Location: Naxos Town
Don’t Miss: Museums guide with free admission days and additional useful information
The Archaeological Museum of Naxos is located in the main square at the top of Kastro Castle. Housed in an elegant 17th-century Venetian building, it stands as a remarkable example of the architectural style of that era. The structure spans five floors and was originally constructed as a Jesuit school. Later, it served as the School of Commerce in the late 19th century before being converted into the Archaeological Museum in 1973. Today, the building itself is a recognized historical monument.
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The museum showcases artifacts from excavations across Naxos, featuring items from daily life as well as artistic works dating from the Late Neolithic period to early Christian times. During the third millennium BC, the Cycladic Civilization reached its peak, with Naxos serving as a center of Cycladic art. Settlements were primarily located along the island’s east coast and near Grotta, outside Naxos Town.
Among the museum’s highlights are marble Cycladic figurines, gold jewelry, vessels, clay and marble pots, wooden tools, and funerary offerings from these ancient sites. The vessels are often handmade, crafted from coarse-grain clay, with some adorned with herringbone patterns.
The collection of white marble Cycladic statues includes early simple “violin-shaped” forms and more intricate female figures with tilted flat heads, folded arms, and slightly bent legs. Male figures are simpler, often seated, and scholars suggest that female statues represented fertility or grave goddesses, while male figures were likely servants.
The museum also features an impressive array of Mycenaean pottery from the second millennium BC, along with artifacts from the Bronze Age, Archaic, Classical, Roman, and Hellenistic periods. Notable exhibits include:
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Clay rhytons, ritual vases from the early Cycladic era
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Marble vases and pyxides from the early Cycladic period
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Mycenaean jars decorated with octopus motifs or dance scenes
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Golden plaques from child burials and jewelry from tombs of the Geometric Period
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The torso of a Naxian kouros statue from the 6th century BC
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Roman mosaics depicting Nereids and marine scenes
Naxos has long been a hub of art and architecture in Greece, and the Archaeological Museum plays a vital role in preserving and presenting this rich cultural heritage for generations to come.
How to Get There
The museum is in Chora, Naxos Town.
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Private Transfers: Pre-book a taxi, minibus, or VIP transfer from the port, airport, or hotel. Local drivers can also be arranged via +30 22850 25835 or +30 22850 24829.
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Car Rental: Renting a car offers flexibility to explore the museum and other attractions across the island.
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Public Transport: The central bus station is at Naxos Port, with routes connecting Chora to other parts of the island. Schedules may vary seasonally.
