In the past, when I thought of Naxos, Greece, The Portara would always come to mind. As a matter of fact, it is one of the iconic images you can see from Greece and know exactly where it is located. Coming by ferry, the Portara is one of the first things you will notice when arriving to Naxos. Now I know that there is so much more to the island, which we visited in September 2021 and I will share in my posts over the next several weeks.
The Portara is part of what once was The Temple of Apollo. Unfortunately, this temple, dating back to 530 BC, was never completed. The Portara is also considered the entrance to the temple. Not to mention, it is made of marble which comes from the island of Naxos. As you will find, if you follow my upcoming posts, marble is abundant in Naxos. You can reach the Portara by foot on a path which connects the islet to the main town.
We visited the Portara a couple of times during our stay in Naxos. Once in the evening and during sunset, and once at night. Each time we were amazed by it’s size and majestic appearance.
Walking Up to the Portara
The walk to the Portara is easy to find and pretty straight forward. You will walk along the sea wall which is a cobbled path and an easy walk. It is important to know though, that you will be walking uphill on uneven stairs. There is also loose rock on these stairs which can be slippery. ( I know, because I slipped and fell!) Also note, there is no cost to walk up to the Portara. The views are spectacular.
Where We Ate in Naxos Town
We ate in Naxos town on three evenings, and actually twice at the same place! Taverna is the name of where we ate twice and is located across the street from the harbor. We enjoyed this place for the views, the food, and the service! Altogether, it was excellent! Both times we ordered chicken souvlaki, bread, cheese and wine. We found Naxos to have outstanding food everywhere and especially good cheeses and also potatoes.
Conclusion
All in all, visiting the Portara on Naxos Island in Greece was a lot of fun for us. It was a perfect place for beautiful views and also an introduction to Naxos! Overall, Naxos is a beautiful island with lots to do.
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Follow these Links for more posts of my 2021 Greece Vacay:
Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel, Revisited 2021
Ancient City of Lato, Sept 2021
Aforesmenos Lighthouse, Crete, Sept 2021
Avli Lounge Hotel, Rethymno, Sept 2021
Matala Beach Caves, Crete, Sept 2021
Hike to Martsalos Beach, Sept 2021
The Chapel at Georgioupoli, Sept 2021
Koutalas Beach and Sea Cave, Sept 2021
A Walk Through Chania, Sept 2021
Links to our 2018 and also 2019 Trip can be found in this post:
10 Days in Greece Athens, Crete, Santorini 2019
8 Days in Greece, Athens, Milos, Santorini 2018
Diary of a Gen-X recommendations for hotels, restaurants, & tours are based on our own experiences. We do not receive compensation for recommending at any of these nor are we affiliates of any hotels, restaurants, or tours. The only hotels & restaurants we recommend are places we stay which are clean, comfortable, and provide exceptional hospitality.