Naxos Island Greece

Naxos (in Greek NAXOU ) is a Greek island, the largest (429 km2 ) in the Cyclades island group in the Aegean. It was the centre of archaic Cycladic culture.

The island comprises the two municipalities of Naxos and Drymalia. The largest town and capital of the island is Hora, sometimes called Naxos City, with 6,533 inhabitants (2001 ). The main villages are Filoti, Apiranthos, Vivlos, Agios Arsenios, Koronos and Glinado. Naxos is a popular tourist destination, with several easily accessible ruins. It has a number of beautiful beaches, such as those at Agia Anna, Agios Prokopios, Alikos, Kastraki, Mikri Vigla, Plaka, and Agios Georgios.

Naxos is the most fertile island of the Cyclades. It has a good supply of water in a region where water is usually inadequate. Mount Zas (999 metres) is the highest peak in the Cyclades, and tends to trap the clouds, permitting greater rainfall. This has made agriculture an important economic sector with various vegetable and fruit crops as well as cattle breeding, making Naxos one of the most self sufficient islands in the Cyclades. Naxos is also known within Greece for its potatoes.

how to get there...

Naxos is about 5 1/2 hours by the fastest regular ferry from Piraeus, faster by catamaran, and about 1 1/2 hours by regular ferry from Santorini. By sea Naxos is a central hub in the sea transport system, and enjoys multiple connections in all directions. In summer although it is recommended tickets early, due to many Greeks and tourists are travelling that time of the year.

Ferry boats and high speed catamaran services run daily from Piraeus during high season. Various shipping companies sail for Naxos (via Paros) including: Hellenic Seaways Blue Star Ferries, NEL Lines, GA ferries, Aegean Speed Lines and Anek Lines. NEL Lines also operates a highspeed link from Lavrio in Attica. This is a pleasant port to travel from if you have the option, as it is relatively near the airport and doesn't have the stress and chaos of Piraeus.

There is also the High Speed (Hellenic Seaways) which leaves from Rafina, closer to Athens airport than Piraeus and a pleasant place to have lunch if you have time before you board your ferry. The High Speed takes just under 4 hours and is around 40 euros in high season.

By air Olympic Airways operates a daily service from Athens. On weekends there are direct flights from Austria (Innsbruck and Graz) with Lauda Air.