Hotel SPHINX

Hotel Sphinx sits on Court Square (Plateia Protodikeiou) in the heart of Naxos Town — locally called Chora — a location that puts you within a few minutes' walk of the old port, the Venetian Kastro, and the main waterfront promenade. With a 4.5 out of 5 rating across 231 guest reviews, it consistently draws solid marks from travelers looking for a well-placed, characterful base in the island's capital.

The address alone is one of the hotel's strongest selling points. Court Square is one of Chora's calmer inland squares, a short walk back from the busy seafront but still central enough that you won't need transport for most of what makes Naxos Town worth visiting.

What to Expect

Hotel Sphinx is a small, independently owned property in a traditional Cycladic building in the old town. The location on Court Square means guests are surrounded by the whitewashed lanes, bougainvillea-draped walls, and café-lined alleys that define Chora's character. The Venetian Kastro neighborhood, with its medieval tower houses and the Catholic cathedral, is a five-minute walk uphill. The main waterfront — where the Portara islet is visible across the harbor — is roughly the same distance in the other direction.

As a smaller hotel in an old-town building, rooms vary in size and configuration; expect Cycladic-style interiors with white walls and simple furnishings rather than resort-scale amenities. The trade-off is the immediate access to Chora on foot, which larger beach-adjacent hotels can't offer.

How to Get There

From the ferry terminal: The port of Naxos Town is a 10–15 minute walk from Court Square. Exiting the ferry, head through the waterfront toward the old town and follow signs for the Kastro. Taxis are available at the port if you have heavy luggage.

By car or motorbike: Naxos Town is well-signed from the island's main road network. Court Square sits inside the old town where streets are narrow; park on the waterfront or in the public parking area near the port and walk in. Driving directly to the hotel entrance requires local knowledge of the one-way lanes.

By bus: The KTEL bus station in Naxos Town is close to the port, and most island routes terminate there. From the station, the hotel is a 10-minute walk inland.

By taxi: Taxis are available at the port and can be called on +30 2285 023811 if the hotel can assist with arrangements.

Best Time to Visit

Naxos Town is a year-round destination compared to smaller island villages, though the tourist season runs from late April through October. July and August are peak months — Chora fills up, accommodation books out early, and prices are at their highest. Booking Hotel Sphinx well in advance is essential for summer visits.

Shoulder season — May, June, and September — offers the best balance of warm weather, open restaurants and bars, and manageable crowds. The Aegean can be windy in March and April, but Naxos Town itself remains lively even outside peak season given its status as the island's main hub.

For the hotel's immediate surroundings, early mornings in the old town are particularly good — Chora's lanes are quiet before the day-trippers arrive from cruise ships and the beach resorts.

Tips for Visiting

• Book direct or early for summer. A 4.5-star rating with 231 reviews means this property fills up. Contact the hotel via the official website or by phone at +30 2285 023811 to check availability.
• Request a room with a view if it matters to you. Buildings in the old town vary in height and orientation; ask about views toward the harbor or the Kastro when booking.
• No car needed for Chora. Staying on Court Square gives you walkable access to the waterfront, market street, Kastro, and most restaurants. Consider whether you want a vehicle only for beach day trips.
• Pack light for check-in. The narrow lanes of Chora are not accessible by car; you'll carry luggage a short distance from wherever you park.
• Use the hotel as a base for day trips. The KTEL bus from the port serves Filoti, Apeiranthos, Halki, and the main west-coast beaches — all reachable without a rental car.

What's Nearby

Court Square's central position in Chora puts several of Naxos's key sites within walking distance. The Portara — the iconic marble gateway of the unfinished Temple of Apollo — is visible from the waterfront five minutes away. The Venetian Kastro, a 13th-century fortified quarter with its own museum and Catholic cathedral, is a short uphill walk. The main market street (Papavasiliou) running through Chora has shops selling Naxian products: local graviera cheese, kitron liqueur made from citron leaves, and Naxian thyme honey. The Archaeological Museum of Naxos, housed inside the Kastro, is also within easy walking distance.

For beaches, the closest is Agios Georgios, a sandy town beach about 10–15 minutes on foot from the old town. Longer stretches at Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna are a short bus or taxi ride south.