Tour 5 - Mountainous Naxos

Amongst the area's sights the Church of the Apeirathitissa Panagia, with its sculpted marble screen, and the Churches of Theoskepasti, Agios Ioannis Theologos and the oldest of all, Agia Paraskevi, located a little outside the village, are all worthy of mention.

The 17th century Zevgoli's Tower and the Bardani's Tower, with their characteristic Venetian coats of arms depicting lions, have been well preserved. The Apeiranthos Museum contains relics found on the east coast of the island, including pots, statuettes and plaques showing scenes from everyday life.

The village is famous for its wine and its woven goods, as well as for the so called "kotsakia", rhymes which the local people still display a special talent in composing to mark important occasions in village life or any special joys and sorrows. The citizens of Apeiranthos speak a distinctive local dialect not unlike that spoken in Crete, which is particularly melodious to the ear. Many of the villagers are employed in the emery mines at Apeiranthos and Koronos.

The road continues eastwards to Moutsouna. When emery trade was at the peak, exports from this little port flourished, the mineral being brought down from the mines by pack animals; later an overhead railway was installed for greater ease and speed of delivery, and this still survives today.

Various smaller tracks lead into the middle of the island, to the plain of Melanes with its olive and fruit trees and enchanting multi-colored butterfly population, the villages of Kourounochori, which boast a magnificent tower; and Flerio, where a 7th century kouros 6.4 meters tall was found lying in an olive grove. This was probably the site of a quarry where the statue was produced, but for reasons unknown to us it remained unfinished and never reached its destination.

Tour 1 - Naxos Town

the medieval castle and the churches of naxos town

Ruins of a huge ancient temple, traces of a Monian settlement and inumerous archaeological finds. Approaching the island by boat, the visitor will see two small islands to the left and right of the harbor, one with the little church of Myrtidiotissa, and the other called Palatia which is linked to Naxos Town ...
naxos town, the port, portara, grotta

Tour 2 - Naxos Town castle and churches

military and religious naxos town

An impressive medieval castle, several old and more recent churches, traditional chapels, monasteries and fountains. The impressive medieval castle of Naxos Town has protected it for decades against pirate invasions. Today, the castle includes lovely shops and taverns and hosts concerts and art events ...
crispi - glezos tower, churches, catholic cathedral

Tour 3 - The countryside of Naxos

the scenic and lush countryside of naxos

High mountains that form lush valleys of olive groves and vineyards in between. The scenery in the countryside outside Naxos town is very beautiful; there are picturesque little villages scattered high up in the mountains or down in the valleys, with an abundant supply of water and lush vegetation ...
countryside, villages, secluded beaches, towers

Tour 4 - Central villages

the central villages of naxos

At the point where the road forks away to the southern part of the island lies Tripodes or Vivlos, with the windmills that are so characteristic of the Cyclades. The next village is Ano Sagri, situated on a hillside and commanding a splendid view ...
tripodes, sagri, filoti, apeiranthos

Tour 5 - Mountainous Naxos

from apeiranthos to the emery mines of moutsouna

Amongst the area's sights the Church of the Apeirathitissa Panagia, with its sculpted marble screen, and the Churches of Theoskepasti, Ag. Ioannis Theologos and the oldest of all, Ag. Paraskevi, located a little outside the village, are all worthy of mention ...
apeiranthos, zevgoli's tower, moutsouna, kouros of melanes

Tour 6 - Northern Naxos

exploring the northern side of naxos

The next place along the way is Kinidaros, a village with plentiful supply of water and renowned for its excellent singers, its feasts and festivals. To the south lies Moni, with the monastery from which it takes its name lying just outside the village ...
kinidaros, koronos, koronida, apollonas, kouros of apollonas

Tour 7 - Southern Naxos

the most magnificent beaches of naxos

From the nearby village of Gallini a road leads up to the Monastery of the Sublime Virgin, which is known as the Angelakopoulos Tower after the name of its last owner. One of the most notable buildings on the island, it lies not far from the sea in the valley of Engares. Originally, as the marble plaque at the entrance tells us ...
monasteries, lush valleys, amazing beaches