Must-See Naxos for First-Timers

What should you absolutely see when visiting Naxos for the first time

🏛️ Ancient temples and unfinished statues

🏖️ Crystal-clear beaches and laid-back coastal charm

🏘️ Mountain villages full of history and personality

🥾 Easy hikes that lead to myth and breathtaking views

Signature Stops

Portara – The Gate to the Myths

Can one monument define the spirit of a whole island?
The Portara, Naxos’ most iconic landmark, just might. This towering marble doorway is all that remains of a temple to Apollo from the 6th century BC. Set on a tiny islet at the harbor entrance, it’s both a literal and symbolic gateway to the island’s mythic past — and a sunset spot you won’t soon forget.

📍 Worth Knowing: Arrive early in the evening to experience the golden glow before sunset. The islet can be breezy, so bring a light layer.


Chora & the Kastro Maze

What if you could get lost in time — and enjoy every second of it?
In the heart of Naxos Town lies the Kastro, a medieval quarter built by Venetians atop ancient ruins. Its quiet alleys, archways, and layered architecture invite slow wandering. Rooftop cafés and galleries are tucked between 13th-century walls and modern-day life.

🌿 Local Insight: Don’t follow a map — let your instincts lead. Every turn hides a view, a doorway, or a cat posing like it owns the place (it does).


Agios Prokopios – Sand, Sea, Serenity

Where do locals and visitors agree when it comes to beach perfection?
Agios Prokopios consistently ranks among the best beaches in Greece. With its long stretch of golden sand and calm, shallow waters, it’s ideal for swimming, relaxing, or catching up with a book under a straw umbrella.

🎒 Explorer’s Note: Visit before 11:00 AM or after 5:00 PM for quieter moments — and light that’s perfect for photography.


Halki & Byzantine Gems

What happens when you mix old churches, citrus trees, and a touch of neoclassicism?
Halki, in the Tragea valley, is more than just a charming village. Step into living history by visiting two nearby Byzantine churches — Panagia Protothronos and Saint George Diasoritis — both adorned with centuries-old frescoes.

🕍 Worth Discovering: Dress modestly to visit the churches. Time your visit with morning light for beautiful stained-glass reflections.


Temple of Sangri – Where Marble Meets Myth

Can simplicity feel sacred?
This early Ionic temple dedicated to Demeter (goddess of grain and fertility) sits quietly near Sangri village. Built from local marble in 530 BC, it feels at once modest and monumental, surrounded by open farmland and timeless silence.

📍 Worth Knowing: Combine with nearby Halki and enjoy a countryside drive filled with olive groves, dry-stone walls, and glimpses of the sea.


Mount Zas – A Hiker’s Olympus

Is there a place where myth and landscape merge?
Mount Zas — the highest point in the Cyclades — is tied to Zeus’ legend and offers rewarding views over the Aegean. A relatively short but steady hike brings you to its summit, and on clear days, you can spot neighboring islands on the horizon.

🎒 Explorer’s Note: Early morning hikes are best. The Aria Spring route is scenic and shaded — bring water and sturdy shoes.


Apeiranthos – The Marble Village

How can a place be both remote and full of life?
Built into the mountains with narrow marble-paved lanes, Apeiranthos feels both elegant and untouched. Local dialects, distinct architecture, and folk museums make it a cultural time capsule. Settle in for lunch and listen — the village has stories to tell.

🌿 Local Insight: Try the traditional kalogeros dish if you spot it on the menu — veal with eggplant in tomato sauce, a true mountain comfort food.


Agia Anna & Plaka – Beach Days Done Right

Where do you go when you want your own piece of the Aegean?
South of Agios Prokopios, these beaches stretch lazily along the coast. Agia Anna offers cozy tavernas and calm waters, while Plaka is wild, spacious, and windswept. Both invite slow days and barefoot evenings.

📍 Worth Knowing: Plaka’s less-developed areas are perfect for a beach picnic or a late swim under pastel skies.


The Kouros Statues – Giants at Rest

What do we leave unfinished — and why does it still move us?
Scattered near the villages of Melanes and Apollonas are enormous, half-carved marble statues known as Kouroi. Dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries BC, these figures were abandoned due to cracks or flaws in the marble — and have rested in the open ever since.

🗿 Worth Discovering: The Melanes Kouros is especially easy to access, with a short scenic trail. Apollonas’ statue is the largest, and the seaside village nearby is perfect for lunch.


Bazeos Tower – Fortress of Culture

What happens when history becomes a stage?
Originally a 17th-century monastery, the Bazeos Tower now hosts art exhibitions and summer concerts. The blend of stone walls, vaulted chambers, and cultural programming makes it a place of both reflection and inspiration.

🎭 Local Insight: Visit during the Naxos Festival (July–August) for live performances in a uniquely atmospheric setting.

🧭 Before You Go

 

🚌 Transportation tip: Renting a small car gives you flexibility to explore villages like Sangri and Apeiranthos — buses are reliable but limited in remote areas.

🥾 Comfort first: Bring good walking shoes. From Kastro’s cobbled paths to Zas’ hiking trails, your feet will thank you.

⛱️ Pack for contrast: The beaches are barefoot paradise, but evening walks in the mountain villages or by the Portara can get cool — always bring a light jacket.

🍋 Taste the land: Try local citron liqueur in Halki or Apiranthos. It’s a Naxian specialty you won’t find quite the same anywhere else.

🗺️ Go slow: This isn’t an island to rush through. Leave room in your days for moments that aren’t on the map.