Private Nature Trekking in Kourounochori and Potamia Valley

Kourounochori, Potamia

Duration: 5 hours

Price

From €300
Price varies depending on number of participants.
Click “Book Now” button to check the exact cost.
‍

The Experience

Follow one of the most beautiful trails of Naxos through picturesque settlements, ancient marble quarries and the fertile valley of Potamia.

Hike through the richest plains of the island as you begin your walking adventure from Kourounochori, past herbs and flowers, olive trees, lush landscape, and impressive monuments.

Explore an area that has played a central role in the island`s history, as can be seen from the ancient marble quarries that have been lying here for over 2500 years.

Admire the remains of the ancient water system, still in use today, as you navigate your way along rugged donkey paths.

Marvel at majestic towers, a relic of the Venetian era, when they played host to successive Dukes´ summer palaces.

Immerse yourself in the local culture as you make a short stop at a taverna, and enjoy hearing fascinating stories about the area´s glorious past.

This is an easy walking tour.
Please wear weather appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes.
The total distance of the hike is approximately 8.5 kilometers
The highest altitude reached is around 150 meters.

Experience Naxos Guided Tour: Kaloxylos – Filoti – Local Shepherd’s Hut

Filoti Area

Duration: 6 hours

Departure: 10.00
Return: 16.00
Runs on: Sunday, Tuesday, Friday
Guided in English

Price

€95.00 Per adult
€45.00 Per child (6-15 years old)

‍

The Experience

Join this tour and discover the hidden beauty of authentic Naxos beyond tourism. Explore quiet villages, taste local products and meet warm-hearted, hospitable people!

We meet at Naxos Bus Transfer Office, right outside Naxos Port, and drive directly to our first destination, Kaloxylos, a serene village of 50 inhabitants. Here we will visit a historical building that houses the island’s first electric company and its first ever electric oil-press. We will have a sample tasting of extra virgin olive oil followed by exploring the nostalgic alleys of the village and admiring the unique collection of its folklore museum (the visit to the museum is optional).

Our next stop will be the year-round lively village of Filoti. We will visit its central church, walk by the Venetian Tower of Barozzi and stroll through the picturesque neighborhood of Fasolas, where we will visit century-old shops of a grocer, a barber, a tailor, a smith and a carpenter. Throughout our visit, we will hear stories about past and modern local life.

After a short break at the local “kafeneio” where we will taste traditional Greek coffee, we are invited to a “mitato” (a local shepherd’s hut). The owners will welcome us to their hut and we will have the opportunity to observe or even help them with their daily chores. We will collect some milk and get involved in the cheese-making process, as well as gather around the family table and enjoy a light meal of fresh Naxian products.

A unique opportunity to get an insider’s look at the daily life of the locals and try hands-on activities such as milking and cheese-making the old-fashioned way!

Highlights:
Visit Naxos first ever electric oil-press and have a sample tasting of extra virgin olive.
Get an insider’s look in the past and contemporary local life of Filoti
Meet locals and get acquainted to the world famous Greek hospitality
Live the “Village kafeneio” experience, relax and make new friends
Participate in “hands on” activity of milking and cheese making
Savor an authentic Greek lunch at a shepherd hut and interact with farm animals

Useful information:

This is a small group tour of maximum 16 participants.
The shepherd’s hut you will visit is an actual house to the owners rather than just a business establishment. Enjoy this unique experience and try not to be too demanding with alternative dietary options (vegan, lactose free) because they will be very limited.
The tour is easy and appropriate for pregnant women but it is always recommended that they don’t taste the fresh cheese.
Availability of hands-on activities at the hut (milking and cheese making) are due to seasonality.
The tour is ideal for families and suitable for all ages

Private luxury Mercedes mini bus Rental with a Driver – 8 Hours

Air-conditioned Mercedes Mini Bus for 8 hours (anytime between 07.00-20.00)

‍

THE TOUR:

Make the most of your time in Naxos and rent a private air-conditioned mini bus with a professional English-speaking driver.
Experience the island according to your own interests and benefit from pick-up at the place of your choice.
Choose from multiple activities, such as taking in the views from lookout points, visit wineries and farms or relax in one of the amazing hidden beaches.
Take your time to explore the island’s nature and admire unique sights as Demeter’s Temple, Kouros and Kori statues, Venetian Towers and Byzantine chapels.
Visit places that you can only reach privately and taste delicious local dishes in small non-commercial taverns.
Benefit from insights and ideas about activities you can try on your own.

CONDITIONS:

If your pick up is Naxos Port, you need to provide your boat arrival details upon booking.
Refunds will not be issued if the tour is missed due to late or non-arrival of your boat
The driver will deny driving through dirt roads in bad condition and places that could be a risk to the passengers’ safety or cause damage to the vehicle.
Any extra time of holding the vehicle on disposal further to the initial booking, is charged with 50€ / hour and is paid directly to the driver in cash.

Half Day Guided Tour: Demeter’s Temple – Panagia Drosiani – Kouros (Melanes) – Eggares

Naxos Town (Port) – Ancient Temple of Demeter- Panagia Drosiani – Kinidaros – Kouros (Melanes) – Eggares – Naxos Town (Port)

Departures: 08.30 and 13.15
Return: 12.30 and 17.15
Runs on: Monday, Thursday and Saturday
Duration: 4 hours
Guided in English and Greek

Children up to 8 years old may join us for free.
From 8 up to 13 years old: 50% discount.

‍

THE TOUR:

Join this small group tour and get the opportunity to see many of the most emblematic sights of Naxos in only 4 hours! Learn about the island’s history, pose using its iconic monuments as your background and get a small taste of its delicious products.

Meet your guide at Naxos Bus Transfer Office, right outside Naxos Port and drive directly to your first stop, Demeter’s Temple. Admire the impressive restored sanctuary, take amazing pictures and visit the small on-site museum.

Next stop will be Panagia Drosiani, a church of unique architectural style devoted to Virgin Mary. Some of its frescoes date to the 6th century and are considered among the oldest in the Balkans! The church is part of an old monastery and is a Byzantine gem hidden among the olive groves of Tragea valley.

Continue driving past Kinidaros. Here you will make a short stop to photoshoot the contemporary marble quarries before you reach Flerio valley. Walk through the lush gardens and meet the Kouros Statue, one of the most striking examples of Naxian marble art.

Your last stop is a tribute to one of the most treasured Greek products. In Eggares olive press museum you will learn everything about the old procedures of olive oil production and you will also taste delicious olive products.

Know before you go:
You will have to climb steps and walk uphill in order to visit the Temple of Demeter
The tour guide is not licensed and thus not allowed to guide you inside Demeter’s Temple and Panagia Drosiani Church. You will get all the information about the monuments before you enter.
This tour will take place rain or shine
The tour begins and ends right outside Naxos Port. Luggage storage is provided for the participants free of charge.

Naxos Highlights Bus Tour with a swimming stop at Apollonas Village

Naxos Town (Port) – Ancient Temple of Dimitra – Damalas – Halki – Apiranthos – Apollon – Naxos Town (Port)

Departure: 09:15
Return: 17:15
Runs: Daily
Duration: 8 hours
Guided in English and Greek

Children up to 8 years old may join us for free.
From 8 up to 13 years old: 50% discount.

‍

The Tour:

You will be picked up from a central location near your hotel and head directly to the green valley of Gyroula. There you will visit the marble Temple erected for the worship of Goddess Demeter, which is one of the most important ancient monuments on the island.
At the small village of Damalas, Manolis will warmheartedly welcome you to his traditional pottery workshop and reveal ancient secrets of his art. At the restored olive press museum, you will learn everything about the old procedure of olive oil production.
Driving further in the heart of the hinterland you will reach Halki. A place of great architecture with many remarkable sights, such as the Byzantine church of Panagia Protothroni and the Venetian mansion that houses the citron distillery of “Vallindras”.
At the foot of mountain Fanari, Apeiranthos is waiting for you to prove its reputation as the most ambient village on the island. An amazing scenery of Venetian Towers, marbled alleys, cozy tavernas, verandas with amazing mountain views and traditional tiny shops with local products. Here you will make a short stop to stroll in the village and hear about its history and traditions.
Leaving Apeiranthos behind and driving past Koronos village and the famous emery mines, you will reach Apollonas. Here you will have some free time at the picturesque fishing village to swim and enjoy a meal.
Afterwards, you will visit the ancient marble quarries where you can admire an unfinished marble Kouros Statue of 11 meters, liying in the same spot for more than 2500 years.
You will return to the same place where you were picked up driving along the west coast, one of the most beautiful routes on the island with amazing sea views.

*On Tuesdays Demeter’s Temple is closed and instead you will have more free time in Apeiranthos Village

Pick up options:
08:35 from the main road in front of Plaza Beach Hotel
08:35 from the main road in front of Three Brothers Restaurant
08:35 from the main road in front of Aegean Land Hotel
08:35 from the main road in front of Yazoo Summer Bliss
08:40 from the main road in front of Maragkas Super Market
08:40 from the main road in front of Paradiso Tavern in Agia Anna
08:45 from the bus stop at Agia Anna Port
08:45 from Margariti’s Market at Agia Anna
08:45 from the bus stop in Agios Prokopios (in front of Nikos Restaurant)
08:50 from the main road in front of Lagos Mare Hotel (Ag. Prokopios)
08:50 from the main road in front of Naxos Palace Hotel (Stelida)
08:50 from the main road in front of Kavouras Village Hotel (Stelida)
08:50 from the main road in front of Naxos Golden Sun Hotel (Stelida)
08:55 from the main road in front of Princess of Naxos Hotel
09:00 in front of SPAR-Koutelieris Supermarket (St George area)
09:00 in front of the entrance of Naxos Hospital (Naxos Town)
09:10 Naxos Bus Transfer Office, right outside Naxos Port – final meeting place

Know before you go:
This tour is not appropriate for people with mobility impairments.
The tour will take place rain or shine – small changes to the itinerary may apply in case of rough weather.
A big part of the trip is through winding, mountainous roads. Please carry travel sickness pills in case you feel uneasy.
The tour guide is not licensed and thus not allowed to guide you inside Demeter’s Temple. You will get all the information about the monument before you enter the gate.
You will arrive at Apollonas, where you will have free time for lunch, at approximately 2:00 PM. Make sure to eat breakfast before you start the activity.

Private luxury Mercedes mini bus Rental with a Driver – 4 Hours

Air-conditioned Mercedes Mini Bus for 4 hours (anytime between 07.00-20.00)

‍

THE TOUR:

Make the most of your time in Naxos and rent a private air-conditioned mini bus with a professional English-speaking driver.
Experience the island according to your own interests and benefit from pick-up at the place of your choice.
Choose from multiple activities, such as taking in the views from lookout points, visit wineries and farms or relax in one of the amazing hidden beaches.
Take your time to explore the island’s nature and admire unique sights as Demeter’s Temple, Kouros and Kori statues, Venetian Towers and Byzantine chapels.
Visit places that you can only reach privately and taste delicious local dishes in small non-commercial taverns.
Benefit from insights and ideas about activities you can try on your own.

CONDITIONS:

If your pick up is Naxos Port, you need to provide your boat arrival details upon booking.
Refunds will not be issued if the tour is missed due to late or non-arrival of your boat
The driver will deny driving through dirt roads in bad condition and places that could be a risk to the passengers’ safety or cause damage to the vehicle.
Any extra time of holding the vehicle on disposal further to the initial booking, is charged with 50€ / hour and is paid directly to the driver in cash.