The Vallindras distillery has produced the local citron liqueur for more than 100 years. Citron is a special kind of fruit in Naxos and it is in family with lemon. In september they start the production of the year and they make in total three basic spirits; One white, one green and one yellow color. The distillery is located in the village Chalki in the middle of the island. All visitors get a small guided tour with information about the process of production and a taste of the product.

Chalki

Culture & Beverage

In Naxos they have a great, local agricultural production. Some of the products with excellent quality on the island are potatoes, cheese, olives, tomatoes, fruits, honey, wine and the famous liqueur of the island called Citron. Many of the local dishes are made of the wide variety of the local products. Try for example the potatoe salad or any dish with some of the delicious cheese. One of the cheeses is called "graviera", and it is a harder cheese with a stronger taste. Another cheese is called "manouri", which is a softer cheese with a light taste.

Naxos

Food

Get lost in the narrow streets of the old town and experience an authentic and charming area that has kept its medieval atmosphere. The old town is build on the hill in Naxos Town with buildings, churches and monuments in beautiful architechture with a mix of Venetian and Cycladic elements. The area is divided into two neighbourhoods. The greeks lived in the area called Bourgos and the residence of the Venetian-Catholic nobility lived in Kastro. The impressive Kastro you find on the top of the hill and it was the seat of power in Cyclades for 300 years.

Naxos Town

History & Culture

Near the village Sangri you find the Temple of Demeter. This beautiful temple was made about 500 BC and build with white marble from Naxos. Demeter is the God of grain and therefore people used to dedicate temples to her in order to fertile the area. The remains of the ancient temple were discovered in 1949 and ruins were found all over the nearby area. Unfortunately a lot of the precious marble had been stolen. Today the temple is restored and it is one of the most beautiful ancient temples in a picturesque scenery.

Sangri

History

The biggest marble statue "Kouros" on the island was found close to the northern village, Apollonas. This "Kouros" is about 2500 years old and is one of the most important archaeological findings in Naxos. The "Kouros" is about 10 metres long and has a weight of around 80 tonnes. The statue was never completed and it is still today lying on the soil. Archeologists believe these statues are connected with the temple areas.

Apollonas

History & Culture

The “Eye of Naxos” is sold in most of the shops in Naxos as a local, natural pendant in jewellery like rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces. Basically it is the oval opening of a shell that got its shape from the sea and sand and therefore every shell is unique. This specific "Eye of Naxos" is only possible to find along the coastline of Naxos. Similar "Eyes" are created in other parts of the world, but they are slightly different. In Naxos they are particularly small and round. People says that a gift with the "Eye of Naxos" brings luck and good fortune to the receiver!

Naxos

Shopping

The Portara Gate is the trademark of Naxos! The impressive marble gate is the foundation of a huge temple to the God of the Sun, Apollon. However the temple was never completed and today the gate is the only remaining ruin. Some of the marble from the unfinished construction were reused to build other buildings in Naxos Town, mostly Kastro in The Old Town. You should definitely make the small walk up the hill and have a closer look at the impressive 6 meter high doorway and check out the view of Naxos Town together with the sunset in the Aegean Sea.

Naxos town

History & Culture

With an altitude of about 1000 metres, the Zeus Mountain is the highest peak in Naxos and the whole Cycladic area. The name of the mountain originates from the greek mythology. The mountain is named by the God Zeus because it says he grew up on the mountain, haunted by his father. It also says that the son of Zeus, Dionysos, grew up on the slopes of the mountain, in a cave named "Cave of Zeus". The footpath from Danakos village to the top of the mountain is a popular trekking route in Naxos. On the way you will pass the small chapel of Saint Marina and the "Cave of Zeus". The trekking is partly exhausting with some steep parts but from the top of the mountain you have a beautiful view of Naxos and the other islands close by. The trekking takes about 1 hour.

Danakos Village

Hiking

"In Naxos Town there are plenty of places to go during nighttime. You can find many different types of bars with a variety of music options; Cocktail bars with nice atmosphere, partybars and nightclubs. Most of the bars are located in Naxos Town along the seaside or in the narrow roads of the Old Town. Therefore it is recommended to make a walk around and find your own favorite place. In Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna you can also find different beach bars that are mostly busy during the afternoons with loud popular music or DJ."

Naxos Town, Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna

Evening activity

In Naxos Town you find Cinenaxos, which is the openair cinema on the island. Buy something to drink and some snacks from the bar, find a suitable place to sit and enjoy a movie under the stars. One movie plays twice per night and they change the movie about every 4 days. The program of the movies is announced on their website.

Naxos Town

Evening activity

Not far away from the square of Naxos Town you find the commercial shopping street of Naxos. In the middle of the street you find the handmade leather shop. Go inside and have a look around at the big variety of sandals and bags. Maybe you have a special request? They can make many special designs.

Naxos Town

Shopping

Close to the village Melanes you find one of the marble statue "Kouros" on the island. It is about 2500 years old and is one of the most important archaeological findings in Naxos. The "Kouros" is about 6 metres long. The statue was never completed and is still today lying on the soil. Archeologists believe the statues are connected to the temple areas. Remains of ancient temples surround the statue and there is a second statue about only 200 metres away from this one.

Melanes

History & Culture

The south west coast of Naxos is known as the best beach area on the island. If you like to be a bit active it is highly recommended to make a walk along the coastline between the three beach areas; Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka. Enjoy the small city center and beach in Agios Prokopios, the small narrow streets and port of Agia Anna and the beach in Plaka. Remember a beachbag since you most probably want to make some swim stops in the crystal clear water along your way. You can also stop at one of the restaurants or cafees during the walk.

Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna & Plaka

Activity

The Archaeological Museum of Naxos is in a Venetian building from 17th century, not far away from Kastro in The Old Town. In the museum you find everything from objects of everyday use to different art dating from 5300 BC to 5th century AD. The cycladic civilization was at its peak of glory around 3000 BC and at this time Naxos took a central role in the art of the area. A visit at the museum will give you a good understanding of the historical outline.

Naxos Town

History & Culture

In Apiranthos you find The Geological Museum and it is worth a visit. The museum has a very interesting collection of rocks and mostly it has a lot of the dark marble "Emery" that is local from the island. But there are also other vulcanic stones of interest from the other Cycladic islands, like Milos and Santorini.

Apiranthos

History & Nature

Manolis has a very nice, small pottery outside of Damalas village. The pottery has been working through generations and Manolis brings alive techniques which have been used for thousands of years. If you visit the pottery, Manolis will most probably make a demonstration of how he makes his artwork at the pottery wheel. In the shop he has a lot of beautiful handmade items in various colors.

Damalas

Art & Shopping

Panagia Mirtidiotissa church is the small church located on a rocky reef in the old port of Naxos Town. The church is built by the locals in order to protect the boats arriving and departing the port. You can only reach the church by boat.

Naxos Town

Culture & Religion

Panagia Drossiani church is one of the most important early Christian churches of Naxos, dated back to the end of 6th century AD. The church is located in the middle of Naxos along the road to Apollonas, near Moni. The church has a lot of rare paintings and offers a beautiful green view of the Tragea Valley. The church has also the cemetery of the village in the lovely courtyard area.

Moni

Culture & Religion

Windsurfing is one of the most popular sports in Naxos because of the strong northern winds during the summer period. You find several beaches for windsurfing covering all tastes and all levels. For example is Aliko beach ideal for waves while Mikri Vigla is suitable for slalom and speed.

Southwest coastline

Water activity

You smell the fresh, handmade waffles around the neighbourhood of Waffle House in Naxos Town! The thick waffles are made with fresh products which no one can resist. The shop has a large variety of delicious ice cream and anything you can imagine to add as topping on your waffle. Yummy!

Naxos Town

Food

Kitesurfing is one of the most popular sports in Naxos because of the strong northern winds in August. One of the best spots for kitesurfing is Mikri Vigla on the southern part of the island. The afternoons are normally best for kitesurfing since the wind is normally steady and gets stronger in early afternoon hours.

Southwest coastline

Water activity

North of Danakos village on an altitude of 500 meters the Monastery of Fotodotis Christ is located. From the monastery there is a beautiful view of the green region with oak trees, fig trees and vineyards. Also you have the view of the sea and the Donoussa island from the top of the hill. The architecture of the monastery looks like a fortress. Originally the monastery was constructed in the 6th century AD as a three-aisled basilica but was turned into a domed church in the 16th century AD. The fortress walls were also constructed around the church which created the form of the monastery we find today. The church has frescoes dating back to the Medieval period.

Danakos

Religion & Culture

Bazeos Tower is one of the most prominent sights in Naxos. It is located on the main road between Naxos Town and the mountainous villages Chalki and Filoti. The castle was built as an attempt to provide safety to the residents from the pirate attacks in the 17th century AD. Originally the place used to be working as a monastery but was abandoned during the 19th century. After the abandoned the tower became property of the Greek State. Later it was it was bought by the Bazeos Family and used as a summer residence until the last descendant decided to restore the tower into a place suitable for hosting cultural events. During the summer period several events take place.

Sangri

History & Culture

Agios Sozon chapel is built upon the steep rock a few kilometres away from Agiassos bay in the southwest part of Naxos. Agios Sozon name is translated in Greek as “the one who saves” and is traditionally regarded as the protector of sailors. The small, white chapel with the cone shaped dome is considered to be constructed during the Byzantine era. The chapel is accessible by a footpath from the Agiassos beach or by boat.

Agiassos

Religion & Culture

The Catholic Cathedral is located in The Old Town of Naxos. The monument is an outstanding medieval construction dated back to the 13th century during the Venetian period. The original temple has been restored between 1500-1600 AD by the Catholic families of Naxos. The temple exhibits icons that combine western and eastern and the icon of Virgin Mary and John the Baptist.

Naxos Town

Religion & Culture