Location: In the Central Cyclades, between Amorgos , Mykonos and Paros .
Identity card: Almost oval in shape, Naxos has an area of 448 km², a coastal perimeter of 148 km, 92 km of beaches and a population of 20,000 inhabitants. Chief town and main port: Chora .
Characteristics: Known since ancient times for its water resources as well as its marble and emery quarries, the island of Naxos is the first island in sizethe archipelago. Very mountainous with a highest point – Mount Zas – at 1004m, it is also the most fertile of the Cyclades islands . Its valleys planted with olive trees, vineyards, lemon trees, orange trees, vegetable fields known above all for the cultivation of potatoes, its pastures, as well as its emery, granite and marble quarries, have made it is a financially autonomous island, and which therefore had neglected tourism for a long time.
However, in recent years, thanks to its very beautiful beaches, we have noticed a “rampant” tourist expansion, especially around the port and the beaches to the west and southwest of the island.
It stands out from the other Cyclades islands by the variety of its landscapes: impressive formationsrocky areas alternate with beautiful green valleys, immense beaches with fine sand, and above all numerous villages still preserved from tourism and an intact hinterland. According to mythology, this is where Zeus spent his childhood and where his son, Dionysus , god of wine, was born. Legend also tells that Ariadne , abandoned by Theseus , was taken in by Dionysus . A major center of Cycladic civilization (between 4000 and 1000 BC), the island of Naxos , whose historical past is very rich, was for a long time under Venetian domination. Thus we find numerous architectural and archaeological traces which allow us to retrace the history of the island.
Strong points: the island of Naxos will appeal to hikers, who at the bend of a path through olive groves and orchards, will be able to discover a Byzantine church, a fortified monastery…, beach lovers and windsurfers for good climatic conditions prevailing there and especially those looking for authentic villages and the beauty of the landscapes.
Activities and Excursions:
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To help you find your way around the island, we have indicated in ORANGE the places where you can stay.
