KRITIKOS

Kritikos is a local supermarket on Sokratous Papavasiliou street in Naxos Town, positioned near the 2nd Gymnasium of Naxos in the residential part of the town, a short distance from the waterfront bustle of the port area. If you're self-catering, stocking up a rental kitchen, or simply need household supplies without trekking to a large out-of-town retailer, it's a practical stop.

What to Expect

Kritikos operates as a neighbourhood grocery store covering the everyday range: fresh and packaged food, dairy, bread, drinks, cleaning products, and household essentials. As a locally rooted business rather than a national chain, the selection tends to reflect what residents actually need day-to-day. You're likely to find Naxos-produced items alongside standard grocery staples — the island is known for its potatoes, cheese (graviera and arseniko), and fresh produce, and local supermarkets typically stock these alongside national brands. The store is compact by mainland standards, which means quicker shopping rather than wandering warehouse aisles.

With only a small number of reviews recorded, Kritikos sits outside the high-traffic tourist circuit — which for many visitors is exactly the point. No queues of sunburned holidaymakers, just a working neighbourhood shop.

How to Get There

The supermarket is located at Sokratous Papavasiliou 30, near the 2nd Gymnasium (secondary school) of Naxos. From the central plateia (main square) of Naxos Town, head inland and uphill into the residential streets — the walk takes around 10 minutes on foot. By car or scooter, parking in this part of town is easier than near the waterfront; street parking is generally available on the surrounding residential roads. There is no dedicated parking lot indicated at this address, so arrive a few minutes early if you're driving. The location is not served by a specific bus stop directly outside, but Naxos Town is small enough that most areas are walkable from the port.

Best Time to Visit

As with most local grocery shops in the Cyclades, mid-morning on weekdays is the calmest window for shopping. August afternoons can see more foot traffic across Naxos Town generally, so earlier in the day is preferable if you're visiting in peak summer. Greek shops commonly observe an afternoon break (mesimeri) during summer months, typically between roughly 2pm and 5pm, though specific hours for Kritikos are not confirmed — worth checking locally or via Google Maps before making a special trip.

Tips for Visiting

• Bring a reusable bag; plastic bags at Greek supermarkets are charged by law.
• Cash is widely used in smaller Naxos shops, though most now accept cards — having a small amount on hand is sensible.
• If you're after Naxos-specific products like graviera cheese or local potatoes, ask staff rather than searching independently — they'll point you to the relevant shelf quickly.
• The address sits near a school, so school-run times (roughly 8–8:30am and 1:30–2pm) may affect street parking availability on weekdays.
• For a larger one-stop shop covering alcohol, a wider product range, or bulk items, Naxos Town also has larger supermarkets closer to the main road — Kritikos suits smaller, quicker shops.

What's Nearby

The 2nd Gymnasium of Naxos is the immediate landmark. The broader Naxos Town (Chora) is within easy walking distance, including the Venetian kastro, the archaeological museum, and the port-front cafes and bakeries along the harbour. If you're combining grocery shopping with sightseeing, the Old Town's narrow marble-paved lanes are a ten-minute walk west from this neighbourhood.