They state that Zeus matured and lived his youth on this island, but the majority of us have actually linked Naxos to the myth of Ariadne.
East of Paros, Naxos, the largest island of the Cyclades with its almost round shape and a things to do in Naxos greece coastline of 148 km.
Naxos with the mountains of Zas and Fanari, the highest of the Cyclades, and the deep modifications in its landscapes, today welcomes us in the always open "Portara". In its castle town, which is still inhabited, in Apeiranthos and in its numerous villages, each of which is various from the other. Naxos with its abundant production and prominent regional items.
6:20: Dawn. It is dawning and Naxos awakens and starts another imaginative and efficient day. Naxos has actually been renowned considering that antiquity for its appeal and abundance.
8:10: Herodotus had actually characterized Naxos as the richest island of the Cyclades and is certainly still the most fertile today. With its extraordinary regional items and the broad diversity of its landscape, Naxos occupies an unique position among the Cycladic islands. Globally prominent cheeses, liqueurs, potatoes and the Naxos goat, all from the land of its own, but likewise from the hands of its people. Individuals hardworking like bees.
9:20: Bees. (conversation with a local beekeeper about the life of the bee and its contribution to nature and guy). Naxos produces enough excellent quality, honey. At Naxos, there are about 90 little producers producing pure honey.
10:30: The capital and the castle. The nation and the castle of Naxos have actually been populated since antiquity until nowadays. The castle was built by Venetian Marco Sanudo in about 1210 on the ruins of an ancient acropolis. Marcos Sanoudos, having caught 17 islands together with his companions, was proclaimed duke and made Naxos the capital of the Duke of the Island chain. This is how the medieval period of the island started with its castle and fortification towering over the natural acropolis above the harbor.
Walking today in these areas that were as soon as crossed by dukes, French nobles, local islanders, Latino and Turkish conquerors, Portuguese, Spanish, Jews, and horrible pirates, we are wondering about the richness of history, but also the numerous footprints of the people here in this island. And now that the stunning sun seems to be fading away, the brilliant daylight sometimes erases the indications of history. At the southern end of the castle is likewise the business school of the Jesuits, where N. Kazantzakis studied for a while.
A little further listed below is the Ursuline monastery and the old school of females founded in 1672.
Education and culture appear to have constantly been very important elements in this island's life. In Naxos, the fantastic playwright I. Kabanellis was also born.
Crossing the north gate of the castle we now pass under the Glezos tower and heading towards the capital "Chora" and Bourgo as we get lost in a maze of narrow cobbled streets with arched passages
This walking appears like we emerging from a journey through time and once again discovered the modern age and today of the island.
11:20: In the grocery store. Back to everyday life and also in a supermarket that is a sightseeing for itself, however also part of the contemporary history of the place. Mr. Antonis, 87 today, has actually lived in Naxos and his kid continues to work while his grandchildren are assisting in the business. Mr. Antonis has been operating in the grocery considering that 1945, a store that his dad had made. The most requiring products are cheeses, Graviera, Naxos, the "Arseniko", the island's "kefalotyri".
There is still a fantastic demand for local olive oil and olives, however also for thyme honey, all produced species of Naxos. In winter season, the shop likewise serves as a cafe for the citizens of Naxos. The famous Graviera Naxos perfectly accompanies white wine or raki and is a meze that pleases all tastes since it can be found with basically salt, obsolete, spicier or more neutral.
You will find most of the ancient websites of Naxos on the north side of the town and they are well worth a see. With several locations of interest on the island you will be kept hectic if you have not come to just soak up the sun. Naxos museum is a good location to begin as it has plenty of archaeological relics going back to 5300 BC. Then there is Glezos tower, the fortress has a massive tower and the building has actually just recently been brought back rather impressively. You also have Iria Temple that is found just outside the town. It was used as a location of praise and is believed to date back as far as 1300 BC. Most of the sites are close by to the primary town, but if you want to go off the beaten track and explore the island, employing a car would be ideal. Naxos has many towns to explore and they are so pretty and photogenic, with numerous old stone structures. If you have had enough of ancient websites and poetic towns there is constantly the water park to invest the day in. It's absolutely amazing fun, for young and old, with loud music playing and loads of sun loungers all over the park to unwind in. There are likewise a couple of restaurants in the park where the costs are a little raised however if you need a snack you do not have a great deal of choice unless you have taken a picnic with you. Simply beyond Naxos there is a great go- cart track that is open every day from 10am which is really great enjoyable for all of the household.
Nightlife
Take in a movie at the outdoors movie theater, where you can catch up with a few of the current releases while having a snack and a beer. You could even do some horse riding along the beach at sundown. If you want something more lively then there are some loud and dynamic clubs in the town, mainly around the waterside area and think me it gets loaded. The town does have some good bars towards the back of the town to relax in far from the most recent music throbbing into your ears till the early morning.
Shopping
Shopping is a little on the weak side in Naxos. There are shops and markets however it is just loaded with the normal tourist gift products, marble ornaments, beaded jewellery and lace and leather products. There is an art gallery where you can purchase some modern-day art, but otherwise you won't be spending a lot on shopping.
Beaches
Naxos does have some of the loveliest beaches with lovely sand and warm blue-green waters. I think there are around 14 of them dotted around the coastline from small coves to mile long beaches of pure white or golden sand. Numerous if not all of the beaches provide some water sports like cruising, snorkelling, windsurfing, kite browsing and not forgetting the popular jet skis. No matter what sort of beach you're searching for you will discover it around this island, so if you simply want to take in the sun and have fun with the kids without there being crowds of individuals then you will find one. There are beaches with lush vegetated backgrounds or ones with fantastic sand dunes and then there are the ones with wonderful views, you will be ruined for choice.