Photos of the beautiful Naxos and its beaches

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We were in Naxos, the largest island of the Cyclades and we saw the golden beaches, the scattered archaeological monuments, the Venetian towers, the beautiful Chora with the archaeological museum and the imposing castle while we enjoyed the red sunset and the full moonrise from the most famous monument of Naxos, Portara.

See photos of Naxos and useful information for your tour of this beautiful island of the Cyclades.

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Tour in Naxos

The tour of the island of Naxos starts from the beautiful town and its castle. Follow the narrow alleys from the coastal road and climb up to Bourgo, which means fortified settlement. Pass under arches with wooden buttresses from the Venetian era and see parts of ancient temples built into the old houses and ^15th century coats of arms above the wooden doors.

Sunset at the temple of Portara in Naxos — Sunset at the temple of Apollo (Portara) in Naxos

Visit the remarkable archaeological museum and the Venetian one, which is housed in the Della Rocca-Barozzi tower, at the northern entrance of the castle, built in the early ^13th century by the Frankish conquerors! from there and from the archaeological museum the view to Naxos town and Portara is amazing.

Naxos town and the famous Portara

Go down the coastal road of the country and if the sunset is approaching, climb up to the islet of Palatia, on the left of the harbour where the most famous monument of Naxos, Portara, dominates. It is a very large and marble gate of the temple of Apollo that was started to be built in the ^6th century BC by the tyrant of Naxos Lygdami but was never completed.

Many parts of that effort were used by the Venetians to build their castle, hence the scattered pieces in all parts of the settlement of Bourgos.

One such typical and highly impressive example of Archaic period (6th century BC) columns can be seen in the photos at the end of the article, where an antique shop is supported by these ancient columns over 2,500 years old!

Archaic period columns Naxos antique shop — Archaic period columns, Naxos, antique shop

Beaches in Naxos

Leaving the country behind, however, we have the opportunity to get to know the rest of Naxos starting from its famous beaches. One of the most famous beaches is Agios Georgios with very shallow waters and an approach that is usually made on foot as it is located right next to the town. The most touristic area, however, is Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna.

They have wonderful golden beaches with turquoise waters and have a length of several kilometers in many of which you will find many beach bars, tavernas and accommodation for every taste and budget. A continuation of Agia Anna is the beach of Plaka while if you continue even on foot you will find yourself at the beautiful beach of Parthenos. Behind the hill on the left is the most popular beach for windsurfing enthusiasts, Mikri Vigla, which as you will see is not only short in length.

Other good beaches are Psili Ammos and Panermos in the east of the island, the beach of Apollonas village in the north, Kastraki, Glyfada, Pyrgaki and Alyko in the south and Abram bay in the west.

Villages of Naxos

However, it is worth taking a few days during your visit to Naxos to get to know some of its 32 villages. One of the most beautiful and picturesque is Filoti with its beautiful square under the shade of large plane trees, the marble village of Apeiranthos, where marble is a basic ingredient in the construction of houses and roads and of course the picturesque fishing village of Apollo at the northernmost point of the island where you will see the largest of the 3 huge Kouros of the island, the Kouros of Apollo, a half-finished marble statue from the ^6th century BC, 10.5 meters long!

See the map with the corresponding locations or find over 100 accommodation suggestions on this beautiful island of the Cyclades.