The hidden gem of the Cyclades
Naxos Island
The hidden gem of the Cyclades, Naxos, is gradually gaining acclaim for all that it has to offer. Its beaches, gastronomy, culture, history, hospitality and authenticity entice ever greater numbers of visitors with each passing year.
Much more than an unforgettable tourist destination, Naxos is also an agricultural island. With an abundance of farm animals, especially goats, sheep and cows, Naxos produces huge quantities of exquisite cheeses for which it is famous. Traveling along its rural roads you might easily happen upon a farmer on a donkey, carrying his milk to the creamery in tin canisters, as the old ways are still valued. Herb-fed, mountain grazing, katzikia (goats) also make Naxos famous for its delicious goat meat. Naxian potatoes are second to none and greatly prized all over Greece. Naxos is the largest producer of olive oil in the Cyclades. Its traditional spoon sweets made from every variety of local fruit are also very popular. As a matter of fact, the abundance of agricultural products here is such that all year-round Naxos is virtually self-sufficient, differing from most other Greek islands.
The story less told
Mythological History of Naxos
You’ve undoubtedly read of Naxos’ rich history while deciding to visit us; but let us tell you about its little-mentioned mythological history:
According to the Greek myth of Theseus and Ariadne, after Ariadne had helped Theseus to slay the monster, Minotaur, on Crete, he decided to bring her back to Athens with him where they were to marry. En route, they stopped on Naxos for provisions, where Theseus had a change of heart. As son of the king of Athens, Theseus decided his father would never permit him to marry a woman not of Athenian origin – even the daughter of King Minos of Crete. Sadly, he chose to abandon her on Naxos. But it was there that the Naxian god of wine, Dionysus, found Ariadne asleep, bathed in her tears, and fell madly in love with her. After the young lovers married, one night they flew up from Mount Zas, in Naxos, to Olympus, where Zeus made Ariadne immortal.