Villa Aero

Villa Aero enjoys a privileged position, just 90m from the beautiful Orkos Beach. The beach is totally mesmerising with turquoise water and glistening sand. It is made up of a long sandy beach and little coves that lay between the dramatic rocks. Orkos is just north of Mikri Vigla which was named after the observatory at the top of the cape that was used to watch out between Naxos and Paros to protect the island and for following ships on the ancient trading route from Crete to Athens. According to myth, the southern bay of Mikri Vigla was a hideout for legendary pirates. The beach is very popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers with its perfect wind conditions. Naxos boasts numerous amazing beaches, particularly in the west. Some of the popular stunners other than Orkos are Plaka, Aliko, Agios Prokopios and Sahara as well as Mikri Vigla. They all boast endless white glistening sands and crystal clear water. Plaka is also very popular for watersports. Kastraki Beach is absolutely fabulous with fine white glimmering sand, crystal clear water and a good array of tavernas with wonderful waterfront settings. It is quite secluded and fairly quiet. The picturesque Aliko Beach is backed by a cedar forest which has been declared a protected natural area. Agios Prokopios is lovely with watersports, refreshments and gorgeous sands. The tiny chapel dedicated to Saint Prokopios stands on the western side of the beach. Close by, you will find Agios Anna, a quieter version of Agios Prokopios and pink-coloured salt lakes with many birds and other wildlife. Agios St George is on the edge of Naxos Town with its warm shallow water. On the east of the island, the small quaint harbour of Moutsouna is a great place to eat fresh fish and the coastal ride leads to Panormos Bay, a pristine, tranquil spot. There are lots of hidden beaches and the Rina sea cave.
 
It is said that Naxos is where Dionysus (the God of Wine) met and married Ariadne. The first Dionysus Festival was held on the island. Naxos is famous for its exquisite marble, its fertile land, its pottery and its cuisine. The island is sprinkled with ancient buildings, monasteries and churches. The island’s most impressive sculptures are in the open air and are one of the most popular attractions. Colossal, half-finished statues of young men, archaic Kouri, have been resting for many years, one in a garden at Melanes and the other overlooking the sea at Apollonia. You will fall in love with the island’s local delicacies. The island is almost self-sufficient. You will enjoy delicious vegetables, cheeses, meats, fish and alcoholic drinks. Must-try dishes include pig rosto, pork stuffed with garlic and braised in wine, pork fricassee flavoured with the leaves of sea lavender and tasty cheeses including Graviera of Naxos, Arseniko and Xynotyro. The local dishes can be divided into three groups, the fish and seafood dishes of the coastal areas, the vegetable and beef dishes popular on the plains and usually made with homemade butter and the goat and lamb delicacies of the mountains, always cooked with plenty of local olive oil. There are excellent vineyards in the north of the island. The island’s Kitron is wonderful, made from the fruit and leaves of the citron tree. Visitors enjoy cooking workshops such as Vioma and visiting wineries such as the Saint Anna winery in the small village of Kato Potamia.
 
Naxos Town is only 10km from the villa so within very easy reach. The capital town is guarded by its Venetian castle and enjoys narrow, winding, cobbled streets, gleaming white architecture, ancient churches, antique shops, buzzy bars and wonderful restaurants. Marko Sanoudo II, the Venetian emperor invaded and conquered Naxos in 1207 and built the castle. It was the seat of power for the Cyclades islands for three hundred years. During the summer months, music festivals are held in the setting of the Kastro and painters and sculptors also hold exhibitions in the castle. Naxos’ Archaeological Museum is housed in the old Jesuit School of Commerce with a wonderful collection of old Cycladic art, white marble monuments and local ceramics. The great writer Nikos Kazantzakis attended the school and it is where he wrote ‘Zorba the Greek’. The car-free old town is known as Kastro, located within the castle’s old Venetian walls and enjoying steep narrow lanes decorated with tumbling colourful bougainvillaea, numerous churches and elegant Venetian mansions. The lanes from Kastro lead downhill to Bourgos which is where the Greeks lived during the years of Venetian occupation. The new town is situated next to the main port and with many of the town’s restaurants, bars and cafes. As soon as you enter the port of Naxos, you notice the ancient monument of Portara which means ‘Big door’ in Greek. The Portara is a centuries-old marble doorway built in 522BC as the entrance gateway to the unfinished Roman Temple dedicated to Apollo. It stands on a small islet and is an incredible Instagram-worthy spot at sunset when the sky turns orange and gold.
 
The mountains and valleys of this lush island are beautiful. They are sprinkled with charming villages including Tripodes, Filoti, Halki and Apeiranthos. The picturesque village of Halki is utterly charming with neoclassical architecture, tiny alleys, bougainvillaea, jasmine trees and charming shops. The marble village of Apeiranthos is brilliantly well-preserved, hardly changed for over one hundred years and is the highest village of the Cyclades. It is famous for its tavernas that serve delicious local meat dishes. The locals still speak Greek in the lilting idiom of the Cretan forefathers. The village boasts marble-flagged alleys, vaulted arches, Venetian towers and gorgeous stone houses. Not to be forgotten are the island’s major sites of the Demeter Temple, the Kouros of Melanes and Apollonas, Panagia Drossiani Church, the Monastery of Fotodotis and Kalamitsia Monastery. The Temple of Demeter is a 6th-century BC sanctuary dedicated to the goddess of harvest and fertility. Local legend suggests that the ruler of Olympus was born in a huge cave halfway up Mount Zas. You can take a cobbled stone path from Filoti to reach the top. The oldest of the island’s churches is Panayia Vlacherniotissa which boasts a beautiful carved alter screen. Panayia Myrtidiotissa stands on a tiny islet in the port of Naxos and Theologaki is a tiny chapel in a cave.
 
You can also hop on large luxurious catamarans to find the island’s secluded and hidden beaches or sail to some of the small Cyclades. The boat trip to the island of Koufonisia takes just under two hours, a lovely experience with wonderful fresh fish lunches in the tavernas and secluded naturist beaches if that is your thing.

Read more about Naxos

As you sail into the island, be in awe of the Portara of Naxos, the vast marble gate to the Temple of Apollo. Crowds gather at the iconic emblem to admire the sun setting in this spectacular setting.

It’s not just Naxos’ rich history which attracts visitors to the largest island in the Cyclades. It may be relatively less known compared to Mykonos and Santorini yet those in the know come to Naxos for its glorious beaches, verdant landscapes and charming villages. Ferries arrive into Naxos town from Mykonos, Santorini, Piraeus and Rafina or you can fly into Naxos Airport from Athens.

Starting off in Naxos town, potter around the picturesque streets and soak up its rich heritage as you catch idyllic glimpses of the sea. Narrow lanes of bougainvillea-clad houses wind through the Kastro district towards the fortified Venetian castle. Get lost in the old town with its arched pathways, little shops and pretty cafes, spotting sleepy cats as you explore, and be enchanted by the authentic Greek charm all around you. As the evening approaches the town comes to life with its restaurants and cocktail bars, many with rooftop terraces and great views.

The sandy beaches near Naxos town are much loved by tourists and locals alike – hire summer sunbeds and parasols at the likes of Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna and make the most of the turquoise-coloured Aegean for snorkelling and diving. Seek slightly quieter shores further south as you come across the fine white sand of Plaka Beach and the more remote Hawaii Beach protected by rocks. Meanwhile, Mikri Vigla, also on the western coast, is popular with watersport enthusiasts (kite-surfing, windsurfing).

Then there’s the traditional villages dotted across the island amongst olive groves, citrus orchards, byzantine churches and mountains. Chalkio is often referred to as the most beautiful with its flower-filled lanes, white-washed houses, art galleries and traditional tavernas serving locally sourced dishes. Apeiranthos is another gem of Naxos with its unique architecture, marble alleys and museums alongside locally-owned shops and shady café terraces.  

In spring and autumn, follow hiking trails between coast, mountains and historic villages, passing wild flowers, herbs, olive trees and ancient ruins, a fine way to appreciate Naxos’ incredible nature. Horse-riding excursions can be arranged with mountain and sea views (as well as donkey rides for younger guests) or explore the island by boat with day trips to visit the sea caves, rocky shores and even the neighbouring islands of Paros and Antiparos.