The endless sandy beaches with
lucent turquoise waters, the mountain and seaside traditional villages, where
visitors meet the old and innocent “routine” of their people, always warm,
hospitable and cheerful, the local festivities with folklore dances and music
almost every season and for any occasion,
the imposing landscape created by
vast mountainous bulks and fertile valleys, the glorious remnants of a great
ancient and Byzantine history scattered all around the land: the combination of
all the above constitute Naxos, the island where Dionysus, the god of wine, was
born. One of the biggest islands of Cyclades with grace and beauty beyond
visitors' expectations. 
What
to see
From the important
archaeological sites to its Byzantine churches and monasteries and its
fortified castles and towers, Naxos reveals its treasures offering a “pick” to
its grand past. The famous Portara, the ruins of an unfinished Temple of Apollo
and the landmark of Naxos, overtops on the islet of Palatia, at the entrance to
Naxos harbor - watching the sunset from Portara is an almost magical
experience, the ancient Naxos aqueduct, with the underground tunnel that enters
at Barou and exits at Kaminia, the ancient sanctuary dedicated to the female
goddess of the fertility of the earth at Flerio water spring, the necropolis, a
cemetery of the Geometrical era at Alonakia settlement, on the hill of Apano
Kastro, the ancient quarry of Apollonas, near the coastal settlement of
Apollonas where also stands the huge half-finished statue the Kouros of the god
Apollo, the ancient sanctuary dedicated to the god Dionysus, at Yria.
Visit the Church of Panayia
Protothronos, at Chalki, one of the island’s oldest and most important
monuments. Panayia Myrtidiotissa, greets the island’s visitors as it stands
right in the middle of Naxos harbor. The Monastery of Faneromeni, with its
Venetian architecture, and its breathtaking view to the northwest coast of
Naxos, the Monastery of Timios Stavros, the famous Bazeos Tower as it is known
by the name of the family that owns it, situated at the valley of Agiassos,
outside the village of Sagri, is also a landmark of the island of Naxos. The
Church of Panagia Drossiani, on the road to Chalki, not far from Moni, again
one of the oldest on the island.
The Bardani Tower, the Plaka
Tower, also known as Paleopyrgos or Ariadne’s Tower, the Barozzi Tower at
Filoti, the Zevgoli Tower, close to the centre of Apiranthos and the Glezos
Tower, the tower of Delarokas at Kournochori and the tower of Fotodotis at
Danakos, will take visitors on a “virtual” journey to the alluring times of
knights and legends.
Where
to swim
Others
organized and crowded and others secluded and peaceful, the sandy beaches of
Naxos with the clean beautiful waters are stretching for miles. On your way
from Chora to Plaka you’ll find, Ai-Yiorgi, Agios Prokopis and Agia Anna, all
well equipped and organized, with umbrellas, sunbeds, beach bars and taverns
scattered around, and surprisingly prompt and frequent transportation. Leaving
Plaka behind, the crowds get lessen. There you’ll find the beautiful and more
deserted beaches of Orkos, Mikri kai Megali Vigla (Small and Big Vigla),
Pyrgaki, Kastraki and Alyko. On the northern side of the island you will find,
Ammitis, Abrahm and Agioi Theodori. On the east, Psili Ammos, Azalas, Klidos
and Panormos with great deep waters, also the Moutsouna, with its amazing stone
structures on its shore, the only beach with small traditional tavernas. If you
prefer more secluded waters, these you’ll find at Agiasso and Kalando.
Πηγή / Source: http://www.bestofathens.gr/