Its rich geographical relief has created dramatic changes of scenery. High mountains, fertile valleys, plateaus, springs, rivers, caves, huge beaches, sand dunes with cedar trees growing on them, all existing harmoniously on this small piece of earth.
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It has been possible to gather information about the history of the Aegean from traces left behind from each historical period, along with unique monuments which are scattered all over the island.
Naxos has the cosmopolitan atmosphere of a modern tourist resort, but at the same time has kept its traditional colour and it's local culture.
Hora (the main town) is a harbour and the administrative centre of the island. It is a modern town, which offers all kinds of facilities. There is a Health Centre, banks, a very good market place and lots of restaurants, bars and cafes. It has a lively nightlife, not only during the summer months, like most islands, but all the year round.
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Ladies and gentleman, welcome to Naxos.
The
archeological museum
All findings from excavations are kept in the archaeological museum,
proof of the uninterrupted cultural presence in Naxos from pre-historic
times until the end of the ancient times. The museum is housed in the
building of the former Commercial School in the area of the Castle.
Grota's
archaeological site
Excavations made under Metropolis square have revealed some remains of
the Mycenaean city of Naxos (1600 - 1100 B.C). The place has been
landscaped and it is open to the public.
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Portara can be seen from afar as ships approach the island of Naxos, standing on the northern side of the port. This monument is a gigantic gate, which remains from a temple that was dedicated to Apollo. It was built during the 6th century B.C, when Naxos used to be a commercial and cultural centre.
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An impressive monument which was built during the long Venetian rule (1204-1537); it is located on a hill which is the natural acropolis of Hora. A medieval town in the heart of the Aegean still in its original form, inhabited continuously since 1207. The external walls of the peripheral houses shape the wall of the Castle, which has only three entrance gates.
The museums of
Apeiranthos
The village Apeiranthos has a museum of archeology, geology and folk
art. In the archeological museum there are pre-historic exhibits that
have been excavated from the southeastern part of the island.
Iria - Dionysus'
sanctuary
The Iria sanctuary, situated 10 kilometres south from Hora, at Livadi
area, was the formal sanctuary of the city of Naxos, dedicated to
Dionysus. During the various historical periods some buildings were
destroyed and new ones were built over them. It has been discovered that
at the fourth Iria temple (580-550 BC) was the beginning of classical
Greek marble architecture. The restoration of the site is finished.
It is situated south of the village Sagri, at Gyroulas area. The marble temple was dedicated to Demeter (the goddess of fertility) and to Apollo and is one of the best preserved ancient buildings in Greece, dating from 530 B.C. The restoration of the site is finished and there is also a small museum.
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At Flerio, near the village of Melanes, there is a half finished male statue, belonging to the 7th century B.C., 6.4 metres tall, which was found in an olive grove.
Kouros (Apollonas)
Near the village Apollonas and near to the entrance of an ancient mine,
there is a half finished "Kouros" (male statue) lying on the ground,
which has never been moved from this spot. The statue is 10.45 metres
high and is dated at the beginning of the 6th century B.C.
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Plaka's tower
It is an ancient Greek tower, situated on the dirt road, which connects
the village Tripodes to Plaka beach.
Himarros' tower
This tower is one of the most famous ancient monuments on the island and
is situated towards the northeastern side of the island, about half way
between Zas, Naxos' highest mountain, and the sea. Himarros tower is an
imposing, marble, circular fortress, belonging to the Hellenistic period
(4-3 centuries B.C.).
It was the strongest fortress in Naxos and the administrative centre of the island during the Byzantine empire, situated on the top of an unapproachable mountain in the area of Sagri.
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It is situated on the top of a mountain in the area of Tragea. Apano Kastro (Castle) was in use during several historical periods, from ancient times up to the Venetian rule. There are paths, which lead to the castle from the villages Tsikalario and Potamia.
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The fortified
monastery of Fotodotis (light giver) Christ
It is situated next to the village of Danakos. According to a legend it
was built by a princesse during the byzantine years.
The church of
Protothroni Virgin
The church of Protothroni Virgin (9th-10th cent.) in the village Halki
is the biggest Byzantine church in Naxos, with important wall paintings.
Mass has been held here since Early Christian times until today.
The church of Drosiani Virgin near the village of Moni is one of the best-preserved monuments from the early Christian era in the whole of southeastern Europe.
It was constructed in three stages starting from the early Christian period. The oldest frescoes are from the 7th century.
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The Venetian
Towers
They can be found all over the island and they were built during the
long Venetian rule. The Venetian towers were built with Naxian stone,
un-plastered without any covering so that they blended in with the
countryside. The most important Venetian Towers are the Bellonia tower,
built a little way out of the village Galanado, the towers of Gratsia
and Markopoliti, in the area of Tragea, the tower of Fragopoulos, in the
village Kourounohori and the Barotsi tower, in the village Filoti.
A monastery-tower dedicated to the Virgin Mary built in 1600, situated on the road, which leads from the village Galini to the coast of Amitis.
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In Agia, about 6 klm. from the village Apollonas, in a strategic spot near to the most northerly point of the island is the Tower of Agia. Not far from the tower amongst plane trees and running water is the old monastery of the Holy Virgin with its miraculous icon, which according to tradition, was found in the sea.
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From the bay of St. George, south of Hora up until the bay of Agiassos, there is one magical beach after another; St. Prokopis, St. Anna, Plaka, Orkos, Mikri Vigla, Kastraki, Aliko, Pirgaki and Agiassos. St. Prokopis and St. Anna beaches are well organized for tourism with shops of every kind. The rest of the beaches offer facilities for the tourist but they are not so crowded.
Agios Georgios
(St. George)
This is the popular and busy beach south of Hora and is large and sandy
with crystal, clear sallow water, protected from the wind and ideal for
children.
There are shops of every kind and organized water sports.
Agios Prokopis
(St Prokopis)
St. Prokopis beach (4 klm. from Hora) with its wide stretch of sand and
crystal clear sea, like a huge swimming pool, is very popular. There are
many facilities for tourists on the beach and organized sea sports.
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Agia Anna (St. Anna)
The beach of Agia Anna (5 klm. from Chora) is a continuation of the
beach of Agios Prokopis. Agia Anna beach offers many facilities for the
tourist and there are organized sea sports. There is a rare kind of
cedar tree, which grows along the beach, which is like the Lebanese
cedar and thrives in hot sand.
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Plaka
Further on from the beach at Agia Anna, is Plaka, a sandy beach several
kilometres long. A dirt road separates the beach from some tavernas and
bars, which are spread out along the beach.
The rock of Mikri Vigla (16 klm. from Chora), separates the sandy beaches of Parthenos and Mikri Vigla. Because of the perfect weather conditions the beach of Parthenos has become a meeting place for surfers from all over the world. Mikri Vigla beach with its crystal clear water stretches as far as the eye can see. There are few tavernas.
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Kastraki
Carrying on from Mikri Vigla is Kastraki beach (15 klm.from Hora) with
it's white sand and clear water. In this area there are some ancient
remains and the Tower of Oskelos. There are few tavernas.
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Aliko
Aliko is a sandy beach with sand dunes, cedar trees and exotic
atmosphere. It is not a well-known beach and it is quiet. In the area
there are few tavernas.
Pyrgaki
The circular road, which starts from Hora, ends up in the south at
Pyrgaki, a magical sandy beach with cedar trees. There are tavernas.
Agiasos
Agiassos is a sandy isolated beach with sallow clear water. There are
two dirty roads leading to Agiassos. One of them starts just outside
Sangri and the other just before Pyrgaki. There is a taverna next to the
sea.
Apollonas (54klm from Hora) is a beautiful, green, seaside settlement on the northeast side of the island, with picturesque tavernas and cafes. There is a large beach made up of small white marble pebbles and an area of sand. Just outside the settlement, you will see a half finished "Êouros" (male statue) lying on the ground, which has never been moved from this spot.
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Just outside the village of Koronos there is a road, which leads to the beach of Lionas (40 klm. from Hora). It is a small quiet, beautiful pebble beach, perfect for those who want to get away from the crowds. There is a settlement and few tavernas next to the sea.
Outside Apiranthos there is a road which leads to Moutsouna (39 klm. from Hora) a beautiful little seaside settlement with picturesque tavernas situated right on the edge of the beautiful beach. Moutsouna is the port from where emery was shipped during the period of thriving commercial activity.
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From Moutsouna starts a seaside road, which leads south to the wonderful beach of Psili Ammos. It is a fine sandy beach with sand dunes, cedar trees and idyllic atmosphere.
On the southern tip of Naxos is the bay of Calados, a magical place sheltered from the wind, where the land meets the sea. Calados is reachable only by boat (there is a very rough dirt road, which starts from Filoti and leads to Calados but we do not recommend it unless you have a suitable vehicle.) It's necessary to take supplies if you decide to visit the beach.
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Ambram
Ambram beach (25 klm. from Hora) is a wonderful beach for swimming, with
crystal clear water. There is a taverna next to the sea. Close to the
bay is the monastery of Phaneromeni (17th century), with rare icons.
From Galini starts the road, which leads to Amitis, a long sandy quiet beach.
On the road stands a monastery - tower dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
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