Grotta Beach

Hora (Naxos)


This pebbly, stony beach to the north of town is pounded by waves when a northerly is blowing, but is relatively calm in a southerly. This is where the Mycenaean city of Naxos, one of the Aegean region’s most significant, stood in ancient times. There are ancient remains underwater off the beach.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Hora (Naxos) attractions

1. Mitropolis Museum

0.05 MILES

Behind the northern end of the waterfront are several churches and chapels, as well as the Mitropolis Museum. It features fragments of a Mycenaean city …

2. Folk Museum Collection

0.09 MILES

This small, well-curated, privately owned collection gives a digestible account of elements that make Naxos’ history special: succinct displays cover…

3. Della Rocca-Barozzi Venetian Museum

0.16 MILES

This atmospheric museum is in a handsome old tower house of the 13th century, within the kastro ramparts (by the northwest gate). Wander through the rooms…

4. Tower of Sanoudos

0.18 MILES

These are the remnants of a 13th century castle, the Tower of Sanoudos, which was once surrounded by marble balconies. Around it, within the centre of…

5. Kastro

0.18 MILES

The most alluring part of Hora is the 13th-century residential neighbourhood of Kastro, which Marco Sanudo made the capital of his duchy in 1207. Behind…

6. Archaeological Museum

0.19 MILES

This museum in Kastro is housed in the former Jesuit school where novelist Nikos Kazantzakis was briefly a pupil. It contains fascinating finds from the…

7. Petalouda Art Gallery

0.2 MILES

Next to the walkway to the heart of the kastro, this French-run art gallery features up-and-coming young artists, as well as established international…

8. Temple of Apollo

0.25 MILES

From Naxos Town Harbour, a causeway leads to the Palatia islet and the striking, unfinished Temple of Apollo, Naxos’ most famous landmark (also known as…

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