VIP Tours
Naxos is a top holiday destination among the Greek Islands, known for its distinctive beauty, diverse landscapes, charming villages, stunning beaches, and historical monuments.
6 Hours VIP Tour
- Sagri (Dimitras Temple)
- Damalas (Pottery Workshop)
- Chalki (Citrus Distillery)
- Filoti
- Apiranthos
- Stavros Keramotis
- Melanes (Kouros Flerio)
- Eggares (Olive Press Museum)

1. Sagri (Dimitras Temple)
Near the village of Sangri, 10 km from Naxos Town, stands the sacred Temple of Demeter. This splendid structure, constructed entirely from high-quality Naxos marble, dates back to the 6th century BC. Demeter, the Olympian goddess of agriculture, harvest, and fertility, inspired the construction of temples on fertile lands like Sangri.
Historical evidence from excavations suggests that this site was used for religious purposes since the late Mycenaean Era, when worship was conducted in open-air sanctuaries. The current temple, built around 530-520 BC in the Doric style, predates the Parthenon in Athens and holds significant archaeological value. Its well-preserved sections have provided insights into the architecture of the period.
The temple’s construction occurred during the rule of Lygdamis, the tyrant of Naxos, who aspired to build some of Greece’s most magnificent monuments, including the Temple of Demeter and Portara, which was intended to be part of a grand temple dedicated to Apollo that was never finished.
The temple’s prominence waned after the 3rd century BC. With the advent of Christianity, it was converted into a Christian basilica, and a small church dedicated to Saint John was built in its center using marble from the ancient temple. Despite these changes, the monument remained largely intact. The church was likely destroyed in the 6th century AD during an Arabic invasion, although some remains persisted. It was reconstructed in 1977 at a different location to the south.
The ruins of the ancient temple were uncovered by archaeologist Nikolaos Kontoleon in 1949, with excavations continuing from 1976 to 1995. Many fragments of the temple, scattered around the site, had been looted over the years. In the mid-1990s, German archaeologists undertook a partial restoration to revive its former splendor.
Today, the Temple of Demeter is among the most beautiful ancient Greek temples, set in the scenic area of Sangri. Authentic pieces of the temple not used in the restoration are displayed in a nearby museum open to visitors. The museum is open every day except for Tuesdays from 08:30 to 15:30. Entrance to the outdoor archeological site is free.

2. Damalas (Pottery Workshop)
This traditional pottery workshop produces items for both practical use and decoration, allowing visitors to observe the entire process as the craftsman skillfully shapes the clay. Manolis Lybertas, a fourth-generation potter, creates pieces such as the sfouni (a jug for pouring wine from large jars), the tyromethira (a perforated jar for drying cheese), and many replicas of museum artifacts.
At the workshop in the village of Damalas, children can enjoy a special experience by working with clay to learn pottery-making. All they need are imagination, creativity, and a cheerful attitude. Young visitors can become potters themselves, shaping the clay into anything they can imagine.

3. Chalki (Citrus Distillery)
In the center of Halki village, the old capital of Naxos, is the Vallindras Distillery, a small establishment that primarily operates as a museum offering kitron products for sale. Founded in 1896 and run by the Vallindras family, the distillery once produced the island’s renowned liqueur, kitron, a yellow drink made from a fruit slightly less bitter than lemon. This traditional Naxos spirit was distributed throughout Greece.
Within this fascinating museum, visitors can view traditional items, machinery, and tools used in the distillation process. Many of the machines, which operated with fire, were imported from abroad. The museum also showcases awards for the distillery’s kitron and features old furniture from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Visitors can taste the liqueur and purchase bottles, as kitron is still being produced today.

4. Filoti
Filoti, the largest village on Naxos, is located about 18 km from Naxos Town. This picturesque village is amphitheatrically built on the slopes of Mount Za, the highest mountain in the Cyclades, and is nestled within the lush Tragea valley, surrounded by numerous olive trees.
Filoti is known for its vibrant atmosphere, featuring many restaurants, cafes, and shops. It also has a bank and a post office. The village’s main square, typical of many rural Greek areas, is shaded by the sprawling branches of an old plane tree, providing a pleasant spot for visitors to enjoy a coffee or snack at one of the square’s establishments.
Architecturally, the village is characterized by whitewashed, flat-roofed houses, with narrow, flower-adorned streets. The flat roofs are often used as balconies by the locals. Filoti has many churches worth visiting, with the most famous being Panagia Filotitissa (the Holy Mary of Filoti). This 18th-century church features a three-bell tower with intricate carvings. In front of the church is the Ecclesiastic and Folklore Museum of Filoti, where visitors can explore a traditional house and view church relics and icons.
Filoti is also home to the Chimaros Tower, a notable Naxos landmark built in the 4th century BC, originally standing 17 meters tall.
Lastly, Filoti’s location at the foot of Mount Za makes it an ideal spot for trekking. At an altitude of 600 meters, hikers can find the Cave of Zas, said to be the refuge of Zeus when fleeing from his father Kronus. The cave features impressive geological formations, including stalagmites and stalactites.

5. Apiranthos
Apiranthos, often hailed as the most picturesque village in Naxos, is situated 26 km from the capital, nestled between two verdant valleys at an altitude of 650 meters. The village was renamed shortly before the War of Independence. Some believe its name derives from Perinthos in Constantinople, as former residents fled here to escape Ottoman persecution. Additionally, the village’s traditions and dialect bear similarities to those of mountainous Cretan villages, suggesting many locals may have Cretan ancestry.
The village is also renowned as the birthplace of Manolis Glezos, a hero of the Greek World War II resistance, famous for removing the Nazi flag from the Acropolis, an act that inspired resistance against the German occupation.
Apiranthos is a sizeable village perched on a hilltop, known for its charming and beautiful appearance, with many houses constructed from fine marble. A major street begins at the bus stop, passing the impressive Church of Panagia Aperathitissa, one of the island’s oldest churches, which contains beautiful and valuable icons.
The village hosts four notable museums: the Archaeological Museum of Apiranthos, the Museum of Folk Art, the Art Museum located on the ground floor of the Cultural Center, and the Geological Museum. Additionally, it is home to the largest library in the Cyclades, the Nikos Glezos Library, founded in 1964 and dedicated to Manolis Glezos’ brother, who was executed by the Nazis.
Outside the charming Folklore Museum stands a majestic plane tree, providing an ideal backdrop for photos. Traditional cafes and taverns line the pedestrian walkway, offering stunning views over the valley. The architecture, influenced by Venetian design, is remarkable, with houses featuring coats of arms above their doors and ornate balconies.
Above the village lies the ruins of an old windmill, known as the Frantzeskos windmill, named after its owner. It was built around 1901 and operated until 1917. Apiranthos is also home to the dilapidated Zevgolis Tower, a Venetian tower that is privately owned and not open to the public.

6. Stavros Keramotis
Stavros Keramotis is the only spot on the island where you can see the sea on both sides, offering a stunning view. Keramoti is accessible via the intersection at Stavros tis Keramoti, which connects to three provincial roads leading to the villages of Apeiranthos, Koronos, Kynidaros, and Moni. Here, a small holy temple dedicated to the Elevation of the Holy Cross stands, allowing visitors to see parts of both the eastern and western coasts of the island. This church was recently built with funding from Georgios Legakis (Katsudis). The area gained fame when a German transport plane made an emergency landing there in 1943 during the occupation.

7. Melanes (Kouros Flerio)
In addition to Apollonas and Melanes, locals discovered another remarkable Kouros statue in a reclining position within a field in the Flerio area, near the Kouros of Melanes. Approximately 700 meters away, there is also an unfinished statue of a Kori, which is the female counterpart of a Kouros. Archaeological research indicates that the Kori dates back to 570 BC. One of its most striking features is its height, nearly 6 meters, though one leg is broken.
The sculpture is believed to have been commissioned by a wealthy family but was left unfinished, likely due to damage during its creation, leading to its abandonment in the mountainous area. Since the ancient quarry is nearby, it is possible the leg broke during transport. The technique used is typical of Naxian sculpture. The statue was named “Ellinas” (Greek) as it was thought to represent the virtues of the race and the ideal physical and personality traits of a young male.

8. Eggares (Olive Press Museum)
The olive tree is deeply embedded in Greek culture, cuisine, and history. On Naxos, olive oil production and its by-products were vital to the economy and daily life, with many olive press houses, known as liotrivia, scattered across the island. The Olive Press Museum, located less than 8 kilometers from Chora, is housed in a renovated mid-19th-century olive press building that operated until 1960. This restored building offers visitors a glimpse into a traditional past.
At the museum, visitors can learn about the history of the olive tree, olive pressing techniques, soap making, and other uses of olive oil and its by-products. The museum also features a shop and a cafe. Admission is free, and guided tours are available. The museum is open from April 1st to October 6th, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Fantasy VIP Tours in Naxos
Discover Naxos Inland Areas, Beaches, and Attractions

4 hours VIP Tour
Sagri (Dimitras Temple),
Damalas (Pottery Workshop),
Chalki (Citrus Distillery),
Moni (Panagia Drossiani),
Melanes (Kouros Flerio)
6 hours VIP Tour
Sagri (Dimitras Temple),
Damalas (Pottery Workshop),
Chalki (Citrus Distillery),
Filoti
Apiranthos
Stavros Keramotis
Melanes (Kouros Flerio)
Eggares (Olive Press Museum)


8 hours VIP Tour
Sagri (Dimitras Temple),
Damalas (Pottery Workshop),
Chalki (Citrus Distillery),
Filoti
Apiranthos
Apollonas (Kouros)
Eggares (Olive Press Museum)