Naxos the most beautiful island in Greece

The un spoilt Greek island of Naxos is the largest and one of the most beautiful islands in the Cyclades. Offering sandy beaches, clear blue water, vibrant green valleys and an amazing mountainous interior, Naxos attracts a vast array of visitors. Families, couples of all ages, beach lovers, culture vultures, walkers, cyclists and windsurfers are all attracted to Naxos, many staying in the capital Naxos Town which is ideal as a base for exploring the island.

Naxos has 90 miles of coastline with some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. These golden sandy beaches are often backed by sand dunes and bamboo with crystal clear blue waters. Many of the beaches have tavernas on the beach. The whole of the south-east coast consists of uncrowded beaches that become quieter and unspoilt the further south you go. The beaches on the east coast are much more secluded than the islands other beaches. There are far too many beaches to mention but those you must visit whilst on Naxos are Agios Georgios (Naxos Town), Agios Prokopis (just 3 miles from the capital) and the quiet pale sandy beach of Plaka. Naxos is very popular with windsurfers who flock to beaches like Agios Georgios, Plaka and Mikri Vigla where they can enjoy the shallow warm water, breezes and wonderful surroundings.

Naxos has many contained bays and lagoons and offshore flat reefs which are great for windsurfing. Other watersports available include snorkelling, fishing, kite-surfing, wake-boarding, water-skiing and canoeing.

Naxos isn't just about the beach. The island has traditional villages with whitewashed houses, fishing villages like Apollonas in the north, ancient ruins and hundreds of Byzantine churches waiting to be explored. Spend a day exploring the narrow lanes of Naxos Town with its Venetian houses and castle, churches and tavernas. Take a trip inland and explore the unspoilt villages, mountains and countryside. Naxos has many paths and trails that criss-cross the island. Walkers and hikers can wander through olive grove and orchards whilst discovering the islands ancient monasteries, churches and castles. Visitors with plenty of energy will love the many cycle routes which take them over the mountainous terrain and along the scenic coastal routes. Discover the off-the-beaten-track routes and take in the glorious coastal routes on horseback. A great way to spend an evening on your family holidays to Naxos is by taking a sunset ride along the beautiful beaches. For perfect relaxation try an island-hopping boat trip. View Naxos from the sea and visit other Cyclades Islands including Mykonos, Paros and Andros.

Naxos enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate, with bright sunny days in the summer and mild winters. Naxos enjoys cooler summers than the rest of the Greek islands due to the strong breezes from the Meltemi winds that blow from the north. These winds help keep temperatures down and provide welcome relief from the heat during the hot summer months. June sees temperatures around 23C with July and August often seeing temperatures reaching 28C. Summer months enjoy 11 hours of sunshine a day with winter months still seeing 3 hours of sunshine a day making Naxos a perfect choice for your last minute holidays at any time of the year.

Naxos island the best choice for your holiday in Greece

Naxos is one of the Cycladic islands and it is part of the Prefecture of the Cyclades. It lies a short distance to the east of Paros whilst to its south and south-west are the islands of Irakleia, Schinousa, Epano Koufonisi, Kato Koufonisi, Keros and Ano and Kato Antikeri. To the east are the islets of Makares, Ayia Paraskevi, Strongili and Donousa.

Naxos is round in shape. It has a length from north to south of 17.6 miles and a greatest width, approximately in the centre, of 13.2 miles. It covers a total area of 430 square metres and its coastline is 148 kilometres long. If we were to sail around the island from the north coast in a south-westerly direction then we would encounter the bays of Limeneri, Kyra, Amyti, Ayios Georgios and Kyrades, the islets of Amarantes, Aspronisi and Parthenos, and the capes Kavos Mikris Viglas, Kouroupia and Katomeri (south). The east coast of Naxos is not as interestingly formed, with the exceptions of the capes of Axala and Kavo Stavro. The island is mountainous and a tall mountain range runs across the whole of the island, from the south to the north. The tallest peak is Mt Zeus (1,003 metres), which lies somewhere in the middle of the mountain range. Other peaks are Koronos (997 m.), Anathematistra (778 m.), Mavrovouni (869 m.), Troullos (606 m.), Kerasea (523 m.), Mavri Petra (420 m.), Paliopyrgos (227 m.) and Viglatouri (418 m.).

Naxos has fertile earth and produces significant quantities of cereals, olive oil, fruit and wine. Livestock farming is also quite developed, producing select quality cheeses, as are tourism and the processing of agricultural produce. The main source of income, however, is emery ('Naxiot earth'), which is mined in the north-east. A fine marble is also found in the mountain regions.

According to the census of 1981, Naxos had 14,037 inhabitants.

As far as its administration is concerned, in the past Naxos consisted of a municipality and many autonomous communities.

The recent 'Capodistrias' programme for the redistribution of local administration created two large municipalities, the Municipality of Naxos, which includes Hora (the main town) and the surrounding areas, and the Municipality of Drymalia, which contains the former autonomous communities of the villages of Filoti, Apeiranthos, Koronos, Komiaki, Halki (Tragaia) and Moni. The other communities have remained as they were. The Municipality of Naxos is very developed and has recently made important advances in tourism as well, all the income from which goes directly to the municipal purse. The Municipality of Drymalia includes the most developed villages of mountain Naxos, the residents of which look to improving their quality of life, developing their crops and agriculture and other sectors.