The first view of the island when you approach the port by boat is the characteristic landmark of the impressive Portara. It is the marble gate of the Temple of Apollo, dating back to the 6th century BC and built on the islet of Palatia in Chora. It is ideal to visit the Portara just before the sun goes down, to marvel at the unique sunset.
Staying in Chora, walk to the Castle of Naxos to admire the medieval castle town of the 13th century, one of the few that are still inhabited today. There you will also find the Archaeological Museum of Naxos, with unique exhibits from the Early Cycladic period and collections of ceramics of the Mycenaean era.
One of the most famous villages of the Cyclades is the picturesque mountain village of Apiranthos, known as the "marble village", where you will admire the Venetian towers and the alleys with vaulted arches that will take you to the "plazza", the main square of the village, with the beautiful traditional cafes. Before you leave, visit Apiranthos Women's Traditional Art Cooperative for its traditional hand-woven textiles.
Take a walk in the village of Chalki and visit the Vallindras Distillery - Museum, where the famous citrus liqueur of Naxos, made of citrus leaf distillate has been produced since the end of the 19th century by the same family that keeps the recipe a secret to this day. Halki, in the green valley of Tragea, is known as "Little Mystras" of the Cyclades with over thirty Byzantine churches.
Climb to the top of Zas, the highest mountain in Cyclades, where Zeus grew up, according to mythology, and enjoy the view of the Aegean Sea. You can also visit the cave of Zas, on the northwest slopes of the mountain.
In the island’s ancient marble quarries, at Apollonas and Flerio, you will admire the unfinished giant archaic statues of the Kouroi of Naxos, dating back to the 6th century BC.
Passing through the village of Sagri, stop at the archaeological site of Gyroula, which was an archaic centre of worship of the goddess Demeter, with the marble sanctuary of 530 BC.
Close to Sagri is the mountain village of Damalas, with a pottery workshop where you may discover the special ceramics of Naxos.
Admire the view of the Aegean Sea during your visit to the impressive Holy Monastery of Fotodotis, which is the oldest castle monastery in Naxos, above the village of Danakos.
The villages of Naxos are full of small surprises waiting for you to discover them, so is the village of Moni, built on a green slope, where you will admire the Byzantine monastery of Panagia Drosiani.