Naxos is the largest island of Cyclades and the tenth largest island of Greece. It is one of the Greek islands with the best sandy beaches.

Naxos is one of the islands that is often referred to in the Ancient Greek Mythology, as it was the birthplace of god Dionysos.

Compared to most of the other islands in Cyclades, Naxos is a green island, with running water and many trees. The tourism hot-spots are specific and the size of Naxos is big, as a result there are many places that have not preserved their original life-style and traditions.

There are also many impressive old churches on Naxos dated in the Byzantine and Medieval periods.

There are many gas stations and ATM machines on Naxos.

On Naxos there is distinct variety of white sand which makes its beaches unique. Most of the beaches are sandy and long, but the are also few with thin pebbles.

• Agios Giorgos (West Naxos): An organized beach with sand and swallow sea next to Naxos town.
• Agios Prokopios (West Naxos): The most popular beach of Naxos with very thin pebble which resembles to sand.
• Agia Anna (West Naxos): Similar beach to the neighboring Agios Prokopios, with a cedar forest.
• Plaka (West Naxos): A very long organized beach with fine white sand and turquoise sea.
• Orkos (West Naxos): A quiet beach made up of consecutive small bays.
• Mikri Vigla (West Naxos): The lovely sandy beach of Mikri Vigla, ideal for surfer fans.
• Kastraki (Southwest Naxos): A large beautiful beach with some vegetation and several straw umbrellas.
• Alykos - Pyrgaki - Agiassos (Southwest Naxos): Consecutive sandy beaches which are rarely crowded.
• Panormos (South Naxos): The most remote beach of Naxos with palm trees.
• Apollonas - Amitis (North Naxos): Sandy beaches that are exposed to the wind.
• Psili Ammos (East Naxos): A long beautiful beach with golden sand.
• Azalas - Moutsouna (East Naxos): Two cute little beaches with pebble.

There is a fast ship (4 hours) and a conventional ship (about 6-7 hours) reaching Naxos from the port of Piraeus. There is also an airport on Naxos with the flight from Athens being less than half an hour.

It is easy to rent a car or a bike. If you plan on exploring Naxos and visiting many different beaches you should get one, otherwise you will have to depend on the buses. The buses are frequent but they provide access only to the most popular beaches of Naxos.

Staying at Chora is the best choice, as it offers you many things to do and the beach of Agios Georgios is right next to it. From there, with the help of the public transportation, you can organize your trips to the sea all over Naxos. If you are the type of person who wants absolute peace and quiet, then you would stay in someplace other than Chora.

Naxos is a very fertile island, something very rare for an island of Cyclades, so everything that is grown out of the earth is superb. Naxos is especially known for its excellent potatoes, so make sure you try some, either fried, baked or boiled. There are also several fantastic types of local cheese, like graviera.

You can buy several traditional, as Naxos is a very fertile island and has thus great products. The potatoes of Naxos, which are famous, would not be easy to carry, but instead you can get lemon liqueur, olive oil, honey and wine, as the wine of Naxos is exquisite, Naxos being the island of god Dionysos. You have to get some cheese, as the types of cheese found on Naxos are of great quality and are famous in Greece.

Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum of Naxos has the most complete collection on Cycladic artifacts.

Venetian Museum

The Venetian Museum lies at the center of Chora. Besides the impressive exhibits there is a panoramic view of the port.

Geological Museum

One of the greatest museums of its kind in Greece with more than 2000 stones, minerals, alloys and fossils.

Museum of Natural History

A large collection divided into three sections, the sea, the animal and the plant section. The bones of the dwarf elephants stand out.

Portara

The huge 6 meters high and 3,5 meters wide door is one of the most important attractions of Naxos.

Castle

The scenic castle that overlooks Chora hosts many little shops and taverns and it is a great place to stroll.

Apiranthos

Apiranthos (or Aperathos) is the most picturesque and famous mountainous village of Naxos, built with stone and marble.

Temple of Demetra

Close to Sagri village at Gyroula lie all that is left of the ancient Greek temple of goddess Demetra.

Himarou Tower

The 15 meter tall marble tower was built on Naxos during the Hellenistic ages as a fortified outpost.

Kouros (Melanes)

A gigantic 6 meter statue of a man figure of the 7th century BC, a famous attraction on Naxos, was found half-finished close to Melanes village.

Kouros (Apollonas)

Another 10 meters tall Kouros of 6th century BC, found close to Apollonas village.