Naxos
Naxos - Arrival and Our First Day Exploring the Island
After our time in Athens, it was finally time to head to the island of Naxos. The first surprise of the day came when we arrived at Athens Airport. Unlike the large international airports we are used to, Naxos Airport is incredibly small. In fact, it took only a few minutes from landing to stepping outside. There were no baggage delays and our luggage seemed to appear almost as quickly as we did.
We grabbed a taxi and began the short drive to our accommodation. Along the way we got our first glimpse of the island. The scenery was beautiful, with views of the sea and the surrounding countryside. The owners of our accommodation greeted us warmly on arrival and immediately made us feel welcome. They kindly showed us around the property, explained the local area, and helped us settle in.
After unpacking and taking in our surroundings, we decided to stretch our legs and explore Naxos Town. Wandering through the narrow streets was a perfect introduction to the island. Whitewashed buildings, winding alleyways, and glimpses of the harbour appeared around every corner. The town moved at a slower pace than Athens and immediately felt relaxed and inviting.
As evening approached, we found a local restaurant for dinner and enjoyed our first meal on the island. Afterwards we continued exploring the town in the cooling evening air. The harbour area was lively without feeling crowded, and the lights reflecting on the water created a wonderful atmosphere.
The highlight of the evening was our walk toward the famous Portara, the enormous marble doorway that stands proudly on the small islet beside the harbour. As the sun began to set, we joined others making their way out to the monument. Watching the sky change colours behind the ancient structure was unforgettable. The sunset cast a golden glow across the sea and surrounding landscape, creating one of those travel moments that stays with you long after the trip is over.
As darkness fell, we made our way back through town, enjoying the evening energy and taking in the views one last time before returning to our accommodation. It had been a busy but enjoyable first day in Naxos, and we already felt that the island had a special charm all of its own.
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Day Two - A Trip to Chalki and the Mountain Villages
The morning started with a delicious breakfast that offered a welcome change from the usual hotel buffet. With full stomachs and plenty of enthusiasm, we set off to explore more of Naxos. We caught a bus from Naxos Town into the island's mountainous interior and travelled to the village of Chalki. The journey itself was enjoyable as the road wound through olive groves, hillsides, and small villages scattered across the landscape.
Once in Chalki, we wandered through the village streets, admiring the traditional architecture and relaxed atmosphere. After spending some time exploring, we set off on a hiking trail leading out of the village. The path took us through the countryside toward a small cliffside village. About halfway through the walk we ran into some older ladies selling handmade tablecloths. Jon, a sucker for a great deal, purchased one putting a smile on the ladies faces. From there we continued through olive groves, steady uphill terrain and peaceful rural scenery. The weather was hot and sunny, but a gentle breeze made the walk pleasant. Eventually we reached the village of moni and a small family restaurant. The views were absolutely spectacular, stretching across the valleys and hills of central Naxos from the restaurant. The highlight of lunch was a local potato dish that everyone recommended, and it absolutely lived up to its reputation. Naxos potatoes are famous throughout Greece, and after tasting them we could understand why.
After lunch we took photos of a beautiful hand painted mural and walked back toward Chalki and caught the bus to another mountain village, Filoti. The village sits on the slopes of Mount Zas and offered stunning views of the surrounding countryside. We spent some time walking through the village streets before deciding to continue on to Apiranthos, which proved to be every bit as charming as people had described. Built with beautiful marble streets and traditional stone houses, it felt distinctly different from the other villages we had visited that day. We wandered through the alleyways, explored the local shops, and simply enjoyed the atmosphere.
As the day drew to a close, we made our way back to Naxos Town. Looking back, it had been a fantastic day filled with beautiful scenery, friendly people, memorable food, and a deeper appreciation for the quieter side of island life. Most of all, we left with happy memories and the feeling that Naxos still had many more discoveries waiting for us.
