Several years ago, the Municipality of Naxos released a video titled: “The Whole World on One Island.” Still timely, the slogan perfectly captures the variety and wealth of images and experiences offered by the largest island in the Cyclades.
Naxos is an island with an extensive coastline, beaches with outstanding water; and dozens of traditional coastal and mountainous villages. Then there’s the extraordinary gastronomy with fresh local fish, meats, vegetables, and dairy products. Additionally, Naxos is a place to delight in archaeological sites, traditional workshops, and breathtaking landscapes.
To truly experience Naxos, it’s essential to have several days and a good car. Fortunately, the transport had already been booked through a car rental from Avis. A great advantage was how easy and fast the car rental process was, as we quickly found what we were looking for on their website: a spacious SUV that comfortably accommodated four people and their luggage. Out of curiosity, we also browsed the offers and options Avis provides in all categories. Premium cars, electric vehicles, city cars, off-road vehicles for those who love off-roading, and much more. We completed an online check-in via Quick Pass, and on the scheduled date and time, we picked up our car at the Avis station in Naxos Town. The courteous staff explained everything we needed to know about the vehicle, and our excursion began.
The Star Route
We chose a long route that combined coastal and mountainous areas, while also highlighting the natural beauty of Naxos. We started from Naxos Town, heading towards Apeiranthos. As we drove, the island’s great beauty unfolded before us. Unlike most Cycladic islands, Naxos is not barren. Instead, the road passes by gardens and fields, and it’s not uncommon to hear sheep and goats.
Stop 1: Filoti
Our first stop was Filoti, a village at the foot of Mount Zas, whose summit, at 1,004 meters, is the highest in the Cyclades. The whitewashed houses contrasted with the gray of the mountain and the lush green valley surrounding the village. Most of the cafes and tavernas are gathered along its main street.
We visited two important landmarks: the Barotsi Tower, a 17th-century structure, and the Church of Panagia Filotitissa, with its marble iconostasis and impressive bell tower, before continuing towards Apeiranthos. For hiking enthusiasts, it’s worth noting that near Filoti starts a marked trail leading to the summit of Mount Zas.
Stop 2: Apeiranthos
After another 15 minutes of driving on an uphill, narrow road – which our SUV handled easily – we arrived at Apeiranthos. The village is situated at an altitude of 600 meters, and the temperature difference from the sea level was noticeable. Apeiranthos is truly a sui generis village, one of the most beautiful in all the Cyclades, with a substantial tourist development. It has however managed to perfectly preserve its architectural identity, which was largely shaped during the Venetian period. This became immediately apparent as we parked at the village’s entrance, where the Zevgolis Tower, an impressive 17th-century building constructed on a rock, dominates the landscape.
Apeiranthos is also known as the ‘marble village,’ as many of its houses and streets are built from this precious material. Its residents are renowned for their hospitality, and something that distinguishes the village is its five museums, despite its diminutive size. You can read more about Apeiranthos here.
Stop 3: Moutsouna
Leaving Apeiranthos behind, we took the road that leads toward the sea and Moutsouna. The road runs along a slope, and on our right, we saw terraced fields – a centuries-old tradition that, along with stone walls, helped demarcate pastures and gardens. Moutsouna is about nine kilometers from Apeiranthos and essentially serves as its port.
Today, Moutsouna remains a charming fishing village that, even during high season, does not experience excessive tourist traffic. In its small harbor, Moutsouna once received shipments of emery, which were transported from the mountains via an aerial tramway and then loaded onto ships to be distributed to Greece’s larger ports. Emery, a rare mineral known since antiquity, remains valuable for road construction. Until the mid-20th century, the exploitation of emery deposits was the primary commercial activity for the villages of Apeiranthos, Koronos, and Moutsouna. Today, apart from the cranes, this history is also recalled by the carts that transported the cargo along the road leading to Moutsouna, as well as a monument honoring the mine workers.
Stop 4: Panermos Beach
The last stop on this route is Panermos Beach (or Panormos). To reach it from Moutsouna, follow a mostly coastal route along the eastern shore of Naxos. This area lacks the tourist development and crowds of the west, which permitted us to appreciate the island’s wild beauty. The road passes by the prehistoric acropolis that once dominated eastern Naxos. Panermos is a small, sheltered cove on the southeastern part of the island. We admired the impressive palm trees that almost touched the Aegean waters. We were 54 kilometers from Naxos Town and several hundred kilometers from Attica, but the beach felt like it belonged on a tropical island. A late-afternoon swim with views of Koufonisia and Keros was the perfect way to end our short excursion.
It was our last and most beautiful memory of Naxos. The following day, as we returned the car at the Avis station in Naxos Town, we talked about how much we had enjoyed our time and that we would make it a point to return as soon as possible, as a few days are simply not enough.
Other Suggested Routes
Another idea for a pleasant excursion is to go from the popular beach of Agios Prokopios to the beautiful village of Halki, and from there to the ancient Greek Temple of Demeter, an Ionic temple made entirely of Naxian marble. The total distance is 22 kilometers. Another lovely fishing village worth visiting is Apollonas, on the northern side of the island. It is about an hour’s drive and 37 kilometers from Naxos Town.
To reach the popular beaches of Agia Anna and Agios Prokopios from Naxos Town, you need to drive for around 10-15 minutes. A wonderful beach on the southwestern side of the island that’s well worth visiting is Hawaii. Its name is no coincidence. It is about a half-hour drive from Naxos Town, but for the last part of the journey, you will need to walk along a manageable, narrow downhill path to reach the sandy shore.
Tips and Information for Your Trip to Naxos
- With an area of approximately 430 square kilometers and over 40 villages, Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades. A means of transportation is essential for getting around.
- Many beaches in Naxos have warm waters, and the weather conditions are generally mild, making Naxos an ideal vacation spot in September.
- Naxos is famous for its dairy products, such as graviera and arseniko cheese. The island also has rich livestock production, with around 100,000 goats and sheep and 4,000 cows raised there.
- In the distillery sector, the outstanding citrus liqueur Kitro Naxou (PDO) stands proudly alongside grappa. It is produced by the island’s two historic distilleries.
- Naxos is renowned for its festivals. Every year, from Easter to October, the island’s residents celebrate at the churches and chapels with authentic island-style feasts.
- You can read more about this authentic destination below, and don’t forget to check avis.gr regularly, as offers are continually updated.
Read also:
A Dreamy Stroll Through Naxos Town
