Naxos

Naxos - Cyclades (Greece)

The island of Naxos covers an area of 428 square kilometers (165 mi²). and is the largest island of the Cyclades. Naxos is the most fertile island of Cyclades. It has 20,000 inhabitants and is located almost in the middle of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea. The coastline of the island is 148 kilometers (92 mi) long.

Naxos was a part of Greek history and culture in early times, and in the Cycladic era it blossomed. Naxos town (or Chora) is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful Cycladic towns. From the harbor to the top of the village at the Venetian castle, the visitor will remain impressed by the narrow, steep streets and old stone houses.

The beautiful sandy beaches, picturesque villages and the many attractions combined with good tourist infrastructure attract many visitors every summer. One of the most famous archaeological sites on this Greek island is the 2,500 year old temple gate (Portara).

The highest mountain of Naxos, Sa, is also the highest mountain of the Cyclades (1,004 meters/3,300 feet). Several underground rivers on the island make the island very fertile. Many residents work in the agricultural sector.

Naxos is famous for marble that is quarried here. Since ancient times Naxos, and the neighboring island of Paros, have been known for good quality marble. Naxos is an island that can serve as base for island hopping. The central location of Naxos, and its connections to the other Cyclades islands makes Naxos an ideal base to explore all the Cyclades and the Aegean Sea.

Sights on Naxos

Museums in Naxos town

• The Archaeological Museum of Naxos in Naxos town – With many works of art from the ancient Cycladic civilization.
• Domus Della Rocca-Barozzi Museum - Housed in an old mansion in the castle at the top of the hill, it provides an accurate picture of the civic life of Naxos in the 19th century.
• The old French School where the historical archives of Naxos are housed. The archive is housed within the castle of Naxos and was frequented by the Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis.

Museums in Apiranthos

• The archaeological museum of Apiranthos.
• The Natural History Museum Apiranthos.
• The folk museum of Apiranthos that is housed in a traditional house, where agriculture and livestock objects from the 19th century can be seen.
• The Museum of Fine Arts Apiranthos where many paintings are displayed.
• The Geological Museum of Apiranthos where all kinds of rocks and stones from throughout the world are exhibited.

Sights and tips Naxos island

- The Portara at the entrance to the port of Naxos town. It is the Greek temple of Apollo, dating from the 6th century BC.
- "Grotta," a district near Naxos town, which was built in the Mycenaean period and now lies underwater.
- The castle in the heart of Naxos town, where fine antiquities from the 14th and 15th centuries can be seen.
- The Venetian church, convent and home of the Catholic bishop in the heart of Naxos town.
- About 45 churches, including the Panagia Vlachetnitissa with its stunning templon.
- The Monastery of Aghios Ioannis Theologos.
- The Belonia tower, once the residence of the Venetian lord of the island.

Events that take place on Naxos:

-The Aghios Nikodimos party on July 14^th - The biggest party on the island with dancing, drinks and fireworks which are launched from boats.
-Dionysia, a cultural event with concerts and dance, takes place in the 2nd half of July and is organized by the municipality.

The most beautiful beaches of Naxos

The most beautiful beaches of Naxos are in the west of the island. These are the beaches Naxos, Agia Anna, Plaka and Mikri Vigla.
 

How to get to Naxos

Naxos has (nearly) daily connections to the ports of Piraeus (Athens), Amorgos, Anafi, Astypalea, Donoussa, Folegandros, Ikaria, Ios, Iraklia, Kalymnos, Kastelorizo, Kos, Koufonissi, Nisyros, Paros, Rhodes, Samos, Santorini, Schinoussa, Sikinos, Syros, Thirasia and Tilos.

Amorgos - Cyclades (Greece)

Amorgos is the easternmost Cycladic island. It lies between the islands of Naxos and Kos in the Aegean Sea. It is an elongated island, with a length of 33 kilometers (20.5 mi). The width of the island varies between one and six kilometers (less than 1 mi to less than 4 mi). About 2,000 people live on Amorgos. Most of them work in tourism, fishing, agriculture and animal husbandry.

The name of the island, Amorgos, comes from a plant called “amorgis,” a kind of flax that was once used to make the famous tunics of Amorgos. Amorgos is a mountainous island. Its highest mountain, Krikelos, lies to the east and is 821 meters (2,700 feet) high. Many hills and valleys dot the island. The east is rocky, while the west is less rugged and is where most of the small bays are located. The island has two ports, Katapola (in the southwest) and Aigiali (in the northwest). Both ports are in deep bays on the west coast.

The island is very popular among island hoppers and walkers. The island is especially attractive to hikers because mountain paths connect each village to the next.

Sights and tips Amorgos

• The ancient Minoa, which was founded by the Minoans of Crete, sits on a hill near the port of Katapola. In ancient times, the area was home to an Apollo temple. On top of the ruins of this temple an early Christian basilica was built and later the church of Panagia Katapoliani (Holy Mother of Katapola).
• The Venetian castle in Amorgos town.
• The Byzantine monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa built against the wall of a cliff 300 meters (almost 1,000 feet) above sea level near Amorgos town. The miraculous icon of the Holy Mother is in this monastery and every year on November 21 there is public festival in honor of Mary.
• The Monastery of Aghios Georgios Valsamitis built on the spot where, in ancient times, there was a water oracle.
• The gorge of Araklos at Langada.
• Walking through the marked mountain trails that cover the whole island.

How to reach Amorgos

Amorgos is accessible by ferry from Piraeus, and also with the following ports: Astypalea, Iraklia, Kos, Koufonissi, Leros, Naxos, Paros, Patmos, Rhodes and Schinoussa.

Amorgos beaches

There are many beautiful beaches on Amorgos. Some of them are accessible by car or motor bike, others are only accessible by boat or by foot. Most popular is the beach of Aigiali, which also has a campground. A very famous beach is the beach of Aghia Anna because scenes from the movie "The Big Blue" were shot here. Other popular beaches are Katapola, Kalotaritissa, Mouros, Vlichada (Mikri and Megali Glyfada) Levrossos, Nikouria, Perivolas, Ormos Liverou and Aghios Pavlos.

Ο Δήμος Νάξου και Μικρών Κυκλάδων είναι δήμος της περιφέρειας Νοτίου Αιγαίου που περιλαμβάνει τη Νάξο και τα νησιά των Μικρών Κυκλάδων Δονούσα, Κουφονήσια, Κέρος, Σχοινούσα και Ηρακλειά, Δημιουργήθηκε με το Πρόγραμμα Καλλικράτης από την συνένωση των προϋπαρχόντων δήμων Νάξου και Δρυμαλίας και των κοινοτήτων Δονούσας, Κουφονησίων, Σχοινούσας και Ηρακλειάς.

Δήμος Αμοργού περιλαμβάνει το νησί της Αμοργού και τις γύρω νησίδες.