| Naxos | |
 | |
Location  | |
| State | Greece |
|---|---|
| Region | Southern Aegean |
| Surface | 430 km² |
| Inhabitants | 18.188 (2001) |
| Institutional website | |
Naxos (Naxos, Νάξος) it's an island Greek in the archipelago of Cyclades.
To know
Naxos has wonderful beaches, the coast is a paradise for European windsurfers, mostly French and German, the Meltemi, the Cycladic wind cools the climate for almost all the summer months, it is a wind that usually blows for 3 weeks, for then leave a pause and start over. Naxos also has a very varied and fascinating internal landscape, the hills of the island are popular with some tourists.
Geographical notes
Mountainous island (the highest peak is that of Zas (1004 m), the highest of all the Cyclades.
Naxos is the largest and most fertile of the Cyclades. The island's economy is still based on agriculture rather than tourism.
Spoken languages
In the city of Naxos and in the main seaside resorts in its surroundings, international tourism has meant that, especially in commercial activities such as restaurants, shops and car rentals, Italian is spoken quietly, English is French as well as of course the Greek, which remains the only language spoken by the inhabitants in the hinterland of the island.
Territories and tourist destinations
Naxos: full screen map.Urban centers
- Naxos (Chora Naxos or simply Chora) - The capital of the island with a village and a castle from the time of Marco Sanudo, Duke of Naxos and nephew of Doge Enrico Dandolo (13th century). The most interesting beaches of Naxos are located around the capital.
- Apeiranthos (Aperathou) - An inland village that is encountered along the road that goes from the capital to the small seaside resort of Moutsouna, on the west coast. Apeiranthos stands at the foot of Mount Zas (or Fanari) at about 650 meters above sea level. It keeps intact the physiognomy it acquired in the thirteenth century with many stone houses, the oldest of which date back to the Venetian period. On the entrance doors you can still see the coats of arms of the Sommariva and Sforza families. It has a small folkloric museum and an interesting church, the "Panagia Apeiralitissa" which houses Byzantine icons. Other churches with the remains of very ancient frescoes can be found in its surroundings. Among these, those dedicated to San Giovanni Theologian and San Procopio.
- Apollon - A fishing village in a sheltered bay opening onto the north-west coast. On the surrounding mountains there is a marble quarry which has been exploited since ancient times. In the village there is a statue of a "Kouros", 10m high. representing the god Apollo or Dionysus.
- Eggares - Another traditional village just beyond Galini always along the road that leads to Apollon and 7.5 km from the city of Naxos. Along the road to the capital there are remains of Mycenaean tombs.
- Filoti (Φιλώτι) - Another traditional inland village perched on the flanks of Mount Zas, 19 km from the city of Naxos and with a typically Greek air with a central square dominated by a large plane tree and the inevitable "Kafenìo". There are many medieval testimonies, when Naxos was a duchy Venetian run by Marco Sanudo.
- Galini - 5 km from the capital, along the road that leads to Apollon in a green valley planted with orchards is Galini, a traditional Greek village whose name means "tranquility" and with a naturally "quiet" beach on the nearby bay of Amyti.
- Halki (Tragea) - An inland village 16 km from the city of Naxos in the midst of extensive olive groves and with many testimonies of the era Byzantine is Venetian among which the church of Panagia Protothroni with proto-Byzantine frescoes of the ninth century and the bastion of the Barozzi of the seventeenth century stand out. Other churches with Byzantine mosaics are located in the nearby villages of Kaloxylos, Monitsia and Metohi.
- Keramoti - A village in the mountainous interior between olive groves and vineyards reachable by a short carriage road that branches off from the impervious internal road from Halki to Apollon and from which you can enjoy a panorama that embraces the two sea sides of Naxos.
- Koronos - Just beyond Keramoti and 36 km from the capital is this pretty village near some mines from where once the emery was extracted. There are many "taverns" serving grilled meats accompanied by local wine. From Koronos there is a narrow, serpentine road that reaches the bay of Lionas (Λιώνα) on the isolated east coast.
- Melanes - A village in a fertile valley not far from the internal road that leads from the capital to Koronos with the ruins of a Jesuit convent in its surroundings. In the locality of Flerio there is a statue of a kouros, dating back to the 7th century BC.
- Moutsouna - Fishing village on the remote west coast 54 km from the capital.
Other destinations
- Sagri - A beautiful village about 11 km from the capital with numerous Byzantine churches and the ruins of a temple from the 6th century BC. dedicated to Demeter (Ceres).
- Beaches - The most popular beaches in Naxos are located around the capital and are described in that article.
How to get
By plane
Small twin propeller aircraftOlympic Airways cover the route Athens - Naxos on a daily basis. Given the high cost of this domestic flight in the high season it would be cheaper to get a charter flight despite the unforeseen events that it entails. However, you can take precautions by taking out an insurance policy. The nearest airport where low cost airlines and charter flights operate directly from airports Italians is that of Mykonos
Naxos is about 5 and a half hours from the port of Piraeus, about 1 and a half hours by boat from the island of Santorini; and a 45 minute flight from Athens.Ferries and super-fast catamarans guarantee a daily service with PiraeusThe island is well connected by sea to the rest of the CycladesNaxos is at the heart of the maritime transport network of the Cyclades, touch the island various lines between the islands of the archipelago and the port of Piraeus.
The cheapest company is there Hellenic Seaways. Others that include Naxos in the routes are: BlueStar, expensive and unsuitable for routard travel, and the GAferries website Openseas offers a ferry search service, provides timetables and companies that make the connection on the requested day.
How to get around
By public transport
Public connection services, buses, connect the towns of the island.
By car
If you really want to discover the island, it is advisable to rent a car or the usual cheap mopeds. The rental of cars and mopeds is quite affordable and "rent a car" agencies are spread everywhere. However, be careful when renting a means of transport, check that they have left you a copy of the document to circulate.
What see
The 'Castro' or the castle (the old town), is on the hill above the port in Hora, from here you can discover the charm of the landscapes: the portal of Apollo, the alleys between the chalk houses and the blue sea. The castle is what remains of the Venetian outpost on the island, which was part of the empire of the Serenissima.
Events and parties
What to do
Activities on the island are mostly related to the sea and beaches, water sports, especially windsurfing and kitesurfing are worth trying. In the south of the island, many beaches are isolated and far from the towns, here many tourists are dazzled by the charm of the colors of the sea and the rocks, the south coast is little frequented by surfers and tourists, there are no bars or restaurants, so if you go there, bring something to drink with you otherwise you will die of thirst. On the south coast it is easy to meet nudists on the beaches but there are no specifically dedicated spaces.
- Wind Surfing.
- Horse riding. Horse rides are organized at the hotel "Kastraki Beach" on the beach of the same name.
- Naturism. The practice of Nudism is prohibited by law in Greece and subject to heavy fines but still practiced because local authorities turn a blind eye for fear of missing tourists. Nudism is practiced without ostentation in isolated beaches generally close to the main one. Small communities of naturism lovers are generally formed in Agia Anna, between the rocks of the beach of Marangas and the other of Aghios Prokopios.
Shopping
How to have fun
Where to eat
There are a number of well-stocked supermarkets along the main road from Hora towards Agia Anna. The prices are quite good, slightly lower than the Italian ones. Many houses and rented rooms on the island include a small kitchenette, the best thing is to buy fish in Hora, in the morning from the small fishing boats that return from the night at sea, or try to imitate the dishes of Greek cuisine.
The most interesting Greek specialties to try are the moussaka, i souvlaki and the dishes of feta, fresh, cooked or proposed in a thousand ways. The olive oil produced is particularly renowned, it is mostly prepared extra virgin olive oil with a light flavor if compared to the Italian one.
- Beyond Feta among the local cheeses, spread throughout the territory Greek but particularly tasty in Naxos we remember:
- Graviera (gruyere) and Kefalograviera.
- Provio made exclusively from sheep's milk.
- Kasseri - Corresponding to our caciotta.
- Kefalotyri - A hard cheese similar to our pecorino.
- Anthotyro - Translated into Italian it means "Fior di cheese".
- Ksynotyro - A cheese with a very strong flavor on acid.
- Myzithra - Sheep ricotta, the most "humble" of cheeses among the Greeks.
- Manouri
Among the typical drinks of Naxos we mention
- Kitron - Local liqueur made from a citrus fruit similar to lemon with a sweet but slightly acid flavor.
- Raki - The inhabitants of Naxos drink a lot of raki, served hot in winter and accompanied by a spoonful of honey.
- Wines - Noto is the wine produced in Komiaki in the north of the island.
Average prices
- Taverna Paradiso (Agia Anna). Here you can try the specialties of Greek cuisine, the portions are generous, be prepared to bring something to take home the leftovers.
- Vasilis (It is located in the alley better known as the Old Market). Excellent restaurant to eat, recommended for the delicacy of its dishes. Also try the restaurant opposite.
Where stay
As in almost all the Aegean islands, as soon as they disembark, travelers are greeted by the inhabitants, with signs offering accommodation, studios or campsites, usually free of charge they personally accompany you to see the place and after you can choose whether to accept or not, usually they are quite reliable and affordable. For the month of August it is advisable to make a reservation, if you want to go to an apartment or hotel, the receptivity of the island is limited, on the contrary if you prefer an outdoor holiday, camping or in a van go quiet a place you will find without problems .
Moderate prices
About 1.5 km from Naxos there is the Naxos Camping, a decent campsite with swimming pool, but not by the sea. Much better is Plaka Camping (7 euros per person and 2 euros for a tent, summer 2005 prices) south of Agia Anna, about 6 km from Naxos town. It is a quiet, clean campsite, and above all it has an extremely affordable home restaurant offering fabulous food, which will be cooked in front of your eyes by the elderly mother of the campsite manager (some prices: a muossaka, half a chicken in the oven, a pastitso a 3.5 euros each) Maragas Camping, on the road that continues from Agia Anna towards Plaka Camping is very touristy, the negative aspect is the rudeness of the owner.
Safety
How to keep in touch
Post office
The island's zip codes begin with 843xx.
Telephony
The area code for calling the island's phones is: 30 22850.
Around
Along the main road of the city of Naxos (Hora) there are tourist agencies that offer tickets to all the other islands of the archipelago, as well as to Piraeus. Ferries from Piraeus to Naxos are frequent, 2 or 3 a day, depending on the season. The duration of the trip is not such as to require a cabin, it is advisable to limit yourself to a more convenient deck passage.
