Naxos

The island of Naxos, being the largest of the Cyclades, offers a choice of places to visit and numerous walking routes. It is characterised by its varied landscape and by the beauty of the villages. The influence of the Venetian architectural style has resulted in the island villages being different from others in the archipelago.  Those who enjoy walking will delight in the number of possibilities, which are explained in available guide books.  The list is extensive but we propose some of them below.

Situated on the west coast of the island, Chora is built around the Venetian Kastro which can be seen at the top of the hill.
Kastro, despite its Middle Age architecture and fortress-like appearance, has much to offer. Once a shelter for the Catholic community, the maze of winding streets are bordered by medieval residences with coats-of-arms.
To the north of the town, in the area known as Grotta, you will find the site of the ancient town.
The port has two arterial roads with commercial buildings. Unfortunately, the construction of some of these has not been well planned and they rather spoil the area.
The main town of Naxos has almost 7,000 inhabitants. It is characterised by the imposing Venetian fortress, which was constructed from local materials by engineer Marco Sanudo. Following the conquest of the Cyclades in 1207, he returned and proclaimed himself Duke and decided that Naxos should be the Duchy of the Aegean. The fortress is surrounded by thick protective walls which form a pentagon, each angle once having had a tower.  However, only one tower exists today. Of the three entrances to the fortress, only two remain today, one of which has the original wooden door.  From an architectural point of view, it is of great interest. There is an entirely residential area with lovely two storey Venetian houses, each with its own history and some with their coats-of-arms still visible. On the ground floor of these houses, the ceilings are low but on the upper level, reached by an interior staircase, the rooms are more spacious. The beamed ceilings are made using cypress wood and the floors are of white Naxos marble. The main square is situated at the centre of the fortress where you will find the Catholic cathedral, and the school of the Ursuline nuns.
To the north of the village and next to the port, an elevated path leads to the small island of Palatia, where it is said that Ariadne was deserted by Theseus.  Clearly visible is the marble monument known as the Portara (huge door), which is 5,50m high and has become the island's trademark. Built in the 6^th century BC, the Portara was the gateway to what was once a temple dedicated to Apollo.
On a tiny island in the port, is the picturesque chapel of Panagia Mirtidiotissa, seemingly the guardian of the port!

Situated 15km from Chora in the valley of Tragea, it is the heart of the largest agricultural region of Naxos and is abundant with olive groves and vineyards. Halki is a picturesque village which at one time was the commercial centre of the island. It is characterised by a lovely Venetian tower - the Gratsia-Barotsi, a number of Byzantine churches and two neo-classic buildings.  Another product of this area is 'Citron' liqueur, an ancient medicinal remedy which is produced by the distillation of leaves from the citron trees. The first distillery was started in 1896 by Marco Vallindras, and continues to function today. It is an interesting place to visit.

This peaceful village is in the hills of Lagou to Vouni, in the direction of the valley of Tragea. Surrounded by olive groves are about fifty charming houses. It is worth the small detour to go to see the ancient oil press, which has been restored by the inhabitants of the village. Also in Damalas is the pottery workshop of Manolis Libertas.

Constructed on the sides of Mount Zas in the shape of an amphitheatre, Filoti has superb views of the valley and surrounding mountains. It is the largest village on the island and also counts amongst the most beautiful, with gleaming white houses in its narrow alleyways.  The activity in the village is centred on the village square, where you will find essential shops, and places for refreshment, some of which are shaded by the giant plane tree which has seen countless generations come and go.

At an altitude of 650m., this mountain village is built on the side of a hill between two fertile valleys at the foot of Mount Fanari (883m).  It is amongst the most beautiful villages on the island and is known as 'the marble village'. On top of a rock at the entrance to the village, is the Zevgoli tower, an imposing Venetian structure dating from the 17th century.  The two storey stone houses are found in the narrow sloping streets which have numerous archways and are for the most part, paved with marble. In the village, there are numerous small squares where you will find café owners waiting to serve visitors. There are several lovely old churches, in particular, the chapel of Agia Kyriaki which can be found along a small footpath. This church dates back to the 9^th century and is reputed for the fresco depicting birds and fish. Another footpath leads to the Monastery of Fotodotis from where there are lovely views of the sea and the Small Cyclades.
Apiranthos has four museums and an exhibition of local handicrafts, the women of the village being competent weavers.

A mountainous rural village 36km from Chora and at an altitude of 540m. Constructed in the shape of an amphitheatre on the mountainsides, the valley below has many vineyards.  This picturesque village has steep sloping alleyways, where you will find traditional houses with balconies adorned with flowers. Rural life is very present in this village.

In this fertile region, there are several hamlets which are grouped together around the vineyards and orchards. In one olive grove close to Flerio, an unfinished statue (a "kouros") dating from the 7^th century BC can be found lying on the ground where the sculptors left it.  The picturesque village of Melanes is in a particularly lush area with flowing streams which at one time powered the now derelict water mills. This small village, with its alleyways and steps, its local people, and its tavernas serving their specialities (one of which is rooster in sauce), is well worth a visit.  On the other side of the valley is the village of  Kourounichori, which has at its entrance the fortified castle of Frangopoulou-Dellaroka. In the village of Melanes, a footpath leads to the ancient Monastery of Kalamitsia which was founded by a Jesuit monk around 1673. Today, it is abandoned but at one time, it must have been a veritable palace.

Almost in the centre of the island on the road to Halki is the Potamia valley, a fertile area where the river almost always has water and which is filled with orchards. Within the area are three small villages Ano Potamia, Mesa Potamia and Kato Potamia, which are linked by several footpaths. There are local tavernas in each village. In the main square of Ano Potamia, a church is situated near a flourishing garden which is supplied with water from a spring at the entrance. Another church of renown which can be found in the area is the now abandoned church of Agios Mamas, who is the patron saint of shepherds. It is believed that this church was Orthodox until 1207, when it was converted to a Catholic church. Ancient cemeteries, palaces and churches have been found between Potamia and Tragea in the area of Upper Castle, indicating use of this rock through the ages.

7km north of Naxos town is the fertile and abundantly planted Engares valley, which has a constant water supply. In the labyrinth of orchards, which are protected by borders of tall plants which resemble bamboo, are numerous possibilities for walking in the area. The villages of Galini and Engares, both of which have excellent tavernas, are situated on each side of the valley. From Galini, a small road leads northwards to the beach of Amitis Bay. Between the two is the Monastery of Panagia Ipsilotera, founded in 1600.

On the north coast road towards Apollonas, the landscape is jagged but beautiful. Along this road you will find the now derelict fortress which was the Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni.

This picturesque fishing port has a lovely sand and pebble beach. Cafes and tavernas can be found close to the sea. At the entrance to an ancient marble quarry near to village, is an unfinished statue (a "kouros") which is lying on the ground. Dating back to the 6^th century BC, it is 10,45m long and believed to be a statue of Dyonisis which was being sculpted at the site where it was found.

Naxos : Overview - Where to stay ? - Excursions - Photo gallery