Satisfying your appetite for adventure, this cosmopolitan island provides whatever you desire! let’s make it clear this is an all-night-long party island. Here are my top things to do. either you party or don’t.
THINGS TO DO IN NAXOS.
Naxos is a calm family-style kind of island, things to do and see in Naxos are many. From windsurfing and kitesurfing to diving or backhorse riding, this place is perfect for a quiet and stylish traditional Greek experience. The sea around Naxos is rich in reefs, sea caves, and many wrecks. It is also a fantastic island for countryside activities and hiking with important monuments and spaces, this little piece of heaven will give you a diverse list of things to do.
Archaeological Museum in Naxos
There are a couple of museums in Chora, but this is one of the most interesting. It is housed in an elegant 17th-century Venetian mansion with five floors which used to be the Jesuit School of Commerce in the late 19th century. It becomes the Archeological Museum in 1973. Inside, visitors can view a fascinating collection of traditional items, tools, and various findings from the ancient years such as an impressive collection of marble Cycladic statues, gold, silver, and bronze, vessels, marble and clay pots, wooden tools, and funeral gifts. It is situated at the central square at the top of the Castle, so be emotionally and physically prepared to walk to the top for about 20 minutes!
Chora Castle or “Fortezza”
This is the island’s most characteristic monument located at the northeast, on the top of a steep mountain approximately 30 meters above sea level in Naxos. In order to access it, you need to climb the 230 steps on the steep hillside. It was built under the lead of Venetian Duke Markos Sanoudos in 1207. The castle has two entrances: Trani Porta (great door) to the north and Paraporti to the left. Inside the castle, you will find many medieval buildings, such as the boarding school of Ursulines, the School of Commerce founded by Jesuit monks, the Kapela Kazatza, a chapel of the Duke, the Catholic Cathedral, and the Tower of Krispy or Glezos. So, Walking and climbing around this Castle is a must!
Portara
Is the doorway to the ancient Temple of Apollo which was built in 522 BC, a huge marble gate in Palatia with a huge entrance (8 m height, 3.5 meters width) which nowadays connected to Naxos by a man-made causeway. They say if you stand in the doorway and make a wish you can feel the force as the energy of Apollo begins working to make your wish come true, wish is actually true. At least about the energy thing. The door of Apollo is the first thing you’ll see from the boat as you approach the island. The most recognizable landmark of the town is an iconic 6th-century monument that makes the most impression on the visitors becoming the island’s famous symbol and one of the most unforgettable places to see the sunset on the island.
Chora of Naxos
Even if the town is officially called Naxos, most books and residents call it Hora. It is the island’s port and capital and is the arrival point for all visitors. With tiny roads, twisting narrow streets, and alleys, it was originally intended to confuse marauders. There is plenty to explore. From the authentic structures to beautiful landscapes up to the stroll-worthy waterfront with countless bars, cafes, and restaurants. Naxos has an abundance of scenic beaches that are perfect for unwinding, sunbathing, surfing, and long walks! One of the best is Agios Prokopios, located in the West. The soft sand stretches for 1.2 km with golden streams of the sun and gentle winds so it’s perfect for unwinding under the warm rays of the sunshine. Chora is where almost everything in this small city happens, the shopping, the dining, the coffee, and the drinks. You can explore a few rooftop places and also some good coffee spots.
Temple of Demeter
Demeter was the ancient goddess of grain. People used to build temples and organize their lives around it with a strong belief that dedicating the land to him will make it fertile. It is situated on top of a hill in the middle of an agricultural area called Sangri. A small village about 30 mins from Naxos. This place is one of a kind. And not so crowded because just a few people seemed to make it to this particular temple. If you want to sit and write and soak up the history and culture in a different place, this one is for you!
