Greek island dreams on Naxos
With its white houses and pristine sandy beaches on the coast of the South Aegean Sea, the Greek island of Naxos offers plenty of picture-perfect scenes. Days here are spent exploring the ancient ruins that dot the landscape and visiting hilltop villages and castles with incredible views over the water, or sailing off from the port to explore just a few of the 1000s of islands all around. Naxos vacation rentals are available along most of the coastline and inland, too, so you'll have your choice of dreamy island properties, whether in luxury villas and cottages, or whitewashed apartments in the center of town.
Temples and ruins in ancient Naxos
Like many of the Greek islands and cities, Naxos boasts a wealth of ancient historic sites, many in the form of temples and ruins. You don't have to wander far to stumble upon an old castle, tower or house of worship built over the centuries of inhabitation here. In the capital city, you'll find ruins with incredible views, including the Temple of Apollo, which frames the Aegean Sea and makes a scenic backdrop for photographs and an incredible spot to watch the sunset. Further inland, you can visit the Temple of Demeter, a hilltop structure built of marble, with a small museum onsite.
Sightseeing in Naxos Old Town
Though there are endless historical sites to explore on Naxos, you'll want to start with a sightseeing tour along the stone streets of the capital city, which shares its name with the island. A hilltop castle looms over the town, overlooking the boat-filled port and surrounding coast. Along the narrow lanes that wind between whitewashed buildings, you'll run into all sorts of historic sites and museums, where you can pop in for a visit to escape the heat of the day in summer. There are also plenty of boutiques and markets for souvenirs, as well as wine bars and eateries for sampling the local cuisine.
Sun-soaked summers on Naxos
Summers in Greece are best spent on the islands, with spots like Naxos welcoming visitors to their sandy shores for a reprieve from the hot sun of July and August. Though beachside vacations are perfect for summer, this does tend to be the busiest season, so if you want to avoid the crowds, opt for a stay in spring or fall. The waters might be a little cool for swimming, but the historic streets will be empty. If you do visit during the warmer months, look for a Naxos vacation rental on the coast to enjoy the refreshing sea breezes.
Hitting the beach on Naxos
The largest of the Cyclades islands of Greece, Naxos sits in the Aegean Sea, with a landscape that ranges from craggy hills and mountains to pristine sandy beaches. The most popular spots are found near the capital city of Naxos, where swaths of sand at Plaka and Mikri Vigla beaches welcome visitors to relax on lounge chairs beneath shady umbrellas and hop into the clear sea to splash around and cool off in the heat of the afternoon. If you choose a Naxos vacation rental along this part of the western coast, you'll be able to enjoy dramatic sunsets over the turquoise waters.
Transportation options to and around Naxos
Fly into Naxos (JNX-Naxos Island National), the closest airport, located 1.6 mi (2.6 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you could book a flight to Santorini National Airport (JTR), which is 48.7 mi (78.4 km) away.
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