From Naxos Town Harbour, a causeway leads to the Palatia islet and the striking, unfinished Temple of Apollo, Naxos’ most famous landmark (also known as the Portara or ‘Doorway’). Simply two marble columns with a crowning lintel, it makes an arresting sight, and people gather at sunset for splendid views.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Ancient Delos
20.79 MILES
Delos has a special place in Greek mythology. When Leto was pregnant with twins Apollo and Artemis, she was relentlessly pursued by a vengeful Hera – the…
Paros Park
8.57 MILES
This 80-hectare park north of Naoussa features impressive rock formations, caves, hidden coves and gorgeous beaches. There's a lot going on here, with…
Kastro
0.38 MILES
The most alluring part of Hora is the 13th-century residential neighbourhood of Kastro, which Marco Sanudo made the capital of his duchy in 1207. Behind…
Panagia Ekatontapyliani
12.3 MILES
The Panagia Ekatontapyliani, which dates from AD 326, is one of the finest churches in the Cyclades. The building is three distinct churches: Agios…
Cave of Antiparos
19.13 MILES
Signposted off the main coastal road some 10km south of the port, this huge and atmospheric cave remains impressive despite much looting of stalactites…
Archaeological Museum
20.87 MILES
A vast haul of artefacts has been protected from the elements and displayed in this must-see museum, including the originals of many of the frescoes,…
Terrace of the Lions
20.98 MILES
The most-photographed part of the Delos site is this terrace facing the Sacred Lake, lined with stone lions (these are replicas, the originals are in the…
Elia
21.6 MILES
This beautiful stretch of golden sand has craggy cliffs on either side and an excellent waterfront restaurant. It's backed by some large resorts and,…
Nearby Hora (Naxos) attractions
1. Grotta Beach
0.25 MILES
This pebbly, stony beach to the north of town is pounded by waves when a northerly is blowing, but is relatively calm in a southerly. This is where the…
2. Folk Museum Collection
0.26 MILES
This small, well-curated, privately owned collection gives a digestible account of elements that make Naxos’ history special: succinct displays cover…
3. Mitropolis Museum
0.29 MILES
Behind the northern end of the waterfront are several churches and chapels, as well as the Mitropolis Museum. It features fragments of a Mycenaean city …
4. Della Rocca-Barozzi Venetian Museum
0.33 MILES
This atmospheric museum is in a handsome old tower house of the 13th century, within the kastro ramparts (by the northwest gate). Wander through the rooms…
5. Kastro
0.38 MILES
The most alluring part of Hora is the 13th-century residential neighbourhood of Kastro, which Marco Sanudo made the capital of his duchy in 1207. Behind…
6. Petalouda Art Gallery
0.38 MILES
Next to the walkway to the heart of the kastro, this French-run art gallery features up-and-coming young artists, as well as established international…
7. Tower of Sanoudos
0.39 MILES
These are the remnants of a 13th century castle, the Tower of Sanoudos, which was once surrounded by marble balconies. Around it, within the centre of…
8. Archaeological Museum
0.4 MILES
This museum in Kastro is housed in the former Jesuit school where novelist Nikos Kazantzakis was briefly a pupil. It contains fascinating finds from the…