Naxos Half Day History and Culture Guided Tour
Overview
Naxos Town (Port) - Ancient Temple of Demeter- Damalas - Chalki Village - Panagia Drosiani – Kinidaros – Kouros (Melanes) - Naxos Town (Port)
Departures: 08.30 and 13.15
Runs: Daily
Duration: Approximately 4 hours
Guided in English and Greek
Children up to 4 years old may join us for free.
From 5 up to 12 years old: 50% discount.
THE TOUR:
Go on a guided tour of the best sites in Naxos. Learn about the island’s history, visit iconic monuments, such as Demeter's Temple and Panagia Drosiani and explore the villages of Damalas and Chalki.
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.
Continue to the charming village of Damalas, a tiny community of about 100 residents nestled among the olive groves of Tragea. Here, local potter Manolis will welcome you into his workshop, demonstrate his traditional techniques on the wheel, and share the secrets of his craft.
Your next destination is Chalki, the island’s former capital and once its main commercial center. Enjoy approximately 45 minutes of free time to wander its colorful alleys, shop for unique handmade souvenirs, visit the historic Vallindras Kitron Distillery, or simply relax with a coffee in one of the village’s cozy cafés.
The tour continues through ancient olive groves toward Panagia Drosiani, a church of exceptional architectural significance dedicated to the Virgin Mary—considered one of the oldest in the Balkans. Make a brief stop for photos and, if the church is open, step inside to admire its remarkable frescoes.
Outside Kinidaros village you will make a short stop by the road to photoshoot the contemporary marble quarries before you reach Flerio valley. Walk through its lush gardens and meet the Kouros Statue, one of the most striking examples of Naxian marble art.
Useful information:
On Tuesdays and on May 1st, the Temple of Demeter is closed. On these days, the visit will be replaced with a stop at Filoti Village.
You will have to climb steps and walk uphill in order to visit the Temple of Demeter
The Demeter's Temple closes early (noon) in case of predicted heat wave. In that case, the tour that departs in the afternoon (13.00) visits Filoti village instead of Demeter's Temple.
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.
Pick up service is included only for the morning departure of 08.30. Drop-off is not included.
It is customary upon the visit to a church to donate a small amount of 1€-5€. These money are used for the operational costs of the church and many times for donations on behalf of the church to people/ families of the community that are in need.
This is a fast-paced sightseeing tour designed to maximize the number of places you can visit in a limited timeframe. As a result, there is no scheduled lunch break, and there will not be enough time for a full meal during the tour. We recommend having a hearty breakfast beforehand and bringing snacks if needed.
Pick up spots and times for the morning departure of 08.30
PLAKA BEACH
Plaza Beach Hotel - Main Road: 07.50
Plaka Camping: 07.50
3 Brothers Restaurant: 07.50
Yazoo Summer Bliss: 07.50
MARAGKAS
Maragkas Super Market: 07.50
Paradiso Tavern: 07.50
AGIA ANNA
Agia Anna Port: 07.55
Margaritis Market: 07.55
AG. PROKOPIOS
Nikos Restaurant: 07.55
Birikos Hotel: 07.55
Lagos Mare Hotel: 08.00
STELIDA
Naxian Emerald Hotel: 08.00
Lianos Village: 08.00
Naxos Palace Hotel: 08.00
Golden Sun Hotel: 08.00
NAXOS TOWN
Naxos Camping: 08.05
Princess of Naxos Hotel: 08.05
Koutelieris Supermarket (Porto Naxos Hotel): 08.10
Naxos Bus Transfer Office: 08.15
Included/Excluded
- Modern, luxury air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional English/ Greek speaking Escort
- Professional driver
- All taxes
- Luggage storage during the tour
- Pick up service (no drop-off) only for the morning departure
- Entrance fee for the Temple of Demeter (5€/person to be paid on spot in cash)
- Meals and Drinks
- Personal Expenses
- Hotel pickup/ drop off service
- Gratuities for the tour guide and driver
Tour Plan
Temple of Demeter
Is located near the village of Sangri. This astonishing temple has been made of the finest quality of Naxos marble and is believed to date back to the 6th century BC. As Dimitra was the ancient goddess of grain, people used to build temples to her close to fertile areas. Some excavations in the area certify that the area was used for a religious purpose since the late Mycenaean Era. The temple was built in around 530 B.C in the classical architectural style. The temple declined after the 3rd century B.C. With the domination of Christianity, the temple of Dimitra was turned into a Christian religious center and a small chapel was built in the center of the temple. This chapel was dedicated to Saint Ioannis and was constructed using the marble of the ancient temple. The church was probably ruined in the 6th century A.D., after an invasion of the Arabs.
Damalas Village
The picturesque and small village of Damalas is located in Tragea Valley in Naxos. Due to its location, you can enjoy excellent panoramic views of the island. Damalas is known for its strong pottery tradition – the clayey soil of Tragea Valley is the perfect raw material for pottery. Some of the highlights of the village are the restored olive mill and the traditional pottery workshop of Manolis Lympertas.
Chalki Village
Chalki in Tragea valley once administrative centre, is a beautiful village with long history. It is situated in the middle of an olive grove with towers built by Byzantines and Venetians. The beautiful houses provide evidence for the town’s earlier prosperity.
Its noteworthy sights include the Church of Panagia Protothroni, which has been in uninterrupted service since 1052, the imposing, 17th century Barozzi Tower and the pretty mansion housing the historic Vallindras distillery, which has pioneered the renowned citron liqueur.
Panagia Drossiani
The remarkable Church of Panagia (Virgin Mary) Drossiani –a short distance from Moni Village, is one of the oldest Byzantine churches not only in Naxos but also in Greece and definitely a place to visit, in the middle of a beautiful scenery.
The church, part of an old monastery, has a unique architectural style, with bare stone-walls, a three-part attic with dome and three adjoining chapels on the northern side with square dome bases on their roofs.
Some of the frescoes that have been saved date to the 6th century and are considered among the oldest in the Balkans, while the rest belong to the period between the 11th and 14th centuries.
The church also features a marble iconostasis, marble stands for votive candles and the old icon of Panagia Drossiani – connected with many legends and traditions.
According to one of these, the church was so named because the area was blessed by Virgin Mary with plentiful waters and was therefore ‘cool’ (Drossia=coolness).
Melanes (Kouros Statue)
The Kouros of Melanes at Flerio is 4.7 metre long statue (Kouros) of Naxian marble, located in a village garden in Melanes. The kouros of Flerio lies in the shade of a rural garden. The figure is unfinished and had been roughly worked with chisels by ancient stonemasons. This is clear from the many dents, which cover the entire statue.
