The coastline of Naxos is abrupt on the south side and more sheltered to the west, with numerous inlets and sandy beaches. The island is first heard of in the myths and then mentioned throughout every period of history, though it was at the peak of its glory during the period of the Cycladic civilisation.

Naxos city ("Hora" in Greek) stands on a naturally amphitheatrically site on a hillside on the north-west side of the island and is one of the most attractive towns in the Cyclades. As the visitor walks from the harbour high up to the Venetian castle, he will be struck by the beauty of the narrow winding lanes and the old stone houses lining them.

Interesting monuments from various periods are to be found all over the town, such as Byzantine churches, the castle itself (with its tower and battlements) and traces of Mycenaean buildings in the area known as Grota. The Archaeological Museum of Naxos has many notable exhibits. Given that traces of Greek antiquity are to be seen everywhere, each part of the island has something of interest. Near the pretty coastal village of Apollonas, for instance - on the north side of the island - is a half-finished outsize Kouros (statue of a youth), the most popular and notable of this period, dating from the 6th century BC, still lying in the marble quarry where it was abandoned. Another such statue can be seen at Melanes.