What to see

As the history of Naxos dates from the ancient times and continues dynamically through all the Medieval era, the island has many interesting sights to visit. The Portara, an ancient marble gate that still stands close to the port of the Town, is probably the symbol of the entire island. A walk-through Naxos Town (Chora) will also bring you to the Venetian Castle, a Medieval quarter with paved streets and elegant mansions. Today most of these mansions have been turned to shops, restaurants and tourist accommodation.

Outside Naxos Town the most important sightseeing sites are: The Monastery of Panagia Drossiani, the Temple of Demeter close to Sangri and the Two Kouros Statues. These are actually two giant statues of male figures that used to hold the roofs of temples in the ancient times. Today they are found at the exact place where they were excavated, one outside the village of Melanes and the other in Apollonas.