Places To Visit In Greece — Apeiranthos

Apeiranthos is one of many places to visit in Greece, but it is also one very few have discovered. I for one had never heard of it before.

It is a small village on the island of Naxos located in the mountains with magnificent views. It also is not visited by the normal flux of tourists so it is much more isolated and peaceful.

Its marble walkways and unique architecture present a very tranquil setting on the foothill of the mountain, Fanari.

The village is the second largest on the Cycladic island of Naxos.

 

 

Apeiranthos, Greece — A Bit of History

Historians have speculated that the village was constructed by Cretans back in the tenth (10th) century. There are definite similarities in traditions and dialects between the Cretan villages and Apeiranthos.

The Italian traveler, Cristoforo, provided the first historical evidence of the existence of Apeiranthos in 1420.

More information on this village and part of the world can be gathered at the various museums there. These include the Museum of Natural History, The Museum of Folk Art, the Archaeological Museum of Apeiranthos, and the Geological Museum.

A Few Interesting Facts 

• it has a population of approximately 1024
• it has many remnants of the Venetian era
• the dialect of the village differs from others on the island as well as its customs and traditions
• the village is not similar at all to the other Cycladic islands
• it is the home of Manolis Glezos who was very active in the resistance during World War II. He took down the Flag of Nazi Germany from the Acropolis during the Axis occupation of Greece, along with Lakis Santas.
• the altitude of the village is 600 meters (1968 feet)
• the architecture of the homes, stone-built, and wood, has been preserved since the Venetian era with its defense towers, two-story stone houses, and narrow marble-paved mule tracks with archways
• the original inhabitants were a mix of Asia Minor and Crete
• at the entrance of the village built on a rock is the Tower of Zevgoli built in the 17th century
• one of the most significant monuments in the Balkans is the Church of Agia Kyriaki from the 9th-century period of Iconoclasm
• it is the only village on the island that is entirely built on the slopes of the mountain (Fanari)
• it has many traditional festivals throughout the years including the Apeiranthos Festival in August
• there are several wineries producing exceptional local wines
• another church dating back to the 16th century is the Church of Panagia Drossiani
• hiking is a popular activity with numerous trails leading to the mountain peaks
• it also has a number of archaeological sites as well as the ruins of an ancient temple that is dedicated to the goddess Demeter
  
• the village has a cafe, pharmacy, mini-markets, and taverns
• you get to Naxos either by a flight or ferry from Athens or ferry from one of the neighboring islands

What to do in Apeiranthos

* Hiking — surrounded by spectacular nature there are several trails in the area that range from easy to difficult. A great experience is to hike up to Mount Zeus, the highest elevation in the Cyclades (1003 meters/3290 feet), and catch the stunning landscapes of Naxos.

* Boat Trip — the village is located near many beautiful islands in the Cyclades. Enjoy the stunning views when exploring the nearby islands. A day of sailing will be great to explore the neighboring islands of Schoinoussa and Koufonissi Iraklia; plenty of time for swimming and snorkeling in the Aegean Sea.

* Check Out the Village — easy to explore by foot as you wander down the narrow streets and take in the fabulous architecture. Visit the cafes and local shops and enjoy the local culture.

* Wine Tasting — sample the local wines at several of the nearby wineries. Apeiranthos has some of the best wines in Naxos.

* Museums — learn about the history of the village at the Archaeological Museum of Apeiranthos with its collection of artifacts from ancient and medieval periods.

* Monastery of Panagia Drossiani — on the slope of Mount Zas it is the most religious site in Naxos. This is where you can learn much about the culture and history of the island.

* Nightlife — there are several bars and clubs that have a very vibrant nightlife scene. Enjoy music and drinks into the early morning hours. Swing Cocktail Bar is one of the local favorites as well as Like Home Bar. Locals and visitors come together at The Ocean Club for a night of partying and dancing.

* Beaches — the village is located near many of the best beaches in Naxos. Relax in the sun and swim in the crystal clear waters. At Alyko Beach you get to swim in an oasis in the middle of a cedar forest. Not many people know about this small creek with its turquoise waters. Many of the beaches in Naxos have beach bars and great places to watch the sunset.

* Bust Tours — day-long tours are available to take you around the island to check out the scenery and local villages. One interesting tour is the Cultural Food Tasting Tour.

* Cruises — there are several short cruises available around the islands including the Santorini All-Inclusive Luxury Catamaran Small Group Cruise, from Mykonos the Delos & Rhenia Islands Boat Trip with BBQ, and from Naxos the Rina Cave and South of Naxos Cruise with Lunch.

* Folklore Museum of Apeiranthos — a collection of items that give you a good idea of what life was like here down through the ages. Each object tells a story and many of them have been restored. The items range from cookery to clothing as well as tools to toys.

* Local Cuisine — the island is well-known for its local produce including its cheeses and potatoes. Its Gruyere cheese is exceptional. There are many local dishes to enjoy including Patoudo (lamb stuffed with herbs, liver, and rice), Rosto (pork cooked with garlic and wine), and Kalogeros (braised beef with cheese and eggplant). The local liqueur is Kitro, a delicious aperitif. You can also take a Naxos Organic Cooking Class at a local home and enjoy a Greek feast. The class is about 2 1/2 hours and you will prepare a 3-course meal while enjoying Greek coffee, homemade cookies, and fresh fruit. The class also includes a visit to the Naxos Folklore Museum.

* Portara — this popular archaeological site is a very large marble gate of a temple built around the 6th century in honor of the god Apollo, Portara. Located on the north end of Naxos, it is an excellent place to catch the sunset over the Aegean Sea.

* The village of Halki — a traditional village on the plateau of Traglia and a vital commercial setting in prior years, you will discover much history and tradition with neoclassical houses and beautiful towers.

* Temple of Demeter and Apollo — located in Sangri on top of a small hill, it was constructed in the 6th century. Demeter was the goddess of agriculture. There is also a small museum on the site.

* Horseback Riding — a fun way to explore the island of Naxos is on horseback. Riding along the beach or through the mountains will be a most memorable experience. The Naxos Horse Riding Club will provide all you need to have a wonderful adventure.

* Visit a Medieval Castle — built in the 13th century by Marco Sanudo, the castle, in addition to being an administrative and military hub, was a residential center as well as used for educational and religious activities.

* Roman Cathedral of Naxos — located within the walls of the castle, this 13th-century structure is still operational for religious services. In this Catholic, Cathedral is the coat of arms of several prominent local noble families.

 

 

Why Visit Apeiranthos

It’s beautiful, not overly crowded, and has friendly locals with whom to interact and learn their culture.

Being off the beaten path from the usual tourist crowd it offers a great opportunity to relax, enjoy the area, and experience some wonderful scenery.

Throughout the island of Naxos, there are many traditional villages as well as beautiful beaches. The food is outstanding and there is plenty to do with many outdoor activities such as kite surfing, windsurfing, hiking, and visiting the archaeological sites.

There are a variety of options for accommodations in Apeiranthos from a lovely inn to apartments and homes.

With over 2,000 islands as part of the Greek archipelago, there are numerous choices for a vacation.

Crete is a quite popular choice among visitors with its lovely beaches, historical sites, delicious food, and seaside villages. But it is a very large island and takes quite a few days to take everything in. Plus it has many tourists.

On the other hand, there is an island with these same fabulous qualities in a much smaller venue and with a lot less tourist activity. And that island is Naxos and Apeiranthos is a wonderful choice from which to base all activities.

Although Apeiranthos is a year-round destination, May through October provides the most sunshine and warm weather with July and August being the busiest and most expensive.

This is a wonderful place to visit as it has great beaches, historical sites, gourmet restaurants, and gorgeous landscapes all at an affordable price.

Enjoy your travels and give Naxos and Apeiranthos serious consideration for a future destination.

Joseph William

P.S. Travel and enjoy creating an online business based on your unique talent and skills. CLICK HERE for all the Info!Click above for Online Marketing information