The biggest island of the Cyclades, Naxos is 90 nautical miles from Athens. The island is named after the leader, Naxos, of a Greek tribe that inhabited the island, according to mythology.

According to scholars the name derives from the ancient Greek word for “offerings”. The first traces of people living on the island are from the 9th millennium B.C. although there are a lot of elements proving that Neaterdal lived long before. 

The importance of Naxos historically is not the only primary; it formed a whole historical period, the Cycladic civilization. 

Naxos has fertile land, sandy beaches, many springs, and rivers. Since antiquity, the island produces wine, a big variety to cheeses, livestock, olive trees, orange and lemon trees, and even sea salt. Famous is the marble of the island.

Τhe island is 430 km2 and nowadays has a population of approx. 18.000. The capital of the island is Chora or Naxos.

Discover Naxos

We’ll mention here some of the island’s sightseeings: 

• Portara – The Great Door, a huge marble doorway from the 6th B.C. entrance to an unfinished temple 
• The Temple of Apollo and Dimitra, with the titanic Kouros statues 
• The Venetian Castle and Venetian Museum
• Apiranthos, the marble village
• The Cave of Za, at the side of the mountain Za
• The Windmills 

The beaches 

• Agia Anna
• Agios Prokopios
• Agiassos
• Psili Ammos
• Aliko
• Moutsouna
• Mikri Vigla
• Pirgaki
• Kastraki

Activities and Events

On Naxos, especially during summer, many religious festivals take place. For sure you’ll enjoy the food, the dance and the wine during one of those festivals.

You can also enjoy windsurfing and kitesurf, diving, trekking, horse riding, cycling, etc.

Parts of Naxos, mainly the center, are of unique ecological interest and are part of Natura 2000.