Naxos Highlights Bus Tour with a swimming stop at Apollonas Village
Overview
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.Continue to Chalki, an ancient commercial center and a place of beautiful Venetian architecture. You will have approximately 50’ free time to explore by yourselves. Don’t miss the oldest distillery of the island – Vallindras distillery - located right in the middle of the village, the sophisticated ceramic art galleries and the cozy shops with souvenirs and local products.
Next, make a long stop (approx. 90’) at the famous village of Apiranthos located at the foot of Fanari mountain. Admire the beautiful views of Venetian Towers, marbled alleys, cozy tavernas, verandas, and traditional shops. Here, you will have free time for lunch – great opportunity to taste the local recipes of “rosto” and “kalogiros”.
Driving past Koronos village and the famous emery mines, you will reach Apollonas. Get free time at the picturesque fishing village to go for a quick dip and enjoy a coffee or desert by the seaside. End your tour with a visit to the infamous “Kouros”, an unfinished marble Statue of 11 meters, lying in the same spot for more than 2500 years!
Drive along the west coast, one of the most beautiful routes on the island with an amazing view of the ocean, and be returned to your pickup point.
*On Tuesdays and on the 1st of May 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 Koutelieris Supermarket - opposite Porto Naxos Hotel (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.
Changing booths and shower facilities are available at Apollonas beach
Included/Excluded
- Pick up/ Drop off service from central locations in the areas of Naxos Town, Stelida, Ag.Prokopios, Ag. Anna, Plaka
- Modern, luxury air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional English/ Greek speaking Escort
- Professional driver
- All taxes
- Entrance fee in Demeter's Temple (4€/adult to be paid on the spot)
- Lunch and personal expenses
- Gratuities and Church donations (customary - not obligatory)
Tour Plan
Dimitra Temple
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.
Halki Village
Halki, once administrative centre, is a beautiful village with long history. It is situated in Tragea Valley in the middle of an olive grove with towers built by Byzantines and Venetians. In the old part of the town there are no cars, so it is a very relaxing place to just let yourself go and wander around.
Apeiranthos
Apeiranthos is a pretty village on the slops of a mountain at 650 metres altitude and was supposed to have originally been settled by Cretans. The village has its own distinct style and many houses are built with marble. Panagia Apeirathitissa is one of the oldest and remarkable churches of Naxos Island with some excellent post Byzantine icons and marble screens. Places to visit in Apeiranthos include the Archaeological Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Geological Museum.
Apollon
Apollon, the port village of the settlement of Komiaki on Naxos northeastern coast, has been inhabited since antiquity, mainly on account of the marble quarry that extends to the north and west. It was also the port from which Naxos marble was exported throughout the operation of the ancient quarry. The huge ancient marble statue (Kouros) of Apollo lies in supine position just a few meters outside the entrance to the village, while remnants of the ancient port have been found at Marmara position.
The village of Apollonas today is the most developed settlement in northern Naxos. Featuring picturesque white houses spreading behind an attractive sandy beach, tavernas and cafes, it is suitable for relaxing breaks and as a base for exploring the surrounding area which is replete with unique sights.
