Naxos is the largest island of the Cyclades Complex. Its expanse is 440 sq.m. and the length of its coasts is 148km.

Around the island there are many small and large islands. To the west is the island of Paros, to the southeast are Iraklia, Shinousa and Koufonisia, to the east is Donousa and more east is Amorgos and finally to the north is Mykonos and Dilos.

In Naxos you will enjoy heavenly beaches, flat or rough but all with crystal clear waters.

On the island there are many high mountains, with “Za” as the highest. It’s altitude is 1004m , which makes it the highest mountain in the Cyclades Complex. There are rivers that flow with great rush mainly during the winter season, and subterranean springs that water plants, animals and the inhabitants of Naxos.

In “Naxos” you should visit:

Chora
- The “Portara” ruins of the ancient Temple of Apollo, that Ligdamis began constructing, on the islet of the port in the town of Naxos.
- The Venetian castle which is a living museum with b uildings from the Venetian era.
- Archeological Museum which is housed in the old Greek-French Commercial School, which the writer Nikos Kazantzakis attended
- Museum of Prehistory which is across the Metropolitan Church of Chora.

Tripodes
- The cycladic windmills
- The church of Panagia (Virgin Mary) with the beautiful wooden carved chancel screen.

Melanes
- The ancient Kouros statue of Melanes

Kalamitsia (Melanes area)
- The tower resort of the Jesuit monks (built at the end of the 17th century BC)

Apollon
- The ancient Kouros statue of Apollon . It is in a small distance outside the village and is a half-finished statue that is dated from the begining of the 6th century BC, its length is 10,45m.

Danakos
- The 12th century monastery of Photodotis Christ which it was built by Empress Irene

Apiranthos
- The impressive Tower of Zevgolis of 17th century, built on a rock, at the entrance of the village

Sagri (Gyroulas spot)
- The Sanctuary of Gyroula, one of the most important monuments of the island, entirely made by marble.

On the Chalki Road (Tragea)
- The church of Agios Mamas, which is one of the oldest on the island, built in the 9th century

Chalki (Tragea)
- The tower of Varotsi-Fragopoulou-Gratsia since the 17th century
- The brilliant church of Agios Diasoritis since 11th century

Moni
- Panagia Drosiani, the oldest monument of the paleochristian period in the Balkans.

Koronos
- Monastery of Panagia tis Argokiliotisas



FAMOUS BEACHES OF NAXOS ISLAND
Agia Anna, Agios Georgios, Agios Prokopios, Apollon, Kalantos, Lionas, Mikri Vigla, Plaka

BRIEF HISTORY
Naxos was one of the major centers of the Cycladic culture. The island was first inhabited by the Thracians and the Pelasgians. Later on, Kares came, led by a son of Apollo named Naxos.
It was one of the first islands to work in marble and in the Archaic period produced the lions of Dilos and kouroi statues of increadible size.
The conquerors never left the island in peace and they have sullied its latter history with conquests and pillages. Venetian invaders, with Marc Sanudo as their leader, occupied the island and ruled it for ever three centuries.
In 1537 the Turks dominated the island until 1829, when Naxos joined the Free Independent Greece. In 1970 starts a new period of development because of the tourism.

NIGHTLIFE
Naxos can cater for tastes of every age. There are “quiet” bars and plenty of big clubs partying until early in the m orning... There is also a cinema and places with live music (bouzoukia) as well as boites.

TASTES FROM NAXOS
Taste the unrivaled cheeses of Naxos such as graviera, kefalotiri and xinotiro.
In Easter you should taste “Patoudo”, it is roasted kid meat, stuffed with rice flavoring wild herbs. During the carnival don’t forget to taste “rosto”, pork with red sauce and spagetti.

You should also taste delicious rabbit cooked with lemon, rooster cooked with wine, home made sausages, roast kid, fragrant salads from local gardens and a variety of vegetables cooked with oil and appetizers.

Choose the taverna of your preference and let yourself enjoy delicious, local, traditional tastes or enjoy the cuisine of other countries in Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Indian Restaurants.

USEFUL INFORMATION
How to get there
By plane: There are daily flights from Eleftherios Venizelos airport to Naxos. Duration of flight : 25minutes approximately.
By Ferry: There are frequent itineraries from Piraeus port to Naxos. Duration of the trip : 5hours approximately. There is also a connection to Naxos from the port of Thessaloniki.
By highspeed boat: There are itineraries from ports of Piraeus and Rafina to Naxos. Duration of the trip : approximately 3 hours
Connection with other islands
Naxos is connected all year round with: Mikres Cyclades, Iraklia, Koufonisia, Amorgos, Donousa, Shinousa, Sikinos, Folegandros, Ios, Santorini, Sifnos, Serifos, Paros, Syros, Tinos, Mykonos, Milos, Ikaria, Samos, Chios, Lesvos (Mytilini) and the Dodecanese complex of islands.