Hotel Anixis

Hotel Anixis occupies a quiet spot within the medieval lanes of Naxos Town's Kastro district, the walled Venetian settlement that rises above the port. Rooms and suites look out over the Aegean and, depending on the floor, toward the Portara — the marble gateway of the unfinished Temple of Apollo that marks the entrance to Naxos harbour. The streets immediately around the hotel are closed to cars and motorbikes, which is worth noting if you're arriving by vehicle but invaluable once you're settled.

The address on Amfitritis Street puts you a short walk from the Catholic cathedral, the Archaeological Museum of Naxos, and the labyrinth of Venetian-era alleys that most visitors only glimpse from the port below.

What to Expect

Anixis is a small, independently owned property with a family-run feel. Rooms are described by guests consistently as spotlessly clean, and most have balconies or windows with direct sea views. Higher-category suites add additional space and an unobstructed sightline toward the Portara. The hotel also has a food and beverage offering — Google Places lists it as having a restaurant function alongside its lodging — though guests tend to use the property primarily as a base for exploring the Old Town's own dense concentration of tavernas and wine bars.

Solar energy is used for water heating, a detail noted by guests who prioritise sustainability. The property's rating of 4.7 from 143 Google reviews signals a reliably positive experience across a meaningful sample of stays.

How to Get There

Naxos Town (Chora) is the ferry hub for the island. Boats from Athens (Piraeus), Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini all dock at the main port, which is roughly a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Walk north along the waterfront promenade, then turn up into the Kastro quarter; the hotel sits near the old castle walls.

If you're arriving by car or rental vehicle, park near the port or along the main coastal road before the old town begins — the Kastro lanes are pedestrianised. From the airport (Naxos National Airport), a taxi takes around 10 minutes to reach Naxos Town. There is also a local KTEL bus service connecting the airport and various island villages to Chora.

Best Time to Visit

Naxos has a long tourist season running from late April through October. July and August bring the most visitors and the warmest temperatures (often above 30°C), with meltemi winds providing some relief. For a stay in the Old Town, June and September offer the best balance of warmth, open restaurants, and manageable crowds in the narrow Kastro alleys. Shoulder months — May and October — are quieter still and often cheaper, though some island-wide businesses operate reduced hours.

The hotel's proximity to the Portara makes it particularly well-placed for sunset: the monument is at its most dramatic in the hour before dark, and you can walk there from Anixis in under ten minutes.

Tips for Visiting

• Book ahead for July and August. The Kastro has a limited number of properties and rooms fill well in advance during peak season.
• Pack light for check-in. The pedestrianised lanes mean you'll carry luggage on foot from the nearest parking point; roller bags work on the cobblestones but a backpack is easier.
• Request a sea-view room explicitly when booking — not all rooms face the water, so confirm at reservation rather than on arrival.
• Use the hotel as a base for the Kastro. The Venetian Museum (Domus Della Rocca-Barozzi), the Catholic cathedral, and the Archaeological Museum are all within a five-minute walk.
• Confirm check-in timing. Reception hours run from 8:00 AM to 11:30 PM on Monday and 8:30 AM to 11:30 PM the rest of the week — factor this in if you're arriving on a late ferry.

What's Nearby

The Kastro district itself rewards slow exploration. The Archaeological Museum of Naxos, housed in a former Jesuit school just inside the castle, holds one of the best collections of Cycladic figurines in the Aegean. The Venetian loggia and several medieval tower-houses are visible within a few minutes' walk. Heading downhill toward the port, Naxos Town's main market street (Papavasiliou) is lined with shops selling local products — thyme honey, kitron liqueur distilled from citron leaves, and the island's aged graviera cheese. The beach at Agios Georgios, the closest swimming spot to the town centre, begins just south of the port, around a 15-minute walk from the hotel.