Naxos
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Only have a day? See a ready-made day plan ↓10 places on the map
Top 10
- 1
Giant marble doorway of an unfinished Temple of Apollo on a harbour islet.
- Tip: Go early
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Come for sunset, arrive early
- Free and always open
- Reached by a short causeway
📷 Photos
- 2
Venetian hilltop quarter of whitewashed lanes, mansions and coats of arms.
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Get lost in the alleys
- Shoes with grip help
📷 Photos
- 3
Cycladic figurines and finds housed in a Jesuit school inside the Kastro.
3 tips
- Small entry fee
- See the rooftop mosaic
- Check seasonal hours
📷 Photos
- 4
Family-run Venetian mansion museum in the Kastro walls.
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Guided tours of the house
- Summer evening concerts
- Ask about the family history
📷 Photos
- 5
Sandy town beach with shallow water, a short walk from Chora.
3 tips
- Great for families
- Sunbeds and tavernas
- Windsurfing at the south end
📷 Photos
- 6
Lower old town of stepped lanes, arches and small shops beneath the Kastro.
3 tips
- Walk up the Old Market Street
- Shops stay open late in summer
- Look for bougainvillea arches
📷 Photos
- 7
Unfinished 6th-century BC marble statue lying in an ancient quarry garden.
3 tips
- Free to visit
- About 20 min drive inland
- Combine with mountain villages
📷 Photos
- 8
Restored marble temple from 530 BC in the island's farmland near Sangri.
3 tips
- Small entry fee
- Little museum on site
- Closed some days off-season
📷 Photos
- 9
Elegant inland village known for the Vallindras kitron distillery.
3 tips
- Taste kitron liqueur
- Peaceful in the afternoon
- Lovely Byzantine churches nearby
📷 Photos
- 10
Marble-paved mountain village with small museums and great views.
3 tips
- Narrow lanes, park outside
- Try local cheese and sweets
- Cooler than the coast
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Naxos tips
Transportation
- Ride the KTEL Naxos buses: buses leave from the port in Chora for Agios Prokopios, Plaka, Halki, Filoti and Apiranthos; buy tickets at the kiosk first.
- Book ferries early in summer: Blue Star and fast ferries link Naxos with Piraeus, Paros and Santorini, and August sailings sell out.
- Rent a car for the villages: mountain villages like Apiranthos and the Kouros of Apollonas are far apart, so a small car beats waiting for buses.
Security
- Ride scooters with care: Naxos mountain roads are steep and twisty, and the meltemi wind can push riders; wear a helmet.
- Respect the meltemi: strong summer winds in July and August make the sea choppy on the west coast; check flags before swimming.
- Carry water on hikes: trails up Mount Zas and between villages have little shade or water, so start early and carry plenty.
Saving
- Swim at Agios Georgios: the town beach in Chora is shallow, sandy and free, a short walk from the port.
- Eat in the mountain villages: tavernas in Halki, Filoti and Apiranthos often serve generous plates of local meat and cheese at fair prices.
- Visit in June or September: shoulder season brings warm sea, fewer crowds and lower prices than July and August.
Weather/Clothing
- Pack for hot dry summers: Naxos summers are hot and sunny; bring a hat, sunscreen and light clothing.
- Bring a windbreaker: the meltemi can make evenings and boat trips feel cool, so pack a light jacket.
- Expect mild wet winters: winters are mild but rainy, and many tavernas and hotels close outside Chora.
Cultural
- Taste kitron: this citrus liqueur is distilled in Halki, where the Vallindras distillery offers tours and tastings.
- Try graviera and Naxos potatoes: the island's cheese and potatoes are famous across Greece; order them in any local taverna.
- Join a panigyri: summer village festivals, like the 15 August celebrations in Filoti, bring music, dancing and food.
Local Hacks
- Watch sunset at the Portara: the great marble gate of the Temple of Apollo frames the sunset at the edge of Chora.
- See the unfinished kouroi: giant ancient statues still lie in the quarries at Flerio and Apollonas, free to visit.
- Kitesurf at Mikri Vigla: steady winds make this west coast beach a top spot for kitesurfing lessons.
1-day itineraries in Naxos
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.