Naxos City Maps

Naxos (also called Chora) is the main town and capital of Naxos island, the largest island in the Cyclades archipelago. The town has a population of approximately 7,000 and serves as the island's port and commercial center. Naxos is situated on the western coast of the island, featuring typical Cycladic architecture with whitewashed cubic houses.

The most iconic landmark is the Portara (Great Door), the massive marble doorway of an unfinished Temple of Apollo dating to the 6th century BCE, standing alone on the islet of Palatia at the harbor entrance. The temple was never completed, and only the monumental entrance remains. The structure is one of the most photographed sites in the Cyclades, particularly at sunset.

The Venetian Castle (Kastro), built in 1207 by Marco Sanudo, occupies the hilltop in the old town. Within the castle walls, Venetian and medieval buildings remain, including several towers and the former Latin cathedral. The Archaeological Museum of Naxos, housed in a Venetian building within the castle, displays an important collection of Cycladic figurines and artifacts spanning from the prehistoric period through the Roman era.

The old town features winding marble-paved alleys, traditional tavernas, and small Byzantine churches. The waterfront promenade extends along the harbor with cafes, restaurants, and shops. Naxos was central to Greek mythology as the island where Theseus abandoned Ariadne, and where Dionysus found and married her. The island has been continuously inhabited since prehistoric times and was an important cultural center in antiquity, known for its marble and emery production.