"NAXOS - HOME OF ARIADNE" Top 5 Page for this destination Naxos - Chora (town of) by mtncorg

Naxos - Chora (town of) Travel Guide: 66 reviews and 87 photos

Little chapel on Myrtidiotissa in Naxos harbor

The Cretan princess, Ariadne, helped Athenian Theseus to kill her half-brother, the Minotaur in return for a promise of marriage. On their return to Athens, Theseus dumped Ariadne here on Naxos. Even Athenians saw the event as lacking in honor. Athens loss was Naxos gain and she took up with Dionysos, living the life and making and drinking great wines - which the Naxians have wisely continued to do. Dionysos set Ariadne's crown into the night heavens - the Corona Borealis. Theseus must have been a little flustered by the events, for when he returned to Athens, he forgot to change his black sails to white - a signal to his father that he had succeeded with the Minotaur. His father killed himself in misguided grief.

Largest and most mountainous of the Cyclades, it is also fairly agricultural in nature, though tourism gains each year. Lemons and citrons are a Naxian specialty - kitro is a liquer distilled from the citron. The southwest side of the island is one long beach - party on. Memories from the Ancient, the Byzantine and the Venetian pasts abound. First signs of civilization go back to 3000 BC. Like on Paros, marble has a long history here - the Lions of Delos were quarried from here. There is enough on Naxos to keep you busy for a whole vacation, by itself, exploring the many villages in the interior and on the different coasts.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Big island with beaches, fascinating villages and a bustling Port
Cons:Getting closer to the mainstream of Touristic Flow
In a nutshell:The entire Cyclades wrapped into one Island

Intro Updated Dec 21, 2003
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Reviews (9)

MS Nicholas berthed at Naxos harbor - Naxos - Chora (town of)

MS NICHOLAS - motorsailor extraordinaire Transportation (1)

Naxos is a major Cycladic ferry port with many other island connections, as well as direct connections with Pireaus. You... more travel advice

Terraced fields in the interior of Naxos - Naxos - Chora (town of)

LIVADI VALLEY Things to Do (7)

The terraced countryside of the island's interior belies a fertility not found on many of the other Cyclades. High... more travel advice

900 year old olive tree still creating pits - Naxos - Chora (town of)

OLIVES Things to Do (7)

The kouroi lie among olive trees that vie in age with the stonemen. The tree pictured is reportedly over 900 years in... more travel advice

Millennial Stoneman resting among Naxian olives - Naxos - Chora (town of)

KOUROS Things to Do (7)

Naxos is almost as well-known for its ancient marble as neighbor, Paros. The Terrace of Lions at Delos and the marble... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (1)
IRAKLIA

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Comments (9)

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uaamom Jan 7, 2008 at 8:16 PM

I loved Naxos and would go back. Would like to learn to windsurf there. ......i took my youngest son, 2 years ago & then on to "My Family & Other Animals"-Corfu!
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nickandchris Sep 14, 2006 at 4:21 AM

Good tips. Incredible to think of those statues lying unfinished all this time.
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mazzap Jul 30, 2005 at 11:28 AM

More great piccies and very useful info - thanks! Marion.
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iandsmith Jun 3, 2005 at 8:10 PM

Makes me wonder why I haven't been back to the Greek Islands.
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soccergrrl Sep 22, 2004 at 10:44 AM

Excellent description (and photos!) of Naxos. We *loved* this island and found lots to do.
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keeweechic Aug 22, 2004 at 8:31 PM

Greece still eludes me. That chapel looks a lovely place for a wedding. The Temple of Apollo is just WOW! Amazing Tips and info. Those island sound worth a visit.
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Leipzig Jan 12, 2004 at 2:46 PM

What a great page! I love your intro photo!
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tini58de Jan 12, 2004 at 9:23 AM

Wonderful new page of one of my most favourite Greek islands! Well done!!!
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gosiaPL Dec 28, 2003 at 4:29 AM

The giant kouroi must have had too much of the citron liquor if it's kept them sleeping like logs throughout the ages ;-)