TravelTips24 : Europe : Mediterranean Europe : Greece : Greek Islands : Cyclades : Naxos
Naxos
Naxos is one of the major islands in Greece's Cyclades group.
Culture and History
The largest and most fertile of the Cyclades Islands, Naxos in fact gains much of its income from agriculture rather than solely from tourism. The main town, referred to as 'Hora' on maps, but also as simply 'Naxos' or 'Naxos Town', contains most of the shops and restaurants frequented by visitors. A number of beach communities extend south along the coast from Hora.
Talk
English and German are very common; French and Italian are also spoken by many.
Travel to Naxos & Visa Requirements
Naxos is about 5 1/2 hours by the fastest regular ferry from Piraeus, faster by catamaran, 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 high speed catamaran services, respectively costing around €29 and €45 one-way in economy class, run daily from Piraeus during high season.
Various shipping companies sail for Naxos (via Paros) including:
NEL Lines also operates a highspeed link from Lavrio in Attica. This is a pleasant port to travel from if you have the option, as it is relatively near the airport and doesn't have the stress and chaos of Piraeus.
There is also the High Speed (Hellenic Seaways) which leaves from Rafina, closer to Athens airport than Piraeus and a pleasant place to have lunch if you have time before you board your ferry. The High Speed takes just under 4 hours and is around 40 euros in high season.
By air
Olympic Airways [6] operates a daily service from Athens.
On weekends there are direct flights from Austria (Innsbruck and Graz) with Lauda Air [7].
Tours & Getting around Naxos
Within town walking is the best method of transport. Bus services do operate between the towns, and car and motorbike rentals are readily available; however, be very careful to fully document all dents and even scratches at the time of hire to avoid additional expense and unpleasantness later (You've been warned!) -- and even this may not save you from hassles later. Dependable rental agencies include Mike's Bikes, RUN (Rental Union Naxos) and Rental Center.
Naxos attractions and sightseeing
The most recognizable landmark of Naxos is the Portara, an iconic 6th century BC marble gate on the islet of Palatia in Naxos harbor. It is the only remnant of a temple dedicated to Apollo. Naxos is well known for its wonderful beaches, some with advantageous winds for prime windsurfing and kitesurfing. Most of the Island's West coast is one long sandy beach with crystal clear azure water, the most popular areas of which are Prokopios, Agia Anna, Plaka and Mikri Vigla. It also has a mountainous interior with a great variety of valleys and villages, easily reachable by a well-maintained road system. Archaeological highlights include the Kouros of Melanes and Apollonas, Dimitra's Temple at Sangri and the Cheimarros Tower.
Naxos city tours
The Castro (old walled city) section, on its elevated ground overlooking the harbor, provides some of the quietest and most photogenic alleyways to be found in the town. It survives from the days when Naxos was an outpost of the Venetian empire.
Daytime activities center around the beaches, especially those to the south of town. Naxos beaches, like those on many Greek islands, offer clothing options. Generally, nude sunbathing is more frequently encountered in southern beach communities that have sand dunes blocking the view from the access road - such as in Plaka.
At the end of Plaka beach nearest to Ag. Anna there is a group of rocks and small coves, and this area is excellent for naturists. It is hidden from the road by trees, yet is an easy (300m) walk along a flat beach from the bus stop at Paradiso taverna.
For those who love adventure, the island offers many opportunities for active sports. Naxos Diving Center [8], located at Plaka beach, offers beautiful and safe diving trips around the island. Excellent conditions are formed among meadows of sea weed (Posidonia Oceanica), sand banks, reefs and vertical cuts along with shipwrecks, not only for marine life but also for the divers who explore them.
Truly ancient ruins are limited to the Portara gateway, visible from the harbor, and a rather modest half-finished Kouros statue uncovered in a quarry near Melanes (Kouronohori) as well as a larger version near Apollonas on the northern coast. Special attention has been given in recent years to the sites of Dimitra's temple at Sangri, and Dionysus' temple below Glinado village, where the Ministry of Culture organizes full moon concerts in July and August.
The tiny harbors of Lionas and Moutsouna on the East coast are very picturesque and quiet even in the summer months. Both have tavernas and a beach. A newly asphalted road from Moutsouna down to Panermos is also very much worth exploring, as it passes by several secluded bays.
Naxos Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive
Due to its fertile valleys, Naxos has the richest variety of produce of the Cyclades islands (Naxos is famous in Greece for its potatoes), as well as cattle and poultry. Most restaurants serve fresh and wholesome food, but only a few stand out for excellent dishes, especially in local cuisine.
Greek specialties like moussaka, souvlaki and a wonderfully mild feta are available in restaurants. The olive oils one encounters are superior to the 'light virgin' oil commonly available, in that the local process apparently leaves in much more olive flavor.
There are also supermarkets on the outskirts of Hora which offer food and drink at everyday prices. As many rooms come complete with cooking facilities, this offers an excellent way to keep expenses down.
- Η ΑΞΙΩΤΙΣΣΑ (Axiotissa), popularly known as The Yellow House, on the road from Hora to Pyrgaki at the height of Kastraki. Its menu blends Naxian specialties with the kitchen of Asia Minor. Reservations recommended.
- ΤΑΒΕΡΝΑ Ο ΤΖΩΝΝΗΣ (Johnny’s Taverna-Restaurant) [9], located in Sagri, a traditional village with hospitable residents in country of naxos island. It use local pure fresh materials for the creation of dishes.
- Στης Ειρινι (Ιrini's), Naxian home cooking such as Dakos, wheat rusk topped with tomato and fresh Myzithra cheese or the spicy Shrimp Saganaki.
- ΦΑΡΟΣ Αλυκού (FAROS Aliko beach), famous restaurant with authentic Greek mama's recipes on the road from Hora to Pyrgaki at the height of Aliko beach next to the unique Cedar forest.
- O ΓΙΩΡΓΗΣ (George's Restaurant) in Melanes Village (tel.22850-62180) just 7 km outside Hora is a family restaurant with a magnificent view of a green valley. Open all-year round, it makes for an excellent stop-over after visiting the Kouros and has very reasonable prices and huge portions. You should definitely try the rooster in tomato sauce, stuffed pork, lamb in a clay pot with fried potatoes and cheese, rabbit in onion sauce, aubergine with pork and cheese in the oven and one of the many different traditional sweets that the owner's wife makes all year round, served with yoghurt or ice cream.
- ΛΕΥΤΕΡΗΣ (Lefteris) in the quaint, historic village of Apiranthos. Well known, especially for its home made Galaktoboureko and Pasta Flora sweets.
Naxos nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs
Naxos is famous for producing its own liquor called kitron, made from an exotic fruit which can be compared perhaps to lemons, though kitron's taste is pleasantly sweet and citric. Its production process can be viewed at the old Valindras distillery in the village of Halki, where different varieties can also be tasted. Kitron is also produced by Promponas.
More common with the locals is a drink called Raki which in winter is served hot with honey (Rakomelo). Raki is a brandy made from pomace (the pieces of grapes (including the stems and seeds) that were pressed for wine making and is similar to Italian grappa. One of the places that continuously serves Rakomelo is Cafe Naxos, located in the narrow alleys in the port's old town. Enjoy it with your "parea" (company of friends) by the cosy fireplace or outside in summer.
Naxos cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging
As on most islands, a phalanx of touts greets each arriving ferry waiving placards advertising rooms for rent and (usually) offering free transport. In the months of July and August you should book in advance; but otherwise, these immediately available rooms are often the best value. Bargaining is usually possible. Be sure and establish the location of the accommodations first -- as distance can add to expense.
The following is a selection of accommodations on Naxos, including low-budget to luxury hotels.
- A1 Soula Hotel, (Saint George Beach), [10]. A friendly family run hotel 2 minutes walk from Naxos town center8-30€ per person. edit
- Astir Hotel, Hotel Astir of Naxos, Saint George Beach(Naxos Town), ☎ +30 22850 29320-21, [11]. Close to the beach (just 2 minutes from St. George beach)Astir of Naxos hotel offers accommodation for single or family travellers. edit
- Athina Studios, Plaka Beach, ☎ +30 22850 41153-4, [12]. Athina Studios also runs the adjoining 9 Muses Suites with which it shares a pool. 30-90€. edit
- Crystal Apartments & Studios, (Mikri Vigla beach), ☎ +30 22850 75475, [14]. Traditional style with a sea view edit
- Faros Studios Apartments, Aliko beach, 150m from the beach, next to the unique Cedar forest, [15]. 40-120€. edit
- Finikas, Pyrgaki, 19 Km from Naxos Town on the Island's tranquil southwest coast, ☎ +30 22850 75230, [16]. Elegant and environmentally friendly getaway in one of the most peaceful areas of Naxos edit
- Glinado House, Glinado(7 km from Naxos town), [17]. A traditional village house with a homely artistic atmosphere. 65-80€. edit
- Hotel Naxos Resort, Saint George, Naxos Town, ☎ +30 22850 26650, [18]. Island and Venetian architectural domination with hints of blue sky and sea give the Naxos Resort. The Glamour, the Luxury and the Nobility of a Cycladic painting. 63-262€. edit
- Korali Hotel, (Saint George Beach), [20]. 12 rooms in close proximity to Naxos town (Chora) centre.7-24€. edit
- Korali Palace Studios, (Saint George Beach), [21]. 15 studios in close proximity to Naxos town (Chora) centre.10-33€. edit
- Lagos Mare Hotel, Agios Prokopios Beach(3 km from Naxos town), [22]. A newly built (2006) four star hotel with 28 rooms and 2 suites, offering indulgences such as private hamam steamrooms. 86-296€. edit
- Oasis Studios, Mikri Vigla(Parthenos and Mikri Vigla), ☎ +30 22850 75494, [24]. Self catering studios with bar and swimming pool, by the beach45€. edit
- Pension Kastell, (In Naxos town, south of the Castro), ☎ 0030-22850 23082(info@kastell.gr), [25]. Nice rooms and studios, very friendly and helpful owners, German, English speaking edit
- Pension Verykokos, (Saint George Beach), ☎ 0030-22850 23036(info@verykokos.com), [26]. Nice economy rooms close to beach edit
- Plaka Camping, (south of Agia Anna). Quiet, clean, and has a cheap restaurant (plates from 3.50€).7€(2€ tent). edit
- Panorama Hotel, (in the old town), [27]. A hospitable family-run hotel well known for its spectacular sea view and warm and friendly atmosphere. edit
- Vasilikos Studios, (Saint George Beach), ☎ +30 22850 26981, [29]. Family run studios in Naxos Town, close to Saint George beach. edit
Get out
Offices selling tickets for ferries in all directions can be found along the quay in Hora. Ferries from Pireaus to Naxos are frequent, as many as half a dozen a day during the summer but generally two or more. The length of the trip does not require a cabin. Blue Star Lines is the most common carrier between Pireaus and Naxos. The ferry takes about 6 hours and the high-speed takes half that time and costs twice as much. Usually there are several departures at 7:30am every day and then a high-speed and ferry at around 5pm and in the summer a ferry that leaves Pireaus at around 10pm. The Hellas Flying Dolphin High-speeds are catamarans and take about 4 hours to get to Naxos from Pireaus.
Word of advice: It is not an uncommon story on Naxos that someone who initially planned to stay for only a few days missed their original ferry out, and liked the island so much that they ended up staying there forever. They are living proof of Ariadne's legend, who was left behind here by Theseus after they escaped from Crete, and remained to become the wife of Dionysus.
This page was last edited at 19:56, on 24 October 2008 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Sergey Kudryavtsev and Henry Hartley, Wikitravel user(s) Sailsetter and Texugo, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.
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