|
Naxos town, or Hora, stands on a naturally amphitheatrical site on a hillside on the north-west side of the island and is one of the most attractive towns in the Cyclades. You can walk from the harbour high up to the Venetian castle, and you will be struck by the beauty of the narrow winding lanes and the old stone houses lining them.
Interesting monuments from various periods are to be found all over the town. They include fine Byzantine churches, the castle itself (with its tower and battlements), and traces of Mycenean buildings in the spot known as Grota. The Archaeological Museum of Naxos has some notable exhibits.
It is a really nice town, and the long and sandy beach just behind town is really good (though a bit crowded at high season).
Places of interest
Given that traces of Greek antiquity are to be seen everywhere, each part of the island has something of interest. Near the coastal village of Apolonas, for instance - on the north side of the island - is a half-finished outsized 'kouros' (statue of a youth), dating from the 6th century BC, still lying in the marble quarry where it was abandoned. Another such statue can be seen at Melanes. An interesting archaeological museum is to be found at Apirathos, a village where a number of strange customs and habits have survived.
Beaches
There are good swimming beaches at Agios Prokopios, Mikri Vigla, Kastraki, Alikos, Pirgaki, Agiassos (on the west side), Apolonas, Psili Amos, Panormos, Pahia Amos and elsewhere.
To get there
You can get to Naxos either by boat from anywhere around Greece, or by domestic flights. There is a very small airport on the island for domestic flights only.
|
