The Temple of Apollo – Portara
The Temple of Apollo – Portara
The Temple of Apollo – Portara
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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- Andrew BNew York City, New York19 contributionsBeautiful SunsetAn absolutely beautiful sunset, but you will have to share it with half of the people in Naxos. You will need to do some reading on your own because there are no plaques to describe what you are looking at or what the history entails. You can no longer go up to the temple itself but can still get very close and appreciate the history. There is about a 5-10 minute walk from the port and stairs to get you to the temple. This is by no means a hike or anything more than the temple itself. Overall somewhat underwhelming in comparison to some of the other ancient Greek monuments and temples but absolutely worth seeing at sunset if you are on the island of Naxos.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 26, 2024
- TBManchester, United Kingdom23 contributionsAmazing viewsWe visited here in the early afternoon at peak season and we had the place entirely to ourselves. The location offers amazing views over Naxos Chora and the Agean. As for the temple itself, there is no historical information or anything like that, but I think that’s a positive… it really feels quite secluded and hidden despite it being the most popular attraction on the island.Visited July 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 17, 2024
- KingBudThe Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, United Kingdom216 contributionsReally calm and great viewsExcellent experience. Short walk and talk the right hand path (takes you up slightly further and nicer view) and come down LHS. Lovey view back over Naxos. Well worth the walkVisited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten August 7, 2024
- Andrew M24 contributionsFantastic locationYou don’t need a guide to visit and it’s a free attraction. Having visited Oia in Santorini’s a few days earlier- this is a far superior sunset location. Fantastic setting without the vast crowds of people ( although it can get busy) Also a lot cheaper here in Naxos compared with Santorini’s and the cruise ships fortunately don’t visit.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 18, 2024
- Lori MCalifornia1,984 contributionsconvenient and beautiful ancient ruinmy favorite place to visit on Naxos... it's so convenient, easily accessible and free. low effort to see an ancient ruin. the bus from Agios Prokopios drops you right at the terminus station, which is adjacent to the ruin. got great pictures even though we didn't go during sunset. It was windy so that wasn't helpful but we still really enjoyed walking around the Portara. There was no signage there - so what - look it up on your phone!Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 29, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Dave M
Manchester, UK73 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
This is the "over hyped sunset spot" in Naxos. My advice is to go and have a look at the ruins (it'll take around 5 mins) and take photos from a distance when sunset falls. Hundreds of tourists flock there from 7.30pm and it becomes completely over run.
Written August 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia19,450 contributions
Sep 2021
The Portara - Gate dates back to 6-7 c BC when tyrant Lygdamis began building a Temple which was supposed to be larger than Zeus' in Athens. The construction began on a tiny islet of Palatia dedicated to God Apollo, but was never completed as it was stopped after the tyrant's fall.
Today, we can only see the Temple foundations and the Gate to it - the iconic Portara.
Naxos is very famous for its marble, and it was shipped and used for many buildings, both private and Temples, on the nearby Delos island which is an absolute must to see. Later, in the medieval era, parts of the Portara and the Temple foundations were used by the Venetians to build other buildings in Naxos, among others the Castle which rises above the town.
Portara is reachable on foot, around 10 min walk via a causeway from Naxos town. Terrific panorama of Naxos town from it, but it gets very crowded at sunset.
Today, we can only see the Temple foundations and the Gate to it - the iconic Portara.
Naxos is very famous for its marble, and it was shipped and used for many buildings, both private and Temples, on the nearby Delos island which is an absolute must to see. Later, in the medieval era, parts of the Portara and the Temple foundations were used by the Venetians to build other buildings in Naxos, among others the Castle which rises above the town.
Portara is reachable on foot, around 10 min walk via a causeway from Naxos town. Terrific panorama of Naxos town from it, but it gets very crowded at sunset.
Written November 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irish_Lights_Up
Dublin, Ireland152 contributions
Oct 2019
You will see this feature from all over Hora, but make sure to go down and visit it at sunset one evening. It can be a bit crowded and the instagram addicts can be a bit intrusive. Still, nothing will take away from the experience.
Written September 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raja N
Geneva, Switzerland94 contributions
Aug 2020
This is a temple dedicated to Apollo, the Greek God of healing, medicine, archery, music, poetry and the sun. This temple is on an islet in Naxos town and worth a visit, especially to watch the sunset which is a beautiful sight, when seen through the 'frame'. One of the must dos when visiting Naxos.
Written September 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrea1704
Florence, Italy86 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
Clearly it is not among the highest archaeological attractions in Greece. The fact is that it is an extremely characteristic monument. Note in favor you can easily reach it, it is located at the hill that grants a wonderful view of the coast and the city of Naxos. Note against if you plan to go to see the sunset, which of course Recommendation, do not arrive at the last second because the hill becomes a river of people huddled to take the classic histagrammable photograph with the sun inside the door. Nice for heaven's sake but seeing people risking a fight over two pictures is not exactly the best.
Automatically translated
Written September 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sus1952
Palmerston North, New Zealand2,119 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
The temple is certainly iconic in Naxos and is beautifully illuminated at night. It’s worth walking around the temple ruins for the view over the town and port. However, there really isn’t much there other than the famous arch.
Written June 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aveou
Athens, Greece54 contributions
Sep 2022
You can view the ruins from afar and the pictures to be taken are fantastic. It's amazing to even think how the ancient Greeks carried each 20-ton stone to its place and to get there is also majestic. Can you even imagine the time?
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phat_dawg_21
Alpharetta, GA16,976 contributions
Sep 2021
What was once the doorway to an unfinished temple is now the world’s biggest picture frame.
This is an easy walk up the hill from the harbor. Not much left of the temple but you get the idea of what it would have been.
Nice views of the town and harbor from up on the hill.
This is an easy walk up the hill from the harbor. Not much left of the temple but you get the idea of what it would have been.
Nice views of the town and harbor from up on the hill.
Written November 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NitzRaph
New York City, NY22 contributions
Aug 2022
Likely the first thing you will notice in all of Naxos - directly north/west of the main city.
There were 2-3 year olds up top with their parents so not a hard hike to the top.
Not only is this a beautiful site, but sits alongside stunning open water clear waters where people are enjoying the sea. You will likely take some amazing and memorable photos here.
There were 2-3 year olds up top with their parents so not a hard hike to the top.
Not only is this a beautiful site, but sits alongside stunning open water clear waters where people are enjoying the sea. You will likely take some amazing and memorable photos here.
Written August 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geoff H
Sissinghurst, UK17,452 contributions
Jun 2022
Standing at the entrance to Naxos port is thismassive marble gate which was to be part of tyhe temple of Apollo. Building of the temple started in the 6th century BC but was never finished and, looking at the size of this gate, it would have been an immense building. Even though the gateway is easily seen from Naxos town, it is certainly worth walking over the causeway just to appreciate its massive size.
Written August 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are you allowed to climb on the ruins? Would it be possible to propose to my girlfriend underneath the Temple of Apollo in September?
Written July 21, 2023
The ruined temple gateway is fenced off. You could not actually stand in the gateway. You could get to within a few metres of it. It would be a very romantic place even so - good luck!
Written July 22, 2023
Are you allowed to climb on the ruins? Would it be possible to propose to my girlfriend underneath the Temple of Apollo in September?
Written July 21, 2023
Hello, do you think it's possible to ride ATV's to the location of the Portara? My bf and I are staying at Hotel Naxos Resort and I am trying to figure out if our best option is to hike there, or ride the ATV's. Not up the cliff obvi, but just to get there. Did you guys see/ come across other people doing this?
Written July 11, 2019
Hi yes I'm sure you will be able to park nearby before walking up the steps to Portara. Enjoy your trip!
Written July 12, 2019
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