The Self-Sufficient Island
Naxos is the largest and most fertile of the Cyclades — and many argue the best all-rounder. Unlike its smaller neighbours it doesn't depend entirely on tourism; the island produces its own dairy, vegetables, potatoes, and citrus, giving it a self-contained confidence that feels refreshingly authentic. It also has more classical antiquities, more varied landscapes, and better beaches than almost anywhere else in the archipelago.
Top Spots
- Portara (Temple of Apollo): A colossal unfinished marble gateway from 530 BC stands on a small islet connected to Naxos Town by a causeway. At sunset, the gate frames the western sky in one of the Aegean's most iconic silhouettes.
- Naxos Town (Chora): A living Venetian-Cycladic town — the medieval Kastro quarter at its centre has marble-paved alleys, a Venetian tower, and a Catholic cathedral. The Old Market street below is pure atmosphere.
- Marble Villages (Apiranthos): The mountain interior is dotted with marble-paved villages. Apiranthos is the most striking — a village built entirely from local marble, with a proud, slightly mysterious character all its own.
- Plaka Beach: A 4km stretch of fine sand backed by dunes — one of the longest, least developed beaches in the Cyclades.
- Kouros of Apollonas: An enormous unfinished 6th-century BC marble statue lying abandoned in an ancient quarry in the north of the island.
Practical Tips
- Naxos has the best food scene in the western Cyclades — try graviera cheese, Naxian potatoes, and local kitron liqueur made from citron leaves.
- The west coast beaches (Agios Prokopios, Agios Georgios, Plaka) are easily reached by bus from town.
- A hire car is worth it for the mountain villages and the north coast.
- Ferry connections from Piraeus are fast (3.5 hrs) and frequent; Naxos also connects to Paros, Santorini, Mykonos, and the smaller Cyclades.