Pantopoleio "Voula"/ Mini market "VOULA"

Apirathos is one of the most distinctive villages on Naxos — a marble-paved, Venetian-influenced settlement in the island's mountainous interior, roughly 30 kilometres from Naxos Town. When you're up here exploring the alleyways and the small folk museums, Mini Market Voula is the practical stop for picking up water, snacks, or anything else you need before continuing along the Epar.Od. Naxou-Apiranthou road.

With a 4.6 rating from over 50 Google reviews, this small convenience store clearly earns the trust of both locals and visitors passing through the central Naxos highlands.

What to Expect

Pantopoleio Voula — "pantopoleio" being the Greek word for a general store — is a compact shop stocking everyday grocery essentials. Expect fresh and packaged goods, cold drinks, water, basic dairy, bread, snacks, household items, and the kinds of supplies that matter when you're a long way from the larger supermarkets down in Naxos Town or Filoti. It's the sort of neighbourhood shop that keeps mountain-village life running, and it's useful for self-catering visitors staying in the area or hikers doing the trails around Apirathos and Koronos.

The address places it directly on the provincial road (Epar.Od.) connecting Naxos Town to Apirathos, making it easy to spot as you arrive in or depart from the village.

How to Get There

Apirathos sits in the central-eastern highlands of Naxos, accessed via the main inland road from Naxos Town. By car, follow the signs toward Filoti and then continue on toward Apirathos — the drive takes approximately 40–45 minutes from Naxos Town and the road is well-maintained but winding in places. Mini Market Voula is on the Epar.Od. Naxou-Apiranthou, the main road into the village, so it's straightforward to locate on arrival.

KTEL buses run from Naxos Town to Apirathos, though service frequency is limited — check the current KTEL Naxos schedule before relying on public transport for a return trip. If you're on foot or cycling within the village, the store is accessible from the main street.

Parking along the provincial road near the village entrance is generally possible, though space is limited in high season.

Best Time to Visit

Mini Market Voula is open every day of the week from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, which makes it reliably accessible whether you're an early starter heading into the mountains or returning from an afternoon walk. Apirathos itself is busiest with day-trippers in July and August; if you're shopping mid-morning on a summer weekend, expect the village to be lively. Early morning visits are quieter and cooler, which matters in the heat of August at any altitude.

For travellers staying in the area, the consistent daily hours mean you don't need to plan around a mid-afternoon closure.

Tips for Visiting

• Stock up before heading further east. If you're continuing toward Koronos, Koronida, or the northeastern villages, options become increasingly sparse — Voula is a sensible last stop.
• Bring cash. Small village stores across Naxos often prefer or exclusively use cash; card acceptance is not guaranteed.
• Call ahead if you have specific needs. The phone number is +30 2285 061369 — useful if you're planning a hiking day and want to confirm a specific item is available.
• Combine with the village. Apirathos has several small museums (folklore, geology, natural history) and well-preserved marble lanes worth at least an hour of exploration. The store is a natural start or end point for that visit.
• Cold drinks in summer. The refrigerated section, standard in Greek convenience stores, makes this a good stop for chilled water or soft drinks after walking the village in summer heat.

What's Nearby

Apirathos is surrounded by some of the most rewarding inland scenery on Naxos. The village itself is architecturally striking — largely built from the local marble — and its elevated position offers views toward the eastern coastline. The road onward to Moutsouna on the east coast descends sharply and connects to quieter beaches less visited than those on the western shore. Hikers also use Apirathos as a base for trails toward Mount Koronos and the broader Naxos trail network. For a fuller supply run, Filoti — the largest village in the Naxos interior — is about 8 kilometres back toward Naxos Town and has additional shops and tavernas.