Quest Greek Islands

Holiday in Naxos

Holiday in Naxos with its fantastic night life, tranquil beaches and beautiful scenery, there is something for people of all ages. Naxos has it's own small airport where you can catch flights between there and Athens, Crete and Santorini. But if you don't fancy flying, there are also frequent ferries that run between Naxos and Piraeus, which take between 3-6 hours to get to either place, depending on whether you use the fast speed or normal ferries. There is plenty to see and do in Naxos, so you won't have time to get bored!

Things to do

One of the most popular places to visit is the 'great gate' which is near to Chora. It is called the great door, because the locals call it Potara, which means Great door in English. Portara was built in the 6th Century BC and has been named as one of the most photographed places on the island. The great gate was supposed to be made in to a temple for the Greek god Apollo however, the construction was never completed after the war between Naxos and Samos began and so the building was abandoned. The abandoned temple was actually used to build the Castro in Chora, which used to be the place where catholic monks would study. In fact, the author of Zorba the Greek and The Last Temptation of Christ, Nikos Kazantzakis once stayed here.

Why not visit the monastery of the Virgin Mary in the village Moni, also known as the Tower of Agelakopoulou. The tower was named the Tower of Agelakopoulou because Agelakopoulou was the surname of the last owner of the tower. It was here at this tower that the residents of Naxos fought many of their battles, including pirates and Venetians. Here you will find many old wall paintings to enjoy.

There are many places in Naxos that have historical monuments to see. There is the Apollo's Temple or Portara as it is also known, the monastery of the Virgin Mary, the Baths of Ariadne, Byzantine museum and the 13th century Venetian castle, as well as many other places of interest.

But if all of this doesn't really interest you, then head off to the beach and try out some of the activities available. There are many activities available, such as water sports and games. There is also the chance to hire out sun beds and umbrellas for those of you who prefer to chill out on the beach and enjoy the sun, sea and sand. There are regular boat trips between Naxos and it's neighboring islands, which make a perfect day trip and are a great way to see other islands. Fishing is also a very popular hobby on the island, so if you are mad about fishing, you will certainly not be the only one!! The beaches in Naxos are said to be the best in Greece, maybe this is not your personal opinion, but either way - they are pretty great!! If your ideal holiday is a beach holiday, then you have picked the right island.

Wining and Dining

Naxos is full of a variety of restaurants and bars. Along the sea front you will find many restaurants that specialise in foreign cuisine, but there are also many restaurants serving traditional Greek food too. The restaurants that serve foreign foods are aimed at the tourists that come here, so there are many cuisines from different countries available. However, if you are more interested in testing some local dishes, there are plenty of places to visit; serving food that is native to both Naxos and Greece.

Nightlife

The bars and clubs around Naxos play a mixture of both foreign and Greek music. Some bars may just play one of the other types of music, and other bars may play a mixture of all types of music. The clubs and bars in Naxos are well worth a visit if you like the party scene. During the peak season, the clubs and bars are very busy, with both tourists from Greece and other countries coming to Naxos. In the summer, expect to see beach parties during the hot weather, which are held because of the large amount of people around at the time and because of the heat. Most of the bars stock imported and local drinks, but if you get the chance whilst on holiday in Naxos, you should try the local lemon liqueur.