Naxos Kastro (Castle)

Location: Town

The Castle (Kastro) of Naxos, Cyclades: The Castle of Naxos Town is actually the old Venetian town. Along with the Tower of Glezos, it served as a protective shield to the impregnable fortress of Sanoudos in Chora of Naxos, and was originally built under the supervision of Markos II Sanoudos (the Venetian conqueror after whom it was named), who came along with the establishment of Frank sovereignty in the Aegean in 1207.

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Discover the Available Tours or get there with your own Car rental, starting at 14€ per day.

The fortification adjoining the fortress is conspicuous by its pentagonal shape and has three gates. The Glezos tower popularly referred to as the Krispi stands like a sentinel in close proximity to the northwestern gate and certain parts of the tower extend to the western and northern side of the fortress. It consists of four floors and it is the only castle in Naxos with a round shape. The fortress circuit towers, particularly the Glezos tower is impeccably preserved even to this day. The entry to the tower is conspicuous by the customary coat-of-arms that once belonged to the Crispi family.

The tower was handed over to the Archaeological Service by Mr. Petros Glezos who believed that the tower would be well preserved by such a prestigious institution. Restoration work is still going on and the Archaeological Society intends to build a Museum. Upon successful completion of the work, it will become the foremost Byzantine Museum in the whole of Cyclades. The Glezos tower was restored in the period 1968-1969. In the year 1968, the tower underwent comprehensive restoration. In more recent times, from the year 1995 work on building the museum commenced and is an ongoing activity.

Things to see in Kastro:
Ursulines School and Merchant Academy
Venetian Museum
Archaeological Museum
Catholic Cathedral

Tours and activities related to Kastro

• Best Seller
  Naxos castle walking tour and sunset at the Portara

  Naxos

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  The Island of Naxos is not only about beaches, it is also about the history and local experiences waiting to be discovered. The capital town (Chora) has two emblematic sights that definitely worth your attention – Naxos Castle and Portara. Put on some comfortable shoes and clothes and enjoy the evening walk within the castle walls alongside a local experienced and most of all passionate guide. Book your tour and use your mobile for tickets if you don`t want to print them, then get ready for 2.5 hours of insights and local tips, stunning photos, memorable experiences and breathtaking views over Naxos Town and the Aegean Sea. You will get the chance to find more about the Castle history, observe the most important buildings of the Venetian era, get lost in the narrow still inhabited alleys and learn about customs and culture. Discover the local products, authentic tavernas and the ambient bars on the vibrant Old Market. After this, your guide will take you to the most beautiful sunset spot in Naxos – Portara, The Temple of Apollo. You will find out the interesting story about this place and you will be able to enjoy an unforgettable moment. Make sure your camera has enough battery because you would want to take a lot of photos during this tour.

  2.5 hours Map

  from € 20.00

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• Best Seller
  Naxos island full day historical bus tour

  Naxos

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  Naxos Island is the biggest of the Cyclades, with a lot of places full of history, a famous cuisine, specific architecture and various landscapes. This bus tour of Naxos will get you through all these aspects and you will be able in just 8 hours to understand the island real vibe and to live ones of the best experiences of your holiday. Take your breakfast and prepare your comfortable shoes, your sunglasses and sun hat, put on some sunscreen and get ready for a full-day adventure. The tour will get you to the north and west part of the island, crossing the inland. You will have an experienced guide that will introduce you to the fascinating world of Naxos. Besides the ancient temples and museums that you will visit, you will get the chance to taste the famous local liqueur Citron at the oldest distillery on the island, visit the stunning marble village of Apiranthos and see the huge 10.5- meters tall Kouros Statue. You will have some free time also that you can use to enjoy the surroundings, take a swim or just to have lunch at a local tavern. The final stop of the tour will be at an olive press museum and after that, you will return home with unforgettable memories and for sure a lot of photos.

  8 hours Map

  from € 25.00

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How to get there

The Kastro (Castle) of Naxos is located in Chora, just a 10-minute walk away from the central bus station and 6 minutes from a parking lot.

Private transfers: We recommend using an online pre-booked Naxos transfer service, which provides transfer by taxi, minibus or private VIP car and arranging a pickup directly from the port, airport or your hotel. Alternatively, there’s the option of arranging a pickup by a local driver directly at the following numbers: 0030 22850 25835, 0030 22850 24829 or book your taxi online.

Car rental: Τhere’s the option of renting a car in Naxos with as little as 15 euros per day and pick it up directly from the airport, port or your hotel. Using a car rental allows visitors to discover the Kastro (Castle) and many other places of interest in Naxos at their own pace.

Public transfers: The central bus station of the island is located at the port of Naxos. There are bus connections between this bus station and the most areas of the island. Consider that time schedules might change according to the season. Check the official timetables here.
Tip: Since buses don’t always stop in every scheduled stop of their itinerary, our advice to visitors is to inform the driver about their final destination, so that he makes a stop there.