Visit Portara

If you are visiting Naxos, a trip to Portara is necessary to soak in the gorgeous view and absorb the vibrant energy. Portara (the great door) is a name that the residents have allocated to a marvellous marble doorway. This monument is a short walk from the Naxos town harbour, standing proudly on a small island.This ramrod landmark, which is 2,500 years old, marks a doorway that "leads nowhere" and was once a temple devoted to the god Apollo. The temple was constructed when Lygdamis was reigning, and Naxos was a prominent cultural centre.The vivacity of this monument is mostly because of the palpable spiritual energy around it, often described as "magical", especially at sunset.

Visit Chora and the Castle

The Chora Castle, a medieval monument, is another essential stop during your visit to Naxos. The two entrances of the castle are Trani Porta (Great Gate) and Paraporti (wicket), to the north and left respectively. The interiors of the castle house many astonishing historical monuments such as the Boarding School of Ursulines, School of Commerce founded by Jesuit monks, the KapelaKazatza, a chapel of the Duke, the Catholic Cathedral and the Tower of Krispi or Glezos.
You can also pay a visit to the surrounding cute shops, cafes, restaurants, art spaces and museums and walk the winding alleyways.

Surf the Wind

If after the cultural and spiritual exploration of the historical monuments a strong craving for adrenaline kicks in, windsurfing is the ultimate solution.
Naxos is ideal for windsurfing because of the shallow lagoons, gentle blue waves and great wind conditions that will move you towards excitement. In fact, Naxos is among the most popular windsurfing spots in Greece, especially during the summer when the northern winds hit the blue waves that engulf the island. To be specific, the best places to windsurf in Naxos are Laguna, Agios Georgios, AgiosProkopios and Plaka.For the strongest winds, hit the waters in the early afternoon.

Explore the Beaches

Naxos has an abundance of scenic beaches, perfect for unwinding under the warm rays of sunshine. There are various beaches outlining the alluring island of Naxos, so the diversity of choices always impress visitors. Here are three of the best beaches in Naxos for sandy toes and sun-kissed skins:

AgiosProkopios located on the west of Naxos, AgiosProkopios is the most desired and beautiful beach on the island- and one of the best in Europe. The soft sand stretches for 1.2 km, with golden streams of sun and gentle winds.

Agia Anna this beach joins AgiosProkopios on the south-west. On this velvety beach, you can lounge on provided sunbeds under the shadow of umbrellas and sip on refreshing cocktails at the nearby bars.

Palaka this sandy paradise is in the south-west of the island, and a prime area for sea sports such as windsurfing and kitesurfing.

A day trip to Santorini

Always wanted to visit the famous island of Santorini but didn't have enough time? There are a couple of tours from Naxos that take you by boat to Santorini. There you will get a guided tour of the island by bus, visit the beautiful Oia and also have free time to explore Fira too.