Naxos Damarionas Retreat | Newly Renovated Cycladic House with Views

Vacation time is a very personal and meaningful moment for each individual. It is the time to recharge, to slow down, and to return to everyday life feeling more relaxed and balanced.
Each person dreams of something different for their holidays. There is no single “ideal” place — only the one that feels right for you.

Hopefully, Damarionas Retreat will be that place for you — a base to enjoy, relax, and explore Naxos from another point of view.

Damarionas Retreat is not in Chora of Naxos, where during the busy summer months becomes vibrant and intense — with traffic, crowded narrow paths, and cafés, bars, and nightlife carrying on late into the night.

The house is not directly next to the organized beaches near Chora of Naxos, with the umbrellas, sun beds and beach bars, but within a 20 minutes’ drive you can reach some of the most beautiful shores of the island, whenever you feel like spending the day by the sea.
This vacation rental is located in the center of Naxos, under Mount Zas (Zeus), where you can enjoy a quiet and relaxed time overlooking olive groves, birds, hawks (Falco Eleonorae), night owls (Tyto Alba Alba), and the culture of the mountainous villages of the island.

The House
The house is located in a village called Damarionas. Damarionas is considered a Traditional Settlement by the Greek Ministry of Culture, with a history dating back to the 1400s. There are no roads for cars within the village, only snakelike pathways that you can walk and explore. The house is located beside the peripheral road of the village, with no other houses in front of it to block the view of the plains.

When you approach the house from the peripheral road, right next to a private parking area, there is a stepped pathway where you can leave your luggage while the driver parks at the municipal parking area of the village, only 50 meters away. Upon entering the house, you find a small garden with vines and a tree. Walking up the stairs, you arrive at the veranda. If your arrival is at night, solar lights automatically illuminate the garden and stairs after sunset.

The house is on the first floor of an old stone building. This floor was completely restored during the autumn of 2025 and will welcome its first guests in the summer of 2026. During the restoration, the traditional character of the house was preserved, while important modern features were introduced, such as optical fibre internet and wooden traditional style but at the same time energy-efficient windows that naturally keep the space cool in summer and comfortable year-round.

Throughout the restoration process, it was essential for the owners to create a minimal, calming environment that would rest and please the eye. The house features only white built-in furniture, with soft curves and rounded edges. Even the interior and exterior lighting is integrated into the walls. The structural elements are strictly wood, stone, marble, and sand.

The house is 45 square meters in total and consists of four rooms arranged in a row. The master bedroom has a double bed (140 x 195 cm). Next to it, there is a second bedroom with two single beds and an additional bunk bed (80 x 190 cm). Adjacent to the second bedroom is the kitchen, which also includes a fireplace and the main entrance. Next to it is the bathroom. Each room has its own door to ensure privacy.

One of the most beautiful elements of the house is the 25-square-meter veranda (terrace), perfect for relaxing and enjoying the views of the mountains and the ancient olive groves of the Tragea plateau, especially at sunset. The veranda has a built-in table comfortably seats five people, making it ideal for meals with family or friends. The veranda unfolds into different areas, with shaded spaces under wooden pergolas and open corners to enjoy the sunset, the views, and the night sky.

The Village
The village is not silent — it has its own life and sounds. Children run, play, and laugh in the narrow paths. Locals talk loudly, cracking jokes to each other. You might come across sheep wandering through the village, hear donkeys from the surrounding fields, the bells of grazing animals, roosters in the morning and the church bell on Sundays and holidays.
At night, you may even hear the distant barking of hunting dogs from the hills across the village. All these sounds are part of the island’s living landscape. Together, they create an authentic experience — one that is very different from the constant noise of the city. And then there are the quiet moments: sitting on the veranda, looking out over the horizon, sharing time with loved ones. These moments can feel deeply grounding and fulfilling.

There are two different worlds on the island: the vibrant, touristic life of Chora and the surrounding beaches, and the quieter world of the shepherds and farmers in the mountains. By choosing Damarionas Retreat, you are able to experience both. Some of the island’s most beautiful beaches are only 20 minutes away, while at the same time you are surrounded by the serenity of the mountains, with wonderful places to eat, scenic walks and nearby villages to explore.

Panigiri
During your stay, you may have the chance to experience a local celebration — a baptism, a wedding feast, or a village gathering at one of the taverns. On these occasions, music can continue until the early hours of the morning. You can choose to close the windows and rest, or simply join in and become part of the experience.

On the 5th and 6th of August, the village celebrates its traditional festival, the “panigiri”. This is a deeply authentic event, not designed for tourism but for the local community. Music begins after midnight and continues into the early morning hours. If you decide to attend, it is best to arrive early (around 9 or 10 pm) to find a table.

The atmosphere builds slowly, and the dancing — accompanied by the sound of the violin — becomes truly captivating and ecstatic, bringing together people of all ages. Food during the panigiri is simple and traditional: pork skewers, goat soup, “choriatiki” salad, potatoes, and local cheese. Drinks include beer, local Naxian wine, and spirits. This is a true village celebration, where music and dance are part of a living tradition — if you choose to join, being present with respect for the moment and the people around you, is what makes it meaningful.

Taverns
Damarionas has three taverns, each with its own character. “Vasalena” is the first you encounter as you enter the village. It is spacious and ideal for families, with plenty of room for children to play. The food is excellent — and if you happen to find chickpeas with pork cooked in a traditional oven pot, you are in for a real treat. Further along the main road is “Ganoutzis”, with its elevated terrace and soft lighting creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Here you will find excellent grilled meats, local wine from the surrounding villages (an acquired but rewarding taste), strong raki, and cheeses from local shepherds. The third tavern, “Potirou”, is located on the main square next to a very old plane tree. It is a perfect place to enjoy a morning coffee or a relaxed meal.

Nearby Villages
Staying at Damarionas Retreat gives you easy access to some of the most beautiful villages of Naxos. Chalki, the old capital of the island, is less than 10 minutes away. With its neoclassical houses and Venetian mansions, it offers a unique architectural character, along with excellent taverns and cafés.

Filoti, the most populated village in the Aegean, lies just 10 minutes from the house. Built on the slopes of Mount Zas, it is lively and authentic. Exploring it involves climbing many steps, but the experience is rewarding. Here you will find exceptional local meat, traditional cheeses, cafés, bakeries, and shops. Many of the local butchers are also herdsmen, offering meat from their own animals as well as cheeses they produce themselves.
Further up the mountain lies Apeiranthos, about 20 minutes from the house. Built almost entirely from marble, it is one of the most beautiful villages in the Aegean. It combines tradition with a lively atmosphere and is a must-see destination. From there, you can also reach the more secluded beaches of Moutsouna, on the eastern side of the island, behind mount Zas.