📌Naxos is the largest Cycladic island located in the center of the Cyclades and about 170 km southeast of Athens. The nearest island is the neighboring Paros, with which it represents the center of the Cyclades.
✔ A large island in the heart of the Aegean Sea with imposing mountains and fertile valleys, traditional villages and fantastic beaches that enchant visitors.
▪️ Even though tourism is very developed, Naxos has kept its traditions, especially in the mountain villages. Naxos is one of the most popular and visited islands in the Cyclades.
▪️ Significant archaeological sites that speak of the glorious past of Naxos. There are many beautiful old churches and monasteries that fit perfectly with the Cycladic architecture.
▪️ The famous writer Nikos Kazantzakis said about Naxos: ▶ “This island is very lucky, virtue is the faces of the people, the piles are shaped with melons, peaches, figs and the sea is calm. I looked at the people – this people has never been scared by earthquakes and Turks, and its eyes they didn’t burn. Here freedom extinguished the need for freedom, and life spread out like happy sleeping water. And if he was sometimes in a bad mood, never raised a storm. Safety was the first gift I felt while walking around Naxos.”
▪ Naxos offers a wide range of things to suit everyone’s taste. Traditional villages should be explored where the picturesque mountain villages of Apiranthos and Filoti stand out. The view from Apiranthos is stunning! A stay in them will show the traditional charming side of Naxos.
▪ Naxos is famous for agriculture and for the following products: Cheeses, potatoes, olives, citrus fruits, wine, raki and Citron liqueur.
Charming Chora
The capital and port Chora is located on the western side of the island and looks towards the island of Paros.
Charming Chora has typical Cycladic architecture, and above the white houses stands out the imposing Venetian fortress on a small hill.
The real gem is the old part of the city of Burgos, which is located next to the Venetian fortress. Burgos has charming and picturesque narrow cobbled winding streets where it is a pleasure to get lost!
Walking through Chora is an enchanting experience with picturesque white houses and beautiful squares with fascinating architectural details!
Along the harbor promenade there are shops, taverns and bars that attract the most people.
At the entrance to the harbor on a small rocky peninsula there is one of the symbols of Naxos Portara. An impressive marble gate that is a remains of the unfinished Temple of Apollo from the 6th century BC. An ideal location for an unforgettable sunset on Naxos!
Numerous monuments speak of Chora’s glorious past. From the Portara, the Archaeological Museum, the Grotta, the Venetian Castle and the Old Market. You should visit the Archaeological Museum at the fortress.
On the hill above Chora, there is the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Chrysostomos, offering a wonderful panoramic view on Chora and Paros in the distance!
Top 10 Naxos beaches
Naxos is an island with extraordinary beaches that are among the most beautiful in the Cyclades islands! Various beaches that will delight even those with discerning tastes.
Most of the beaches, especially south of the capital Chora, are sandy with golden-yellow soft sand with beautiful crystal clear blue sea! Ideal for lovers of sandy beaches and for families with children! The beaches on the east side of the island are wild and pristine.
▪️ Top 10 Naxos beaches. My recommendation! ⬇
1️⃣ Agios Prokopios
2️⃣ Plaka
3️⃣ Hawaii
4️⃣ Mikri Vigla 2 South
5️⃣ Mikrolimano
6️⃣ Agia Anna
7️⃣ Aliko
8️⃣ Psili Ammos
9️⃣ Glifada
🔟 Panormos
Naxos beaches
The capital of Chora has two city beaches. Grotta beach located next to the port and Portara, and Agios Georgios beach in the southern part of the city next to most accommodation.
Agios Georgios is a beach with soft yellow sand and shallow turquoise water. Due to the deep shallows, it is exceptional for children.
When heading south from the main town of Chora, the following beaches appear in order: ⤵
Agios Prokopios beach
Agios Prokopios is a extraordinary beach on Naxos! One of the most beautiful beaches in Greece!
It is located 5.5 km southwest of the main town of Chora.
Divine blue with beautiful golden-yellow sand!
The beach is big enough and there is space for everyone. True perfection for swimming and enjoying!
After Agios Prokopios beach, a series of sandy beaches follows. The first in the row is the Agia Anna beach, followed by the longest beach on Naxos, Plaka.⤵
Agia Anna beach
A great sandy beach especially popular among young people due its beach-bars offering entertainment! There are plenty of facilities and taverns where you can enjoy in excellent local food.
The part after the small harbor with boats, where the church of the same name is located, is surrounded by a cedar forest and is ideal spot for lovers of the natural settings.
After Agia Anna, follows an incredible beach. ⤵
Plaka beach
Plaka is an incredible beach with an impressive appearance and unique beauty! A true Paradise of nature with stunning sand dunes, wonderful golden-yellow sand and endless blue!
The largest beach on Naxos, about 5 km long! It is located 7.5 km south of the Chora capital.
A huge beach where you can enjoy in numerous beach-bars or completely secluded on the soft sand! An ideal location for relaxing, chilling and swimming!
Next comes the beach ⤵
Mikri Vigla is exposed to the northern wind Meltemi and the beach is a true surfer’s paradise. Extremely popular among surfers, kitesurfers and other water sports enthusiasts.
The hill where the small cove is located separates the two Mikri Vigla beaches.
Mikri Vigla 2 South
A fabulous sandy beach with soft white powdery sand and incredible clear turquoise water!
The surroundings irresistibly resemble some exotic destination due to wonderful blue sea.
A spectacular visual experience embellishes the hill with rocks in the right corner.
There is a tavern on the beach where you can try exceptional local food.
Kastraki & Glifada
Next is the vast sandy beach of Kastraki with its natural surroundings and dunes in the background. Due to its size, visitors get the impression of being isolated and secluded.
Glyfada is a similar long & wide sandy beach that is a continuation of Kastraki beach.
Follows the Aliko Peninsula with its Cedar Forest and 3 splendid beaches. ⤵
Hawaii
The first in line is Hawaii, beach with its incredible turquoise blue waters and exotic ambiance that justifies its cool name!
The true gem is exceptional natural setting with rocks and a cedar forest in the background. A great choice for nature lovers, as for swimming and enjoyment!
Near the beach, there is a canteen with the interesting name “FBI”, where you can refresh yourself with cool music.
Mikrolimano
Mikrolimano is a great little cove below at the very tip of the peninsula.
Excellent beach for enjoying in the beautiful natural surroundings with interesting rocks around, as well as for swimming and diving.
Aliko
An exceptional sandy beach with crystal-clear turquoise water and the gorgeous cedar forest in the background.
After the Aliko peninsula is the large sandy beach called Pirgaki.
Agiassos is a nice long sandy beach and quite secluded as the furthest south beach from Chora. For lovers of isolation and privacy.
Eastern beaches
The beaches on the eastern side of the island are wild and pristine. Exploring the eastern side is a true adventure! First the descent and enjoying in the incredible natural landscape and the panoramic view of the blue sea!
After the descent, you arrive at the beautiful fishing village of Moutsouna.
From the village of Moutsouna to the south, follows a series of wild beaches, among which 2 excellent beaches stand out: ⤵
Psili Ammos is a beautiful sandy beach with soft fine sand and crystal-clear water. The greenery in the background enchances complete enjoyment of the wonderful ambience with a view of the Small Cyclades in the distance!
Panormos is the last beach in the series on the eastern side of Naxos. A beautiful secluded bay with palm trees that enhance the delightful visual experience.
Picturesque mountain villages
🎬 Picturesque mountain villages
Beside the fantastic natural beauties and extraordinary beaches, the traditional villages in the mountains are the true gems of Naxos.
These picturesque villages are surrounded by exceptional landscapes and offer incredible views on imposing mountains and fertile plains that enchant visitors!
The picturesque mountain village of Apeiranthos stands out, which is the most beautiful village on Naxos!
▪ 5 traditional mountain villages to visit:
1️⃣ Apeiranthos
2️⃣ Filoti
3️⃣ Halki
4️⃣ Kinidaros
5️⃣ Koronida
Apeiranthos
Filoti
Halki
Kinidaros
Koronida
Display of villages & landmarks
To fully experience the beauty of Naxos, my advice is to explore the island’s interior, the mountain villages and landmarks. Part of the incredible landscapes & fascinating natural sceneries can be experienced by hiking, as well as by some means of transport.
I will present in detail 2 amazing routes for tour:
1. Route (Chora – Melanes – Kinidaros – Moni – Filoti – Mount Zas)
Melanes
The first stop when leaving the Chora capital is the beautiful village of Melanes, located on a hillside and surrounded by lush greenery and water sources.
You should walk through the village, which is one of the oldest on Naxos, and enjoy in the lovely surroundings. The village is home to the church of Agios Konstantinos & Eleni.
Excellent hiking trails pass through Melanes, which is located 8 km from Chora, passing through interesting landscapes along the way.
Kouros Flerio & Kouros Faraggi
The region between the villages of Melanes and Potamia is rich in excellent quality marble, that has been exploited since ancient times. In ancient times, this noble material was widely used in architecture and sculpture.
An example of impressive ancient sculpture are 2 landmarks located near the village of Melanes – Kouros Flerio & Kouros Faraggi! A statue of a young naked man of enormous size about 6m in a frontal position from the period of the 6th century BC.
In the immediate vicinity, at a short walking distance, there is another similar statue of Kouros Faraggi, measuring 5.5m.
Kinidaros
After the village of Melanes, on the way to the village of Kinidaros, you pass by an imposing marble quarry.
Kinidaros is a wonderful mountain village nestled in the lush greenery of mountains rich in marble.
A real pleasure is a walk through the picturesque village of great architecture with lots of interesting details and abundant flowers and with a lovely square where the small church of Agia Paraskevi is located.
Moni
This small traditional village is built amphitheatrically on the slope of a mountain and is surrounded by lush greenery and olive groves.
Near the village of Moni is the church of Panagia Drosiani set in a lovely landscape.
Church of Panagia Drosiani
The famous church was built in the 6th century and is the oldest church on Naxos!
The church of exceptional architecture has enormous historical significance as one of the most important early Byzantine churches.
Filoti
Filoti is the largest village on Naxos and for me the most beautiful along with Apeiranthos village!
It is located in the center of Naxos at the foot of the highest Mount Zas, at an altitude of 400m.
A wonderful village with white houses and narrow paved streets decorated with flowers & numerous picturesque churches. Walking through it is an enchanting experience as you soak up all the beauty of the charming ambience.
The central scenic square with cafes and taverns stands out in particular, where you can enjoy in coffee or delicious food in the shade of a plane trees.
The beautiful church of Panagia Filotitissa from the 18th century with an impressive bell tower and numerous icons is also located there.
Hiking
Naxos is an outstanding hiking island with a numerous excellent trails that stretch across the island.
I highlight the exceptional path that leads from the village of Filoti to the highest peak of the Cyclades, Mount Zas!
🏔️ Mount Zas
Mount Zas is one of the most impressive locations on Naxos and the highest peak of the Cyclades at 1004m! A real adventure is hiking along a challenging path to the roof of the Cyclades.
The effort is rewarded with a spectacular panoramic view on the all Naxos and the surrounding islands that leaves you breathless!
As you look around to absorb the charms of the fantastic landscape, you can see the vast green slopes of the mountains and the fertile plains of Naxos, the lovely villages nestled in the mountain slopes, the charming Chora and the blue of the Aegean. In the distance, the view reaches the neighboring islands of Paros, Ios, Amorgos, the Small Cyclades (Iraklia, Schinousa, Koufonisia, Keros, Donousa) and the other islands, and even other distant islands like Ikaria!
There are 2 paths that lead to the top, and a complete circle takes about 3 hours. A special challenge is the more difficult and steeper path which first leads to the Zas Cave, and then all way to the top! The Zas Cave at an altitude of around 620m is a location that should not be missed! According to mythology, it is the place where the father of the gods Zeus grew up. For an average fitness level, this climb takes about 1 hour and 10min. I made it in both directions in about 1 hour and 20min.
This unforgettable adventure and emotions experienced on the roof of the Cyclades are remembered for a lifetime! Highly recommended for everyone, especially adventurers and lovers of nature and hiking!
2. Route (Chora – Chalki – Apeiranthos – Koronos – Koronida – Apollonas)
Chalki
The first location on this route is the charming village of Chalki, located in the center of Naxos in an area rich in olive groves and greenery.
A village with a long history and once the capital of Naxos. Numerous neoclassical buildings and Venetian towers in the area speak of the importance and wealth of the place.
The center of the village is beautiful with picturesque houses and narrow cobbled streets with lovely flowers and charming bars where you can enjoy in local delicacies and the famous Citron liqueur produced in the local distillery.
In the village there is an imposing Byzantine church of Panagia Protothronos from the 9th century, which is one of the oldest on Naxos.
Apeiranthos
Apeiranthos is the most beautiful and charming village on Naxos, located on the slopes of a mountain surrounded by an exceptional landscape and greenery!
The surrounding area of the village is of stunning natural beauty, offering incredible views on majestic mountains and fertile slopes that take your breath away!
A real pearl of irresistible charm of unique architecture with narrow marble streets to go back in time! Locals keep to their traditions and customs, which share connections with Crete, as many locals are believed to be of Cretan origin.
The village is home to the impressive church of Panagia Aperathitissa with beautiful icons, as well as four interesting museums.
While strolling through the picturesque streets, take a break in one of the wonderful cafes and taverns to fully experience the magic of this fascinating place, where time has stood still!
Koronos
The small mountain village is located at a high altitude on the steep slope of a high mountain with an incredible view of the landscape.
Koronida
The adorable mountain village is the highest village of Naxos and is situated on the rim of a high mountain with stunning views of the exquisite scenery!
While walking through the traditional village, you get the impression that time has completely stood here.
A little anecdote & memory – On the walk, local children warmly welcomed me and asked why I visited the village and enthusiastically responded to my impressions of their lovely village.
Near the village, within walking distance, there is a Mycenaean tomb.
Apollonas
A nice fishing village in the northeast of Naxos with several fish taverns and a sandy beach.
Nearby at the entrance to the village is the famous Apollonas Kouros. Imposing 10.5m unfinished statue in a reclining position from the 6th century BC, depicting the God Apollo or Dionysus.
