Avaton 1739

Avaton 1739 occupies one of the most historically loaded addresses in the Aegean. The café and wine bar sits within the stone walls of the Venetian Castle built by Marco Sanudo in 1207 — the same fortification that marked the founding of the Duchy of the Aegean — and directly above the Old Monastery and School of the Ursulines of Naxos. The name refers to the year 1739, anchoring the venue to the layered colonial and religious history of Kastro. Few places in the Cyclades let you have coffee and a glass of local wine while standing on that kind of ground.

The setting is the main draw, but Avaton 1739 has a strong following on its own merits. With a 4.7-star rating across more than 4,000 reviews, it consistently ranks among the most appreciated spots in Naxos Town — not because of novelty, but because the food, drinks, and atmosphere are executed well in a location that could easily coast on spectacle alone.

What to Expect

Avaton 1739 functions as a full all-day café and wine bar, opening for breakfast and running through evening cocktails. The menu draws on locally sourced, organic ingredients from small-scale Naxian producers — the island's own cheeses, cured meats, and seasonal vegetables show up across the dishes. The kitchen handles everything from morning meals and light bites to more substantial plates later in the day, with seafood and grilled options among the house specialties.

The wine list leans into Greek regional wines. Cocktails are available alongside the full café lineup — espresso, cold brew, and the usual range you'd want from a proper all-day spot. The interior follows the architecture of the old monastery: stone walls, compact but well-used space, with seating that spills toward the views of Naxos Town and the surrounding sea. The word "avaton" in Greek refers to a sacred, restricted space — the inner sanctuary of a monastery or temple — which gives the name both a historical and slightly atmospheric weight.

How to Get There

Avaton 1739 is in the Kastro quarter of Naxos Town (Chora), which sits on the hill above the main waterfront. The castle district is pedestrian-only, so driving directly to the door isn't possible. From the port or the main market street (Papavasileou), follow the stepped alleyways uphill toward the castle gate. The walk from the waterfront takes roughly 10 minutes on foot — the lanes are narrow and occasionally steep, but well-marked by foot traffic and signage.

Parking is available in the lots near the port or along the main road below Kastro. There is no bus that enters Kastro itself; the KTEL bus station on the port road serves as the drop-off point for most routes, after which you walk up.

Best Time to Visit

Avaton 1739 is an all-day venue, so timing depends on what you want from it. Breakfast and mid-morning are quieter, with good light for the views and a more relaxed pace. Late afternoon and early evening draw larger crowds, especially in July and August when the castle fills with visitors. Sunset from this elevation — looking west over the port, the Portara on the islet of Palatia, and the open sea — is genuinely worthwhile, and the café's elevated position means you catch it before the light drops below the horizon.

Shoulder season (May, June, September, October) offers shorter waits and cooler temperatures for sitting outside. In peak summer, arriving before 18:00 or after 21:00 gives you better odds of a seat without a long wait.

Tips for Visiting

• Walk up through the castle gate rather than trying to navigate by car — the lanes inside Kastro are pedestrian-only and will disorient a GPS.
• Book ahead or arrive early in summer. The venue's reputation and location mean it fills up, particularly at sunset.
• Ask about Naxian wine. Local Cycladic varietals don't always appear on generic island menus; this is a venue where asking about regional bottles will get a useful answer.
• Combine with a Kastro walk. The Venetian castle quarter has the Catholic Cathedral, the Della Rocca-Barozzi Tower, and the archaeological museum within a short radius — Avaton 1739 makes a natural start or end point.
• Check the website or Instagram before going for seasonal hours — the official opening hours were not available at time of writing and may vary by season.
• Bring a light layer in the evening. The castle elevation catches the sea breeze, which cools quickly after sunset even in midsummer.

History of the Site

The Kastro of Naxos was established in 1207 when the Venetian Marco Sanudo seized the island following the Fourth Crusade and founded the Duchy of the Archipelago. The fortification he built on the hilltop remains largely intact today — one of the best-preserved Venetian castle settlements in the Cyclades. Within those walls, the Ursuline nuns established their monastery and school, which educated generations of Naxian women during the Venetian and later Ottoman periods. The date 1739 in the café's name likely references a significant point in that institutional history. Avaton 1739 occupies this layered space without pretending it isn't there — the old stone, the vaulted ceilings, and the geography of the site are treated as part of the experience rather than mere backdrop.