Apiranthos

Apiranthos is one of the most beautiful villages on the island. It is located about 28 kilometers from the mainland, at the mountain of Fanari and with a population of more than 1078 residents it is the second biggest village, after Filoti. Apiranthos is a traditional village that has preserved its architecture, with its characteristic stone houses, said to have been built by Cretans in the 10th century A.C. It has four museums you can visit: the Archeological Museum, the Folkloric Museum, the Geological Museum and the Museum of Natural History and is considered by many as one of the most picturesque villages in Naxos.

Agios Arsenios

Agios Arsenios, or Ayersani, as the locals call it, is located in a valley- just 8 kilometers from the main town (Hora). From Agios Arsenios you can visit the popular beaches of Agia Anna and Agios Prokopios as well as see and visit some of the picturesque small churches in the area, such as Saint Nicholas, Saint Spyridon and the monastery of Saint John.

Apollonas

Apollonas is located 47 kilometers from the main town of Hora, at the north section of the island. When entering the village, at the Kastraki location, you can admire the giant statue of the half made Kouros of Apollo. It has one of the most beautiful beaches in Naxos and though it’s a bit far from the main town, it is worth spending a day at as its natural beauty, numerous cafes and taverns as well as the many archeological sites make it ideal for a daily trip.

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Koronos

Built on a valley at the foothills of the mountainous Naxos, Koronos is some 30 kilometers from the main town (Hora). When in Koronos you should visit the old mines, the folkloric Museum, as well as the temple of Panaya Argokiliotisa which attracts thousands of pilgrims every year.

Melanes

Melanes is built about 8 kilometers from the main town. Apart from its natural beauty, the area also includes some important sites, such as the towers of Fragopoulos, Mavroyenis and Markos Sanoudos as well as one of the two half made statues of the Kouros of Apollo.

Eggares

The valley of Eggares is located 7 kilometers from the main town and the village, which is built on the east, will charm you with its authentic Cycladic charm and traditional structure. During your visit here remember to see the remains of the Mycenaic tombs that have been discovered by archeologists, whereas if you wish to visit a beach near by you can stop by Abrami or Pahia Ammos.

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Kinidaros

Yet another village in central Naxos which is famous for its agriculture and stock farming. Don’t leave Kinidaros without having tasted some of the local specialties or taking part in one of the traditional feasts that the residents organize almost every night.

Sagri

Sagri village lies 11 kilometers away from the main town. It is known for its beautiful architecture, the many monasteries and the archeological site of the Temple of Demeter at the area of Gyroulas. Near by you can also see the Tower of Bazeos, an original monument of the 17^th century that since 2001 has become home to the Naxos Festival with theme exhibitions, concerts, recitals and theatrical performances.

Halki

Halki is located in the area known as Tragea, about 16 kilometers from the main town. The village was once the capital of Naxos and the numerous neo-classical mansions and buildings are remains of the past wealth that the village was known for, When in Halki, you should visit the Venetian Tower of Gratsia and of course the traditional citrus distillery where the famous and unique Naxos citrus liqueur is produced.

Filoti

Filoti is located at the foothills of mountain Zas, about 19 kilometers from the main town. It is the biggest village in Naxos as well as in Cyclades and it is famous for its agricultural and dairy products. On August 15^th, a major religious holiday for Christians, Filoti hosts the biggest feast in Naxos with traditional Naxian music and dancing. Also in Filoti there is the grand tower of Barotsis, built when the village used to be a powerful protectorate of the Venetians as well as the Byzantine chapel of Saint John Prodromos.

Naxos Island Greece History

The history of Naxos is full of legends, myths and  historic events as it is one of the few Greek islands that has been continuously inhabited since the pre historic times.

According to the ancient myths, Zeus, the father of the Gods may had been born in Crete, but was raised in Naxos thus giving his name to the tallest mountain of the island, Zas (1004 m.). Also the island has been connected to the story of Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos of Crete. According to the myth, Theseas abandoned Ariadne at the port of Naxos, after she had helped him kill the Minotaurus in Crete. The God of wine and life, Dionysus fell in love with her and took her as his wife; however, Ariadne could not cope with Theseas’ treason and plummeted into her death, by falling into the sea.

The first inhabitants of Naxos originated from Thrace and it is believed that they were the ones who brought the worship of God Dionysus to the island. Later on, the island was also inhabited by the tribe of Kares, whose leader Naxos was the one to give the island its name.
Naxos has been one of the most important centers of the Cycladic civilization. During the 6th and 7th century B.C. the island became a major nautical empire, developing areas such as commerce and art, and becoming one of the wealthiest areas in Greece.  During this same period, Naxos was one of the greatest sculpture centers in the Hellenic area, as the many remarkable findings prove until today.

During the Persian wars, Naxos, as a member of the Athenian Alliance suffered a great deal of devastation whereas it later became part of the Empire of Alexander the Great, and subsequently part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires. Just like most of the Cycladic Islands, Naxos and its residents suffered from the continuous pirate raids, which eventually drove the coastal residents to reside to the inland regions.

In 1207 the Venetian Duke Marco Sanudo takes over the island and a new era starts, as Naxos becomes a mighty Ducat and incorporates all of the Cycladic islands, under Sanoudos’ domination. It was during this era that the main town of the island (Hora) got its impressive castle and many of the island’s towers, were also built. The Venetian occupation lasted until 1537, when the island was taken over by Barbarossa and Naxos became a part of the Ottoman Empire.
In May, 1821 the island was freed from the Turks and just like all the Cycladic islands, it became part of the newly formed Greek state with the signing of the protocol of February 3rd 1830.

Naxos Island Greece Beaches

Naxos offers some of the very best sandy beaches on any of the Greek Islands. Running south from Naxos town (Chora) are 18km of fine sandy beaches, many of which are backed by sand dunes.

Beaches nearer Naxos offer good access via a tarmac road with those further south offering seclusion and privacy. Starting in Naxos itself Agios Georgios Beach is a beautiful beach offering safe bathing in gently shelving waters. The beach is ideal for children, beach games and sunbathing while being close to hotels and restaurants. For those staying in the St. Georges district of Naxos town, this beach is only a minute or two away from your hotel door. At the south end of Agios Georges beach the excellent Flisvos wind surfing school . Here the beach is shallow and sandy under foot if you fall off and is about a 10 minute walk along the beach from Naxos itself.

Naxos most popular beaches are on the south western side of the island, which are made up of kilometers of white golden sand, are being developed rapidly, but at the same time still maintain some of the atmosphere of the seventies when they were discovered by the "flower people".

At the end of the beach the coast road splits with the right fork leading to Agios prokopios beach. This is a large beach with a good supply of bars and restaurants nearby. Taking the left fork leads to the Agia Anna beach. Both of these beaches are served by a regular bus service from Naxos town . This is also a long beach backed by a good selection of bars and eating places. Both of these beaches offer a choice of accommodation with Agios Prokopios tending to cater for the budget conscious and Agia Anna being a little more high class. The made up road ends at Agia Anna with a sandy track now leading on down the coast to Golden Beach and Plaka beach.

Golden beach is very much as the name suggests, golden. With no 'made up' road these beaches are quiet and offer peace and seclusion away from the usual tourist areas. For those hiring a car these beaches are easily accessible from either the Agia Anna road or from the road leading down from Tripodes through Plakas. Driving time from Naxos will be about 20 minutes.

Moving on further south you will find a number of isolated beaches and coves between Agia Paraskevi and Pyrgaki which can be reached by taking the road south from Tripodes. The furthest south this road runs is to the lovely bay at Agiassos. The road passes coves and beaches ideal for private sun bathing and total relaxation. Driving time to Agiassos is about 35 minutes.