Top Things to do in Naxos
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10 Things to Do in Naxos That You Shouldn't Miss
A spot of white in the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea, the island of Naxos is a unique blend of ancient ruins and beach culture. The largest of the Cycladic Islands, Naxos is the childhood home of none other than Zeus, king of the gods. Upon arrival in Naxos, hike over a causeway to Palatia, where the Portara, a stone gateway to an ancient temple that no longer exists, stands alone, the symbol of the island. At sunset, the views of the island, and the sea beyond, are breathtaking.
Restaurants in Naxos
1. Fish & Olive
Overall Ratings
5 based on 105 reviews
The elegant Fish & Olive gallery was opened in 2006 by Mrs Niki Goulandris. Here, the hand-made ceramics and jewellery of Katharina Bolesch and Alexander Reichardt are displayed to their greatest effect. As well as the exclusive work of these accomplished artists, the gallery also presents paintings, etchings gouaches andaquarelles by national and international artists as well as lithographs by Fish & Olive Creations, lamps and sculptures in Naxian marble and unique olive tree sculptures in metal. FISH & OLIVE ART OF THE AEGEAN The boutique outlet for the Fish & Olive brand is located at the heart of Halki a few steps away from the Fish & Olive Gallery. The boutique stocks the exclusive ceramics of Katharina Bolesch and the jewellery of Alexander Reichardt. Also available are exclusive olive wood products as well as finest quality cotton T-shirts and cookery aprons featuring Fish & Olive design motifs. The boutique is also the exclusive outlet in the Cyclades for the award-winning extra-virgin olive oil produced by the Mercouri family from their biodynamic olive groves in the Peloponnese. INTERNATIONAL Exhibitions INTERNATIONAL Exhibitions The work of Fish & Olive Creations is celebrated worldwide. The latest news is that Fish & Olive will have major exposure this year (2017) at one of the world's great aquarium and exhibition centres, The Deep, in the UK city of Hull, which is this year's UK City of Culture. Alexander has been selected as one of six artists each of whose work will be exhibited for a two-month period throughout the year in a celebration of the world's oceans and marine environment. The year will culminate with Alexander's exhibition in November/December 2017. The works of Fish & Olive were exhibited, in January 2013, at the National Art Center in Tokyo, representing Greece. In 2007, a major exhibition of Katharina's work was staged at the Design Museum (iittala Group, Arabia Museum) in Helsinki. Katharina's ceramics were displayed at the Academy of Athens during the 2004 Olympic Games and have been featured at the United Nations in New York. Alexander's work has close associations with the Goulandris Natural History Museum in Athens and the prestigious Cretaquarium.
Reviewed By Jingle05 - Yorkshire
Naxos is a wonderful island in so many ways - but the shops here (often) sadly 'try but fail' to offer much more than repetitive fridge magnets, scarves, sunhats and nick-nacks. This is why FISH & OLIVE is such a gloriously welcome find. High in the Naxos hills is the lovely (once capital) mountain village of Chalki - and in its main street this wonderful gallery. Started by a couple of creatives (Katherina Bolesch (art pottery) & Alex Reichardt (jewelry designer & craftsman). Expensive - yes. But if you're after a unique, statement piece then the FISH & OLIVE is a serious cut above the rest. Lovely things. For those from the North of England - you may like to see this creative couple's work at the Hull - City of Culture event: 1 Nov - 31 Dec at 'The Deep'.
2. Old Town
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Rob C - San Jose, California
Old town of Naxos is a mix of tourist kitch, old world charm and plain, uneventful architecture. The waterfront is littered with Greek themed kitchy bars and restaurants that serve overpriced, though not bad food. The high town is quaint with winding alleys and bleached white townhouses and churches and a small castle.However there is no great architecture here, the plain, whitewashed walls do become monotonous really quickly and the tiny alleys can become oppressive especially at night.
3. Eggares Olive Press Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 218 reviews
Reviewed By atitone - New York City, New York
This was the last stop on our island tour and it was perfect. Got to learn about olive trees and how they made the oil until a few decades ago. The workers are friendly and you can try as much flavored olive oil, pastes, and jams as you want. I wound up buying a bunch too.
4. Portara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Rob C - San Jose, California
If you're ever in Naxos you will visit this place. It is the only ancient thing that remains in the town of Naxos from antiquity. There isn't much to see though, just a doorway and some foundation stones. It isn't exactly impressive though its location commands attention. The sunsets here are particularly beautiful, but expect around a thousand tourists to want to view and photograph them
5. Cedar Forest of Alyko
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 178 reviews
The forest is situated in the area "Alyko" on the southwest side of Naxos Island. It is a great and unique forest in Greece, of Junipers(Cedars), which covers almost the entire sandy peninsula of "Kouroupia" cape, with an extent of 1000 acres! The rich flora of Alyko consisting of wild arborescent vegetation which includes the Junipers (Cedars), Arkefthous and Shcino. Τhe sovereignty of course is held by the Junipers which are met in the form of tree and bush reaching 4-5m height sometimes. The entire extent of the forest is covered by white sand and sand dunes. The age of many of the trees is estimated more than 200 years old! The forest is a nature protected area as it is a great shelter of small wild rabbits, birds and other animals.
Reviewed By TechnoKiwi - Auckland Central, New Zealand
Amazing chorus of cicadas throughout the forest, and after parking by the abandoned construction we did a short walk to a small beach cove we had totally to ourselves! Other Beaches nearby had small groups sunbathing or windsurfing, but there are several separate areas so you have a choice. Beautiful scenery, much better than the tourist-crowded Beaches elsewhere.
6. Kastraki Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
Reviewed By Tony M - Malta
We were staying close to this beach but it was not always suitable for swimming when the wind was from the West or North West which seemed to be most of the time. The northern part of the beach is sandy but has rocks in the sea making it ideal for snorkelling, whilst the southern bit is all sandy with crystal blue waters and a lot of space to spread out in an area. When it is windy the southern part turns into a windsurf and kitesurf superhighway while the beach becomes a sand blasting workshop.
We only managed to swim in ideal conditions once out of six days.
7. Mikri Vigla Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 552 reviews
Reviewed By Tony M - Malta
This beach is the next beach past the famous Plaka. It faces West and seems to be permanently windy. It' no wonder that so many winsurfers and kitesurfers use it to practise their sport which in itself provides a colourful spectacle. The bit closest to Plaka is usually taken up by people more inclined to swim.
8. Plaka Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 874 reviews
A sunny stretch of sand by the sea, littered with nude and semi-nude sunbathers from all over the world.
Reviewed By Lloyd B - Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Really good beach, we visited in September so it was quieter than the rest. Really enjoyed the service from the local bars too.
9. Zas Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 104 reviews
Reviewed By Mary Z - Austin, Texas, United States
We went late in the day with only an hour or so till sunset. A few locals said it was to late to go and that it would take 3 hours. We knew we only had time to go to the cave. It was well worth it. Beautiful views and very cool cave. It was a little difficult to find the road to the mountain but some locals helped. Make sure to where appropriate shoes. The terrain is tough.
10. Agios Prokopios Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Pop up store
Reviewed By ShazzG - New York
Beautiful Beach with long stretches to walk. Easy access to the beach. One of the pluses are shops and restaurants for food and drinks that nearby and you can get sunbeds and umbrellas for a pretty decent price. If you are like me and love a good massage, people come around offering different prices for a neck, leg or back massage. I took advantage of that. It was wonderful. Yes, there is a nude section. But, so what. It’s Europe, not the United States where everyone covers up. We found it was mostly older men and woman who were 65 and up. But, as I mentioned SO WHAT. To each his own.
