Picturesque villages, sandy beaches, unspoiled natural beauty
In the heart of the Aegean lies the largest Cycladic island, Naxos - an island with a long history and a strong influence on the shaping of Greek civilization. Known for its white marble quarries and its fertile land, Naxos stands out - deservedly- for the blend of Cycladic and cosmopolitan aesthetics, establishing it as a top destination worthy of every traveler’s time.
In Chora and the Hinterland
Chora of Naxos, with the famous «Portara», the Venetian castle of the Middle Ages, imposing yet picturesque buildings, and its picturesque alleys, makes the ideal starting point for the island’s exploration.
From Chora, all roads lead to the island’s mountainous interior, a puzzle of impressive Venetian towers and sacred archaeological structures, offering visitors a meaningful connection with the place’s tradition and history.
Apeiranthos, Koronida, Apollonas are a few- among the many- small inhabited villages of Naxos that compose an authentic and calm setting. Traditional little shops, uphill steps, green natural paths, wild slopes with views to the endless blue are what every visitor will encounter in the small settlements, allowing them to «live» the island truly.
From the picturesque villages, all roads lead to the sea. The coastline of Naxos is mainly sandy, with crystalline and clean waters where the endless blue of the Aegean exudes tranquility for every traveler. Whether you prefer more touristic beaches, fully organized and offering comfort or those that are more compact and quiet, one thing is certain: on every beach of Naxos you will encounter scenes straight out of a painting.
Getting Around
In order to reach every corner of the island and enjoy the magical landscapes on offer, vehicle rental will allow you to explore with ease and comfort through the services provided by Mars Rental. For ticket bookings, day trips, and information regarding your trip to Naxos and other destinations, contact the highly informed and efficient travel agency Naxos Tours on Chora’s seafront.
Accommodation
Naxos is an island that provides a variety of accommodation options, offering lodgings for every need and taste. In Chora and on the nearby beaches of Agios Prokopios and Agios Georgios there are plenty of properties with high-quality amenities and a calm atmosphere. In the island’s town there are many quality choices to pick from, such as Alkyoni Beach Hotel which consists of junior suites up to seafront residences with a jacuzzi as well as the hotel Astir of Naxos in Agios Georgios- one of the most luxurious on the island- offering a wide range of rooms able to satisfy every need while being just 10 minutes from the island’s town.
It is also worth taking a look at Villa Naxia luxury studios & apartments, which is ideal for families and relaxing holidays as well as georgia’s studios, the traditionally built hotel in Cycladic style. Sphinx Hotel is another option available for anyone who wishes to stay in comfortable accommodation in Chora and be in the pulse of the island’s nightlife.
In case you want to discover areas a little outside Chora, Naxos Palace Hotel is an amphitheatrically built hotel in Agios Prokopios that promises the ideal stay. Annita’s Village is synonymous with luxury, comfort and high-level services, a few meters from the beach of Agia Anna while Almiriki Beachside Living is in a privileged location in Plaka, very close to the center of the town and offers luxurious and comfortable rooms. Plaza Beach Hotel with its tasteful rooms is also just a few kilometers from the picturesque Chora of Naxos.
Food
An integral part of a place’s culture is its gastronomic identity. The raw ingredients that Naxos offers are utilized by every restaurant on the island, something reflected in whatever recipe you choose to try. First stop in Chora for delicious surprises and «warm» atmosphere is the traditional meze tavern «Μεταξύ μας». For lovingly made Greek dishes at «Στο Λαδόχαρτο», service and flavor are a given. Kreatofageion, with the aesthetic of an old grocery, guides whoever visits through every corner of the island by way of tasty meze, local meats, distinctive cheeses, local wine and homemade sweets! For novel flavors and aromas with views of Plaka beach, the restaurant «Νίκος και Μαρία» will offer you whatever you desire.
Naxos’ restaurants, besides authentic, Cycladic cuisine, have also incorporated international flavors into their menus. At Colosseo Pizza Grill, set against the deep-blue beach of Agios Prokopios, beyond the authentic Italian pizza baked in a wood-fired oven that you can enjoy, you will also find traditional Greek flavors. Right by the water in Agia Anna, in a beautiful space of Cycladic aesthetics, you’ll also find «Palatia Cafe, Bar & Restaurant» where you’ll have the chance to savor the freshest local fish and exceptional traditional delicacies, all made with the best ingredients from Naxos.
In Naxos’ Chora, if someone wants to taste local grilled meats, «Πικάντικο» is the No1 destination while at «Meli & Kanela», on the other hand if you’re passing through, you’ll feel like at home, whereas if you’re a local you’ve already made it your regular spot not only for the ethnic flavors but also for the memories that awaken in every visitor. It is located on the main road of Chora towards the castle and is offered from the morning for coffee and brunch until the evening for a variety of cocktails and endless fun. «MOLOS», the family taverna that has been operating since 1980, offers a wide variety of traditional dishes with local ingredients. There you can also enjoy your coffee or your drink on the comfortable sun loungers in front of Ag. Prokopios beach.
The unique products the island produces, everything crafted by locals with care, can be found by every visitor in the traditional shops that exist in every area of Naxos. In the traditional grocery «Κυριάκος Τσιμπλάκης» in a small alley in the island’s Chora, the hand-painted sign, the hand-woven baskets, the old objects, transport you back in time, there where aromas and tastes were enough. Fine cheeses, a variety of dried fruits, homemade jams and many more tasty treasures "fill" the eye of every visitor. This grocery offers products of local flavors, thus supporting local producers. The well-known citron liqueurs, spoon sweets and the liqueurs of the exceptional local distillery «Προμπονά» are- among others- what Promponas offers in its own shop on Chora’s seafront. Honey lovers and connoisseurs of fine delicacies should try the products of «Κουμερτάς Εμμανουήλ», while to stock up on anything you might need during your stay on the island «Margaritis Market» has all the essentials.
Plus that at the outlet of the Union of Agricultural Cooperative of Naxos on the seafront of Chora, you will find all the traditional products produced by the Cooperative such as the famous Naxos Graviera PDO, Naxos Arseniko, milk, yogurt, pure butter, Naxos potatoes and many other products.
Included in the above food and catering services experience is «KORRES Events & Catering» where Executive Chef Stelios Korres and his experienced team, specializing in organizing events, baptisms & weddings, are based in Naxos to make visitors’ experiences even more special.
Another unique experience you can enjoy in Naxos is to travel back in time through your visit to the Kaloxylos Factory, in the small village of the same name on the island. It is an olive mill museum and olive oil tasting space where one can discover the way olive oil is produced and live the tasting experience that will bring them closer to the country’s most precious raw ingredient, olive oil. The tour experience concludes with a stop at the museum’s cafe.
Notebook
As the largest island of the Cyclades, Naxos also has a wide variety of clothing and footwear stores such as the sports shop «Τσακωνιάτης». There you will find everything concerning women’s and men’s fashion as well as anything related to exercise and swimming. So there’s no need to stress about not having the right shoes or clothes because in the island’s Chora you will find everything!
And when we say everything, we mean it…! Naxos will become the best holiday choice for every four-legged friend of ours too since it offers excellent small-animal care services in case the necessary care is needed with Naxos Vet Center there to provide the pampering every little animal needs.
Naxos has many different faces. Monuments, rocky landscape, mountain villages, endless blue, medieval aura and fine gastronomy are all that will "fill" your suitcases as you leave the island as you set the date for the next time!
