Naxos
Said to be the island where Dionysos, the Greek god of wine, made his home, Naxos is the biggest and greenest island of all the Cyclades. Home to ancient monuments, lush valleys, and beautiful beaches, the island rises to more than 1,000 meters above sea level at Mount Zas, the highest peak in the Cyclades. As such, unlike some of its more arid neighbouring islands, the slopes of Naxos are covered in citrus and olive groves. Popular among charterers, the capital, Chora, is visible from the sea, as the Portara, the towering marble gateway of the unfinished Temple of Apollo, stands alone on an islet at the harbour entrance. Behind the waterfront harbour, the lanes of the old market climb towards the 13th-century Venetian Kastro, whilst the Archaeological Museum houses artefacts dating back to 5300 BC. The southwest coast of the island is perhaps Naxos most sought-after location, as it features an almost continuous ribbon of golden sand broken only by small headlands, spanning many well-known beaches like Agios Prokopios, which is regularly ranked among Europe’s finest, and Plaka and Orkos. Further inland, charterers can explore the mountain village of Chalki, the former capital, with its Byzantine churches and famous Kitron liqueur distillery. Ideally positioned at the centre of the Cyclades between Paros, Mykonos, and the Small Cyclades, Naxos makes a natural anchor point for any extended charter through the archipelago.
When to go
May – October
High season
July – August
Naxos is also home to the famous Cycladic climate of long, dry summers shaped by the seasonal meltemi winds. The ideal charter period runs from May to October, with late spring particularly rewarding guests as the island bursts into bloom. July and August see the highest visitor numbers and the strongest winds. May, June, September, and October tend to see still, calm seas, fewer crowds, and similarly dependable sunshine.
