Discover Naxos

Explore stunning sandy shores, historic landmarks, and hidden gems that make Naxos a unique destination.

Sights

  • Portara of Naxos, Greece, on a hill with a clear blue sky and turquoise sea in the foreground.

    PORTARA

    The Temple of Apollo, also known as Portara, was an ancient Greek temple on Naxos, whose construction began in the 6th century BC. The term "Portara" refers to the enormous marble gate of the temple. It is located on the islet of "Palatia," or the "Island of Bacchus," at the northern edge of the port of Naxos. According to mythology, it was on this islet that Theseus abandoned Ariadne, who was later taken by Dionysus and his retinue. The islet was not connected to Naxos until 1919, when the causeway linking it to the rest of the island was constructed.

  • Whitewashed buildings on a hillside in Naxos, Greece, under a cloudy sky.

    CASTLE, CHORA

    The castle of Naxos Town was built by the Venetian Marco Sanudo, who in 1207 AD, along with his companions, captured 17 islands of the Aegean, declared himself Duke, and established Naxos as the seat of the duchy. The natural acropolis formed by the low hill next to the port of Naxos was considered by Sanudo to be the ideal location for the foundation of the medieval town of Naxos. To fortify the town, he built the castle using materials from the ancient acropolis that once stood in the same spot but had been destroyed by pirate raids.

  • Ancient stone statue of a reclining figure, partially embedded in the ground, surrounded by rocky terrain and sparse vegetation.

    COUROS

    The Kouros of Apollonas, also known as the Colossus of Dionysus, is a large unfinished statue measuring 10.7 meters in length and made of light gray Naxian marble, weighing approximately 80 tons. It is located in an ancient quarry near Apollonas, a village in northern Naxos, in the Cyclades. The statue dates back to the Archaic period of ancient Greece and belongs to the Kouros type. It is estimated to have been created in the early 7th or 6th century BC.

Beaches

  • Beach with lounge chairs and thatched umbrellas, overlooking the sea.

    Agios Prokopios

    The beach of Agios Prokopios, which continues southward into the famous beach of Agia Anna, is considered the third best in Greece and is ranked among the top ten in Europe. It is characterized by its distinctive fine white sand, which transitions inland into a zone of sand dunes. The crystal-clear waters of the bay display a stunning gradient of colors, ranging from turquoise to light blue and deep blue. The beach stretches for 2 kilometers.

  • Aerial view of a beach with turquoise water, sandy shore, and a coastal town with buildings and greenery in the background.

    Plaka

    The area of the settlement is known for its sandy beach, which is at least 3 kilometers long. Since the 1990s, improvements in accessibility and the development of tourist infrastructure have attracted international tourism interest. In May 2018, The Guardian included it among the 25 best beaches in Europe.

  • Secluded beach with golden cliffs, sandy shore, and blue ocean waves under a clear sky

    Hawaii

    It is one of the most unique and distinctive beaches on the island, located in the southwestern part of Naxos, 17 km from Chora and very close to the settlement of Pyrgaki.

  • Coastal townscape with white buildings, sandy beach, turquoise sea, and hillside.

    Agios Georgios

    This beautiful, Blue Flag-awarded beach is surrounded by a stunning natural landscape, featuring crystal-clear waters and several kilometers of golden sand. It is fully organized with umbrellas and sunbeds and also offers facilities for water sports. In fact, the southern part of the beach is an ideal spot for windsurfing.