Naxos Greece
3
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Three days in Naxos reveals the largest and most self-sufficient island in the Cyclades, its extraordinary combination of the finest ancient heritage, remarkable medieval Venetian towers, the most beautiful beaches in the Aegean and a remarkable mountainous interior of hidden villages giving the most complete island experience in the Cyclades. This route covers the essential Naxos experience: the extraordinary Portara gateway of the Temple of Apollo, the finest ancient monument in the Cyclades, the remarkable Naxos Town kastro with its Venetian heritage, the extraordinary ancient kouros statues of Apollonas and Flerio, and the finest beaches from Agios Prokopios to the hidden coves of the northeast coast.
Best Time To Visit
May to June or September to October
Getting There
Ferry from Piraeus (5 hours) or from Paros (45 min) or Mykonos
Getting Around
Car or ATV essential for interior and north coast. Buses for beaches.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 160 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate , some mountain road driving in interior
DAY 1
NAXOS TOWN
MORNING
THE PORTARA AND TEMPLE OF APOLLO
The Portara is the most extraordinary ancient monument in the Cyclades, the enormous marble gateway of the unfinished Temple of Apollo standing alone on the islet of Palatia at the entrance to Naxos harbour. Built from Naxian marble in 530 BC, the extraordinary doorway frames the sunset over Paros in the finest ancient monument view in the Aegean. The islet is connected to the town by a causeway. Free. Drive: Walk into old town
MIDDAY
NAXOS TOWN KASTRO AND OLD TOWN
The Naxos Town kastro is the most extraordinary Venetian fortified town in the Cyclades, its remarkable 13th-century walls enclosing the finest collection of Venetian mansions in the Aegean. The extraordinary Catholic cathedral, the remarkable Venetian tower houses and the fine Archaeological Museum inside the kastro give the most layered heritage in the Cyclades. Museum entry approx 6 euros. Drive: Walk through town
AFTERNOON
NAXOS TOWN MARKET STREET AND OLD TOWN
The Naxos Town market street below the kastro is the finest commercial street in the Cyclades, its remarkable delis filled with extraordinary local products including Naxian potatoes, the finest in Greece, local cheeses, kitron liqueur made from citron leaves and remarkable local Naxian wines. The extraordinary old town labyrinth gives the finest Cycladic townscape outside Mykonos. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Archaeological Museum inside the Naxos kastro contains the finest collection of Cycladic figurines in the Aegean outside Athens, including remarkable Early Cycladic marble figures of extraordinary refinement. The museum also holds the Parian Chronicle fragment not in Oxford. Entry approx 6 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe near the Portara causeway Outstanding Greek coffee with the extraordinary Portara framing the morning sky over the Aegean. | Lunch: Taverna in the Naxos kastro Outstanding Naxian lunch with local cheese, fresh fish and excellent Naxian wine inside the Venetian fortification. | Dinner: Restaurant on the Naxos waterfront Outstanding dinner on the finest waterfront in the Cyclades watching the extraordinary Portara at sunset.
DAY 2
NORTH NAXOS
MORNING
APOLLONAS KOUROS
The Apollonas Kouros is the most extraordinary ancient sculpture in the Cyclades, its remarkable 10.5-metre unfinished marble figure of Apollo lying in the ancient quarry where it was abandoned 2,600 years ago. The extraordinary scale of the figure, still attached to the living rock with the ancient tool marks still visible, gives the finest insight into ancient Greek sculpture in the Cyclades. Entry approx 4 euros. Drive: 1 hr drive south
MIDDAY
APEIRANTHOS MOUNTAIN VILLAGE
Apeiranthos is the most extraordinary mountain village in the Cyclades, its remarkable marble-paved streets, Venetian tower houses and extraordinary local museum giving the finest traditional village heritage in Naxos. The village produces the finest Cycladic scholars and has an extraordinary intellectual tradition entirely out of proportion to its size. The views over the Naxian interior from the village are remarkable. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
FLERIO KOUROS AND THE MELANES VALLEY
The Flerio Kouros in the Melanes Valley is the finest hidden ancient sculpture in Naxos, its remarkable 6th-century BC marble figure lying in an extraordinary garden setting among ancient olive trees. The smaller second kouros nearby in the valley give the most extraordinary open-air ancient sculpture experience in the Cyclades. The remarkable Melanes Valley walk is free. Entry approx 4 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary village of Koronos on the north Naxos mountain road is the finest hidden village on the island, its remarkable position above the emery mines giving extraordinary views over the northeast coast and the Aegean. The village produces the finest local kitron liqueur on the island and has an extraordinary traditional character. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast before north coast drive Early start for Apollonas. The kouros is extraordinary in the morning before tour groups arrive. | Lunch: Taverna in Apeiranthos Outstanding Naxian mountain lunch in the finest village in the Cyclades. Local sausages and mountain herbs. | Dinner: Restaurant in Naxos Town Outstanding Naxian dinner back in the extraordinary kastro town. Local Naxian wine and fresh fish.
DAY 3
NAXOS BEACHES
MORNING
AGIOS PROKOPIOS BEACH
Agios Prokopios is the finest beach on Naxos, its remarkable stretch of extraordinary fine white sand and vivid turquoise water giving the best swimming beach in the Cyclades. The beach has won the Blue Flag award consistently for decades. The extraordinary clarity of the water and the fine sand underfoot give the finest beach experience in the Aegean. Free beach. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
AGIOS GEORGIOS BEACH AND NAXOS TOWN
Agios Georgios is the most convenient beach in Naxos, its remarkable position immediately south of Naxos Town giving the finest easy beach access in the Cyclades. The extraordinary long shallow bay gives the finest conditions for families and windsurfing. The remarkable views back over Naxos Town and the Portara from the beach are the finest from any beach in the Cyclades. Free. Drive: 20 min drive south
AFTERNOON
PLAKA BEACH
Plaka is the most extraordinary long beach in Naxos, its remarkable 3km stretch of extraordinary fine white sand almost entirely undeveloped giving the finest wild beach experience in the Cyclades. The extraordinary dunes behind the beach, the most remarkable natural dune system in the Cyclades, give the finest natural beach landscape in the Aegean. Free beach.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Naxian marble quarries above Apollonas on the north coast contain the finest collection of unfinished ancient marble blocks in the Cyclades, the ancient quarry faces still showing the marks of the iron wedges used to split the marble 2,500 years ago. Free. Visible from the road above the Apollonas kouros site.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before beach day Early start for the beaches. Agios Prokopios fills quickly in July and August. | Lunch: Beach taverna at Agios Prokopios Outstanding fresh fish lunch at the finest beach taverna on the best beach in the Cyclades. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Naxos Town Outstanding final dinner in the extraordinary Venetian kastro. Naxian cuisine and local wine.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Naxos Town (Chora) Best base for the whole island. Hotels from 70 to 180 euros. Walking distance from the Portara and old town. Agios Prokopios beach For a beach-focused trip. Hotels from 60 to 160 euros. 5 minutes by bus or ATV from Naxos Town. Budget option Guesthouses in Naxos Town from 40 euros. The old town is compact and walkable from most accommodation.
Top Tips
1. The Portara sunset is the finest in the Cyclades. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset and sit on the islet with the gateway framing the sky over Paros.
2. Agios Prokopios beach fills by 11am in July and August. Arrive before 9am for the finest experience on the best beach in the Cyclades.
3. The Apollonas Kouros is most extraordinary before 10am when the raking morning light reveals the ancient tool marks still in the marble.
4. Apeiranthos village has the finest local museum in the Naxos interior. The small geology, folklore and archaeology collections are extraordinary.
5. Naxian products are the finest in the Cyclades. Buy local potatoes, graviera cheese, kitron liqueur and Naxian wine from the market street shops.
6. The Flerio Kouros garden visit is free and extraordinary. The two unfinished marble figures lying among ancient olive trees are unlike anything else in Greece.
Total Budget
80 to 160 euros/day