In the heart of the Aegean a proud island rises from the foaming waves. Tharreis and its mountain peaks beckon visitors to explore. Naxos, a place brimming with history and mythical beauty, firmly rooted in civilization and with a continuous presence from the early Cycladic civilization until today.
Being 103 nautical miles from the port of Piraeus one can visit it by liner in five hours or by catamaran in three and a half hours. Of course, there is also the choice of the plane in just half an hour. Since it is the largest island of the Cyclades, it offers variety to the visitor predisposing him to an unforgettable vacation.
According to archaeological findings, the island was first inhabited during the prehistoric era (Bronze Age 3200 BC). Thanks to its rich deposits of marble, Naxos has been particularly distinguished in sculpture and architecture over the centuries.
According to the myth, Zeus was raised secretly by his father in a cave of the mountain of the same name which happens to be the highest summit of Naxos and the Cyclades. (1004 meters altitude). Today Mount Zeus is a magnet for climbers and walkers who aim, depending on their vision, at the mythical cave or its summit.
However, the deity most associated with Naxos is Dionysus. The god of wine drinking and ecstatic revelry. The ivy-crowned god married Ariadne who had been abandoned by Theseus there on their return from Crete. Their union endowed the island with rich vines and fertile land.
Even today, when Naxos has entered the path of tourist development, the majority of the inhabitants are not only engaged in tourism. Agriculture, animal husbandry, stone building and marble mining occupy a large part of the permanent population. That is why Naxos exudes the cosmopolitan air of a tourist destination while maintaining its traditional color and popular culture.
Whether you are a fan of adventure, tasting history or nightlife, Naxos has a special experience for everyone.
Therefore, due to its different aspects, it is suitable for excursions for individual tastes and criteria. Beaches lined with golden sands follow pebbly shores to give way to wild rocky coves and secluded sea caves. Impregnable mountains give way to cultivated plains, picturesque villages hang from the slopes, medieval towers rise out of nowhere, Byzantine chapels hide behind centuries-old olive trees and ancient temples lie forgotten in earthly paradises. You will also find a wide range of options in the activities. Diving, wind surfing, kite surfing, day cruises, sightseeing tours, hiking on mapped trails, mountain climbing and cooking classes.
What makes it so unique should perhaps be attributed to its advantageous amount of water. Not much but enough to differentiate Naxos from the typical arid Cycladic island. Its natural springs and fertile soil ensure a bountiful harvest. Areas of silver olive groves, sown fields, planted potatoes and sour and fragrant baczedos will be found all over the island.
Viticulture is still today a favorite occupation of the people of Naxi. There are vines all over the island with the majority concentrated in its mountainous mass. Most families take care of their own vineyard which is traditionally passed down from father to son to produce their own barrel wine and the raki that comes from the distillation of the strofylia.