Naxos is the biggest and most fertile island of the Cyclades, and one of the most beautiful in all of Greece. It combines golden sandy beaches with genuine mountain scenery — large enough to explore for days, and best discovered at your own pace behind the wheel.
A very pretty northern route through the fertile valley of Galini, past the monasteries of Ypsilis and Faneromeni, down to the lovely coves of Hillia Vryssi and Abram Beach, ending in the picturesque seaside village of Apollon.
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Galanado, Halki, Filoti and Apiranthos — Venetian towers, Byzantine churches and traditional stone villages on the flanks of Mount Zas, the highest peak in the Cyclades.
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Glinado and Vivlos lead you to Plaka, Mikri Vigla, Kastraki, Alyko and Pyrgaki — one long sweep of fine golden sand along the sheltered south-west coast.
Rent a Car for This RouteThe best golden beaches lie along the south-west coast, almost one continuous stretch of sand. The north is green, verdant and mountainous, while the central part around Chalki is planted with ancient olive groves.
In Naxos Town, don't miss the Portara, the great marble gate of an ancient temple, and the Venetian castle in the old town. Across the island you'll find the ancient Kouros statues of Melanes and Apollon (the largest in Greece, 7th century BC), around 500 churches, and countless medieval and Venetian towers.
Seek out the tower resort of the Jesuit monks at Kalamitsia, the 12th-century Monastery of Photodotis Christ at Danakos, and the church of Panagia Drosiani in Moni with its beautiful early frescoes.
Beginning near the 8th-century Agios Mamas church, this inland route climbs through Sagri — with its Venetian castle and the Monastery of Agios Eleftherios — up to Halki, a pretty high-altitude village set among olive trees and fortified tower houses.
Continue to Filoti on the flank of Mount Zas and Apiranthos, one of the loveliest villages on Naxos, before the road winds on to Koronos and Koronida (Komiaki), the highest village on the island at 700m, renowned for its wine and splendid views.
From Apiranthos, a spur descends to the coastal village of Moutsouna, once the terminus of the emery cable-ways. Today it's a quiet spot with a sandy beach, tavernas and the hidden coves of Psili Ammos and Panormos beyond.
Passing the 17th-century Monastery of Agioi Saranta near Glinado and the cultivated plains of Agios Arsenios, this southern route leads towards Vivlos and on to the beaches of the south-west.
A short road drops to a T-junction: turn right for a wind-swept bay that's ideal for windsurfing, or left for a magnificent, huge stretch of coarse sand running past Kastraki all the way to Alyko — well protected from the north winds, with a taverna for lunch.
Pyrgaki itself has excellent beaches, and a signpost points on to the golden sands of Ayiassos Bay.
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