PLACES TO VISIT
ON NAXOS
Naxos is the biggest island of the Cyclades and it’s magic. Enough said!? Here are only few reasons why…
Chora – Naxos Town
Chora, the island’s capital, already has much to offer. Anything you might need you will find here. From supermarkets to banks, pharmacies, rental cars, … you name it. But this is not what makes this place magic. At the beginning of the 12th century, the Venetians successfully defeated the Genoese pirates, destroyed their refuge, the Byzantine castle of Apalírou and built the Castro at the top of the mountain, facing the harbor and the famous Portara which was built from ancient Greeks in the 6th century. Everywhere you go in Naxos town is breathing history.
Today the pictoresque old town is home to numerous lovely taverns, bars, restaurants, shops, galleries. You can come there for days and every time discover something new.
Parking in Chora
Since you most probably take the car from the house into town, we recommend to use one of the many public parking spaces around town and walk a couple of minutes. There is a parking lot after Koutelieris, just take the left exit of the roundabout. There is another one right next to the Paloma Bar and you’ll see the signs to all the others.
SO WHERE SHOULD YOU GO?
The recommendations below only do show a very small portion of what Naxos has to offer! They’re based on personal preferences, they may change year by year and they are 100% without any advertising or profit in mind. Go check them out or don’t, just don’t say we didn’t tell you 😉
Daily Needs | Coffee Shops & Breakfast | Dinner in town | Dinner abroad | Sports | Places | Culture |
–– Daily Needs ––
KOUTELIERIS – Naxos town
A well-stocked supermarket that offers almost everything you need on two levels.
it is the biggest and closest from our house and it is located directly on the right-hand side of the main road as you drive from the house past the airport into the city.
AKTAION – Naxos town
On the northern exit of Naxos town. Fantastic bakery and pastry shop, awesome baguettes, but usually not before 10 am. They also serve great sandwiches to take away.
In the Summer months there is a second location on the harbour promenade, selling ice and sweets.
Also highly recommenced is the Naxos bakery at the South end of the harbor promenade.
MARAGAS – Plaka
Mini-Market and laundry, located on the Plaka sandy road – from the house drive down to the sea and turn right. At about 5 minutes drive from the house, they have the most important stuff and you can leven eave your laundry.
FLISVOS SPORTS SHOP – Naxos town
Forgotten your board shorts? Or a boogie
board for the waves at St. George Beach? Flip-flops? Diving goggles? Or a complete set of wingfoil equipment? You‘ll find what you‘re looking for in the Flisvos sports shop.
Located at the end of Naxos town towards the center of the island.
STAMATIS – Naxos town
Local cheese, oil, pottery and much more
Even if you don‘t want to buy anything, you definitely should visit this beautiful store in Naxos town.
By the way, this is where we buy the plates, bowls and cups for our house.
–– Coffee Shops & Breakfast ––
PALM TWINS – Agios Prokopios
From morning to afternoon, the best address for vegetarian and vegan sandwiches, wraps, cakes, smoothies, coffee and much more, always freshly prepared and served with a smile.
Super nice team, truly THE breakfast tip in Agios Prokopios!
BOSSA CAFÉ & MORE – Naxos town
At the southern end of Naxos Paralia, there are actually several cafés and bars that are ideal for brunch in the morning and sundowners in the evening, before or after a stroll through Naxos‘ old town.
NOMAD – Plaka
Located on the Plaka sandy road; head from the house down to the sea, then continue approx. 300 m to the right. You can also go there all day until the beautiful sunset. Not the cheapest place though.
DELULU CAFÉ
If you could go straight over the fields, it is just one kilometer behind the house, on the parallel street that leads directly to Orkos and Mikri Vigla. Sandwiches and beverages to take away on your road trip.
Exit the house to the right and turn right in the curve before the first crossing.
–– Dinner downtown ––
SCIROCCO
Excellent cuisine, always fresh and partly home-grown, top wine list and an incredibly attentive, friendly team led by the two brothers Nikos and Michalis. An absolute must!
Don‘t forget to book a table in the Summer months!
LA PALOMA BAR & RESTAURANT
Beautiful view of the entire harbor all the way to the Portara. Very varied and really good cuisine. A good tip if you don‘t want to decide what to eat yet.
BOULAMATSIS
A little hidden, but well worth the search! Authentic Greek cuisine, it‘s best not to order from the menu, but to look at what‘s on display and choose “this and that”. Along with a kilo of wine you can‘t go wrong! With a beautiful view of the marina!
DAL PROFESSORE
Very nice Italian restaurant right on the waterfront, actually right below the Paloma Bar. Pizza, pasta and much more.
WHAT ELSE?
You can hardly go wrong in Naxos town, as there are so many nice places. We also recommend the Avaton 1739 at the top of the Kastro (best view, see right!), the Meze*2 on the harbor promenade, the Labyrinth in the Old Market (beautiful courtyard) or the 520 Bar (good burgers, good view) near the Boulamatsis – just go and try for yourself!
–– Dinner abroad ––
PICASSO ON THE BEACH – Plaka
“Picasso is Mexican”? That‘s debatable. But the Mexican cuisine here is undisputedly top, as is the place here on Plaka beach with the best sundowner location. It‘s also only 5 minutes from the house.
Tip: try the fajitas!
MITOS ARTERNATIVE BAR – Chalki
There are a couple of nice bars and cafés in
Halki, but they are always quite full, especially in Summer. We recommend looking around the corner, in the back street above the square there is MITOS with a small, fine menu and shady spots.
Closed Tuesday/Wednesday.
AXIOTISSA TAVERNA – Kastraki
If you drive too fast to the South, you‘ll miss a wonderful taverna with great food near Kastraki. It‘s a popular meeting place for locals at the weekend, so be sure to book a table.
FAROS
At the southern end of Glifada, about 25 minutes away from Argana, is the Faros taverna, right next to the road. Excellent Greek cuisine, the best watermelon salad on the island.
RESTAURANTS
IN TOWN
Fantastic food, homegrown vegetables, great choice of wines and the most lovely team. The two brothers Nikos and Michalis and their crew make you feel at home from the very first minute. This place is a must!
Boulamatis: another wonderful family business in Naxos town. Typical local cuisine, plain, simple, honest and always delicious. And don’t forget the very nice view over the harbour.
THE place if you cannot make up your mind, whether you just want a drink or a salat or beef filet or wraps or pasta… usually, when restaurants offer this variety you should be suspicious but these guys know what they do.
RESTAURANTS
ALONG THE WAY
Why should you visit a Mexican restaurant on a Greek island? Because it is delicious. Period. Start with a cocktail, your feet in the Plaka sands and move on with the best Fajitas on Naxos. Actually order whatever you like, you won’t be dissapointed.
To be precise, it’s the lovely Twins and Lukas. And smiles all day. Situated on the main road in Agios Prokopios this Coffee Shop not only serves the healthiest breakfast, but is the perfect place to stop by during the day or early evening to grab a coffee, a sandwich or a smile.
All the way down in Aliko at the end of Glyfada beach you’ll find another Naxian gem with excellent Greek food, live music and a beautiful atmosphere. You have to visit the beaches from Aliko anyway, so make the day perfect with a visit here.
–– Sports ––
FLISVOS SURF STATION – St. George Beach
The Flisvos Sportclub on St. George Beach is the first address for all windsurfers, wingfoilers and stand-up paddlers. The top spot for beginners and advanced surfers. Very good rental equipment, very nice, competent team around Martin and Ranja.
FLISVOS KITE CENTER – Mikri Vigla
About 5 km South of Argana Home you will find the kitesurfing division of Flisvos Sportclub. Kitesurfing is prohibited in the upper bay due to the airport, but at Mikri Vigla you canfind ideal conditions just 10 minutes away.
FLISVOS WATERSPORTS – St. George Beach
Here Manolis Orfanos rents out jet skis, takes you water skiing, wakeboarding or flyboarding, and his brother Nikos runs a PADI diving school. The Sun Kyma Bar is also located here, where you can enjoy the sunset after a good session and then walk along the beach into town for dinner.
SECRET BOAT TRIPS
There are several boat charter companies in the harbor of Naxos Town. But Jan Andres from Flisvos Sport Club has something very special to offer if you‘re looking for something a little more unusual and sporty. With Jan, you can dive or surf in absolutely dreamlike spots that you would otherwise definitely not be able to reach.
WE RIDE HELLAS – Naxos Town
Island Bike: Great quality bike rental and guided bike tours. If you want to discover Naxos off-road, book a tour with Andy and enjoy the island from a totally different perspective. It is totally worth it, especially in the early or late season!
SPORTS
Located in the South end of St. George beach as well as in Mikri Vigla, Jan, Mieke and the whole Flisvos crew are the perfect recommendation if you are into windsurfing, kite-surfing, wing foiling or stand up paddeling.
Great quality bike rental and guided bike tours. If you want to discover Naxos off-road, book a tour with Andy and enjoy the island from a totally different perspective.
Yes, another Flisvos. But either way, if it says Flisvos, you’ve come to the right place. You can rent Jet Skis here, go waterskiing, wakeboarding or even flyboarding with Manolis and book a PADI diving course with his brother Nikos.
PLACES
The Kouros from Melanes
Naxos was and still is famous for its marble. The ancient sculptors used to be quite ambitious and when statues didn’t work out the way they wanted or fell too early they left it there for eternal sleep. Visiting the Kouros near Apollonas is also highly recommended.
The temple of Sangri
dedicated to the goddess Demeter, was built around 530 B.C. with only the finest Naxian marble. It was only rediscovered in1949, partly reconstructed and in 2001 a little museum was added. Another impressive place.
Χαλκείο
Chalki (or Chalkio) is approx. 15 km away in the heart of the island. The beautiful old town center is car-free and taverns, cafés, bbqs as well as some shops or even art galleries invite you to stay and enjoy life. Chalki is also a great start for hiking tours to nearby churches or your trip to Apiranthos, Moni, Apollonas and the likes.