GREECE – NAXOS ISLAND, CYCLADES

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Naxos Island General Information

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Naxos, with its 428km2, is the largest, greenest and most fertile island of the Cyclades.
More than half of its around 20.000 inhabitants are living in Naxos’ capital "Chora" at the western coast
of the island.
Even in ancient times Naxos was called "the rich island" because of its local products like wine, potatoes, olives and marble. Today Naxos offers many possibilities of enjoying and exploring the island’s character.

Archaeological sites, endless beaches, picturesque chapels, wild deserted mountains, green valleys, typical Greek villages… An exciting destination, puzzle of different landscapes, combination of the old and the modern. No matter how many days you stay on Naxos there are still things to see and to discover.

The statue of "Petros Protopapadakis", who was born in Apirathos and constructed "the Canal of Corinth", shows the way to the symbol of Naxos, the Big Door ("Portara"), close to the port.
All this is located under the Frankish Castle "Kastro" with its narrow alleys.
This labyrinth has already frustrated a lot of people – do not forget, the way down is always the right one.

Local products in Naxos are of good quality. Lemon fruits, vegetables and "Naxos potatoes" are very famous.
The local cheese "Graviera", "Mizithra" and "Kefalotiri" are produced either in the cheese factory of Agia Anna or in the villages. "Kitron" is a kind of lemon liqueur, made from the more tasteful leaves of the exotic Kitron fruit and can be found at the distilleries of "Vallindras" or "Promponas".
Tasty village wine and local "Raki" is on sale as well.

Paros Island

Mykonos Island

Santorini Island

Athens

Travel to Naxos

Naxos is connected by airplane with the Athens international Airport Elefterios Venizelos. At the moment there is one flight everyday, departure time depending on day and time of the year. Duration of the trip 45 mins.

Boats to Naxos depart from the Port of Piraeus. The Pier where the Cyclades boats depart is located right opposite the train/metro station of Athens and within a walking distance 200-400 m from the bus terminal to Athens airport.
High speed ferries,
Departure times depending on day and time of the year, normally there are 1-2 departures during the day one in the morning and one early in the evening. High speed boats provide plane seats, snack/coffee bars and TV. The duration of the trip is 2 ½ hours and the cost is higher than normal ferries. H/S ferries do not have deck area, passengers are forced to stay inside the boat during the trip. Important notice: Departure of H/S boats subjects to weather conditions.
Ordinary ferry boats, There are 3-5 departures during the day to Naxos from Piraeus Port.
Ferry boats are bigger and travel even with strong wind. Their facilities include restaurant, Tv lounge, plane seats, cabins with 2-4 beds, mini shops and deck area where passengers can enjoy the sun and the sea before reaching their destination. Duration of the trip 6-7 hours.

Central Port Authorities in Piraeus: (210) 4124585 & 4511311-14

Naxos can be reached from other Cyclades islands such as Santorini, Ios, Paros and Mykonos with normal boats or Highspeed. Departure times depend to the time of the year. Duration of the trip between 30’ and 2 hours. Please buy your tickets locally and be at the port at least 30’mins before scheduled departure.

MUSEUMS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN PAROS

1.
"KASTRO" – The Venetian Castle in Naxos town
Naxos town is located under the Venetian Castle (Kastro), built by Marco Sanudo after the fourth crusade.
He was part of the family of Enrico Dandolo, doge of Venice and participator of the crusade.
Venice was the conqueror and Maro Sanudo founded, after occupying, the duchy of the Cyclades with its capital in Naxos (1207)…….

2.
"PORTARA" – The Gate of the Apollo Temple – Naxos Town
Everywhere you go you see the Portara… Close to Naxos port, on the tiny island of Palatia (Dia), the remains of a marble gate "Portara" can be found. It was built during the 6th century B. C. (530 – 540 B. C.) under the rule of the tyrant Lygdamis and was meant to be a marble temple worshiping the god Apollon. The gate is around 6m high and about 3,5m wide and was built with 4 separate columns. Now there are just 3 columns left. Some of the temple’s stones were used as ordinary building materials for the Kastro. It is believed that this temple should have been dedicated to the god Apollo because the Portara is located to the west where Delos is, the island of Apollon. – …..

3.
"GYROULAS TEMPLE" – Sangri
The ancient remains in the rural area of Gyroulas are better known as "Demeter Temple". It was an archaic temple (ca. 530 B. C.) like the Apollon temple "Portara" and was built by the tyrant of Naxos, Lygdamis as well.
….

4.
"PANAGIA DROSSIANI" – One of the Oldest Churches in Europe
The Early Christian church "Panagia Drossiani" is one of the oldest in Europe and is still in use.
The earliest layer of wall paintings (frescos) dates to the end of the 6th and the beginning of the 9th century in the dome. The dome shows Christ Pantocrator. …

5.
"AGIOS MAMAS" – Potamia
The Early Christian church "Panagia Drossiani" is one of the oldest in Europe and is still in use.
The earliest layer of wall paintings (frescos) dates to the end of the 6th and the beginning of the 9th century in the dome. The dome shows Christ Pantocrator…..

6.
"LITTLE KOUROS" – Melanes
The little Kouros is located above a luxuriant garden named Kouros Paradise where the garden’s owners have opened a nice little coffee place…..

7.
"CHIMAROS TOWER" – Kalandos bay
The circular marble tower of Chimarros, with its two adjacent little churches, is another characteristic monument of Naxos…..

8. "THE BIG KOUROS" – At the Village of Apollonas
The biggest Kouros of Naxos (10,5m) can easily be found on top of the village. Kouros (=handsome young man) statues are made of marble, they represent gods and they are over 2500 years old…..

8. "APEIRANTHOS"
Discover the traditional beauty of the marble village, with its alleys made from marble at the foot of mountain Phanari. Apirathos is a very old place and had already existed, before it was populated by Cretan refugees…. ……

The Weather in Naxos

Banks:
The most popular Banks have branches on Naxos Island.
The following banks have a branch office in Naxos.

1. THE NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE
2. ALFHA BANK
3.THE COMMERCIAL BANK – EMBORIKI
4.THE POST OFFICE SAVING BANK
Exchange of money can be done in every bank, travel agencies and in nearly every hotel.
Opening hours at the banks:
Monday – Thursday 08:30h – 14:00h
Friday 08:00h – 13:30h
Cash dispensers are available.

Telecommunications :
The O.T.E branch of Naxos Island ( National Telecommunications Co.)
Is open Daily ( except weekends) from 08:00 to 14:00

There are plenty of Telecard Phones all over the Island of Naxos

Post Office
located in Naxos town, Open Hours 08,13,30 Monday-Friday. You can buy stamps from most of the shops that they sell post cards and souvenirs and use the yellow post boxes to post your mail. In town and in tourist areas you’ll find post boxes.

TRANSPORTATION IN NAXOS ISLAND

Bus Services

The bus station is on the port just in front of the boats arrival. You can reach by bus most of the villages of the island. The bus office will give you information concerning the schedules.

Taxi Service : Taxi station is located near the bus terminal and the sea front. Arrange the prices clearly before beginning a trip or insist that the taximeter is on. The poor access roads are the reason for some surcharges.

Doctors:– There are a lot of doctors around Naxos that you can visit with appointment there is also a Small hospital in the center of Naxos town helping with emergencies/accidents at no Cost.

Pharmacies: Everywhere in town. Opening hours same as other shops. On Saturdays and Sundays one pharmacy remains always open.

International Press (newspapers, Magazines, books etc) you can find in several shops around town and in the tourist resorts.

Shops: During hign season open everyday from 09,00 till 15,00 and from 18,00 to 21,00. Nevertheless most touristic shops and the supermarkets are permanently open and close late at night.