Villa Yiorgos

Villa Yiorgos enjoys a fabulous beachfront location on Naxos, moments from Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna beaches and less than five minutes drive from Naxos Town. This very special island enjoys wonderful, contrasting scenery, endless sandy beaches, a lively main town, gorgeous mountain villages, a fascinating history and a superb dining scene.
 
Naxos Town stands high on a hilltop, guarded by its Venetian castle and sprinkled with narrow, winding, cobbled streets, gleaming white buildings, churches, antique shops, bars and restaurants. It is characterful, lively and very welcoming. As soon as you enter the port, you will notice the ancient monument of Portara and the castle. The Portara is a centuries-old marble doorway that stands on a small islet. It looks incredible at sunset when the sky turns orange and gold. The town is sprinkled with whitewashed, sugar-cubed houses with blue doors and windows. 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 to the south, next to the main port and with many of the town’s restaurants, bars and cafes.
 
Naxos is blessed with many stunning beaches, particularly in the west. These include Agios Prokopios where the villa is located, Plaka, Aliko and Sahara, all with endless white glistening sands and crystal clear water. Mikri Vigla is very popular for windsurfing and kitesurfing with perfect wind conditions. Aliko is a fabulous beach, backed by a pretty cedar forest which has been declared a protected natural area. 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.
 
The island boasts a fascinating history with plenty of major sites to go with it. Some of the most popular are the Demeter Temple. Kouros of Melanes, Kouros of Apollonas, Panagia Drossiani Church, the Monastery of Fotodotis and Kalamitsia Monastery.
 
Foodie visitors just love Naxos. Everyone falls in love with the island’s cuisine and unique products. The island is very fertile and almost self-sufficient. You will taste 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. 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 can enjoy cooking workshops like Vioma and visit and tour wineries such as the Saint Anna winery in the small village of Kato Potamia.
 
The lush interior of the island is waiting to be explored. During your stay, you should visit the picturesque village of Halki with its neoclassical architecture, tiny alleys, bougainvillaea, jasmine trees and charming shops. The marble village of Apiranthos should not be missed either. It is brilliantly well-preserved and is the highest village of the Cyclades. It is famous for its tavernas that serve delicious local meat dishes.
 
If you have enough time, you can also visit some of the small Cyclades islands such as Iraklia, Schinoussa and Donoussa which are less than two hours away or you could take a ferry trip to Santorini.

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.