Naxos, one of the largest and most beautiful islands in the Cyclades, is located in the heart of the Aegean Sea. The island's natural beauty and picturesque landscapes attract visitors from all over the world. From pristine beaches and crystal clear waters to ancient temples and charming villages, Naxos has something to offer for everyone. We loved Santorini but Naxos is less touristy. Even less so since we were here several weeks before tourist season officially started.
What did we do?
Chora: (Where we stayed) Walked the endless labyrinth of allys and narrow streets, the island's capital and main port. You could stop anywhere and admire the traditional architecture and Venetian houses. The town is dominated by the Venetian castle, which was built in the 13th century and is one of the most popular attractions on the island.
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| More doors! |
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We really liked the knocker
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| Ummm what is up there? |
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| Happy birthday Gemma! |
Portara: The Portara is the most famous landmark on the island. It is a massive marble gate that stands on a small island just off the coast of Naxos. According to legend, the gate was part of an unfinished temple to the god Apollo. The gate is a popular spot to watch the sunset. We reached it by walking across a causeway from town.
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| Past Siesta Time |
Rented an ATV: This was fun! More fun than Santorini's ATV ride. We probably did more off-roading than paved roads and enjoyed riding along the coast for miles. We stopped at several beaches with crystal clear water and soft golden sand. Then we headed inland to the mountains and really found some dirt roads and trails. Life is good with Google Maps!
We found this area with graffiti (works of art) walls everywhere that lead to a beautiful beach.
We rode to the Temple of Demeter and the Sanctuary of Dionysus just before siesta! Greece shut down around 15-1530 everyday for a two hour siesta. My kind of country!! Nap time!
Food and Wine: Naxos is also known for its delicious food and wine. The island produces several varieties of wine, including the famous Naxian white wine. Local specialties include Naxian potatoes, which are considered some of the best in Greece, and the famous Naxian cheese, which is made from the milk of the island's goats.
Sunsets
Where did we stay? Margaret Luxury Suites. It was right on the main 'drag' and a seven minute walk from the ferry. Another homerun Sharon discovered! We had a nice room with a balcony overlooking the Agean Sea. And they provided breakfast coupons for Kitron -- a restaurant steps from the hotel. The room was newly remodeled and we were the first guests to stay there.
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The window faced the bed so just
use your imagination 😇🤪 |
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Our room, we got a workout going
up and down the stairs |
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| Our view |
How did we get here? The ferry -- Blue Star Delos from Santorini. The original intent was to go to Santorini and work our way north to Naxos and Mykinos. We skipped Mykinos and flew to Crete instead. We booked economy class and had the exact same seats -- literally -- that we had in business class. The only difference was we were one deck lower and did not have a steward. The struggle is real.
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| Everyone wanted a picture |
Where did we eat?u
Meze 2 -- we chose this place because it was the first place that we came to that was enclosed and had heat lamps going (it was cold and windy). The food was really good and we finally realized all the restaurants give some type of a free dessert/shot.
Metaxi Mas we found this restaurant during one of our many walks. What a great find!
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| Bread with olive paste |
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| Pasticcio |
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| Spaghetti & Meatballs 🍝 |
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| Orange Cake |
Ammos, the food was mmm mmm. We also determined portions are bigger than in Asia and splitting a salad and an entree is plenty for us.
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| Smoked Mussels with Tarama Mousse |
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Beetroot Salad with orange,
walnuts, anthotyros cheese |
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| Linguine with Mussels |
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| Dessert and a shot |
When did we visit? April 10 through April 14, 2023
Naxos is a beautiful island with stunning beaches, charming villages, and delicious food and wine. It is a perfect destination for those seeking an authentic Greek experience. We actually liked it better than Santorini. It's larger, the countryside is very rural and, as mentioned, less touristy.
“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move.”
― Robert Louis Stevenson
