Naxos
Naxos is not simply an island, but a small continent nestled in the heart of the Aegean
Updated 7 July 2026
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The story
The story of Naxos
A story of marble, dukes, and deities
The history of Naxos is a millennia-old tapestry of civilizations that have left indelible marks on the landscape. As early as the 3rd millennium BC, the island was a nerve center of Cycladic civilization, famous for producing marble idols with abstract forms that still captivate with their modernity today. During the Archaic period, Naxos dominated the Aegean, exporting not only marble but also a cultural influence reflected in the great monuments of Delos. However, the island's current appearance owes much to the Middle Ages: in 1207, the Venetian Marco Sanudo founded the Duchy of the Archipelago here. For centuries, noble Venetian families ruled Naxos, building fortified towers and elegant palaces that give the villages an aristocratic and Central European air, unique in the Greek context. This fusion of Byzantine heritage, Venetian imprint, and subsequent Ottoman domination has created a complex cultural identity, visible in customs, architecture, and even local cuisine.
The Portara: the threshold of infinity
The undisputed symbol of the island, the Portara stands on the islet of Palatia, connected to the mainland by a thin strip of land. It is the only monumental remnant of a temple dedicated to Apollo (or perhaps Dionysus), begun in the 6th century BC under the tyrant Lygdamis and never completed. Its proportions are colossal: three enormous blocks of Naxian marble, weighing tons, forming a six-meter-high archway. Beyond its archaeological value, the Portara is a place full of metaphysical suggestion, especially at sunset, when the sun perfectly sets within the marble rectangle before plunging into the sea. According to legend, it was on this very islet that Theseus abandoned Ariadne after their escape from Crete, making the site a symbol of melancholy and mythological rebirth that continues to fascinate every traveler arriving in the port of Chora.
The Kastro of Chora: a Venetian labyrinth
The Kastro district represents the beating heart of Venetian domination in Naxos. Built on the top of the hill overlooking the capital, it is a true fortified citadel where time seems to have stood still. The narrow alleys, the doorways surmounted by noble coats of arms, and the houses that merge with the outer walls create a suspended atmosphere. Inside the Kastro are the Catholic Cathedral and the Archaeological Museum, housed in an old Jesuit college. Walking here means getting lost among covered passages and small, silent squares, far from the hustle and bustle of the waterfront. Many of the ancient dwellings are still inhabited by descendants of Venetian noble families, who jealously preserve furnishings and traditions from an era when Naxos was the cultural and political capital of the entire Aegean Sea.
The Temple of Demeter in Sangri
Nestled in the fertile valley of Sangri, the Temple of Demeter is one of Greece's most precious architectural jewels. Dating back to 530 BC, this sanctuary dedicated to the goddess of agriculture is entirely built of white marble and represents a fundamental example for understanding the evolution of classical architecture, anticipating stylistic solutions later found in the Parthenon. The temple was partially dismantled in Byzantine times to build a Christian basilica, but careful restoration has allowed much of its original structure to be reconstructed. The location is enchanting: surrounded by cultivated fields and gentle hills, the site emanates a sense of peace and rural sacredness. The small attached museum is a masterpiece of exhibition design, capable of clearly and engagingly narrating daily life and rituals connected to the land.
The Kouroi: the stone giants
In the ancient marble quarries of Flerio and Apollonas, the Kouroi, colossal unfinished male statues, have lain for millennia. The most famous is the Kouros of Apollonas, over ten meters long, resting in a supine position right above the village of the same name. These figures, dating back to the 7th and 6th centuries BC, bear witness to the ambition and technical skill of Naxian sculptors. It is believed that the statues were abandoned due to cracks in the marble or sudden political changes that halted funding. Seeing these stone giants still attached to the mother rock offers a unique perspective on the creative process of antiquity: they are not just artifacts, but fragments of an interrupted work that retain their expressive power, surrounded by Mediterranean scrub and the silence of the hills.
Apeiranthos: the village of marble and poetry
Perched on the slopes of Mount Fanari, Apeiranthos is perhaps the most fascinating village in the hinterland. Known as the 'marble village,' it owes its name to its streets paved entirely with marble slabs that shine under the sun. The inhabitants of Apeiranthos boast Cretan origins, visible in their customs, dialect, and the tradition of 'kotistà,' improvised poetic compositions. The village retains a medieval appearance with defensive towers and stone arches. Walking through its streets, one encounters five small museums ranging from geology to folk art, testifying to an unusual cultural vibrancy. It is the ideal place to sit in a café under the shade of plane trees and savor the slowness of mountain life, watching the elders discuss politics and traditions.
The Tragea Valley and the village of Halki
The Tragea Valley is the lush garden of Naxos, a sea of olive trees dotted with over thirty Byzantine churches of extraordinary artistic value. At the center of this fertile basin stands Halki, once the administrative capital of the island. The village is a jewel of neoclassical architecture, with pastel-colored mansions and well-tended gardens. Halki is particularly famous for the Vallindras distillery, which since 1896 has produced Kitron, a liqueur made from the leaves of the citron fruit, an citrus that thrives here. Visiting the distillery means taking a step back in time among copper stills and ancient bottles. In the surroundings, well-marked trails lead to the discovery of frescoed chapels like Panagia Drossiani, one of the oldest in the Balkans, where Byzantine pictorial cycles merge with rock-cut architecture of rare beauty.
The landscape: from Mount Zas to the sand dunes
The nature of Naxos is surprising in its variety and contrasts. Mount Zas, at 1004 meters, is the highest peak in the Cyclades; according to myth, Zeus grew up in these very caves. Hikes to the summit offer panoramic views across the entire archipelago, with falcons soaring and a rich endemic flora. Descending towards the western coast, the landscape changes drastically: here are some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, such as Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna, characterized by turquoise waters and golden sand. Further south, Plaka beach stretches for kilometers with its dunes protected by maritime cedars, while Mikri Vigla is a paradise for windsurfing and kitesurfing enthusiasts, thanks to the constant winds blowing between Naxos and Paros. The hinterland, on the other hand, is a succession of terraces cultivated with potatoes, citrus fruits, and vineyards, making the island an oasis of fertility in an often barren sea.
Traditions and flavors: the pantry of the Cyclades
Naxos is renowned throughout Greece for the quality of its gastronomic products. The highlight is Graviera Naxou, a PDO cheese made from cow's milk with a sweet, nutty flavor, the result of the island's centuries-old pastoral tradition. Naxos potatoes are equally famous, considered the best in the country thanks to the mineral-rich soil. Local cuisine is a celebration of the land: from 'kalogeros' (veal with eggplant and cheese) to dishes based on lamb and goat raised free-range in the mountains. Seafood flavors are also present, but it is the hinterland that dictates the menu. Popular festivals, or 'panigiria,' are unmissable opportunities to experience Naxian culture: amidst traditional dances to the sound of the lyra and violin, local food and wine are shared in a collective ritual that strengthens the indissoluble bond between the community and its land.
- Admire the sunset under the Portara, the iconic symbol of the island.
- Explore the alleys of the Venetian Kastro in Chora and visit the Catholic Cathedral.
- Hike Mount Zas to reach the highest point in the Cyclades.
- Taste Kitron liqueur at the historic Vallindras distillery in Halki.
- Get lost among the marble streets of Apeiranthos and its small museums.
- Relax on the sandy dunes of Plaka, one of the longest beaches in the Aegean.
- Discover the unfinished giants: the Kouroi of Flerio and Apollonas.
- Visit the Temple of Demeter in Sangri, nestled in a timeless rural landscape.
FAQ
Quanto tempo occorre per visitare Naxos?
È necessario noleggiare un'auto?
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Getting there
- Aeroporto Nazionale di Naxos (JNX) - 3 km da Chora
- Non presenti sull'isola
- Si gira principalmente con auto o scooter a noleggio; le strade principali collegano Chora ai villaggi di montagna e alle spiagge del sud.
- I traghetti veloci e convenzionali collegano quotidianamente Naxos al Pireo (Atene) e alle altre isole Cicladi come Paros, Mykonos e Santorini.
Perfect for
Un viaggio nel tempo tra templi arcaici, kouroi colossali e cittadelle veneziane perfettamente conservate.
Ideale per il trekking sul Monte Zas e per gli sport acquatici come windsurf e kitesurf nelle baie ventose.
Un paradiso per i buongustai che cercano formaggi DOP, prodotti agricoli d'eccellenza e cucina greca autentica.
Offre distese di sabbia dorata chilometriche e acque cristalline, tra le migliori di tutto l'Egeo.
To see
