The largest island in the Cyclades, Naxos is the ideal destination for anyone dreaming of a quintessentially Greek Island escape. There are countless fantastic things to do in Naxos and we’re happy to share with you our list of the top 10 among them.
1. Enjoy The Sunset at Portara
The ultimate symbol of Naxos, Portara is also the best spot on the island to watch a spectacular sunset. Portara is a splendid marble doorway overlooking the town of Naxos and the Aegean Sea beyond. This doorway is all that remains of the ancient Temple of Apollo. Connected to Naxos Town by a romantic causeway, Portara is a sight for sore eyes any time of day. Yet it’s during the golden hour that Portara is absolutely enchanting.
2. Swim in Crystal Clear Waters
Like most of the Cyclades Islands, Naxos is a hiker’s heaven. That’s why hiking across the island’s stunning countryside is one of the best things to do in Naxos. While hiking along the century-old paths of Naxos, you’ll come across picturesque villages, olive groves, and ancient sites. No wonder why the optimal way to get to know the real Naxos is walking.
3. Go Hiking
Like most of the Cyclades Islands, Naxos is a hiker’s heaven. That’s why hiking across the island’s stunning countryside is one of the best things to do in Naxos. While hiking along the century-old paths of Naxos, you’ll come across picturesque villages, olive groves, and ancient sites. No wonder why the optimal way to get to know the real Naxos is walking.
4. Drink Local Wine
Since ancient times, Naxos has been closely associated with wine-making traditions. Dionysus, the ancient god of wine, was worshipped on the island. Nowadays, Naxos produces superb wine, following traditional methods. There are many wine-making tours and wine tastings on the island to choose from. Indulging in one or three of those is definitely among the most special things to do in Naxos.
5. Join a Cooking Class
Most of the Greek Islands are famous for their mouthwatering cuisine. Yet Naxos is genuinely a culinary heaven. Fresh produce on the island is of the highest quality. For instance, the island’s potatoes have a reputation for being the best ones in the entire country, and rightfully so.
If there’s one thing that’s better than simply enjoying a delicious meal is to take pride in knowing that you lent a hand in preparing it, too. By joining a cooking class in Naxos, you’ll learn all the secrets of local cooking so that you can recreate these exquisite tastes back home.
6. Learn The Island’s History
Naxos has a rich history that spans many centuries. Apart from Portara, there are quite a few other archaeological sites in Naxos, such as the Temple of Demeter. Thanks to the island’s marble quarries, many masterpieces were created in Naxos, like the Kouros statues that are scattered across various locations on the island, including Apollonas and Melanes.
Moreover, Naxos has many relics that date back to the Middle Ages and narrate the island’s history under Venetian rule.
7. Explore The Mainland Villages
The island of Naxos is home to the most pristine beaches you could ever wish for. Yet it’s worth turning your back on them for just a tiny bit to visit some of the prettiest villages in Greece that dot the island’s mainland.
A scenic drive along the winding roads that lead to the mountains of Naxos will take you to many quaint villages of marble squares and breathtaking views. Among them, Filoti and Halki, the island’s former capital, are not to miss.
8. Try Cheese Making
Naxos has a long cheese-making tradition and the island boasts a couple of PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) cheese types, such as graviera (gruyere) and arseniko. Apart from savoring the various types of local cheese at any given chance, you can also join a cheese-making workshop that will let you in on all the secrets of traditional cheese-making methods.
9. Admire The Ceramics
One of the top things to do in Naxos is to visit a traditional pottery workshop and watch in awe as the skilled craftspeople turn clay into wonders, using nothing but their hands and wild imagination. If you’re lucky, you may even get your own hands dirty and create a little something out of clay to remember Naxos by forever.
10. Visit Mosaic Naxos
Established in 2016, Mosaic Naxos is a brand with a vision to create modern objects, based on Greek patterns and by using Greek materials alone. This initiative has exceeded all expectations, so much so that the brand’s handmade items are among the best things to see in Naxos.
Which of these amazing things to do in Naxos sound more interesting to you? Let us know and we’ll make sure we curate the perfect trip to Naxos for you!
