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.
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 civilisation.
Naxos or Hora stands on a naturally amphitheatrical site on a
hillside on the north-west side of the island and is one of the most
attractive towns in the Cyclades. 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.
Interesting monuments from various periods are to be found all
over the town. They include fine Byzantine churches, the castle
itself (with its tower and battlements), and traces of Mycenean
buildings in the spot known as Grota. The Archaeological Museum
of Naxos has some notable exhibits.
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, for instance - on the north side of the
island - is a half-finished outsize "kouros" (statue of a youth),
dating from the 6th century BC, still lying in the marble quarry
where it was abandoned. Another such statue can be seen at
Melanes. An interesting archaeological museam is to be found at
Apirathos, a village where a number of strange customs and
habits have survived.
Among churches of interest are those of Our Lady "Protothroni" at
Tragea and Our Lady "Filotitissa" in the village of Filoti.
There are good swimming beaches at Agios Prokopios, Mikri Vigla
Kastraki, Alikos, Pirgaki, Agiassos (on the west side), Apolonas,
Psili Amos, Panormos, Pahia Amos and elsewhere.
The superb beaches of Naxos, its attractive villages and its wealth
of monuments draw thousands of visitors to the island each year.
The good tourist amenities in Hora make it easy to tour the charms
of the island.
