Naxos tourist guide

Tourist information on Naxos island Greece

 Naxos is the largest island of Cycladesislands in the Aegean Sea. The island has a syrface of approximately 442 square kilometres. Naxos is located right in the middle of the Aegean, towards the eastern Cyclades neighbouring with Mykonos to the north, Amorgos to the south and Paros to the west. The coastline of Naxos has not many bays and safe physical ports and as a result the people involved with farming work instead of fishing. In noth west of the island there is a cove the Apollo cove providing partial security on ships, mainly from South West winds. To the west the peninsula Stelis forming the bay of St. Prokopios, where is the main town of Naxos and the main port of the island.

At the bay of Panormos the ships are safe from northern winds. Generally Naxos has an oval shape and geophysical is distinguished by the mountainous Naxos, east and north and the plain Naxos ,west and south.
Naxos is a rich geological park especially rich in marbles and granite blocks, relatively near to the city of Naxos and the north west part of the island.  Naxos has bare mountains with beautiful geological forms mainly in the central part of the island near Keramoti and on the south side, the highest peaks of the island are Koronos and Zeus.


The name of the island allegedly received from the Naxos the legendary ruler of the first settlers on the island which was Karians alleged as the son of Polemon some reference as the son of Apollo and the nymph Anakalidae. Zeus according the Greek mythology was born in Crete, but grew up in Naxos, and thus the highest mountain on the island was named after his name.. In Naxos left in the myth Theseus  Ariadne, who had previously helped him in Crete to kill the Minotaur under the condition to take her with him.

The wealth of the myths about Naxos demonstrates the importance of Naxos in the antiquity. The myths are mostly associated with the birth of three domestic nymphs Filis, Koronis and Kleidis which nurtured the god Dionysus. But also Zeus says here grew up here when he transferred from Crete, and from Naxos started his campaign in order to reign the gods. In Naxos also worshipped Apollo, there was also an ancient temple of Apollo outside the ancient city. From the famous ancient temple of Dionysus no trace has been found until now.

Other myths are about the relationship of Dionysus with Ariadne who finally he abductedher in Drion mountain and married her. An ancient source outside the town of Naxos is named Ariadne. On the east side and the mount Koronos there is a huge cave,with traces of ancient worship. Throughout the island of Naxos have been found architectural relics of many historical periods.

Naxos was inhabited by the Ionians, which marked a very important period for the island, in the classical period (7 th-6th century BC), are flourishing the arts, and especially culture and architecture. The Portara, the vast marble gate that stands high on the entrance to the port, is what remains of the temple of Apollo, which began to be built at that time.

In 490 BC Naxos was destroyed by the Persians. After the final defeat of the Persians by the Greeks, Naxos forced to become a member of the Athenian League, the island was destroyed from the Athenian fleet (466 BC), while Pericles established there a garrison of 500 solders (453 BC). After the end of the Athenian Republic, Naxos failed to recover and regain the old glory and importance.

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