Walking Naxos

A September 2005 trip to Naxos Island by lslay78

Quote: We arrived in Naxos aboard the Blue Star Naxos after a thankfully smooth ride. Greeted by the portal of the Temple of Apollo, as well as a crowd of shouting pension-keepers, Naxos makes you feel immediately welcome.

8 Photos

Walking Naxos

Overview

Apollo's Portal Photo - Naxos Island, Greece

Quote:

Naxos is a truly beautiful place, and what better way to enjoy it than by foot? I went to a lot of trouble to order the out-of-print book Naxos and the Small Cyclades: Walking the Greek Islands, only to find the book available (in multiple languages) in many of the shops along the waterfront when we got there! It is a good purchase, and I wish now that I'd stayed longer and walked more.Quick Tips: Bus schedules are available at the Bus Information Office near the ferry quay and the Naxos Tourist Information Center (NTIC) is also a helpful place. Don't be afraid to just get lost in the Kastro and surrounding alleys--you'll make your way out eventually and may find some treasures alon...Read More

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Pension Oniro

Hotel

Quote:

We selected lodging with the loudest, smiling guy in the crowd upon arrival from Santorini and were driven to the new town just south of the Kastro. For 20€ a night, we had two beds, a desk, our own bathroom with a shower, and a small balcony. We were also close to the post office, laundry, and Internet café. Also, between Plateia Protodikiou and Papavasiliou was a hole-in-the-wall place where we liked to pick up hot-chocolate croissants for breakfast in the morning. The downside to staying in the new town is the walk to the water (albeit short) and the not-so-picturesque construction. To top it off, the walls were paper-thin and our neighbors were very energetic.

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on September 20, 2005

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Despina's Rooms

Best Of IgoUgo

Hotel

Despina's rooms Photo - Naxos Island, Greece

Quote:

Once you've navigated the maze of the old town, following signs for "rooms" and "Despina's" painted on the walls, you may find Despina herself sitting on the porch watching her adorable grandson throwing a bouncy ball down the alley. Despina lives in the first floor rooms, her daughter lives below (and speaks better english). If you are unsure, just ask the guy NTIC on the waterfront to give her a call ahead of time. After my friend left, I decided to move into the Kastro area and found a small, cozy room with a view at Despina's for 25 euros a night. Despina's is conveniently located near the buses, ferries, shopping, and restaurants. However, you will have to lug your bags up t...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 21, 2005

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Platia

Restaurant

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Seating both inside and out, under an arbor. Some of the side streets are blocked off at night, so traffic in the square wasn't bad. I'd say everything about this place is average (food, service, atmosphere), but I think you're guaranteed to not have a bad meal here.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on September 21, 2005

Platia
Plateia Protokikiou Court Square
Cyclades, Greek Islands
+30 2285 023 575

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Typografio Cafe-Restaurant

Restaurant

Quote:

Sort of on the southern side of the Kastro near some steep steps you'll see this restaurant with tables set up around the building (possibly near Prantounas Square). Warm lighing makes the building glow in the evening, and it was quite busy. We had a lovely bruschetta for a starter, they also gave us bread with hummus before we ordered. My grilled swordfish fillet with tomato sauce was excellent, as was the local wine. We enjoyed the atmosphere and being perched above the streets, where we could spy down on passersby.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on September 21, 2005

Typografio Cafe-Restaurant
Kastro
Cyclades, Greek Islands
+30 2285 022 375

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Picasso Tex-Mex Food

Restaurant

Quote:

I know that eating Mexican food in Greece seems strange, but it was great! You can only have so many gyros before you need a change. Picasso offered Mexican with a different flavor than I've ever had. They won't bring a basket of chips and salsa to your table like at home, so you'll have to order it, but the salsa was wonderful! The tequila in the margaritas is crap, but beggars can't be choosers. Our burritos were spicy and tasty and the rice had black beans mixed in. It was a wonderful change and the place was packed, despite the fact that it was the last day of September.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 22, 2005

Picasso Tex-Mex Food
Agiou Arseniou South of Plateia Protodikiou
Cyclades, Greek Islands
2285 025 408

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Temple of Demeter

Attraction

Church in Ano Sangri Photo - Naxos Island, Greece

Quote:

Once you walk into the village and find the bust of Konstantin Xenakis, you'll take the path heading south, passing a small white chapel on a little hill. Soon you'll see your goal, the partially reconstructed Temple of Demeter. We took a bit of a wrong turn here, following a French couple, but you can't get too far off track, as you can see your destination. The temple isn't large, but it's interesting and in a nice, somewhat isolated spot, so there aren't a million tourists here. We headed northeast from here, and this is where climbing fences came in. There was definitely an easier way; we just couldn't find it. We skipped the trek up to the cave church described in our book and made our way b...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on September 22, 2005

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Dream Paths

Attraction

Chapel near Kaloxilos Photo - Naxos Island, Greece

Quote:

There are so many old churches along the way on this walk that it's hard to keep them straight. Enjoy walking through olive country and bring water, as it can get hot. We were disappointed to find Moni closed up for the afternoon, so there were no snacks there. The church Panagia i Drosiani dates back to the 6th century AD and is often open. The road comes by it, so a few people will be inside. The 11th-century Byzantine-style church Agios Georgios o Diassoritis was a favorite, and the frescos inside are interesting. There is space outside for a nice picnic beneath the trees. Buy a snack from the guy in a booth near the bus stop back in Chalki, as he speaks a little English.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on September 22, 2005

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Agia Anna Beach

Attraction

Quote:

I began my walk in Naxos Town, heading south to the chapel of Agios Georgios. From the church I was able to walk around St. George Bay on the sand. I passed many an umbrella and chair and a handful of windsurfers. Although Agios Georgios is attractive, it is also quite littered with trash. I continued on, passing through Agios Prokopios Beach. Losing my way a bit around Stelida Peak, I ended up following the road down to Agia Anna Beach. The water was wonderfully clear and warm and fish swam around my legs. I did have to clear a space for myself to sunbathe amongst the cigarette butts.

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on September 23, 2005