Naxos

Best things to do in Naxos

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   1. Mount Zas

   • Half a day
   • No booking needed
   • Active
   • Couples

   At 1,001 m, the highest peak in the Cyclades, above the village of Filoti. Zas Cave sits about 628 m up the western slope and is linked to Zeus. The easiest route starts at the Agia Marina chapel; a harder one starts at the Aria Spring and passes the cave.

   Take water and sturdy shoes; check the weather before you set off.

   1,236 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Mount Zas

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   2. The Portara (Temple of Apollo)

   • 1 to 2 hours
   • No booking needed
   • Couples
   • Families
   • No car needed

   The marble gateway of an unfinished temple of Apollo from the 6th century BC, on the islet of Palatia beside Naxos town. Wikipedia calls it the most famous landmark of both the town and the island.

   1,140 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Temple of Apollo (Naxos)
   • Wikipedia, Naxos (city)
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   3. Naxos town (Chora) and the Kastro

   • Half a day
   • No booking needed
   • Couples
   • No car needed
   • Rainy day
   • Families

   The island's main town, with 8,897 residents in 2021. The hilltop Kastro was founded in 1207 by Marco Sanudo and holds medieval houses, a Catholic cathedral and the Glezos Tower museum. The port promenade runs along the seafront.

   Museums here include the Archaeological Museum, the Glezos Tower and the underground In-Situ Museum; check opening times locally.

   1,036 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Naxos (city)

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   4. Koufonisia

   • A full day or longer
   • Check entry rules before you go
   • Couples
   • Active

   A small island group south-southeast of Naxos with 391 residents in 2021, including Pano Koufonisi, Kato Koufonisi and the protected archaeological site of Keros. Known for Cycladic white-and-blue architecture, windmills and churches.

   Wikipedia does not give ferry details. Check current ferry routes and times with the operators before planning a day trip.

   852 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Koufonisia

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   5. Kouros of Apollonas

   • 1 hour
   • Check entry rules before you go
   • Families
   • Couples

   An unfinished statue about 10.7 m tall, carved from light grey Naxian marble and left in an ancient quarry near Apollonas in northern Naxos. It dates from around the turn of the 7th and 6th centuries BC.

   The sources do not say whether there is an admission fee or set opening hours; check locally.

   570 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Kouros of Apollonas

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   6. Donousa

   • A full day or longer
   • Check entry rules before you go
   • Couples
   • Active

   The easternmost of the Lesser Cyclades, 16 km east of Naxos, with 213 residents in 2021. The main port is Agios Stavros, with tavernas, cafes and rooms. It has been settled since around 3000 BC.

   Wikipedia does not give ferry details. Check current ferry routes and times with the operators before planning.

   524 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Donousa

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   7. Apeiranthos

   • 2 to 3 hours
   • No booking needed
   • Couples
   • Families

   A mountain village on the foothills of Mount Fanari at 650 to 700 m, about 28 km north-east of Naxos town. Its dialect and traditions resemble those of mountain villages in Crete, and it was first recorded in 1420.

   486 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Apeiranthos

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   8. Filoti

   • 1 to 2 hours
   • No booking needed
   • Couples
   • Active

   A village of central Naxos at about 400 m, at the foot of Mount Zas and about 18 km from Naxos town. Its landmark is the basilica of Panagia Filotitissa, built in 1718 on the site of an older Byzantine church.

   450 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Filoti

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   9. Temple of Sangri

   • 1 hour
   • Check entry rules before you go
   • Couples
   • Families

   A Late Archaic Greek temple near Ano Sangri, built around 530 BC and one of the earliest Ionic temples. It was built entirely from Naxian marble.

   The sources do not give opening hours or admission details; check locally.

   437 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Temple of Sangri

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    10. Agios Prokopios

    • Half a day
    • No booking needed
    • Families
    • Couples

    A seaside village on Naxos known for its Aegean beaches and listed on Wikipedia as a favourite with visitors.

    225 readers a month

    Sources

    • Wikipedia, Agios Prokopios

Just missed the list: Koronos (11th by readers; a mountain village on Naxos); Kouroi of Flerio (12th by readers; kouros statues near Melanes)