Old Town

The Old Town, which is located in Naxos Town, also referred to as Chora, is absolutely worth a visit. There are a lot of things to do in the Old Town and even though it has its roots in the past, it is actually a vibrant and modern area. The shops, restaurants, cafes, and tavernas that are located here are representative of what Greece is like in the present. History buffs can wander the streets and look at the older architecture as well as explore the old Venetian fortress.

Portara

The Portara is one of the most iconic and recognizable sites on the island. In fact, this is one of the first things you’ll see of the island after you step off the ferry. Located on an islet just off the coast of the island by the port, the Portara was originally to be part of an ancient temple. However, construction was never finished. For the best pictures, be sure to gaze at the Portara at sunset.

Archaeological Museum

Those who love history and want to know more about the island’s past, the Archaeological Museum is a site you won’t want to miss. Located in the Old Town of Naxos, this museum is worth a visit even if you aren’t a history buff. The museum is small but packed with useful information and artifacts, including Cycladic art. There’s also a nice historical overview of Naxos as well as some other Cyclades islands.

Beaches

While on any Greek island, you’ll certainly want to spend plenty of time at the beach! The beaches on Naxos are filled with everything that makes a beach in Greece great. The sun shines most of the time, the waters are warm and inviting, and some of the beaches are even great for doing outdoor sports. Some of the best beaches on the island include Plaka Beach, Agios Prokopios Beach, and Mikri Vigla Beach.

One of the things you will notice while on Naxos is how historic the island really is. Evidence of the past, such as old archeological sites, can be found throughout the island. It is also an island that has a long history of tradition with some of the older legends. This is the island where Theseus abandoned Ariadne after she helped him escape from the island of Crete. While here, however, you don’t necessarily need to focus on the past. You can certainly enjoy the present by seeing the sights, eating a great meal, sitting at a beach, or browsing through some of the island’s many interesting shops.

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Naxos is one of those Greek islands that can take you by surprise. Although it may seem like it is too small to be notable, visitors find that there are more than enough things to do here. However, like many Greek islands, one of the most popular things to do is to visit one of the many beaches that the island has to offer. Here is a list of some of the most stunning beaches on Naxos:

Plaka Beach

Plaka Beach has been described as giving visitors a little taste of paradise. It’s a long beach with soft sand and beautiful, crystal blue waters. Visitors can spend their days lounging in the sun on one of the rentable sun beds, swimming in the water, and even engaging in water sports such as snorkeling or scuba diving. Not only that, but it is also a fairly quiet beach despite its popularity. The long shoreline spreads out the crowd so visitors don’t feel cramped. It’s about a twenty minute’s drive from the main city in Naxos and it is well worth the effort it takes to get here.

Mikra Vigla Beach

If you want to find a great beach to do some snorkeling or scuba diving, you won’t want to miss the chance to visit Mikra Vigla. This is one of the best places on the island to view underwater sea life! You can also engage in other sports, such as kite surfing and windsurfing. Besides that, however, this is also a relaxing beach to spend some time lounging in the sun and swimming. Many believe that this is the best beach to visit if you have small children, too, since the waters are so gentle.

Maragas Beach

Maragas Beach is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches to visit on the whole island. So, if you only have time for one beach day, this is the place to go! The sand here is extremely soft, and the water is crystal clear and warm. If you come here during peak tourist season, though, it can get a little crowded. However, the crowds won’t be as bad as they are on some of the other islands in the  Cyclades, such as Mykonos. Before you go, though, it is important to know that part of this beach does allow nude sunbathing so if that’s not what you’re looking for, you may want to avoid that section.

Panormos Beach

If you’re looking for a beach that is fairly sheltered and quiet, Panormos Beach is where you should go. It is located in a fairly sheltered cove away from much of the bustle of the tourists. The one problem is that it is over an hour’s drive from the western side of the island, so if you are staying on that side, it is a bit of a trek. Most people find the journey to be worth it.

This island is part of the Cyclades, along with popular islands like Santorini and Mykonos. Although all the islands in the Cyclades have beautiful beaches, Naxos truly stands out as having some of the best. In fact, fans of these beaches say that they’re some of the best in Greece! Try to make time to visit more than one of these beaches, if possible. They each have their own unique charm!

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Archaeological Museum of Naxos

The Archaeological Museum of Naxos is housed in a historical building that is a good example of architecture during the Frankish rule. It is a five-storey building built on the Frankish fortification walls. The building was originally designed and built to house a school of Jesuits. The building has been used as the Archaeological Museum since 1973.

The museum showcases items of every day use from the Late Neolithic period to the Early Christian Times, which were found during excavations on the island after World War II. Some of the most important exhibits at the museum include: a marble vase dating to the Early Cycladic period, an early Cycladic marble figurine from Keros, and gold jewelry from tombs at Tsikalario and Chora.

Byzantine Museum of Naxos

The Byzantine Museum of Naxos is housed in an imposing building of the Kastro, a four-level tower that offers a wonderful view of the harbor. At the tower’s main entrance, there is the Barozzi and Crispi family coat of arms. They were past owners of the tower. The last owner of the tower donated it to the state. On exhibit at the Byzantine Museum of Naxos are collections of Byzantine sculptures from Naxos and the Cyclades that date between the 7th and 12th centuries.

Venetian Museum of Naxos

The Venetian Museum of Naxos is housed in an impressive mansion of the Naxos citadel called the Della Rocca-Barozzi Tower. The museum is privately run and tours are given by a member of the Della Rocca-Barozzi family. Items showcased at the museum include: furniture, paintings, utensils, garments, and textiles. There is a beautiful garden on the property of the museum. The garden acts as a venue for music concerts. The Venetian Museum of Naxos aims to help its visitors understand the island’s Catholic rulers and get a glimpse into how life was lived and the influence of culture.

Folklore Museum of Apiranthos

The Folklore Museum of Apiranthos is located in Platsa, the main square. The museum houses over 1,200 items of popular art that were donated by locals. Exhibits at the museum include equipment used in cultivation, collection, and threshing of crops and bread making. When you visit the Folklore Museum of Apiranthos, you will be able to view furniture, traditional costumes, and instruments that include traditional bagpipes, percussion instruments, and a wood instrument called a souvliari. You can buy items such as books, ceramics, paintings, and CDs of traditional music at the Folklore Museum of Naxos.

Geological Museum of Apiranthos

The Geological Museum is located in the primary school of Apiranthos. The museum has an impressive collection of over 2,000 samples of minerals, fossils, and rocks. It is considered one of the best geological museums in all of Greece.

Visit the museums of Naxos, Greece for a glimpse into its history. You can’t go wrong spending time at any one of these!

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Monastery of Timios Stavros

The Monastery of Timios Stavros (meaning True Cross) is located in the valley of Agiassos just outside the village of Sagri. This fortified monastery was built around 1600 and is considered an important monument in Naxos. The monastery was abandoned in the 19th century after the last group of monks who resided there left. The Monastery of Timios Stavros is also known as Vazeos Tower. The castle was bought by the Bazeos family whose descendants are still the owners. Today, the monastery is used for cultural events.

Monastery of Christ Photodoti

The Monastery of Christ Photodoti is another important monument in Naxos. This fortified monastery is the oldest on the island of Naxos and was built on the ruins of a 6th century basilica about 300 years later. The monastery is located north of Danakos at an altitude of 500 meters. The location, as you might imagine, offers a wonderful view of the Aegean Sea as well as the island of Donoussa. The Monastery of Christ Photodoti is two levels. The ground level is a three-aisle church. Around the monastery are vineyards, fig trees, and oak trees.

Monastery of Panagia Ypsilotera

Built in 1660, the Monastery of Panagia Ypsilotera is near the settlement of Galini. This monastery has a semi-circular tower that makes it unique from other monasteries in Naxos. There is a church and more towers on site. There are even murder-holes, which are holes where defenders would pour scalding water or rocks on attackers. The fortified monastery served as a center of rebellion by the locals against the repression of the Latin nobility throughout history.

Church of Panagia Drossiani

Not far from Moni is the Church of Panagia Drossiani, one of the oldest churches on the island of Naxos. The church is part of an old monastery and has a unique architectural style with stone walls, three adjoining chapels with square dome bases on their roofs. There are frescos that date back to the 6th century and thought to be some of the oldest in the Balkans. Other frescos in the church date from the 11th – 14th centuries.

Legend says that the location of the church was blessed by Virgin Mary with water and was “cool.” The word drossia means “coolness.” Next to the church you will find a small cemetery. This historical stone church is definitely worth a visit if you are visiting Naxos, Greece.

Naxos is the perfect place to visit if you have an interest in monasteries with history, charm, and beautiful architecture and paintings.

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While visiting Naxos, however, there are some places that do stand out, such as the Portara, which is a visible landmark that you will see once you get off the ferry. Here’s more information about the Portara and why you should visit it:

About the Portara and Palatia Islet

The Portara, also referred to as the Great Door, is a large marble doorway that is perched near the main port at Chora in its own islet named Palatia. This area was once attached to the port by a small strip of land, but this hasn’t been the case since Ancient Greece. The islet itself has a rich mythological history that began with the Ancient Minoans. It was here that the Minoan Princess Ariadne was abandoned and also where Theseus fled to after he killed the Minotaur in the labyrinth on the island of Crete. People who arrive on Naxos for the first time often remark that the Portara is the first thing that they actually see.

History of the Portara

The history of the Portara is fairly well documented. It is said that in 530 B.C., the ruler of Naxos at the time, Lygdamis, had a goal to build one of the largest buildings in all of Greece. As a result, he ordered that a temple be built on the islet of Palatia. While construction of the temple was underway, Naxos entered into a war with the island of Samos. Because of the war, construction ceased. In fact, construction actually never started up again because Lygdamis was actually overthrown.

All that was built at the time is all that remains now, a doorway known as the Portara. However, back when it was built, there were four columns and today, only three have survived. It is thought that the temple was to be dedicated to Apollo, which is why the area is often referred to as the Temple of Apollo. However, there are actually those who believe that it was actually going to be dedicated to Dionysius and not Apollo.

Viewing the Portara

Snapping a photo of the Portara is a must while visiting Naxos and if possible, be sure to do it at sunset. Although the Portara is located on an islet, it is actually possible to visit it. There is a small path that connects this islet to the main port. People who visit this historic site often report that it is one of their favorite places to visit on the whole island.

While visiting the Greek island of Naxos in the Cyclades, you’ll want to visit the Portara on the islet of Palatia.

Source:

Wikipedia – Naxos

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Plaka Beach is one of the most popular beaches on the Greek island of Naxos. It is especially popular during the peak tourist season, which means that if you want to avoid the crowds you should go off peak months like May, September, and October. The weather is still great those months but the crowds are a lot less. Here’s an overview of what to do while at Plaka Beach:

What to Do at Plaka Beach

This is an ideal beach not only for sunbathing, but also for outdoor activities. Consider walking on the beach, hiking through the nearby countryside, riding your bike along the street near the beach, windsurfing, going horseback riding, going sailing, and enjoying other outdoor activities. If yu decide you want to go scuba diving or snorkeling, consider hiring a guide to take you to all the best spots.

Plaka Beach also has some great shops, many of which are located on the coast. This is the ideal place to shop for souvenirs! Consider shopping for fine jewelry, local folk crafts, and other souvenirs while you shop. Once you’re done shopping, don’t forget to grab a bit to eat at one of the restaurants!

There are also plenty of nearby historical sites to enjoy, so if you need a break from the beach, this is the perfect time to visit them. Consider visiting the Sanctuary of Dionysus in Iria, the Four Successive Temples, and also the Castle at Naxos. 

Enjoy the Night Life

When the sun finally goes down, it’s time to experience Plaka beach’s nightlife which pieces together aspects of cosmopolitan lifestyle with instances of relaxation and tranquility. A walk down the beach where musical choices and cafeterias of diverse ranges are available will be fulfilling. You will hear all kinds of music such as soul, jazz, blues and artistic Greek music coupled with the panoramic view of the sea is just mind bending. Walk the beach to experience some of the bigger clubs, where you’ll be able to dance until the early morning. 

Places to Eat Near Plaka Beach

There are a lot of restaurants, cafes, and tavernas near Plaka Beach. They offer a range of cuisines such as local Greek cuisine, French food, Italian food, and even breakfast choices! Golden Beach is said to have an excellent breakfast, La Vigne is known for its French cuisine and wine,  and there are even Italian choices. You also won’t want to miss the traditional Greek restaurants, such as Platanos, To Spitiko Galactoboureko and Lefteris Taverna.

Hotels Near Plaka Beach

Of course, if you know that you want to spend a lot of time at this beach, you should consider staying at a nearby hotel or resort. There are several good ones in the area include the Blue Harmony Apartments, which is excellent for those who enjoy extended stays, the Hotel Orkos Beach, Iria Beach Art Hotel, Annita’s Village Hotel, and Naxos Imperial. These are all close enough to the beach so that you can spend plenty of time here!

As you can see, Plaka Beach is certainly worth a visit. It is not only gorgeous, but there are plenty of things to do here!

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