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DISCOVER NAXOS

Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades, home to the tallest mountain, Mount Zeus (1,010 m). In the most popular island chain for tourists, Naxos is relatively quiet, quaint, and charming. You'll feel so at home during your holiday in Naxos, that you may never want to leave.

Naxos has more bars, restaurants, and discos than most other Greek islands and the quality of the beaches, food, music, precious jewelry, and nightlife is second to none.

Naxos is famous for it's marble - a brilliant white. If you tour ancient sites on the mainland before your trip to Naxos, you'll see marble which was quarried on Naxos and then transported overseas by boat - quite an impressive feat! Take a day trip to the ancient island Delos, and see the famous lions at the 'lion terrace' which were sculpted on Naxos.

Naxos is green and fertile. Farming is widespread, and the island produces olive oil, fruits, wine, and potatoes. Xinotyro and Mizithra are local cheeses which you can buy from the farmers in the main streets of town. Fishing is big business and you'll see fishermen mending their nets on the docks and octopus drying in the sun as you stroll the pier.

Visit ancient ruins, venetian castles, monasteries and churches, or just relax on beautiful sandy beaches. Wherever you wander on Naxos, and there is lots to see and do, you'll be made to feel very, very welcome.

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THE PORTARA OF NAXOS

Welcoming you to the port of Naxos Town, or Chora, is the ancient marble Portara - the unfinished Temple to Apollo which was built in the 6th century B.C. by the Naxian tyrant Ligdamis.

The Portara makes a stunning silhouette alone and majestic on the tiny island Palatia, which is connected to the Port by a narrow causeway.

Legend says that when Istanbul is returned to Greece the door to the Temple will magically appear. With the fabulous view from my balcony at the Hotel Grotta, I awoke eagerly each morning to take a peak out the window - but unfortunately no luck.

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MYTHOLOGY

Naxos is known in mythology as the island where Theseus abandoned Ariadne, after slaying the Minotaur on the island of Crete - and as the island where Ariadne met Dionysus, god of wine and protector of Naxos. The story has two versions of what happened next. One story tells us that Ariadne fell in love with Dionysus, while another version tells us that Ariadne was devastated - and to avoid the lustful advances of Dionysus, threw herself off the cliffs of Palatia into the sea.

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EXPLORE NAXOS

The capital of Naxos is Chora, or Naxos Town, which surrounds the old Venetian castle. Naxos Town is the main port where you'll find shops, bakeries, and tavernas lining the waterfront. The north shore of Naxos Town is called Grotta, with fabulous views of the Portara. To the south west of Naxos Town is the popular town beach area of Agios Giorgios.

Explore the interior of the old town and step back in time. Narrow cobblestone lanes meander through shops and houses with bouganvillea-adorned verandas. Naxos Town has two distinct areas; Bourgos where the Greeks lived and Kastro where the Venetians settled. In this part of Naxos town you can find galleries with hand-made arts and crafts as well as restaurants and coffee shops.

Wander through these streets and eventually you'll emerge at the highest point in town, inside the castle. This medieval area of town is very peaceful and quiet, particularly during afternoon siesta. The archaeological museum, which houses early Cycladic figurines as well as vases, torsos and funerary steles is located here, in a former school once attended by the famous author Nikos Kazantzakis.

Around Naxos, visit Halki to see ancient tower houses built as lookout posts in the days of pirate raids, and the Church of Panagia Protothronis with it's beautiful frescoes.

Filoti , on the slopes of Mt. Zeus, is the largest village in Naxos. Located in the center of the island, Filoti offers beautiful views over the rest of Naxos and the Aegean

Apiranthos is a village where all the streets are paved with marble. There is an archaeological museum featuring local finds. Apiranthos has no accommodation but there is a taverna where you can have a meal or a drink.

Apollonas is located at the north-east coast of Naxos. Once a tranquil fishing village, the beautiful beaches of Naxos now beckon tourists to this popular resort area. Just outside of the village lies a gigantic, 7th century B.C. kouros statue. This 34 foot tall statue, the largest of three on the island, was apparantly abandoned when it cracked.

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TRAVEL TO NAXOS

Naxos is about 5 1/2 hours by regular ferry from Piraeus, and about 1 1/2 hours by regular ferry from Santorini.

• By sea: Naxos is a central hub in the sea transport system, and enjoys multiple connections in all directions. Ferry boats and highspeed catamaran services run daily from Piraeus during high season. The cheapest lines is Hellenic Seaways, but there are many others like Blue Star Ferries, NEL Lines or GA ferries. Regular ferries also operate from Mykonos, stopping at Paros on the way. NEL Lines also operates a highspeed link from Lavrio in Attica.

• By air: Olympic Airways operates a daily service from Athens.

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GET AROUND NAXOS

Although Naxos is a big island, getting around is easy with local buses which service all the major towns and beaches. There are several daily buses to Agia Anna, Filoti, Halki, Pyrgaki, Appollonas, Apiranthos and Melanes. The buses leave from the port and there is a schedule posted at the Bus Organization Office which is also located on the quay.

Cars, motorcycles and all-terrain bicycles are readily available in the main towns and allow you to really explore this wonderful island . If setting off on your own, remember that Naxos is a large island - 35 km from Apollonas to Chora - and many of the roads are steep, winding and bumpy.

Another great thing about Naxos is that you can stay away from the major crowds, and visit Mykonos and Delos on a full day boat trip - which I highly recommend! You can book your trip in Chora, or your hotel may arrange it for you if you ask. It's best to book after you arrive since local weather conditions can alter the schedules.

Naxos has organized tours - by bus or by caique (small boat) to secluded beaches on the island.

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NAXOS BEACHES

Naxos is an ideal choice for a beach holiday component of your trip to Greece, and has some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece - some with advantageous winds for prime windsurfing and kitesurfing. The nicest beaches can be found on the west side of the island, protected from the 'meltemi' north winds which cool the island in the summer.

There is a town beach, Agios Georgios. About 6 km. away, and serviced by local buses, a beautiful stretch of sandy beaches begins.

Agios Prokopios stretches for many miles and the water is a crystal clean turquoise blue. At Agia Anna (next to Prokopios) you'll find camping in beautiful and peaceful surroundings.

15-20 kms. south west from the capital Hora, you'll find the beaches of Mikri Viglia and Kastraki. Kastraki's long beach of white sand is a good choice for those who want to get away from the large crowds in July and August.

On the east coast you'll find the beaches of Apollonas, Psili Ammos and Panormos. Some beaches are accessible only by car or boat, and you can book a day trip on a caique to visit them. Tavernas and accommodation are available at all the main beach towns.

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FOOD AND DRINK

Naxos has many enjoyable restaurants to choose from and many of them line the waterfront in Hora. Stroll along until you find one you like or head away from the water into the older part of town for a tucked away taverna offering delicious local food and wine.

Naxos has a full range of dining choices. You'll find restaurants, tavernas, ouzo shops and cafes to suit whatever your fancy. Our favourite place in Naxos was Taverna Vasillis where you're sure to get a 'romantic table' - EVERYONE does.

Because Mount Zeus (the highest mountain in the Aegean) tends to trap the clouds, Naxos doesn't suffer as much from the lack of rainfall as most other Greek Islands. The result is many wonderful delicacies to sample.

In the center of the island, olive oil is produced and the island now has a modern cheese factory that produces a large volume of local cheeses. The fresh fish is wonderful, and octopus drying in the sun is a common sight. Be sure to try it grilled in any number of restaurants along the water front.

Like many regions of Greece, Naxos produces it's own local wine as well as a lemon liqueur unique to the area, called Citron (kitron).

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NIGHTLIFE IN NAXOS

Naxos, though relatively quiet, is certainly large enough to offer many options for night life. The capital Hora has many bars to choose from, just back from the waters edge many offer beautiful views.

Offering everything from greek folk music to jazz to the latest dance hits, some of the better known bars in Hora are Island, Bikini, Vegerra, Notes, Opera, Jam and Ecstasy.

In the beach towns of Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna, 6 km. away from Hora, you can dance the night away at open air discos. And if you're lucky, you just might come across an open-air free concert at the port.

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