Eggares Olive Oil Museum

Explore the wonders of Naxos island on this guided bus. Visit the valley of Gyroula and the marble quarries of Apollonas. Stop at the villages of Chalki, Apiranthos, and Damalas along the way. Start with a pickup from a variety of locations on Naxos and first travel to the green valley of Gyroula. You will visit the marble temple of the Goddess Demeter, one of the most important ancient monuments on the island. The next stop will be the tiny village of Damalas. Learn everything about the old procedures of olive oil production at a restored olive press museum. Afterward, visit a traditional workshop of a third-generation potter and know the secrets of his art dating back to ancient Greece. Continue to Chalki, an ancient commercial center and a place of beautiful Venetian architecture. You will have approximately 50’ free time to explore by yourselves. Don’t miss the oldest distillery of the island – Vallindras distillery - located right in the middle of the village, the sophisticated ceramic art galleries and the cozy shops with souvenirs and local products. Next, make a long stop (approx. 1,5 hours) at the famous village of Apiranthos located at the foot of Fanari mountain. Admire the beautiful views of Venetian Towers, marbled alleys, cozy tavernas, verandas, and traditional shops. Here, you will have free time for lunch – it is highly recommended to taste the local recipes of “rosto” and “kalogiros”. Driving past Koronos village and the famous emery mines, you will reach Apollonas. Get free time at the picturesque fishing village to go for a quick dip and enjoy a coffee or desert by the seaside. End your tour with a visit to the infamous “Kouros”, an unfinished marble Statue of 11 meters, lying in the same spot for more than 2500 years! Drive along the west coast, one of the most beautiful routes on the island with an amazing view of the ocean, and be returned to your pickup point.

Meet your guide at Naxos Bus Transfer Office, right outside Naxos Port and drive directly to your first stop, Demeter’s Temple. Admire the impressive restored sanctuary, take amazing pictures and visit the small on site museum. Next stop will be Chalki village, the old capital and commercial center of Naxos. Get free time (approx. 40’) to explore its colorful alleys, shop unique souvenirs, visit the distillery of “Vallindras” or just enjoy a coffee at one of its cozy cafes. Continue driving through old olive groves and reach Panagia Drosiani, a church of unique architectural style devoted to Virgin Mary- considered among the oldest in the Balkans! Here you will make a short stop to take pictures and if the church is open, also pay a quick visit to admire its unique frescoes. Outside Kinidaros village you will make a short stop by the road to photoshoot the contemporary marble quarries before you reach Flerio valley. Walk through its lush gardens and meet the Kouros Statue, one of the most striking examples of Naxian marble art. The restored olive press museum in Eggares is the best way to end your tour! You will learn about the century-old procedure of olive oil production, as well as taste samples of olive ingredient delicacies. *On Tuesdays and on the 1st of May the Temple of Demeter is closed and instead you will visit the village of Filoti. Walk to its central church and learn the touching story of its construction followed by a short visit to the neighboring folklore museum.

To start, wander amidst ancient olive groves, canes, and fragrant citrus orchards as you bask in the natural splendor of Melanes Valley. Your journey through time kicks off at the awe-inspiring Kouros statue a marvel of ancient marble craftsmanship that'll whisk you away to a bygone era. It can include an optional 15’ hike up the hill for the 2nd Kouros and a breathtaking view of modern day queries and the surrounding areas. Next, it's on to the enchanting Eggares valley, famously hailed by the prolific Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis as the earthly embodiment of paradise. But that's not all – delve into Naxos' agricultural heritage at a stone mill olive press. Get up close and personal with the ancient fascinating olive oil production process and delectable olive oil/products tastings - a real treat for the senses. Your adventure continues with an exclusive visit to a hidden local farm, off-limits to the public. Witness the magic of authentic Naxian farm life, from milking to cheese-making (season permitting). And when it's time to satisfy your taste buds, you'll find yourself at a charming traditional tavern, indulging in a cheese, vegetables and wine tasting experience. Yes, you'll be savoring the very products you witnessed being crafted – pure, authentic Naxian flavors. Then, as you make your leisurely journey back, savor the breathtaking Aegean archipelago views and pedal alongside the Aegean Sea, letting the wealth of knowledge acquired on this unforgettable adventure wash over you. *Wind permitting tour can be extended with a short swim in an unknown beach closeby.

You’ll start your hike at Kinidaros, a scenic village nestled amid marble quarries towering over it. At one time or another, most of the village men have been quarrymen but Kinidaros is famous for a completely different trait: Music! For the Kinidaros locals music comes first. Most of them are skilled musicians, everyone plays an instrument (or two or three), and everyone keeps the Cycladic folk music tradition alive and well. You’ll leave Kinidaros behind to walk on a dirt trail which gives you the opportunity to gaze at the awesome marble quarries from a distance. The dirt trail turns into a cobblestoned path that takes you all the way down to the river. The views of the nearby mountains as they blend with the deep blue of the Aegean, the lush greenery that awaits you below, the path itself which actually traverses a small ravine cannot be beaten. As soon as you reach the riverbanks, the landscape changes completely. The 18th-century, double-arch, stone bridge known as Mill of Hadji stands guard over everything and once you’ve walked past it towards the riverbank, you’ll notice the difference: the air is cooler, shady spots abound, and vegetation is rioting next to abandoned watermills, lagoons, and small waterfalls, while crabs and water turtles make their way at the water’s edge next to oleander bushes and plane trees. A little later, the trail takes you past the serene, small, country church of Aghios Georgios in the fertile Lagada area and a majestic four-arch water mill. You continue making your way surrounded by plane trees and reed beds until you reach the 18th-century tower of the Pradouna Elders. At that point, you enter the traditional farm settlement of Mesa Geitonia. Last, the trail takes you to Eggares, an old, quiet farming village in the embrace of a fertile plain where you’ll have the chance to visit one of Naxos’s oldest remaining olive mills: recently renovated, the Eggares Olive Press dates back to at least the late 1800s when it pressed locally-grown olives for the village community. At Eggares, we’ll share a great, leisurely meal at one of the village’s best traditional tavernas. Then our transport will take you back to your accommodations!

Unravel the one of Naxos’s oldest remaining olive mills which is recently renovated, the Eggares Olive Press. View actual tools and equipment that were used in the space at that time. Visit and learn about the traditional methods of olive oil production from a brief presentation. Next stop is the remarkable statue of a Kouros which is located outside the village of Melanes, in the countryside of Naxos.The statue lays on the ground and it is 6 meters long and dates back to the 7th century. Then ascend to the charming village of Halki. Walk through its charming streets and discover a mixture of neoclassical buildings and traditional Cycladic architecture. In the heart of the village, lies a small distillery called Vallindras which mainly functions as a museum with kitron products (yellow drink from a fruit a bit less bitter than lemon) available for purchase and tasting. You can admire traditional items, machinery, and tools used for the distillation process. Continue our short roadtrip to Damalas village where you can appreciate the laidback nature and visit a pottery workshop fifth generation which keeps the Greek pottery tradition alive. Our last stop is the sacred temple of Demeter. This magnificent temple has been made exclusively of the finest quality Naxos marble and dates back to the 6th century BC.