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Naxos, the largest and most fertile of the Cycladic islands, lies almost at the centre of the Aegean.

Meadows running down to vast beaches, cliffs sinking suddenly into the sea, rocky mountains side-by-side with fertile valleys, abundant springs and streams, these are just some of the features of a natural environment marked for its variety. Due to the abundance of water, Naxos is a self-sufficient island and the quality of the fresh fruit and vegetables is of premium quality and known all over Greece. Its wine was so famous in ancient times, that it was compared to nectar, the wine of the gods.

The coastline of Naxos is abrupt on the south side and more sheltered to the west, with numerous inlets and sandy beaches.

The island is first heard of in the myths, and then mentioned throughout every period of history, though it was at the peak of its glory during the period of the Cycladic civilization.

The capital and main port Naxos (or Hora) stands on a naturally amphitheatrical site on a hillside on the north-west side of the island. As the visitor walks from the harbour high up to the Venetian castle, he will be struck by the beauty of the narrow winding lanes and the old stone houses lining them. North of the port you will see Portara, the unfinished Temple of Apollo, Naxos' most famous landmark.

Given that traces of Greek antiquity are to be seen everywhere, each part of the island has something of interest. Near the pretty coastal village of Apolonas,on the north side of the island, is a half-finished outside 'kouros' (statue of a youth), dating from the 6th century BC, still lying in the marble quarry where it was abandoned. An interesting archaeological museum is to be found at Apiranthos, a village where a number of strange customs and habits have survived.

The superb beaches of Naxos (Agios Prokopios, Mikri Vigla, Kastraki, Alikos, Pirgaki, Agiasos, Apolonas, Psili Amos, Panormos, Pahia Amos), its picturesque villages and its monuments attract thousands of visitors each year.

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