Greece - Korina Miller [322]
A short distance behind the northern end of the waterfront are several churches and chapels, and the Mitropolis Museum ( 22850 24151; Kondyli; admission free; 8.30am-3pm). The museum features fragments of a Mycenaean city of the 13th to 11th centuries BC that was abandoned because of the threat of flooding by the sea. It’s a haunting place where glass panels underfoot reveal ancient foundations and larger areas of excavated buildings.
The archaeological museum ( 22850 22725; admission €3; 8.30am-3pm Tue-Sun) is in the Kastro, housed in the former Jesuit school where novelist Nikos Kazantzakis was briefly a pupil. The contents include Hellenistic and Roman terracotta figurines and some early Cycladic figurines.
Close by, the Della Rocca-Barozzi Venetian Museum ( 22850 22387; guided tours adult/student €5/3; 10am-3pm & 7-10pm end May–mid-Sep), a handsome old tower house of the 13th century, is within the Kastro ramparts (by the northwest gate). There are changing art exhibitions in the vaults. Tours are multilingual. The museum also runs tours (adult/student €15/10) of the Kastro at 11am Tuesday to Sunday; tours last just over two hours. Evening concerts and other events are staged in the grounds of the museum (Click here). The Roman Catholic cathedral ( 6.30pm-8.30pm), also in the Kastro, is worth visiting too.
Activities
Flisvos Sport Club ( 22850 24308; www.flisvos-sportclub.com; Agios Georgios) has a range of windsurfing options, starting with a beginner’s course of six hours for €150, or a five-hour Hobie Cat sailing course for €95. The club also organises walking trips and hires out mountain bikes at a per-week rate of €60.
Naxos Horse Riding ( 6948809142) organises daily horse rides (10am to 1pm and 5pm to 8pm) inland and on beaches (per person €48). You can book a ride up until 6pm the day before and can arrange pick-up and return, to and from the stables. Beginners, young children and advanced riders are catered for. Bookings can also be made at the Naos Silver Gallery ( 22850 24130; Pigadakia).
Tours
There are frequent excursion boats to Mykonos (adult/child €45/23), Delos (€45) Santorini (adult/child €55/30), Paros and Naousa (adult/child €20/10) and Iraklia and Koufonissi (adult/child €40/20); book through travel agents (see left).
Sleeping
Hora has plenty of good accommodation options. If you settle for an offer at the port from a persistent accommodation hawker, establish with certainty the true distance of the rooms from the centre of town. In high season there may be booths on the quay dispensing information about hotels and domatia.
BUDGET
Despina’s Rooms ( 22850 22356; fax 22850 22179; Kastro; s/d €40/50; ) These decent rooms are tucked away in the Kastro and some have sea views. Rooms on the roof terrace are popular despite their small size. There’s a communal kitchen.
Hotel Anixis ( 22850 22932; www.hotel-anixis.gr; s/d/tr €50/60/75; ) Tucked away in a quiet location in Kastro, this pleasant hotel, in a garden setting, has bright and well-kept rooms and there are great views to the sea. Breakfast is €5.
Pension Irene I ( 22850 23169; www.irenepension-naxos.com; s/d €50/60; ) This longstanding favourite is a bit of a hike from the ferry dock but is in a quiet side street and has clean, comfortable rooms.
There are several camping grounds near Hora, and all have good facilities. Minibuses meet the ferries. The sites are all handy to good beaches and there’s an approximate price per person of €9.
Camping Maragas ( 22850 24552; www.maragascamping.gr) At Agia Anna Beach, south of Hora.
Naxos Camping ( 22850 23500; www.naxos-camping.gr; ) About 1km south of Agios Georgios Beach. The camping ground closest to town.
Plaka Camping ( 22850 42700; www.plakacamping.gr; ) At Plaka Beach, 6km south of town.
MIDRANGE
Pension Irene II ( 22850 23169; www.irenepension-naxos.com; s/d €60/70; ) Bright, clean rooms and a swimming pool have made this well-run place popular with a younger set.
Pension Sofi ( 22850 25593; www.pensionsofi.gr; s/d/tr €65/70/90; ) Hospitality is the rule at this family-run