Naxos Island, Naxos Greece, Naxos hotels

Naxos Island, the largest and most fertile island in Cyclades, is probably one of the most attractive and beautiful of the Greek Islands. It combines golden sands with the mountain beauty. Large enough to be explored, Naxos promises you unforgettable holidays.

Due to its size and fertility, Naxos Greece, is one of the most self sufficient islands of Cyclades, with its own production of agricultural and dairy products. The famous Naxian cheese, potatoes and citrus are just a small example of them. There are plenty of places you can buy Naxian cheese - some of them are just cheese shops. Try (and we sure you will buy) "Kefalotyri", "Anthotyro" and "Ksynotyro".
For more information on Naxos Island products please click here.

Getting There -

For all your travel and tours arrangements

More than adequate connections between Naxos and the other islands and Mainland Greece (Piraeus). Journey from Piraeus will take 6.5 hours by ferry, while Catamaran will take 3 hours only. There are 1-2 flights a day with Olympic Airways from Athens airport - West Terminal - (45 minutes).

Getting Around - There is a very good bus service in Naxos. Cars, bikes and bicycles are available for hire. Taxis are also available. There is a minibus service (free of charge) which covers all main points of Naxos Town (Hora)

Entertainment - Nightlife - Varied and lively. Bars, discos, cafe shops, gellaterias, traditional "Kafeneio" with ouzo and charcoal grilled octopus, will satisfy all tastes.
Cine Astra, an open air cinema will entertain you with a good selection of films (in English with Greek subtitles).

Links from Naxos to other Greek islands
Samos, Ikaria 4 times a week, Crete 6 times a week, Sikinos, Folegandros once a day, Santorini (Thera) 4-7 daily, Paros, Ios 3-5 daily, Tinos 4 a week, Amorgos, Koufonissia 1-2 daily, Donousa 5 times a week, Syros 1-3 daily.

Cruises
There are also cruises to the islands. Please check at local travel agencies for details or reservations or more information.

   Excursions - The best golden beaches are in the south west part of Naxos island. The south west coast is almost one long sandy beach. The northern part of the island is green verdant and mountainous. The central part of the island -around Chalki village- is planted with olive groves.
In Naxos Town the "Portara" ruins of an ancient temple, the ancient Kouros statues in Melanes and Apollon (the largest in Greece - 7 century BC), the Venetian castle in Naxos Town, small white chapels and churches, monasteries, are all an experience not to be missed.
There are about 500 churches and plenty of Medieval and Venetian castles to visit. In Kalamitsia (in the area of Melanes) is the tower resort of the Jesuit monks (built at the end of the 17th century). At Danakos is the 12th century Monastery of Photodotis Christ which it was built by Empress Irene. In Moni, the church of Panagia (Our Lady) Drosiani with beautiful fresco of Panagia Nikopios.

the island's port and capital, is a typical Cycladic town with a maze of narrow streets and tiny passages. Hora is a lively town and makes a very good resort. Behind the waterfront an extensive, almost Medieval Old Quarter stretches up the hillside where Kastro (Castle) is. Walking around Kastro is a must while the views will take your breath. The old town up on the hill is divided into two neighbourhoods, Bourgos where the the Greeks lived and Kastro (Castle), residence of the Venetian-Catholic nobility.
Places to visit include is the Archaeological Museum with Mycenaean pottery and Cycladic figurines, Portara (on Palatia islet) a huge portal (6 meters height, 3.5 meters width) of the unfinished Temple of Apollo (530 BC by Naxos' tyrant Ligdamis), the Venetian Kastro (Castle) where fortress walls are dated back to the 13th century. Inside the Castle there is the Capuchines Monastery, the Catholic Cathedral, the Ursulines Monastery and the Catholic Episcopal Edifice.

is a lovely long sandy beach. There are a few hotels and rooms to let, tavernas, restaurants and water sports. In summer high season, there are boats to Naxos town.

is Naxos Town's beach. Sandy and very long (1 km) is the first choice for both swimming and staying. Although in high season, the beach is crowded, evenings are very quiet. There are many hotels to choose from, many of them are on the beach with the sea on the doorstep. Having lunch or dinning in Agios Georgios is excellent since most of the restaurants are just on the beach. So you can enjoy your meal watching the sea, or even late evening dinning on the sandy beach, just 1-2 meters from the sea, is more than idyllic. Don't miss it.

is 4 kilometers away from Naxos and linked with frequent buses from Naxos town. It claims to be the best beach in Naxos.

is a very quiet place, just 5 Kilometres further south from Kastraki. Is a lovely long sandy bay with accommodation and taverns. It is an ideal place for those who wish to get away from it at all and in the same time to be close to amenities.

is a pretty village On the slops of Mount Zas and was supposed to have originally been settled by Cretans. Panagia Apeirathitissa is one of the oldest and remarkable churches of Naxos Island with some excellent post Byzantine icons. The Folk Art Museum is an interesting place to visit.

is the the northen village of the island. A lovely fishing boat port is situated on a bay sheltered by high mountains. After Skado village there are two routes available. Both of them are excellent, passing through mountains and green valleys. Try both, via Messi village and via Komiaki (Koronida) village which is a rough track but the best one.

The nearest beach (located in Amitis bay) is nice and sandy, but most important, it is not crowded even in high season.

Very nice village in the middle of an olive grove with towers built by Byzantines and Venetians. The Byzantine church of Panagia Protothroni which was built in the 12th century and the the church of Agios Georgios Diasoritis which was built in the 9th century have fine frescoes.

is worth a trip village, settled well up on the flank of Zas mountain. There are quite a few cafes and tavernas, many of them been shaded by a massive plane tree. In Filoti there is a 10th century Byzantine church with fine 13th century wall paintings.

The beach (located in Amitis bay) is nice and sandy and it is not crowded even in high season.

One of the most beautiful beaches of the island. Quiet and peaceful.

The village is built at the highest altitude with splendid views as the mountains fall away to the coastal plain.

Koronos is a beautiful stepped village, scrabbling up the the mountain sides and renowned for its emery mines. The local Folklore Collection Museum is worth a visit. A turning off to the right, 500 meters prior to Koronos, leads to the church of Panagia Argokiliotissa (4 Km) which is beautifully situated on a hill and has an excellent view.

is the port where the emery used to bought down from the mountains around Koronos by a rope funicular and loaded to ships. Moutsouna has a fine sandy beach and there is an excellent, high standard accommodation and tavern for those wish to stay in this sea side village.

One of the best beaches of the island. A 4 kilometers white sand beach, with crystal clear waters, ideal for wind surfing.

Plaka is the next resort after Agia Anna and it is an excellent settlement, beachside resort with fantastic fine sand. Plaka beach is 4 Km long with lots of accommodation, taverns and activities available, that makes it an ideal seaside resort.

Surprise - surprise! Another wonderful sandy beach.

The village itself with the beautiful island houses, quaint cobblestone alleys's old churches and monasteries, amazing windmills and above all its hospitable inhabitants, gathers the interests of both localsand visitors to the area.