Undiscovered Greece: The Island of Naxos

The colorful port of Naxos greets visitors coming by ferry/ Photo by Krista Simmons

Orbitz and Visit Greece partnered with popular travel blogger Krista Simmons to explore the nation’s charming, lesser-known islands, including Naxos, Spetses, Hydra and Milos. This is the second in Krista’s four-part series on #UndiscoveredGreece, with this installment highlighting Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades Islands.

[aesop_content color=”#727272″ background=”#ffffff” columns=”1″ position=”none” imgrepeat=”no-repeat” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]Naxos is known for it’s vibrant tavernas, stunning beaches, and popular literary export,  Zorba the Greek, written by native author Nikos Kazantzakis. Just a hop away from the more heavily touristed islands of Mykonos and Santorini and easily accessible by Hellenic Seaways ferries from these islands, Naxos is a must-stop if you’re looking to go off the beaten path. In fact, road tripping around Naxos is a wonderful adventure for both solo travelers and honeymooners alike. I recommend renting a car to explore all the island has to offer. Here are some of the highlights from my stay:

Related: Check out Krista’s travels in Athens, the hub of her island-hopping adventure.

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[aesop_parallax img=”https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/orbitz-media/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/16152855/C5A4357.jpg” parallaxbg=”off” caption=”The outdoor dining table at the Naxian Collection – Photo by Krista Simmons” captionposition=”bottom-left” lightbox=”on” floater=”on” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]

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[aesop_content color=”#727272″ background=”#ffffff” columns=”1″ position=”none” imgrepeat=”no-repeat” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]The newly minted Naxian Collection offers stylish, design-forward studios and villas with a boutique feel. Though the property itself isn’t seaside, you’re a quick walk to the beach, and the rooms all have views of the Greek countryside dotted with olive groves.

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[aesop_content color=”#727272″ background=”#ffffff” columns=”1″ position=”none” imgrepeat=”no-repeat” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]The hotel’s traditional Naxian breakfasts, complete with—you guessed it—the best Greek yogurt you’ll ever have, as well as berries picked off the property and housemade jams. You’ll also want to try the fresh spanikopita that owner Maria Margaritis makes using her mother’s recipe.

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[aesop_parallax img=”https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/orbitz-media/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/16152849/C5A4390.jpg” parallaxbg=”off” caption=”The villas at the Naxian Collection – Photo by Krista Simmons” captionposition=”bottom-left” lightbox=”on” floater=”on” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]

[aesop_content color=”#727272″ background=”#ffffff” columns=”1″ position=”none” imgrepeat=”no-repeat” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]Villas can come with their own private pool, or if you’re in a smaller studio, you’ll share one with another room, though with the beach so close by, you might not be spending much time there anyhow. Be sure to bring a book and spend some time perusing the property, or if you’re like me, playing with the resident puppy named Bella, pictured above. (Do you blame me? She’s adorable!)

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[aesop_parallax img=”https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/orbitz-media/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/16152847/C5A4419.jpg” parallaxbg=”off” caption=”A church near Dimitra’s Temple on Naxos Photo by Krista Simmons” captionposition=”bottom-left” lightbox=”on” floater=”on” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]

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[aesop_content color=”#727272″ background=”#ffffff” columns=”1″ position=”none” imgrepeat=”no-repeat” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]The Greeks love to joke that there are more churches than people in their country, and you begin to see that on a ride along the countryside through the center of Naxos in Chalki on through Filoti, Apeirtanthos, and finally the fishing village at Moutsouna Bay. Many of the churches are adorned with Naxian marble, as the island has historically housed the largest quarry in the country. You can still visit the quarry at Appolonas, where you’ll find unfinished statues like that of Kouros Apollonas, definitely worthy of snapping a few shots. (Admittedly I didn’t make it to this site on my quick stay on the island, but check out this site if you want to know more.)

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[aesop_parallax img=”https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/orbitz-media/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/16152842/C5A4437.jpg” parallaxbg=”off” caption=”The Damaronias walking pathin Chalki – Photo by Krista Simmons” captionposition=”bottom-left” lightbox=”on” floater=”on” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]

[aesop_content color=”#727272″ background=”#ffffff” columns=”1″ position=”none” imgrepeat=”no-repeat” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]I noticed many cyclists who’d chosen to bike around the island, which is a wonderful way to work off all the souvlaki and saganaki. There’s also a lovely meandering hiking path in Chalki—the Damaronias Walking Path, a 6.5 km loop through the countryside—that will take you past some of these sites.

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[aesop_parallax img=”https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/orbitz-media/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/16152844/C5A4430.jpg” parallaxbg=”off” caption=”A door along a walking path in Chalki – Photo by Krista Simmons” captionposition=”bottom-left” lightbox=”on” floater=”on” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]

[aesop_content color=”#727272″ background=”#ffffff” columns=”1″ position=”none” imgrepeat=”no-repeat” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]There are wonderful beaches on the island, too, though it was too rainy when I was there to enjoy them. Some favorites among locals are Amitis, Kalados, Mikri Vigla, and Aliko. For me, though, the highlight was definitely going through the village towns and getting a taste of old world Greek living.

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[aesop_parallax img=”https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/orbitz-media/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/16152840/C5A4448.jpg” parallaxbg=”on” caption=”Cobblestone roads in Chalki – Photo by Krista Simmons” captionposition=”bottom-left” lightbox=”on” floater=”on” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]

[aesop_parallax img=”https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/orbitz-media/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/16152830/C5A4330.jpg” parallaxbg=”on” caption=”A spread of local cheeses from the Naxian Collection – Photo by Krista Simmons” captionposition=”bottom-left” lightbox=”on” floater=”on” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]

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[aesop_content color=”#727272″ background=”#ffffff” columns=”1″ position=”none” imgrepeat=”no-repeat” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]Naxos’ claim to fame is their marble-quarries and its agriculture, namely the high quality dairy that comes from the mountainsides. In fact, I was told that many of Greece’s wealthiest cheese makers and dairy producers purchase livestock from the island because they feast on the lush herbs and greenery that make their milk so delicious. You can sample this in local Naxian cheeses such as graviera (cow’s milk cheese) or xinomizithra (creamy goat’s cheese) around the island, as well as at the Naxian Collection, where they make a killer cheese plate.

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[aesop_parallax img=”https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/orbitz-media/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/16152852/C5A4366.jpg” parallaxbg=”off” caption=”Yannis Margaritis, the governor of Naxos, pours olive oil over boiled greens – Photo by Krista Simmons” captionposition=”bottom-left” lightbox=”on” floater=”on” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]

[aesop_content color=”#727272″ background=”#ffffff” columns=”1″ position=”none” imgrepeat=”no-repeat” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]Yannis Margaritis, the governor of Naxos and co-owner of the Naxian Collection, took me to an awesome taverna called Faros Restaurant with his wife Maria. The taverna is situated right next to the aforementioned Alyko beach, and the majority of the certified organic produce served is farmed by the owner. Some of my favorite dishes there were the traditional boiled Greek greens with a hearty douse of lemon and olive oil, the tuna sashimi, and of course saganaki (how could fried cheese be a bad thing, right?).

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[aesop_parallax img=”https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/orbitz-media/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/16152846/C5A4423.jpg” parallaxbg=”on” caption=”Kontosoulvi on a spit in Chalki – Photo by Krista Simmons” captionposition=”bottom-left” lightbox=”on” floater=”on” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]

[aesop_content color=”#727272″ background=”#ffffff” columns=”1″ position=”none” imgrepeat=”no-repeat” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]Another culinary highlight on Naxos was wandering through the cobblestoned streets of Chalki and coming across the darling Yiannis Taverna where the aroma of grilling kontosoulvi lured me in. The succulent pork shoulder is roasted over a flame for hours to reach the perfect crackly-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside doneness. The portions were huge, so I ordered myself a carafe of wine and lingered over my meal, taking in the breeze as the sounds of traditional Greek music strummed through the air.

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[aesop_content color=”#727272″ background=”#ffffff” columns=”1″ position=”none” imgrepeat=”no-repeat” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up”]It’s definitely recommended to get a car while traveling around Naxos. I rented mine from Europcar for $55 Euro a day, a bit pricey since I requested an automatic, but it’ll certainly be cheaper if you drive stick. Some folks choose to drive ATVs or motobikes, however locals mentioned several times that many tourists get in accidents that way, especially on the windy roads to the villages, and it’s definitely not how locals get around. In order to get a true taste of the island, I’d recommend staying for at least three nights or more. Taking your timeis as much a part of Greek culture as anything, and to rush through a beautiful island like Naxos would do it a disservice.

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Krista Simmons is a culinary travel writer based in L.A. You can follow her adventures bite-by-bite on Instagram and on her blog.

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Tagged: Europe, Greece