NAXOS sits at the heart of the central Cyclades group of Greek islands. Naxos is a big island, but most of the tourist accommodation is confined to the south-west coast.
Brochures promise the best beaches in the Mediterranean, and beaches Naxos certainly has. The south-west coast is one long blonde swathe of sand. Unfortunately, much of it is coarse and gritty and many beaches are backed by flat and desolate salt marshes.
Inland, Naxos has some impressive mountain scenery, particularly around Mt Zas - the highest peak in the Cyclades. Abundant springs and rich soil create dense green valleys of citrus and olive.
Naxos island's rich agricultural heritage has meant that the islanders have had no need to make many concessions to tourism. As a result, Naxos maintains a strong Greek identity and many villages have a traditional character not spoilt by the demands of the package tour industry.
Holidaymakers looking for a good beach holiday without the crowds and with some inland interest and easy island hopping will certainly add Naxos to their Greek island wish list.
Naxos is the largest and highest island in the Cyclades and the most fertile with many crops and orchards in the cultivated valleys.
Miles of white sand beaches are the best in the Cyclades. They are certainly big and the sand often sugar white. But it can also be harsh, ball-bearing granules, and a splash in the sea can mean climbing over underwater rocks that line much of the shoreline.
Salt flats back many of the best Naxos beaches, creating an air of desolation that is not everyone's cup of tea. The long empty stretches add to the attraction for those who don't like company, but it may feel a little lonely for those that do. Naxos is at the hub of the Cyclades ferry system with other islands not far away, and Naxos is an ideal location for an island hopping holiday.
There are no direct charter flights to Naxos. Holiday visitors fly to Mykonos or Santorini then catch a ferry to Naxos. Some take a domestic flight to Naxos from Athens.
Naxos is at the hub of the Cyclades ferry network and there are many holiday ferry connections to other islands and to the Greek mainland.
Naxos is a large island and it had a good road network as well as a decent bus service to all the main villages.
The best and biggest Naxos beaches lie south-east of the capital Naxos Town. Most are long swathes of dune-backed sands.
The sand on Naxos beaches is mostly sharp grit and they are often lined with flat salt marsh. Beach facilities will fade the further south you go.
Beaches in the north Naxos are fewer and smaller as the coastline is mainly inaccessible cliffs, but the surrounding landscape of north Naxos is impressive.
Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades islands at around 400km2. It is mountainous with large, fertile valleys. Plenty of water springs keep Naxos green all year.
Mount Zas, at 1,004m, is the highest peak in the Cyclades and there are other peaks at Koronos and Fanara.
The Naxos climate is typically Mediterranean with mild winters, low rainfall and hot, dry summers. The Naxos population stands at around 18,000.
