Holiday in Naxos

What makes Naxos special as a destination?

Naxos is the largest and highest island of the Cyclades and surprises with a landscape diversity that ranges from endless sandy beaches to green valleys and a mountain range over 1,000 meters high. The Portara, the monumental marble gate of an unfinished Apollo temple from the 6th century BC, stands on a peninsula and is the iconic landmark of the island — at sunset, it perfectly frames the setting sun. The old town of Naxos City (Chora) is crowned by the Venetian Kastro, a fortress from the 13th century with winding alleys, Catholic churches, and the Archaeological Museum. The doors and passages of the Kastro tell of the centuries-long Venetian rule over the Cyclades. In the interior of the island, a completely different face reveals itself: The mountain village of Halki with its neoclassical mansions and the famous Kitron liqueur distillery is nestled among olive groves. Apiranthos, the "Marmoddorf," perches with its towers and cobbled streets on the slopes of Mount Za and houses four small museums. The Filoti region offers hikes to the summit of Zeus (1,004 m). The beaches of Naxos are the longest and widest in the Cyclades: Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, Plaka, and Mikri Vigla offer kilometers of fine sand, shallow water for families, and excellent windsurfing conditions. The fertile plain of Tragaia makes Naxos the pantry of the Cyclades — famous for potatoes, Graviera cheese, and Kitron. The island is significantly more authentic and affordable than the glamorous neighbors Mykonos and Santorini.