Naxos

The landscape and city of Naxos has been continuously inhabited since prehistory, which is attested by archaeological findings and remains of ancient structures across the island and within the city. Important remains from the Cycladic and later Mycenean civilizations have been found in the area of Grotta and elsewhere. During the 8th and 7th centuries BC, Naxos dominated commerce in the Cyclades. Being the largest island among the Cyclades and rich in resources, such as emery and marble, it was able to become one of the most prominent Greek city-states in the archaic period. The city was powerful enough to exert its control over several of the neighboring islands. During the Archaic era, Naxos was also among the first places in Greece where marble sculpture developed. Naxian sculpture from this era has been found all over Greece. …

There are a number of yearly festivals and celebrations taking place in the town, including: The Naxos Carnival, a three-day event with parades involving costumes and torches. Religious celebrations, such as those of St. Nicodemus (14 July) and Panagia Chrysopolitissa (21st of November) which include parades and image processions.

The city includes a number of historical landmarks and areas of interest. Some of those are: The temple of Apollo (Also known as Portara): A large ancient marble gate of an unfinished temple from the 6th century BC. It is the most famous landmark of both the city and the entire island. The castle (known in Greek as Kastro), which contains landmarks including Glezos Tower, Sanudo Tower, the 'great gate' (Trani Porta) and the Catholic Cathedral of Naxos. The promenade (Paralia) and the old market. The beach of St. George (Agios Georgios). The Archaeological Museum of Naxos. The Orthodox Cathedral of Naxos. The square in front of the Cathedral has an underground 'In-Situ Museum', with remains of the ancient city.

The city is connected by road to the villages and other parts of the island. The villages can be accessed by car, taxi (which can be found by the port) or intercity bus (KTEL), with the latter having more frequent schedules during the summer months. There are several municipal parking lots in the town, which can be used for free by both residents and visitors. The city faces significant traffic congestion, particularly during the summer months. With multiple daily ferries bringing in vehicles, traffic jams have become a frequent occurrence. Moreover, securing a parking spot can be challenging during peak hours. These issues have steadily worsened in recent years. Through its port, the town is connected by ferry to all neighboring islands and to the port of Piraeus at Athens, located at a distance of about 180 kilometers (100 nautical miles). …

The below values refer to the population of the Naxos municipality, which, besides the town itself, included about 30% of the island. The municipality was disestablished in 2011.