Arrival on Santorini and travel to Naxos (CNW01)
Your trip starts at Santorini airport. You’ll be met by a taxi driver who will hand you the boat tickets and bring you to the port for your ferry to Naxos. Departure normally is at 16:00, arrival in Naxos port will be 18:30.
In Naxos port you’ll be met and taken to your hotel. If you wish, you can make a short afternoon walk to the Chrisostomos monastery starting from the port. This way you’ll get to know the town and will be able to admire the great views over Chora whilst stretching your legs.
If your flight is scheduled to arrive past 13:00, you’ll first stay on Santorini and then on Naxos.
walking time/distance: 1h30’ / 4,4km
ascent/descent: 130m
start/finish: Naxos town (Chora)
Walk Chalki-kouroi-Melanes-(Galanado/Chalki) (CNW02)
You’ll go by public bus or taxi to Chalki in the heart of the Tragea plain. From here you’ll explore the fertile countryside of central Naxos, with olive groves and a rich vegetation. Some olive trees are over a thousand years old!
You walk on cobbled paths along the Venetian fortress (Ano Kastro) situated about 100 altimeters above you. You may make a detour to the fortress from the Panteleïmon chapel (not waymarked). You proceed to an ancient marble quarry where you’ll find a 10 meter high Kouros statue, dating back to the 6th century BC.
The walk ends in the nearby village Melanes from where you can take a taxi or public bus back to the hotel. You may also continue your walk along the village Potamia to Galanado or along Potamia and Ano Kastro back to Chalki.
walking time/distance: 3h30’ / 10km (Galanado: 4h30’ / 14km; circular: 7h / 19km)
ascent/descent: 130m (Galanado: 300m; rondwandeling 400m)
start/finish: Chalki / Melanes or Galanado or Chalki
Walk Kinidaros-Eggares (CNW03)
You take the public bus or a taxi to Kinidaros, the village with the most dancers and singers on Naxos. From the square you leave the village ascending by paved steps and a short stretch of asphalt road. Then you descend by country roads and paved paths past an old marble quarry.
At the river you leave the road and continue through the lush green valley. You’ll pass some watermill ruins, a stone arched bridge and a romantic pool with terrapins. Also you’ll see an old four-arched aquaduct and the Pradouna tower.
The walk ends in the village Eggares, where you’ll find several tavernas and shops for your lunch. Next to the impressive church is a restored olive press which you may visit, with a shop for olive products and an outdoor café. From here you return to the hotel by taxi or public bus.
walking time/distance: 2h45’ / 7km
ascent/descent: 60m / 445m
start/finish: Kinidaros / Eggares
Walk Filoti-summit Zas-Apiranthos (CNW04)
Today you’ll take another public bus or taxi to the village Filoti where your walk starts. The village is built on the slopes of Mount Zas or Zeus, with 1000m altitude the highest on the island. From the village you gradually ascend towards the summit; it’s not a difficult walk and you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Naxos and the surrounding islands.
You descend by the same path until the asphalt road and the Agia Marina chapel. From there you take a path towards the Fotodotis monastery, which looks more like a fortress. Even if you find it closed, it’s a lovely place for a break.
Through flowery and agricultural fields you continue to Apiranthos, a lovely town with various cafés for food and drinks. From there you take the public bus or a taxi back to the hotel.
You can shorten the walk by skipping the summit Zas. From Apiranthos you may extend the walk and return to Filoti along the slopes of the Fanari mountain; this challenging route requests a gps.
walking time/distance: 5h / 12km (without Zas: 2h30’ / 6,5km; circular: 7h / 17km)
ascent/descent: 650m / 500m (without Zas: 250m / 100m; circular: 900m)
start/finish: Filoti / Apiranthos (or Filoti)
Walk Perissa-Old Thira-Akrotiri (CSW02)
You’ll be taken to Perissa at the foot of the Profitis Ilias, with 675 altimeter the highest summit of the island. By an old path you ascend to the saddle with the parking lot for the archeological site Old Thira. This part is one of the very few places that pre-dates the devastating volcanic eruption of 1600 BC. You may visit the site before you proceed.
You continue the ascent by an old path through the light-weight volcanic pumice At the highest point the path ends near the Profitis Ilias monastery, certainly worth a visit. The courtyard with its spring is a lovely spot for a break with spectaculair views.
The old path now descends towards the picturesque villages Pyrgos and Emporio. You walk through the volcanic landscape along vineyards and windmills and finally reach Akrotiri. There are several possibilities to shorten the walk.
walking time/distance: 5h30’ / 13,4km
ascent/descent: 570m / 555
start/finish: Perissa / Akrotiri
Walk Fira-Oia (CSW03)
By public bus you travel to Fira, the current capital of the island. Your walk is short, so you have ample time to explore the narrow alleyways of this whitewashed town, built on top of the volcanic cliffs. The museum of Prehistoric Thira and the Archeological museum are also worth a visit.
Then you take the famous cliff path to Merovigli. You might make a small detour to the Theoskepasti chapel on a rock in sea. From Merovigli you’ll walk past a couple of luxuary hotels and then again on the old cliff path to Oia. The views over the lagoog and spectacular steef cliffs is fabulous. You’ll pass a couple of chapels and then you’ll reach Oia. Time for a drink and dwelling in the small streets, awaiting your transport back to the hotel.
walking time/distance: 3h / 10,3km
ascent/descent: 300m / 400m
start/finish: Fira / Oia
Walk Akrotiri archeological site and Red Beach (CSW04)
From Akrotiri you’ll walk south to the archeological site of Akrotiri, the “Greek Pompeï” that reopend in 2012 after it had been closed for many years. Do take time to visit the building, for it’s certainly worth while!
Then you walk on to the Red Beach and then the Black Beach. Past these beaches you ascend again through one of the most authentic parts of Santorini: Loumarades. The last part of the tour takes you through vineyards and along terraces back to Akrotiri. You pass the Venetian fortress in the village before you reach your hotel.
walking time/distance: 2h30’ / 7,3km
ascent/descent: 240m
start/finish: Akrotiri
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