Naxos Maps

Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades islands, located in the central Aegean Sea. The island covers 166 square miles and has a population of approximately 18,000 residents. Naxos Town (Chora), the capital and main port, is dominated by a Venetian castle (Kastro) crowning the hill above the harbor, surrounded by a medieval old town with narrow alleys. The port area features the Portara, a massive marble doorway standing 6 meters tall, the only remaining part of an unfinished Temple of Apollo dating to the 6th century BCE, which has become the island's symbol.

Naxos has the most fertile soil of the Cyclades due to greater rainfall and water resources, supporting agriculture including citrus fruits, potatoes, olives, and grapes. The island was a major center of ancient Cycladic culture, producing distinctive marble figurines now found in museums worldwide. The Archaeological Museum in Naxos Town houses an important collection of Cycladic artifacts. The mountain village of Apiranthos, built of marble with stone-paved streets, preserves traditional architecture and houses several small museums.

The interior is dominated by Mount Zas (Zeus), the highest peak in the Cyclades at 3,290 feet, which according to mythology was where Zeus was raised. The Kouros of Apollonas, a 34-foot unfinished ancient statue lying in a quarry near the north coast village of Apollonas, and the Kouros of Flerio near Melanes, demonstrate the island's ancient marble-working tradition. Chalki village, once the island's capital, features neoclassical architecture and the Church of Panagia Protothroni, containing frescoes from various periods. Long sandy beaches, particularly on the west coast including Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka, attract beach tourism while the island maintains a more relaxed atmosphere than Mykonos or Santorini.

The Facts:
Region: South Aegean.
Capital: Naxos (city).
Towns and villages: Agios Arsenios, Agios Prokopios, Aigiali, Amorgos, Apeiranthos, Arkesini, Chalkeio, Damarionas, Danakos, Donousa, Engares, Filoti, Galanado, Galini, Glynado, Irakleia, Katapola, Keramoti, Kinidaros, Koronida, Koronos, Koufonisia, Melanes, Mesi, Moni, Naxos, Potamia, Sagkri, Schoinoussa, Skado, Tholaria, Vivlos, Vroutsis.
Population: ~ 18,000.
Area: 166 sq mi (430 sq km).