.(22850 22291).

Destinations: Aperathou via Filoti and Halki(4-5 daily, 1hr), Apollonas(2-3 daily, 1 hr, 2hr via scenic coastal route), Agia Marina-Zas(4-5 daily, 1hr), Agios Prokopios/Agia Anna(half hourly, 7:30am-midnight, 15min), Plaka(half hourly, , 7:30am-midnight, 30min), Kastraki-Pyrgaki(3 daily, 45min)

By taxi: The central taxi phone number is 22850 22444.

Naxos

Useful Phone Numbers

Municipality of Naxos: 22853 60100

Health Center: 22850 23333 - 22850 23676

Police Station: 22850 22100 - 22850 23280(Naxos Town), 22850 31224(Filotiou)

Fire Station: 22850 32199

Port: 22850 22300

Airport: 22850 23292 - 22850 24816

Post Office: 22850 22211