Naxos is the largest and most fertile island of the Cyclades. Due to its important agricultural production, it was one of the latest to open itself to tourism. For that reason, it has kept its authentic beauty which attracts every year more and more visitors.

The capital of Naxos is Chora, which stands on a naturally amphitheatrical site on a hillside on the north-west side of the island and is one of the most attractive towns in Cyclades.

The island of Naxos, apart from being an ideal resort for endless moments of swimming, it is considered to be the perfect destination for the lovers of adventures and sports as well Naxos has a great variety of things to offer to the visitor: it is an island with impressive mountainous landscapes with many isolated traditional villages, some of Europe’s most beautiful golden sandy beaches, a charming capital with its Venetian quarter, picturesque fishing villages, many archaeological sites, many Byzantine churches and active night life.

History

The island is first heard of in the myths and then mentioned throughout every period of history. The first settlement in Naxos goes back to the 4th millennium B.C. to the Neolithic period. The island was at the pick of its glory during the period of the Cycladic civilisation (3rd millennium B.C).. Interesting monuments from various periods are to be found all over the island. They include traces of Mycaenean buildings in the spot known as Grotta, ancient temples, fine Byzantine churches, the Venetian castle itself (with its tower and battlements, founded by Sanoudos in 1207). The Archaeological Museum of Naxos has some notable exhibits. Each part of the island has something of interest.

Place to visit at the town of Naxos (Chora)

• One of the first sights on arriving in Naxos is the "Portara" . The ruins of the temple dedicated to Apollo are called Portara until nowadays. Its construction started in the 6th century BC during the dominance of Lygdamis, the tyrant of the island, but was never finished. Portara is one of the most unique spots of Cyclades, for a visitor that wishes to enjoy a magnificent sunset and stare at the surrounding widespread island of Cyclades.
• The castle in the heart of Chora goes back to the era of Venetian occupation (1204-1537AD) and although it is preserved in almost its original form, it is inhabited to this day. As the visitor walks from the harbour high up to the Venetian castle, he will be struck by the beauty of the narrow winding lanes and the old stone houses lining them, while the view will remain unforgettable!
• The Archaeological Museum in the Venetian castle.
• The Monastery of St. Chrysostomos, built in the beginning of the 17th century A.D.
• "Theologaki", a country church in a cave by the side of St. Chrysostomos
• The orthodox cathedral (Metropoli), etc.