Naxos Town is the capital of Naxos and is lively all year round, with narrow alleyways, tavernas and cafés, and a port with ferries to Piraeus and the neighbouring islands. Opuntia Suites is in Naxos Town, 1.2 km from the Castle, and has terraces and a garden. It suits those who prefer a villa with their own kitchen to a hotel room.
The Venetian Castle, with the Tower of Sanoudos, is 1.2 km away and forms the old town of Naxos, with uphill alleyways, mansions bearing coats of arms above their doors, and the Archaeological Museum with Cycladic finds. At the entrance to the port stands the Portara, the marble gateway of an unfinished temple to Apollo and a favourite spot for watching the sunset. Agios Georgios Beach is 1.4 km away; it is sandy and shallow, and is popular with windsurfers because it is often windy. The island’s airport is 2.7 km away.
For a day out of town, a hire car or motorbike can take you to mountain villages such as Chalki and Apeiranthos, and to the Temple of Demeter in Sagri. The best time for swimming is from May to October; the meltemi often blows in July and August, while in September the sea remains warm and there are fewer people around. Naxos Town remains lively in winter, with cafés and tavernas open and the chance to stroll around the Castle without the summer crowds.