Despina's Rooms

Despina's Rooms occupies a building in the Old Market district of Naxos Town, roughly 10 metres from the entrance to the Venetian Castle and 80 metres from the port. It's one of the longer-running guesthouses on the island — a compact, family-run operation of ten rooms that has been receiving visitors for decades and earns a near-perfect rating from guests who value location and personal hospitality over resort-style amenities.

The setting alone justifies a look. You're inside the historic Kastro neighbourhood of Naxos Chora, surrounded by medieval alleyways, Venetian-era doorways, and whitewashed walls that have barely changed in centuries. The port, the Portara islet, and the main waterfront promenade are all under a minute's walk away.

What to Expect

The property has ten rooms split between two outlooks: some face the sea and offer views across to the Portara, the iconic marble gateway on the islet of Palatia; the rest look toward the Castle entrance. All rooms come with air conditioning, heating, and a private bathroom with shower. Room configurations cover double, triple, and four-bed options, which makes the place practical for small families or groups travelling together.

The atmosphere is deliberately homely rather than hotel-like. Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out at 11:00. The property opens 1 April and closes 31 October each year, so it is not available in the winter months.

How to Get There

Despina's Rooms is in the heart of Naxos Chora (Naxos Town), the island's main settlement on the west coast. If you're arriving by ferry, the guesthouse is an 80-metre walk from the port — carry your bags straight off the boat, turn into the Old Market lane heading toward the Castle, and you'll be there in under two minutes.

By car or taxi from Naxos Airport, the drive into Chora takes roughly 5–10 minutes. Parking in the old town itself is extremely limited; the nearest practical option is the waterfront car park along the port road. Once parked, the walk to the guesthouse is short. Buses from villages across the island arrive at the main bus terminal on the port, also within easy walking distance.

Best Time to Visit

The property is open April through October. Early April and late October offer the quietest conditions — lower rates, fewer crowds in the alleyways, and the town more or less to yourself. July and August are the peak weeks: the Old Town fills with visitors and the lanes around the Castle get genuinely busy by evening. If you want the convenience of this location without the high-season density, the second half of June or the first half of September tend to offer the best balance of good weather and manageable crowds.

For the rooms with sea views, sunrise over the Portara is visible from the window — worth factoring in if you're a light sleeper or an early riser.

The Location: Kastro and Old Market

The Venetian Castle of Naxos — known locally as the Kastro — was built by the Venetian duke Marco Sanudo in the 13th century and remains the defining landmark of the old town. The streets immediately around it, including the Old Market lane where Despina's Rooms sits, are some of the most historically intact in the Cyclades. The Archaeological Museum of Naxos is inside the Kastro itself. The Catholic Cathedral, several Venetian towers, and a handful of small churches are all within a few minutes on foot. The main waterfront with its tavernas, cafés, and shops runs along the port below.

Tips for Visiting

• Book early for July and August — ten rooms fill quickly, especially the sea-view options.
• Contact the property directly at [email protected] or +30 694 710 9091 to confirm availability and room type before arrival.
• Luggage with wheels can be awkward on the cobbled lanes; a soft bag or backpack is easier for the final approach.
• If you're arriving late by ferry, notify the property in advance — this is a small family operation, not a staffed front desk around the clock.
• The sea-view rooms catch the afternoon light; the Castle-facing rooms tend to be quieter at night.
• The surrounding lanes are pedestrian-only, so drop-off by taxi is at the edge of the old town near the port.