1. Naxos Town
Naxos town or Chora as it is called, is the main port and the capital of Naxos. It is built in the middle of the west coast of the island around the hill of the medieval castle (kastro). Whitewashed houses with colored doors and windows, beautiful courtyards with flowers, small alleys and arches characterize the main town which is spread around and within the medieval castle. Chora has retained its character, combined harmonically the past with the present.
Portara, the huge marble gate of the unfinished temple dedicated to Apollo is the main landmark not only of Chora but of the whole island. Portara is situated on a small rocky islet in the harbor called Palatia and is connected by a long causeway. Inside the port there is another small islet where the quaint chapel of Panagia Myrtidiotissa stands on.
In Chora, there are many monuments that testify the rich historical background of the city such as the archeological site of Grota and the Venetian castle. The castle was built by Crusader Marco Sanudo in the 13th century when it created the Duchy of Naxos. Within the castles inner walls are a number of Venetian residences, the Tower of Sanudos, the Della Rocca-Barozzi mansion, the Ursulines school building, the Catholic cathedral and the Jesuit School of Commerce where the famous writer Kazantzakis studied and which nowadays housing the Archaeological Museum, with rich finds from the Neolithic to early Christian years. The castle has been continually inhabited since it was built.
The alleys of the old town where the Greeks lived when the Venetians controlled the town, become very crowded every summer. The narrow alleys are full of small shops, traditional tavernas, tiny bars and shops selling local products such as cheese, liqueurs and sweets. Nowadays the city extends mainly to the south, around the beach of Agios Georgios which is the most popular beach. This is where most of the hotels and rooms to let are located. The harbor itself is a lively area with cafes, restaurants, travel agencies and shops. Chora has a year-round population making it the kind of place that does not close down in the winter.
Chora is connected by regular transport with the rest of the villages and the beaches of Naxos. It is one of the most picturesque towns of the Cycladic islands, rewarding any visitor with its hidden beauties.
Protected Historical Monument - ΦΕΚ 183/Β/16-3-1967
2. Filoti Naxos
The largest of the villages of Naxos is amphitheatrically built at the foot of mount Za, 18 km. east from Chora. Built on the slopes of two hills, it consists of three settlements, Rachidi, Klefaros and Lioiri. The village with the whitewashed houses, the narrow alleys and the archs is one of the most famous and picturesque villages in the Tragea region, well-known for its olive groves and the little Byzantine churches.
In the little paved square of the village, the imposing old plane-tree stands there, offering its huge shade to visitors. The square is called Gefira (bridge in english), because many years ago there was a bridge and a stream with waters that ran from the fountains of Kalamos and Agia Irini. In the old days the square was not the main one in the village as there were other places in the two settlements. Most known were the historical square of Lachanario, located in the settlement of Klefaros and the squares of Agios Konstantinos and Fasola, located in the settlement of Rachidi. The square is surrounded by traditional coffee shops "kafeneia" and tavernas serving traditional food.
The paths starting from the square of the village await you to explore them. Walking through its narrow streets you will find beautiful buildings, such as the impressive Tower of Barozzi (at the main entrance, there is the coat of arms with the inscription "1718 Geronimo Barozzi") and the imposing church of Panagia Filotitisa with its impressive bell tower and the marble temple. The church is the symbol of Filotians in their long struggle against the feudal regime. In the village is also held the island’s biggest traditional feast, a three-day event starting August 15, with dancing to the sounds of local violins coinciding, honoring the Assumption of the Virgin. Next to the tower there is a marble tap accompanied by a marble wall inscription, dating back to the times of King Othon.
In Filoti there is also the Museum of the Collection of Greek Coins by Nikolaos G. Moustakis whose collection includes coins and banknotes that have been released in Greece and Cyprus since the beginning of the 19th century. Other interesting sights in the surrounding area include the fountain of Arion, on Zas mountain’s slope, the Zas cave where Zeus was born according to mythology, Chimarros tower on the road to Kalandos, as well as numerous Byzantine chapels with original frescoes.
Filoti is well-known for the excellent quality of its livestock products as well as for the production of a variety of cheese products such as kefalotyri, anthotyro, xinotyro, arseniko and myzithra. The village is particularly developed both socially and touristically and is a perfect destination for holidays. It attracts many visitors every year.
3. Apeiranthos
Apeiranthos is a traditional and picturesque mountain village where the villagers use small utility mopeds and donkeys in the narrow and meandering alleys to transport their goods. Amphitheatrically built at the slopes of Mount Fanari, it boasts magnificent views of the Naxian mountain ranges. As the locals say, while at Apiranthos, there is no way of telling that you are, in fact, on an island. The feeling one gets is more that of a northern mainland Greek village than that of a Cycladic island. This is partly due to its architecture and stone built houses but mainly due to its altitude. The centre of the village is located at approximately 600m from sea level.
Apeiranthos is sometimes referred to as “the marble village” because many of its buildings, lanes and public squares have been constructed from marble and stone.
The local dialect and traditions are similar to the mountainous Crete villages and it is said that Apiranthos was built by Cretans in the 10th century, while historical evidence in 1413 by the traveler Cristoforo Buondelmonti confirms its existence.
When entering the village, you first notice the narrow marbled streets with arches, the old traditional houses from Venetian times made of stone, the beautiful squares and the aged and worn steps leading up to the upper part of the village. At the entrance there is also the big Tower of Zevgolis, now privately owned and in excellent condition.
The village has unique customs and a rich folkloric tradition. It is worth seeing the 18th Century church of Virgin Mary the Apeiranthitissa , the 17th century restored tower of Zevgoli - old Venetian family property and the tower of Bardani. In Apeiranthos there is the largest library of the Cyclades, the Nikos N. Glezos Library, whο was born and lived in the village. A sample of the cultural flourishing of the village are its four museums (Archaeological, Folklore, Natural History and Geological).
The women of Apiranthos show and sell their wonderful embroideries to anyone who can appreciate the work effort and pride that is apparent in every stitch. These are managed and sold via the Woven Products Cooperative they created some time ago.
Walk into the paved alleys, go under the marble arches to get to the "platsa", the central square with the shops and cafes to taste the best wine of the island.
From Naxos Town, the shortest route to get to Apiranthos is via the villages Galanado, Damalas, Damarionas and Filoti and it is 25km long. However, the most commonly used route is from Galanado to Halki and Filoti.
4. Apollonas Naxos
Apollonas is a beautiful seaside village on the northeastern coast of Naxos, 36 km away from the island's capital. It has been inhabited since antiquity and in the old days served as the main port from which Naxos marble was exported. Remnants of the ancient port have been found at Marmara. The main attraction of the village is the unfinished 10.5-meter ancient marble statue (Kouros) of Apollo, lying in a supine position just a few meters outside the entrance of the village. The statue which dates back to the 6th century BC is believed to represent the god Dionysus. North and west of the village extend ancient marble quarries while on the top of the hill there are ruins of the prehistoric fort of Kalogeros.
In recent years, Apollonas, the typical Cycladic village with the white-washed houses has been developed into a tourist resort. Small hotels, rooms to let and a beautiful sandy beach lined with taverns and cafes make it an ideal place for relaxing breaks and as a base for exploring the surrounding area. Agios Ioannis is the patron saint of the settlement, celebrated on August 29. The day before a big traditional feast takes place in the taverns of the village. On June 28th the village holds the annual Fisherman’s Feast.
5. Sagri Naxos
The picturesque village of Sangri is built on a fertile plateau, 11 kilometers southeast of Chora, the capital of Naxos. It is divided into three districts, Ano (Upper) and Kato (Lower) Sangri and Kanakari. Ano Sagri is located on a hillside, offering amazing views of the island. In Ano Sagri, is situated the famous monastery of Agios Eleftherios, which served as a secret school in the years of the Ottoman rule. Today the monastery houses the folklore museum. A bit further is the Monastery of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross), from which the village took its name (SaintCroix - French for Holy Cross). The Monastery of the 17th century, also known as the Bazaios Tower, hosts every summer since 2001 the Naxos Festival with thematic exhibitions, concerts, theatrical performances and cultural events.
Sangri is also known for its beautiful architecture, the picturesque windmills and the large number of Byzantine churches and monasteries spread around the village. Highlights include the archaeological site of the Temple of Demeter in the area of Gyroulas, the most important archaeological site of the island. The temple which is situated in the middle of the valley about 1.5 km south of Ano Sangri, was built entirely of white marble between 530-520 BC. It was dedicated to the goddess Demeter and served as a temple until the 6th century when it was turned into a Christian church. Part of the temple has been restored and next to it, a museum has been built that houses the findings of the area. The village is also famous for its Venetian towers, two of which in ruins are in the listed and protected settlement of Kato Sagri. Palaiologos Tower of the 17th century in Sagri Valley along with the chapel of Virgin of the Tower next to it are also worth a visit.
Wandering in the whitewashed alleys of the village you will find traditional cafes, tavernas with quality homemade food and shops with fine local products. Sagri hosts annual traditional feasts on August 15, the Assumption of the Virgin Day; July 1, Agii Anaragyri Day and on November 8, the celebration of Taxiarchon. The popular beaches of Mikri Vigla, Orkos, Kastraki and Glyfada are also located within a short distance.
6. Halki Naxos
Halki (Chalki) or officially Halkion is a village on the plateau of Tragaia in central Naxos, 17 km away from Naxos Town. It used to be the capital of the island as well as its administrative and trade center. It is a beautiful and fertile village that stands out for the architecture of its houses, which are typical examples of neoclassicism, fact that testifies the economic strength the village experienced in earlier times. Its old mansions with the roof tiles and the classic balconies with the beautiful railings lined up in the picturesque narrow alleys as well as the flowery squares with the traditional shops and the small neat cafes, compose a beautiful scenery. Halki is one of the most beautiful and picturesque destinations of Naxos.
It is located next to the stream with the tall trees, the running water and the troughs, that were used by the inhabitants for the washing of their clothes in the old days. In and around the village there are many archeological monuments and tall Venetian towers. There are also many Byzantine churches decorated with frescoes in the area. Among the most important monuments are the Panagia Protothronos Church (6th century AD), dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin, Saint George the Diasorite (11th century AD), the church of Taxiarchis in Monoitsia (first millennium) and the tower of Barozzi or Gratsia, a majestic building built in the early 17th century by the Venetian Barotzi family. Nearby, stands also the Papadakis (Markopolitis) Tower, situated in the Acadimi village.
Due to its location (in central Naxos), Halki, was during the Byzantine period and, mainly, in the middle period, a remarkable administrative center. In recent years the village has been developed a lot. It has various shops that serve the inhabitants of the wider area. In Halki you can find tavernas and restaurants, serving local dishes with interesting flavors, made of products from the Naxian land. It is worth visiting the local distillery to try citrus, an excellent drink made of citrus leaves.
7. Koronos Naxos
Koronos is a mountainous village on the island of Naxos, built amphitheatrically on the slopes of Mt Koronos and Mt Ammomaxi. It is one of the oldest and most quaint settlements in northeastern Naxos. It first appears in written records c.1200 AD. The village is divided into seven neighborhoods, connected with each other via labyrinthine cobbled streets and countless stairs. Almost all the neighborhoods have their own square and old water fountain.
The village experienced great growth before World War II, thanks to the emery mining industry. Parts of the aerial emery transport system from the Koronos mines to the loading port of Moutsouna, are still being preserved. Today Koronos is a rural village, with few tourist infrastructures but great architectural interest as the village has retained its traditional island architecture. The slopes around Koronos are covered with vineyards that produce excellent quality wine. Olive oil and other agricultural products are produced as well.
It is one of the most attractive destination of mountainous Naxos, with cobbled alleys, ornate arches, numerous stairs that connect the upper and lower neighborhoods, small Cycladic houses with old doors painted in bright colors and a small picturesque square, "the Platsa" as the locals call it, where you can find old cafes and tavernas under the arbor. The church of Agia Marina is the patron Saint of the village. It dates from the 9th-10th century and was renovated in 1747. In its paved courtyard stands a huge age-old plane tree that offers its shade to passers-by. A big celebration takes place on July, 17 (Santa Marina Day) and at the evening of the day before. Worth seeing is the monument of “The Fallen”, by the famous sculptor Armakolas, that was erected in honor of the executed residents of the village by the Nazis during World War II. Koronos has also a remarkable folklore museum, housed in a traditional guesthouse.
Due to its great architectural value, the village has been listed as a traditional protected settlement since 1988. Koronos lies approximately 30 km north east of Naxos Town and can be approached from three different junctions off the main road. West of Koronos, near the top of the homonymous mountain, at an altitude of 930 meters, can be found the Bad Cave, a place of worship of God Dionysus in antiquity.
Protected Historical Monument - ΦΕΚ 504/∆/88
8. Kaloxilos Naxos
Kaloxylos is among the most beautiful villages in the valley of Tragea, on the island of Naxos. It is built on the slope of a hill, covered with olive groves, vineyards, oaks and plane trees, 16 km away from Chora, next to the famous village of Halki. The little cute village has preserved the traditional Cycladic architecture and has been listed as a traditional settlement since 1988.
Old traditional whitewashed houses with small yards filled with various colorful flowers, arches and graphic walkways compose an incredibly beautiful setting. At the entrance of the village stands the church of Agia Triada (Holy Trinity) with its carved marble iconostasis and the Byzantine icons and right across a renovated old olive mill that nowadays serves as a museum. To learn more about the village’s past visit the folklore museum that houses important exhibits, related to Kaloxylos’ history and the traditional way of life. In the outskirts, there is a small stone bridge and the place where women used to wash fabrics and clothes in the past. Many small byzantine chapels can be found scattered in the wider area. The church of Panagia Damniotissa of the 9th - 10th century with interesting murals and the byzantine church of Agios Ioannis (St. John) are worth a visit.
The village’s residents are mainly engaged in agriculture and the production of olive oil. In the past the village had four pre-industrial olive mills, but only two survive to this day. Kaloxylos is the starting point of many walking trails that lead to picturesque whitewashed chapels and to other sights. The village Kaloxylos is considered the ideal place for those who love a relaxing vacation in a naturally magical environment and with easy access to all the other destinations of the island.
Protected Historical Monument - ΦΕΚ Δ 504/1988
9. Moutsouna Naxos
Moutsouna is a small quinsential little fishing port with a few houses, located on the eastern coast of Naxos Island. A perfect spot if you want to get away from some of the other more crowded areas, and enjoy just sitting and watching it all go by. Here, the atmosphere is so relaxing and unique without any tourist activities.
Until the early 1980s, the port was used by the local emery mines. The small jetty with the now defunct crane, was originally used for loading emery brought down by a cable system from a quarry up in the hills. The cable car stopped at the port of Moutsouna where there were tons of emery waiting to be loaded and exported. The cable car still exists as a kind of monument of the industrialization on Naxos.
Today, Moutsouna is a sleepy fishing village, where you can only find a couple of places offering accommodation and a few fish taverns, all with tables attractively laid out under the shade of trees. They all serve locally caught fish of the day and typical Greek dishes. Next to the port, there is a lovely beach, good enough to swim before lunch. It is a wonderful mix of soft sand and beautiful multicolored small pebbles. Water is very clear and shallow, allowing for small children to play easily and safe. Here, there are no sunbeds or amenities so bring everything you need. A second beach equally beautiful and clean, called Tigani, is located a little further south.
Moutsouna is located 39 km from Naxos Town and 11 km from the village of Apiranthos. You can either travel to Moutsouna by car or bus from Naxos Town. Keep in mind, that the buses to the village do not start until mid-July so really need a car to get there. The road, down from the mountains is breathtaking and covered in goats, but it all adds to the experience. This picturesque resort with the unspoiled natural beauty attracts holidaymakers who wish to enjoy the sea, the sun, the nature but mostly its tranquility.
