Private Morning Old Town Walk with Museum, Castle & Portara, Naxos

This morning excursion begins when you meet your expert private guide in front of Naxos Town Hall and set off on foot. Your first stop is at the island's awe-inspiring Portara, also known as the Temple of Apollo. This dramatic marble doorway overlooks the sea and is all that's left of an unfinished sixth-century BCE temple to the Greek sun god. Your guide will share engaging stories about the site and bring history to life as you learn about the island's first inhabitants and the mythology that shaped their lives. 

Then, cross back over a narrow causeway to explore more of the historic Old Town, winding through cobblestone streets and passing bustling markets filled with colorful fruit stands and stalls with aromatic herbs and spices. Continue on an uphill climb to reach the hilltop Venetian Castle (also known as the Kastro), where you'll be rewarded with sweeping views from the well-preserved turrets built during the island's Venetian rule of the 13th to 16th centuries. 

Today, the castle is home to the Archaeological Museum of Naxos, and your guide will lead you inside to admire an impressive collection of objects and artworks, learn about the Cycladic statues and Mycenaean pottery, and marvel at Geometric-era jewelry and intricate Roman mosaics. You'll also visit the town's 13th-century Catholic cathedral, which houses a priceless 11th-century Byzantine icon and a remarkable art collection, and stop by the former 18th-century Ursuline monastery, now the Cultural Center of Naxos, which hosts an array of art and archaeological exhibitions.