APIRANTHOS

Apiranthos is built at a distance of 25 km east of Naxos, on the slopes of Mount Fanari, and is one of the most beautiful villages on the island. The local dialect and traditions are reminders of the mountainous Cretan villages, a fact which supports the idea that Apiranthos was built by Cretans in the 10th century, while historical evidence in 1413 confirms its existence. The village's houses, which are made of stone, are built on narrow marble streets, with arches and beautiful squares with picturesque small "kafeneia" (coffee-shops) and tavernas. The villagers live on cattle-raising, the cultivation of vines which produce excellent wine and the beautiful handicraft articles and folk art articles, woven fabrics and ceramics in beautiful and original designs which are sold. Inside the village the famous church of Panagia tis Apirathotissas dominates, as well as a series of other notable churches, like that of Agios Ioannis Theologos, or Panagia Theoskepasti and Agios Georgios, while in a special hall there is a small archaeological museum with significant finds. What is worth visiting at Apiranthos is the Venetian castles Somaripa, Krispi and Sfortsa, or the church of Agia Kyriaki outside the village and the picturesque chapel of Agios Pachoumios on Mount Fanari.

APOLLONAS

The seaside village of Apollonas lies 40 km north-east of Naxos, among verdant land. Excavations in the area have brought to light a half-finished ancient "kouros" which dates back to the 6th or 7th century. Ancient marble quarries and remains of a castle, known as "The Monk's Castle", have also been found there. From Apollonas, one can go to the monastery of Panagia, near the village of Agia.

FILOTI

Filoti, built 19 km east of Naxos on a 1,004 m altitude, is the highest as well as one of the most beautiful villages in the Cyclades. Its nice traditional houses, being snow-white, reflect the sun's rays and are built around the large famous square of the village with its plane-trees. In the centre of Filoti, the remarkable church of Panagia Filotitissa and the Venetian Barozzi castle overlook the village, while a small distance from the village lies the imposing Tower of Chimarros and the cave Za, or the Vakchides cave, where tradition says Zeus was born.

HORA(NAXOS)

Naxos stretches along the waterfront on the west side of the island and extends until the imposing Venetian castle on the top of the hill. On the waterfront, there is the celebrated "Portara", that is, what is left of Apollo's temple which is said to have been built in the 6th century. Archaeological findings in Hora indicate that it enjoyed great prosperity in antiquity. In its interior, among the quiet narrow alleyways, pretty houses spring up which maintain many traditional Cycladic architecture elements. As a result of the touristic growth of recent years, many touristic units have been built and the tavernas, restaurants, and bars are flooded with tourists every night. Naxos has many notable churches, such as the Catholic cathedral, Agia Kiriaki, Panagia Theoskepasti, and the Orthodox cathedral where one can see a valuable gospel, which is said to have been donated by Catherine the Great. Inside the Castle, there is the old Jesuit Commercial School which houses the Archaeological Museum of Hora. One should also visit the 17th century convent of Agios Ioannis the Chrisostomos with its noteworthy old icons, 3 km east of Naxos.

KORONOS

Koronos is a picturesque mediterranean village with 700 inhabitants. It is built on the slopes of the mountain of the same name at a distance of 30 km north-west of Naxos town. The village, during the Frankish rule, had a feud with Corsino Somaripa, while later, during the German occupation its inhabitants endured the horrors of the German army, when over 400 people died of hunger. The present inhabitants of Koronos live on agriculture and the extraction of emery. In the village, the church of Panagia Argokoiliotissa as well as the local Folklore Collection are worth visiting.