Tour 6 - Northern 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. Dedicated to the Panagia Drossiani, the monastery contains some very old paintings.

After the village of Apeiranthos, the road from the Chora forks left towards the north of the island, passing through Koronos (a village built in amphitheatrical fashion on the foothills of the mountain from which it takes its name) and Koronida or Komiaki (at 700 meters a.s.l. the highest village on the island), and ending up at the little seaside village of Apollonas, situated on a sandy bay to the north-east of the Chora. A short distance away from the village is an ancient marble quarry, and at the entrance to the quarry lies a kouros ten meters long, which has been there for centuries.

The road continues to the promontory at Stavros, the northernmost point on the island where day and night the lighthouse gives a guidance to passing ships. Here the road turns westwards and, following the north-western shoreline, leads back to the Chora. On the way it passes through the village of Agia, where there is a monastery surrounded by cool springs and age-old plane-trees and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, as well as a well-preserved mediaeval tower. A slight detour takes the traveler to Abram Bay with its magnificent sandy beach and sparkling clear water. Nearby is the 17th century monastery of Faneromeni, which contains some remarkable icons and a valuable library.

Where the road leaves the coast and plunges in towards the interior of the island, lies the village of Engares, in a fertile valley full of orchards. Fruit-trees thrive here, in particular pear and apple, and the apricots for which the island is renowned.

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