Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades islands, has a rich history of more than 5000 years. Remnants of Ancient Greece can be seen throughout the island. The ruins at Portara, Iria, the Temple of Goddess Dimitra, the Agias Tower, Sangri, and two enormous Kouros statues located at Melanes and Apollon are still well preserved. Later Venetian and Byzantine rule is marked by the Castle of Naxos and the Tower of Glezos, the Tower of Belonia, and early churches including Agios Mamas and Panagia Drosiani. After your sightseeing, you may want to enjoy more than a dozen sandy beaches including the surfing and windsurfing paradise of Naxos. If you enjoy people watching try Agia Anna, which is more populated and offer restaurants and water sports. If you are looking for a peaceful beach in Naxos, try Alyko, which is quieter and lined with Greece’s famous cedar trees. Whichever beach you choose, the famous Meltemi winds will guide you across the clear blue waters. Naxos is famous for its cheeses, so make sure you taste the local offerings of Graviera, Manouri, Xynotyro, and Kefalotiri. As the legendary birthplace of the god Dionysus, Naxos is also home to plenty of vineyards and a unique fruit liqueur known as Kitron.
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