Naxos is an island in the Aegean Sea, famous for its emery and marble deposits. The island offers something for everyone: beautiful beaches and crystal-clear seas, lush valleys and mountains, welcoming locals, and a rich history.
Naxos Beaches
The island has about twenty beaches, each unique in its own way. Agios Prokopios, 5 km from Chora, is considered one of the top ten beaches in Europe. Its fine white sand and multicolored seawater make it a truly inviting spot.
Plaka Beach is no less beautiful, but much more secluded.
Agios Georgios is a 3-minute walk from Chora and is the most crowded beach on Naxos. The sandy beach has a gently sloping seabed, perfect for families with children.
Mikri Vigla is a coastline divided by a rocky outcrop into two beaches: Parthenos and Sahara. The wind creates ideal conditions for windsurfing here.
Entertainment and Attractions in Naxos
As soon as you arrive on the island, the history of Naxos comes alive before your eyes – palaces and colossal statues from ancient times, Byzantine churches, and Venetian fortresses. The marble gate of Portara, the island’s symbol, the ruins of the unfinished Temple of Apollo, will greet you upon arrival at the port of Chora.
On a hill above the port stands the Venetian Fortress, whose walls are formed by the outer walls of Venetian noblemen’s houses.
Bazeos Castle, built in the early 17th century in the shape of a tower, was originally a monastery for monks, but they abandoned the monastery in the early 19th century. It was then purchased by the Bazeos family and remodeled in a rather original style. The castle’s interior now hosts art exhibitions. The village of Halki, once one of the island’s trading centers, has retained its respectable charm to this day. Today, it is famous for the Vallindras distillery, where “kithron” is produced using an ancient method.
Ancient statues of Apollo and Dionysus lie in the vicinity of Melanes and Apollonnos. Apiranthos is a mountain village founded by Cretans, with a distinct atmosphere and architecture.
There are also several hiking trails of varying difficulty on the island. When hiking, wear comfortable shoes, clothing that protects against the sun and wind, and bring plenty of drinking water.
