Get ready for plenty of art, food, and fantastic beaches. On a quest to find the Greek islands of your dreams? Start, here, in the Cyclades. Rugged, sun-drenched outcrops of rock, anchored in azure seas and liberally peppered with snow-white villages and blue-domed churches, this is Greece straight from central casting, with stellar archaeological sites and dozens of postcard-worthy beaches. Throw in a blossoming food scene, some renowned party destinations and a good dose of sophistication, and you really do have the best of Greece’s ample charms. Cyclades Back to topAttractionsMust-see attractionsKarthaia From the 8th century BC until the 7th century AD this remote twin cove was the site of the ancient city of Karthaia Museum of Prehistoric Thera this well-presented museum houses extraordinary finds excavated from Akrotiri which has been settled since neolithic times… Kastro The most alluring part of Hora is the 13th-century residential neighbourhood of Kastro which Marco Sanudo made the capital of his duchy in 1207 Ancient Thira First settled by the Dorians in the 9th century BC Roman and Byzantine ruins and is an atmospheric and rewarding… Art Space This atmospheric gallery is on the way to Kamari Ancient Lion of Kea chiselled from schist sometime between the 9th and 6th century BC lies along the ridge beyond the last of Ioulida’s… Moni Zoödohou Pigis A flight of whitewashed steps leads to the fortified monastery of Moni Zoödohou Pigis Originally built as a women’s monastery in… Temple of Apollo a causeway leads to the Palatia islet and the striking Naxos’ most famous landmark (also known as… View more attractionsPlan with a localExperience the real Greece Get startedArticlesLatest stories from CycladesRead more articlesFilter by interest: Coasts & IslandsFood & Drink All Interests Adventure Travel Art & Culture Beaches Coasts & Islands Food & DrinkBeaches The Greek islands have long been one of Europe’s favourite holiday destinations Get to the heart of Cyclades with one of our in-depth Visit in ShopPocket Athens $14.99 Visit in ShopGreek Islands $26.99 No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission the Metropolitan Opera Radio Broadcasts have brought opera into millions of homes playing a vital and unparalleled role in the development and appreciation of opera in this country with Humperdinck’s "Hansel and Gretel," and are now the longest-running classical music series in American broadcast history The Metropolitan Opera Artist's Choice series continues with "Ariadne auf Naxos" by Richard Strauss Soprano Lise Davidsen chose a 1985 performance starring Jessye Norman as Ariadne Sir Andrew Davis conducts the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Strauss's opera tells the story of Ariadne abandoned on the island of Naxos and rescued by the god Bacchus a troupe of comedians attempt to cheer up Ariadne by encouraging her to move on from her lost lover Theseus Read the synopsis and program guide from the Metropolitan Opera WHRO FM brings you another opera selected by one of the most renowned artists of today as part of the Metropolitan Opera's Artist’s Choice series soprano Lise Davidsen honors the beloved diva Jessye Norman by selecting Strauss’s “Ariadne auf Naxos.” In this stunning 1985 performance Norman takes on the title role of the mythological princess who is abandoned by her lover on the island of Naxos The cast also includes Gianna Rolandi as the comedienne Zerbinetta Maria Ewing as the young idealistic Composer Sir Andrew Davis conducted the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Listeners will enjoy this special broadcast on Saturday, February 15, at 1:00 p.m., either by tuning in to 90.3 FM or streaming online via the WHRO Media Player. Indie classical music label group Naxos has sued Kuke a classical music streaming service from China alleging that Kuke has failed to make more than $1.8 million in payments over the past three years In a complaint filed with the US District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee on Friday (October 4) Naxos said Beijing-headquartered Kuke began to fall behind in its licensing payments in late 2021 and has since paid only a fraction of what it owes Naxos asked the court to order Kuke to pay the amount in full Kuke announced earlier this month that it had regained compliance with NYSE listing rules with its stock trading at around $1.30 at the time the stock price has once again fallen below $1 in recent weeks According to Naxos’ legal complaint, which can be read in full here Kuke and Naxos signed an eight-year digital distribution agreement in 2018 that would see Kuke license music from Naxos’ group of labels as well as third parties Lawyers for Naxos said Kuke made its monthly payments on time until December 2021 “While Naxos continued to send invoices to Kuke on a monthly basis Kuke did not make the requisite payments to Naxos,” the complaint states Naxos notified Kuke that the streaming service was in breach of contract and requested that the company make back payments in the amount of $1.055 million Kuke responded by acknowledging it was in breach of contract and proposed a monthly payment plan to pay back the amount in arrears by the end of 2023 “While Naxos continued to send invoices to Kuke on a monthly basis Kuke did not make the requisite payments to Naxos.” Naxos agreed to a repayment plan that would see Kuke repay the amount outstanding in $200,000 installments over the course of 2023 with the remaining amount due at the end ot the year Kuke made two payments of $50,000 – well below the $200,000 monthly payments agreed to – and made no further payments Naxos demanded that Kuke “send payment to Naxos for the unpaid amount” of $1.43 million by the end of that month The letter also demanded that Kuke take down all third-party distributed music covered by the agreement with Naxos Naxos allowed Kuke to keep streaming music from its own labels Those labels include the flagship UK-headquartered Naxos Records Kuke responded to Naxos’ demands by saying it had begun taking down the third-party label music and offered a payment of $30,000 in three weeks’ time Naxos responded that a $30,000 payment was “totally unacceptable” and asked that its own record labels also be removed from Kuke’s library unsuccessful” negotiations between the two companies Naxos notified Kuke in May 2024 that it would begin proceedings to end the distribution agreement if it didn’t receive payment in full within three weeks and noted that Kuke had failed to take down Naxos-owned content from its service The complaint states that Kuke responded by saying it was working on a new repayment proposal Naxos asked the court for full payment including interest as well as compensatory damages on the amount in arrears Despite the ongoing conflict over payments Kuke and Naxos appear have continued to do business in other ways Earlier this year, Kuke announced its intention to acquire majority stakes in two companies within the Naxos Musical Group Angelina Assets Limited and HNH International Limited The company hasn’t offered any public updates on the planned acquisition since that time.Music Business Worldwide Stay on top of the real stories shaping the music industry: Join over 60,000 industry professionals who rely on MBW's FREE daily newsletter and alert emails for essential insights and breaking news This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Naxos Taverna at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa is proud to announce the appointment of Sani Hebaj as its new Executive Chef bringing his extensive culinary experience and fresh vision to the beloved Greek restaurant Chef Hebaj most recently helmed the kitchen at Villa Azur at The Venetian where he combined the best of the South of France and East Coast flavors he collaborated with restaurateur Todd English on a variety of projects and served as executive chef at some of New York City’s iconic venues including The Plaza Hotel and Dabble at the Conrad New York Midtown washing dishes and making fresh mozzarella at a casual Upper East Side restaurant After completing his culinary studies at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco honing his skills at several renowned two- and three-star restaurants Chef Hebaj has unveiled a selection of new menu items “Chef Sani’s passion and creativity are a perfect fit for Naxos Taverna and we’re thrilled to have him leading the kitchen,” said Louis Abin founder of Naxos Taverna and founder of Ironbound Projects “His expertise brings a fresh energy to our team and we’re excited for our guests to experience his vision on the plate.” Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter and receive important industry updates. 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Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter and recieve important industry updates. feels different from other Cycladic island capitals with the remnants of the fortified Venetian kastro looming above the waterfront buildings This was the seat of power for Marco Sanudo the 13th-century Venetian who founded the town and made Naxos the heart of the Duchy of the Aegean The old town is a tangle of steep footpaths and is divided into two historic Venetian neighbourhoods: Bourgos Della Rocca-Barozzi Venetian Museum This atmospheric museum is in a handsome old tower house of the 13th century within the kastro ramparts (by the northwest gate) Grotta Beach stony beach to the north of town is pounded by waves when a northerly is blowing Agios Georgios Beach Conveniently located just south of the waterfront is sandy Agios Georgios It’s backed by hotels and tavernas at the town end (where it… Petalouda Art Gallery Next to the walkway to the heart of the kastro this French-run art gallery features up-and-coming young artists Mitropolis Museum Behind the northern end of the waterfront are several churches and chapels It features fragments of a Mycenaean city … Archaeological Museum This museum in Kastro is housed in the former Jesuit school where novelist Nikos Kazantzakis was briefly a pupil View more attractionsPlan with a localExperience the real Greece Get startedBuild a memorable collectionGet to the heart of Hora (Naxos) with one of our in-depth Visit in ShopPocket Athens $14.99 Visit in ShopGreek Islands $26.99 Go to checkout (0 items)For Explorers Everywhere Chef Ubaldo Andres cooks octopus at Naxos Estiatorio restaurant in Woodland Park Naxos opened on busy Route 46 West in early September after an extensive It’s owned by the Georgoutsos-Matthews family, proprietors of the venerable Pompton Queen Diner in Pompton Plains, one of Jersey’s best diners. “It’s been in the family for 40 years,” manager Peter Matthews shared “We were finally ready for our second venture a more elevated dining experience that celebrates our heritage.” Facade at Naxos Estiatorio in Woodland Park(Stephanie Rizzolo | for NJ Advance Media) Yet this restaurant is no scene from “Mamma Mia.” It instead offered an elegance that reminded me of NYC Greek goliaths upscale ambiance rather than the typical white and blue taverna-style Greek decor,” Matthews explained curved banquettes as I admired the neutral tones and natural materials that outfitted the main dining room After learning that the kitchen was being run by Avra veteran and Varka’s former executive chef My hopes for this well-pedigreed newcomer were high but measured as New Jersey offers loads of excellent Greek dining already READ MORE: New Jersey’s 25 best Greek restaurants, ranked Complimentary starter at Naxos Estiatorio in Woodland Park(Stephanie Rizzolo | for NJ Advance Media) The meal started with a complimentary dish of garlicky hummus radishes and olives with toasted pita and fresh bread it was an unexpectedly generous spread that took the edge off of my hunger Naxos chips at Naxos Estiatorio in Woodland Park(Stephanie Rizzolo | for NJ Advance Media) One dish that I enthusiastically seek out at Greek restaurants is the “chips” ($18) a delicate stack of thinly sliced zucchini and eggplant I loved each crispy layer dipped into the refreshing yogurt Octopus at Naxos Estiatorio restaurant in Woodland Park If there’s one type of seafood that’s synonymous with Greece Naxos’ version comes at a high price tag thanks to the use of perfectly grilled sashimi grade octopus tossed with kapia sweet peppers Tuna tartar at Naxos Estiatorio in Woodland Park(Stephanie Rizzolo | for NJ Advance Media) Tuna tartare ($28) is a dish that graces the menus of most European and Asian cuisines so I was curious to see how Naxos would put their own spin on it the finely chopped yellowfin tuna and raw red onion were mixed with a blend of herbs and spices and served alongside toasted ciabatta chips and perfectly ripe sliced avocado that was drizzled with extra virgin olive oil Each build-your-own chip delivered a 360 experience of clean flavors and varied textures Shrimp on fire at Naxos Estiatorio in Woodland Park(Stephanie Rizzolo | for NJ Advance Media) I stayed on the seafood train and sampled the shrimp on fire “sti fotia” ($26) a spicy creation of colossal shrimp bathed in a spicy Calabrian chili-based sauce roasted tomatoes and metaxa (Greek muscat wine) imparted a sweetness that balanced everything out Keep that bread basket within reach for mopping up that heavenly sauce (and help cool things off) Saganaki at Naxos Estiatorio in Woodland Park(Stephanie Rizzolo | for NJ Advance Media) stretchy kefalograviera cheese from the island of Naxos seared until golden and drizzled with honey this was the most elegant looking Greek mozzarella stick I’ve ever encountered If I didn’t have (a lot) more food on it’s way I would’ve polished this off without pause Lamb meatballs at Naxos Estiatorio in Woodland Park(Stephanie Rizzolo | for NJ Advance Media) Greek meatballs may be a distant cousin to the meatballs of my Italian heritage Naxos’ lamb meatballs “soutzoukakia”($22) featured a tender blend of lamb and beef simmered in a garlicky tomato sauce A welcome departure from all of the seafood I’d been enjoying they were packed with the flavor and comfort I’d expect at yia-yia’s house While fish at Naxos Estiatorio restaurant in Woodland Park and opted for the whole branzino “lavraki” ($50) I went with the traditional “Naxos style” of lemon which I knew would compliment this mild and tender fish perfectly The fish was served with a side of lemon roasted potatoes creamy and delicious with the slightest hint of lemon Horta at Naxos Estiatorio in Woodland Park(Stephanie Rizzolo | for NJ Advance Media) One of my favorite Greek side dishes is “horta,” or wild greens ($12) these slightly bitter yet tender greens were the perfect compliment to the main dish After a nearly flawless runway show of appetizers and it had nothing to do with the main event Baklava at Naxos Estiatorio in Woodland Park(Stephanie Rizzolo | for NJ Advance Media) I went traditional with the baklava ($10) and the bougatsa ($10) paired with a scoop of ice cream in a flavor I could not identify so I found that pairing to be a little unnecessary Bougatsa at Naxos Estiatorio in Woodland Park(Stephanie Rizzolo | for NJ Advance Media) The less enjoyable of the two was the apple bougatsa apple-filled purse-shaped pastry housed in a layer of crispy phyllo but the intense and overpowering hazelnut ice cream that accompanied it competed with rather than complimented its flavors The bougatsa on its own or coupled with vanilla ice cream would have been a home run Dining room at Naxos Estiatorio restaurant in Woodland Park you wouldn’t know it was a Greek restaurant unless you were familiar with the name of one of Greece’s smaller islands The beautiful white facade is clean and striking The dining room is decked out in warm neutrals with pops of color from the olive trees and bougainvillea featuring rows of curved banquettes lining the perimeter and center just enough to add a little buzz but not encourage a raucous scene Fresh sea food bar at Naxos Estiatorio restaurant in Woodland Park the daily offerings are displayed in the middle of the restaurant for guests to admire and even select from A private room is available for private events and general overflow an al fresco patio will be available for guests to enjoy an impressive sign for such a young restaurant Naxos is the restaurant that Woodland Park and its neighboring towns needed Striking a balance of being casual enough for a family dinner and special enough for a romantic date or special occasion Simple and authentic dishes using real Greek ingredients set Naxos apart from the rest Naxos is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week Stephanie Rizzolo may be reached at stephanienjdotcom@gmail.com. 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All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices Gaming music personalization platform Reactional Music has added another music rights holder to its growing roster of partners The Sweden-headquartered company announced on Wednesday (October 23) that it has partnered with Naxos which describes itself as having the world’s largest catalog of classical music The deal means Naxos’ catalog will be available to game developers who use the Reactional Platform to enable customizable music in their games Hong Kong-born Naxos today owns a variety of imprints and labels covering classical The Reactional Platform allows gamers to personalize the music in their video games The tracks delivered by Reactional become the soundtrack of the game Reactional stresses that this customization doesn’t affect the master recordings Naxos and Reactional also confirmed that they are exploring a collaboration to create interactive soundtracks that would generate music in real time around the gamer and gameplay They should be able to more easily access music scores and tracks that are creatively and culturally diverse so they can create and explore without limitation.” “Our partnership with Reactional Music is incredibly exciting Reach and access into interactive and game developers and their customers and gamers is an important step for Naxos,” said Håkan Lagerqvist They should be able to more easily access music scores and tracks that are creatively and culturally diverse so they can create and explore without limitation Naxos brings a pallet of ideas and choice that can work in so many different worlds and interactive experiences,” Lagerqvist continued “Naxos will also explore how our composers’ work and our music catalogs can be enabled as full interactive game soundtracks These are generated in real time note by note around the gameplay It is also a step towards enabling music to be used under license by creators developers and enablers in all areas of interactive.” Reactional has long advocated for gaming as a large new source of revenue for music it noted that the global video game market was worth $223.1 billion in 2023 with $72.5 billion of that spent on cosmetic content and in-game personalization music accounted for just 0.01% of that spend led by mobile music games publisher Amanotes and early stage VC Butterly Ventures In all, the company says it has now partnered with more than 50 music rights holders, including Hipgnosis Song Management, Soundstripe, and Alibi. “Naxos has a vision and understanding of the transformations that are taking place and the new opportunities that now exist for creative and commercial use and consumption of music.” “With 14,000 games released on PC, 8,000 on console and thousands more on mobile each year, the diversity of games development across five continents is huge,” said Reactional Music President David Knox. “The partnership with Naxos is important as it brings music scores from every region of the world together along with an incredible catalog of classical music. Naxos has a vision and understanding of the transformations that are taking place and the new opportunities that now exist for creative and commercial use and consumption of music.”Music Business Worldwide Stay on top of the real stories shaping the music industry: Join over 60,000 industry professionals who rely on MBW's FREE daily newsletter and alert emails for essential insights and breaking news. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved this home embraces all the tradition and elegance of this Cycladic island The studio is entirely open-plan – even the shower is doorless – divided only by elegant arched walls and earthy furnishings Wicker lamps and stone nightstands sit beside the king-size bed while the sea-view terrace overlooks the historic port below but the plethora of restaurants and taverns in this lively area leave you spoilt for choice nonetheless Sleeps: TwoPrice: From around £101 per night this pristine villa is a modern take on classic Greek style where funky chevron fabrics bring the stone interiors to life Here you will find a state-of-the-art kitchen patio with pergola and walk-in double shower plus amenities such as a washing machine and WiFi ensuring you always feel at home with the sweeping Naxos coastline best enjoyed from the peace and comfort of your jacuzzi Sleeps: TwoPrice: From around £135 per night not to mention the beach less than 200 metres away Sleeps: FourPrice: From around £150 per night and a sophisticated design which showcases everything from French balconies to mosaic showers There’s also a hot tub and multiple dining tables while onsite private parking facilitates easy access to the town if you fancy a change of scenery lined with sun loungers and secluded by flourishing plant beds Sleeps: SixPrice: From around £210 per night as guests here are invited to join the grape harvest celebrations during the late summer months There are two queen-sized beds and two single beds all found in airy bedrooms with plenty of wardrobe space plus a spacious living area and idyllic patio the home strips back all the frills with a simple yet elegant design adorned with handwoven decor and bright white furnishings Sleeps: SixPrice: From around £150 per night with bright pink walls and lilac doors which fall straight out of a fairytale Move inside for a lively jumble of vintage furniture while each bedroom is ensuite and has private access the sizable pool area is enclosed by charming cobblestone walls beyond which lie nine acres of citrus orchards open to all guests Sleeps: EightPrice: From around £202 per night Sleeps: NinePrice: From around £284 per night, with a four-night minimum Mykonos and Santorini might be the social media darlings of Greece and non-movers in our annual round-up of the best Greek islands but with over 200 inhabited alternatives scattered across the Aegean well-connected and utterly remote – to choose from for your 2025 Greece getaway In recent years, islands that have long been a closely guarded local secret – Milos, Folegandros, Tinos and Keá, for example – have begun to shine on an international stage, thanks to shiny new openings that warrant a spot among the best Greek island hotels – even the best hotels in Greece as a whole For Paros – a Netflix cameo added to its new-found fame Others prefer to stay just under the radar Whether you want to see and be seen at a fine-dining restaurant or tuck into freshly caught seafood with your toes in the sand; party at buzzing beach clubs or find a secluded spot on a sleepy beach; hike to ancient architecture or browse trendy galleries – there’s a Greek island to suit These are 34 of our tried and tested favourite islands in Greece for 2025 JUMP TO: Which is the nicest Greek island to visit? | Which Greek island is Katie Silcox's favourite to visit? | Which Greek island is Sarah Allard's favourite to visit? We take the Greek islands seriously, so we’ve partnered with our Greece expert, Katie Silcox, to curate a list of the 34 best islands in Greece. Our island recommendations, hotels, villas, and Airbnb choices are hand-picked by Katie, Conde Nast Traveller's digital director Sarah Allard We've spent time exploring the island to discover the best beaches and things to do while working with locals to ensure we keep our recommendations as fresh and up-to-date as possible While we love and highly recommend every island on this list – and advocate visiting all of them throughout your lifetime if you can – we’ve also arranged the list so if it’s your first time planning a visit to this magical corner of the world or you want to branch out from your usual summer isle trip The order below reflects our well-travelled team’s personal opinions and the landscapes See our round-up of the best Greek island hotels for more recommendations on where to stay This article has been updated since its original publication date Everyone knows the Venus de Milo (which has stood in the Louvre since the 19th century) the volcanic island where Aphrodite’s graceful likeness was discovered Those in the know jealously guard their treasured island and especially its 70 (or more) beaches — surely the most diverse and dramatic coastline of all the Greek Islands Instagram is saturated with no-filter shots of the undulating white cliffs at Sarakiniko the bottle-green swimming hole at Papafragas tiny boat houses wedged between rock and sea (You’ll find the best photo opportunities at Klima and Mandrakia) This painterly landscape was shaped by the minerals that have long been a source of wealth – obsidian which still bubble up in the island’s many hot springs As the 11,000-year-old mining industry is gradually giving way to tourism several chic hotels have made an appearance before the trickle of visitors turns into a tide For more recommendations, see our guide to the best hotels in Milos ParosThe best Greek island for: Welcoming locals and long beaches Though not quite as big a secret as it used to be most recently thanks to its cameo in One Day on Netflix island hoppers in-the-know and those in search of an authentic taste of Grecian life Though the pace here is altogether slower than on nearby islands there’s still a vibrant restaurant and bar scene in popular Naousa is that while the island has been gearing up for tourism in a way it hasn't done historically (thanks to the new luxury hotels strung round the coastline) more rustic and — crucially cheaper — with villages dotted high and low across the landscape sprawling out across interwoven pathways (often without car access) private homes and quaint boutiques selling locally-made wares for travellers willing to part with the familiar streets of Santorini or the mecca of the masses For more recommendations, see our guide to the best hotels in Paros HydraThe best Greek island for: A long weekend with the art crowd is painted in gaudy 'camouflage' by Jeff Koons Joannou invites big hitters such as Matthew Barney and David Shrigley to create site-specific installations in the Greek island's old slaughterhouse Even the school is commandeered for exhibitions in the summer holidays Car-free and protected by a preservation order Hydra has always been the artists' muse of the Greek Islands Leonard Cohen set the scene in the 60s; now Brice Marden Sadie Coles and Juergen Teller have homes here Athenian artists take up residence at the School of Fine Arts stone mansions overlooking the horseshoe harbour Musicians of all stripes rehearse and record at the Old Carpet Factory an 18th-century residence whose double-height ceilings and underground cistern have incredible acoustics SifnosThe best Greek island for: A sizzling food scene and romantic hotels an equally experimental restaurant in Seralia a pretty little bay below the beautiful medieval village of Kastro Lobsters are plucked straight from the sea at Heronissos It's just the right balance of low-key luxury and unspoiled authenticity SantoriniThe best Greek island for: Honeymooners Cooing American and Chinese honeymooners line up to take selfies as the sun sinks behind Santorini's caldera A volcanic explosion blew out Santorini's heart 3,500 years ago and swirling rumours about Atlantis in its wake The eruption also preserved the ancient city of Akrotiri under layers of ash and created fertile ground for exceptional Assyrtiko grapes and Vinsanto wines (Sample them at Domaine Sigalas and Vassaltis wineries paired with delicate dishes that let the grapes sing.) Apart from a boat trip to the smouldering crater of Nea Kameni and hot springs at Palia Kameni there's not much to do but gaze at the mesmerising views from your suite Most places to stay are concentrated in Oia and Imerovigli but the inland village of Pyrgos is up-and-coming Go for a twilight Bellini at Franco's Cafe and visit Emporio with its smattering of old-school coffee shops and Airbnbs For a glimpse of Santorini before the onslaught of cruise ships and Instagrammers explore the quieter south (but keep your discoveries to yourself) For more recommendations, see our guide to the best hotels in Santorini and the best Airbnbs in Santorini SyrosThe best Greek island for: Culture and off-season cachet you won’t find sugar-cube villages and whitewashed lanes The colourful 19th-century city of Ermoupoli is built on twin peaks – one Orthodox the heritage of a long Venetian occupation There’s still a strong Italian flavour in Ermoupoli’s marble piazzas the showpiece of a year-round cultural scene the Greek blues popularised by local musician Markos Vamvakaris A few rembetiko joints have survived in quaint almost 900 steps above Ermoupoli; reward yourself with dinner at Hygge FolegandrosThe best Greek island for: Authenticity with a bohemian buzz The village square should be your first port of call on any Greek island: settle into your favourite café, pick up local gossip, and adjust to the languid pace of life. On Folegandros, this presents a challenge: the cliff-hanger capital, Hora, has not one but three squares, each brimming with a jumble of cafés, tavernas and dinky raki bars. We recommend Pounta where the Danish owner makes and sells the lopsided cups and bowls in which your coffee and Greek yogurt are served Panagia church; make the pilgrimage at sunrise (perhaps after an all-nighter at diminutive Astarti bar) Folegandros – which means ‘iron hard’ in ancient Greek – is as barren as its name suggests Fruit trees are protected from fierce winds by rings of stones You won’t find sandy beaches lined with sunbeds; only limpid Papalagi serves big fat prawns and whole grilled octopus on a wooden deck aligned with the horizon Water taxis service some beaches in high season; otherwise you’ll have to scramble down rocky footpaths to cool off stop at Mimis or Synantisi in Ano Meria for the island speciality of matsata (goat or rabbit stew with hand-made pasta) CreteThe best Greek island for: Families and sunshine all year round for a cooling dip and lunch at one of Crete’s finest tavernas With the exception of Elounda – a pocket of bling popular with oligarchs – the north-east coast is scarred by over-development. Head west to the Amari valley or Apokoronas for authentic villages surrounded by olive and orange groves. Or go south, where you'll find the best beaches in Crete – try Ligres take a back-to-nature break at Milia Mountain Retreat a 16th-century hamlet powered entirely by solar energy Everything on the mostly organic menu is grown it’s almost impossible not to eat well on Crete Time slows almost to a standstill in the mountain villages where locals with formidable whiskers welcome you with shots of raki (Cretan grappa) for breakfast and celebrate saints' days with a volley of gunshots Even the road signs are peppered with bullet holes For more, see our edit of the best hotels in Crete CorfuThe best Greek island for: character and lush landscapes Corfu is the It Girl of the Ionian islands. The cosmopolitan capital is a charming clash of Venetian, British and French colonial influences. Evenings kick off with cocktails on the Liston (a colonnade modelled on Paris's Rue de Rivoli), followed by dinner at Salto an unpretentious wine bar and bistro on the edge of the Old Town restaurant and cooking school that specialises in unusual local dishes such as roast pork with quince and crème brûlée with Corfiot kumquats especially Kavos – unless you happen to like wet T-shirt contests For more, see our pick of the best hotels in Corfu NaxosThe best Greek island for: Endless sandy beaches Naxiots once made considerable fortunes exporting potatoes Locals bequeathed undesirable seaside plots – useless for farming – to their laziest offspring When tourists cottoned on to the island's scores of fabulous beaches these wastrels found themselves sitting on gold mines The west coast of Naxos is fringed with mile upon mile of powdery sands Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna delight toddlers and teenagers alike with their shallow waters and beach bars where you can gallop across the dunes on horseback Mikri Vigla for windsurfing and kitesurfing Should you tire of frolicking on the shore three supersized kouros statues are hidden in the hills and there are dozens of drowsy villages to explore at the Vallindras distillery in Halki or sample homemade wine and arseniko cheese under the plane trees in Ano Potamia village No wonder Herodotus described Naxos as “the happiest of islands." Rachel Howard Cephalonia / KefaloniaThe best Greek island for: Laidback family holidays also an enchanting setting for wine tasting.) The rocky coastline around Fiskardo is deliciously pristine: go snorkelling at tiny Dafnoudi or Emblisi flanked by slabs of limestone that turn the water electric blue See our guide to the best hotels on Kefalonia for more AndrosThe best Greek island for: Walking trails and wild beaches and fantastic farm-to-table tavernas like Kosses in Ano Fellos And then there are the mind-blowing beaches: from the spectacular sandy bays of Zorkos and Vori on the north coast to the mellow beach bars at Apothikes and Chryssi Ammos or the sunset views and old-school fish taverna at Agia Marina there are options for whichever way the wind or your mood is blowing You could spend weeks on Andros and still have more to discover SerifosThe best Greek island for: Naturists and purists The sleeper hit of the Cyclades, Serifos is the summer retreat of interior designers and architects who prefer to keep the sandy beaches to themselves. (One French home-owner is so protective of her hideaway that she tells all her friends she summers on nearby Sifnos.) Even in August you’ll find coves where you can skinny dip in blissful solitude That’s because the best beaches (such as Kalo Ambeli and Skala) are only accessible via bone-rattling dirt roads or donkey tracks rent a motor boat from the laidback harbour Make sure to moor outside Anna’s taverna on Sikamia beach for freshly caught fish and garden-grown salads In the cascading hilltop Hora, there’s barely any nightlife, no fancy hotels. But who cares when you can kick back with fennel pie and raki at Stou Stratou, pick up Natassa Kalogeropoulou’s minimalist ceramics at Kerameio and listen to Greek folk in the open-air amphitheatre MykonosThe best Greek island for: Decadent parties and five-star hotels escape to Fokos taverna for superfood salads and lamb chops an off-grid grill-shack overlooking Agios Sostis bay where even Naomi Campbell has to queue for a table Or cruise over to the tiny island of Delos an archaeological sanctuary that once thronged with 30,000 sun worshippers (the temple is dedicated to Apollo For more recommendations, see our guide to the best hotels in Mykonos Zakynthos / ZanteThe best Greek island for: seaside holidays with toddlers or teens has shrugged off its reputation as a destination for lads on tour (as long as you avoid Lagana and the built-up south coast) by rebranding itself as one of Greece's greenest islands It's not just the emerald hills sliding into the electric blue Ionian: much of the south coast is a nature reserve where endangered loggerhead turtles hatch in the sand but there are countless coves in every hue of green and blue with sunbeds wedged between the rocks and palm-frond umbrellas positioned between the pine trees Skinari is the starting point for boat trips to the most famous landmarks where a rusting liner leans into the chalky cliffs AmorgosThe best Greek island for: Deep-blue seas and wide-open spaces It’s not easy to get to Amorgos. In high winds, the fast ferries stay grounded and the slow boat takes upwards of eight hours from Athens a sleepy harbour lined with great little fish tavernas (our favourites are Prekas and Mouragio) a sign announces: 'Welcome to Amorgos This craggy Cycladic island has always attracted loners who shuffle up the cliff face to the Monastery of Hozoviotissa a sliver of white dangling 300 metres above the sea The water here is a million shades of blue and so startlingly clear you can see every sea urchin lurking on the rocky shore Even the sage-scented hiking trails are called Blue Paths because the sea and sky are visible in all directions the locals are outnumbered by shaggy goats that blend in perfectly with the burnished landscape and hippie vibe But you don't have to be a recluse to fall for Amorgos There are plenty of all-day spots and a few late-night bars where Amorgos groupies meet for backgammon and cocktails; Pergalidi in Langada for herbal infusions and jazzy tunes; Seladi in Tholaria with giddying views and a telescope for stargazing PaxosThe best Greek island for: The perfect balance of seclusion and sophistication a favourite of reclusive billionaires; and watch the sunset with a basil-infused Mastiha and tonic at Mylos bar Want to cool down or escape the summer crowds Drive through forests of chestnut and pine into Lefkada’s mountainous interior to the somnolent villages of Karya (home to an enchanting textile museum) Eglouvi (to play backgammon under plane trees) and Exanthia (to watch the setting sun from up in the clouds at Rachi restaurant) You might even see paragliders leaping off the mountain IthacaThe best Greek island for: A mythical retreat for lovers and loners Ithaca’s turquoise and emerald coves are popular with the sailing set but few visitors venture into the forested hills So you might be the only person exploring the eighth-century BC ruins of Odysseus’ palace or making the heady trek to the church of Anogi covered in Byzantine frescoes (ask for the key at the village coffee shop where the owner will cook you a set menu of whatever is available – maybe a tomato salad some local cheese and braised goat – straight from her garden or neighbours’ fields) it’s an exhilarating two-hour hike down to Kioni a miniature port where you’ll find Spavento Go any time of day or night for ice-cream sundaes The waterside tavernas at the drowsy fishing port of Frikes are unfailingly delightful sheltered harbour town of Vathy is barely livelier but the mood can be deliciously mischievous at Mylos bar but the sea is as clear and refreshing as gin unspoiled and infuriatingly (or gratifyingly) hard to reach rugged little Ithaca is somewhere you can still disappear TinosThe best Greek island for: Traditional villages and knockout tavernas elevating local ingredients into complex modern dishes For a perfect meal in perfect surroundings go for cuttlefish risotto and octopus caramelised in grape must at Thalassaki then watch dusk bleed into the horizon from Exomeria bar so it's a wonder it isn't overrun with tourists when Orthodox pilgrims flock here to kiss the Virgin Mary at the Monastery of Panagia Evangelistria Solitary chapels and whimsical dovecotes stud thyme-scented hills dropping to sandy bays whipped by the meltemi wind There's a nascent surfer scene on Kolibithra bay where a VW camper van has been converted into a cute beach bar PatmosThe best Greek island for: Stark mystique and show-stopping villas Patmos has an indefinable je ne sais quoi – an otherworldly quality that radiates from its crowning glory who conjured up his apocalyptic revelations in a cave nearby is where A-listers and fashion editors stay High walls and heavy doors conceal magnificent mansions dating back to the 16th century The almighty church has kept nightlife in check head to quietly glamorous Astivi or Stoa Theo's bar Beach life is generally languid and low-key; Psili Ammos and Livadi Geranou are our favourite hideouts Dinner reservations are essential at Benetos and Lambi for grilled fish on a purple pebble beach Joining the Patmos in-crowd requires commitment. There's no airport and it's a nine-hour ferry journey from Athens, which keeps the hoi polloi at bay. Seriously reclusive types hop on a fishing boat from Patmos to Marathi and play castaway at Pantelis, a divine taverna with modest rooms to let. Read our full guide to Patmos RhodesThe best Greek island for: Travelling back in time When the writer Lawrence Durrell arrived in Rhodes after World War II he found an island devastated by centuries of crusaders and invaders it was 'a Rhodes dispersed into a million fragments waiting to be built up again.' Since then Rhodes has reinvented itself as one of Greece's top travel destinations The big draw is the medieval citadel in Rhodes Old Town: stroll along the battlements and you'll spy Byzantine churches a 15th-century guest-house decorated like a pasha's harem with an enchanting restaurant in the garden Upmarket hotels are clustered around Lindos its magnificent acropolis surrounded by slate cliffs and emerald coves Go for the views – and the sublime octopus ragout at Mavrikos restaurant high-rise resorts give way to stretches of golden sand you'll find alpine forests (Mount Attavyros) faded frescoes (Saint Nikolaos Fountoukli) and ancient ruins (Kamiros) Prasonisi is a powdery peninsula where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean the other choppy – a metaphor for this island of two halves SymiThe best Greek island for: Castaway coves and a picture-perfect port Little Symi has the prettiest port in Greece neoclassical mansions in every shade of apricot and peach rise like a mirage from the sea Built by 19th-century sponge and spice merchants You need strong legs to explore – it's about 500 steps up to the crumbling acropolis – but you won't need a car The only proper road peters out at Panormitis monastery Ravishing beaches such as Agios Giorgos Dysalona (backed by monumental cliffs) and Marathounda (where goats will try to filch your picnic) are only accessible by boat or on foot more than 100 monasteries are hidden among the pine and cypress forests luminous sea and almost tropical microclimate Symi is a hit with French and Italian yachties You'll find them eating flash-fried baby shrimp a sensational taverna where the harbour views almost steal the show AstypaleaThe best Greek island for: Escaping the crowds Astypalea is surprisingly easy to get to (daily one-hour flights from Athens) Every gap in the burnished hills frames a different view of Hora cascading from the Venetian castle to seaside Skala The scent of saffron biscuits wafts through the whitewashed lanes Castro bar has a magical terrace that seems to float above the archipelago a sort-of-resort surrounded by citrus orchards Treacherous tracks hurtle down to shingle bays such as Vatses where Linda's farm-to-table taverna serves the best roast goat in the Dodecanese tiny islands connected by a double-sided beach a lagoon where erotic graffiti was etched into the rocks 2,500 years ago SkiathosThe best Greek island for: Flopping onto a sandy beach with a good book Skiathos may be the smallest of the Sporades islands, which counts among its number sleepy Alonissos and the pretty Mamma Mia! location of Skopelos, but it’s by far the most popular, especially with families, who come for the baby powder-soft sandy beaches and laid-back vibe The island has some of the finest beaches in Greece turquoise-watered Koukounaries in the south the most celebrated and the busiest (forget about getting a sun lounger here in peak season) are more rugged and windswept but no less idyllic – emerging onto Elia beach on the west coast with its crystal-clear sea and rickety wooden taverna is like stepping into a little slice of paradise head to Sklithri and book one of the taverna’s tables right on the beach baked feta and a platter of perfectly-chargrilled and out-of-this-world delicious vegetables then watch the sun set over the Aegean AeginaThe best Greek island for: Low-key authenticity all year round one of many stately homes in various states of ruin and repair that dot this incredibly diverse island rugged coves to spend a few hours in the sun and sea Aegina doesn’t have is great beaches — perhaps that’s what has spared this accessible island from over-development This is an island that doesn’t depend on foreign tourists and is all the better for it KastellorizoThe best Greek island for: Castaway dreams and swimming through caves You can dive straight from Mediterraneo’s sundeck into the port where sea turtles bob alongside colourful fishing boats There’s not much action beyond the waterfront strip known as the kordoni a slow supper of stuffed onions under the fairy-lit plane trees at Ta Platania or perhaps some yoga in the wild on the even tinier islet of Ro AntiparosThe best Greek island for: Relaxed cool where both the décor and music are stuck in the ‘70s and ‘80s The latter is a short boat or kayak ride from Despotiko island where goats roam around the semi-excavated sanctuary of Apollo The beauty of Antiparos is that nothing is more than ten minutes away bumping into the same good-looking faces wherever you go you can hop on the seven-minute ferry to Paros for kite surfing LerosThe best Greek island for: Distinctive architecture and good vibes the food scene is authentic and affordable: Thea Artemis taverna on gentle Blefouti bay and the cult souvlaki joint Yparxo in Platanos are local favourites there are family-run guesthouses brimming with character where you feel more like a friend than a room number SpetsesThe best Greek island for: Family holidays with the smart society set Spetses is a sociable place to see and be seen when you can hike the gentle green hills or cycle the coastal road that circles the island (there’s even a Tweed Run in October) and easily accessible from Athens (2-3 hours by catamaran) Spetses is a people-pleaser for all ages and seasons For years, Kalymnos was unmoved by – if not outright hostile to – the arrival of mass tourism in Greece The island lies too far from the mainland for the casual tourist to reach: the ferry was infrequent the journey too long and the mountainous terrain a deterrent to building an airstrip and you are still likely to arrive by ferry via its noisier neighbour the sheer limestone cliffs of Kalymnos caught the eye of an Italian tourist who also happened to be a rock climber He returned the following year to pen the first routes Today there are more than 4,000 routes of various levels of difficulty on offer making the island one of the best destinations for the sport in the world much of the island remains untouched by time calm crystalline swimming and stalls selling hot apple loukoumades KeáThe best Greek island for: An easygoing escape Despite its proximity to Athens – just one hour from Lavrio Port – Cycladic island Keá has long flown under the international tourism radar While some Athenians have marked it as their island of choice for a summer getaway What they lack in drop-and-flop facilities is more than made up for in seclusion and privacy; Orkos in the northeast is one of the most secluded while blue-flag Koundouros in the southwest is popular with the yachting crowd and offers sunbeds and umbrellas alongside a number of cafés With four significant shipwrecks off its sandy shores This is an island dotted with noteworthy archaeological sites is widely considered the most important – only accessible by foot keen hikers might enjoy the hour’s walk from Stavroudaki An easier site to reach – just a 15-minute walk from the island’s capital a Sphinx-like representation of a lion carved into stone while the Archeological Museum of Keá houses pottery inscriptions and figurines dating back to the Neolithic period and showcasing Keá’s vast history With the arrival of a global hotel brand like One&Only a fast flurry of new restaurants and bars often follows the hotel brings fresh options – Mediterranean dishes with a seafood slant at Atria and contemporary cocktails at Kosmos (book in advance) – but traditional tavernas still reign supreme across the rest of the island: Aristos O Paparounas and Piatsa are among the favourites See your guide for top tips when visiting Keá Island KosThe best Greek island for: Tradition with a twist Kos comes with a multitude of stereotypes having taken centre stage as the getaway of choice for the 18-30 holiday crowd for many years But things are changing on this somewhat underrated Dodecanese island quiet-luxury boutique hotels is emerging – look to Lango Design Hotel & Spa or Sagredo Boutique Hotel & Spa Located just 4 kilometres from the Turkish coastline set sail from the main port and within a matter of minutes you’ll have escaped the party boats views instead replaced with Turkey’s mountains on one side Steps from the port are the Altar of Dionysus the ancient Greek physician who was born on the island there’s the 4th-century BC Asclepieion of Kos See the sights by bike – the (mostly) flat topography of Kos means it has been a cycling island for centuries pedal towards the flamingo-filled waters of Tigaki's salt lake (autumn and spring are the best times to spot the graceful birds) or to traditional villages for a taverna dinner and we haven’t even mentioned the plentiful beaches many of which get somewhat crowded during peak season Black-sand Therma Beach with hot springs (the clue’s in the name) is the spot to visit for natural healing KythnosThe best Greek island for: Holidaying like a local Summer crowds in Kythnos are rare and – if seen at all – consist of mainly Greek visitors congregating in the island's capital Perhaps surprisingly so (Kythnos is one of the closest Cycladic islands to Athens) but perhaps not – this is an island that welcomes but doesn't rely on tourists instead generating income from agriculture and fishing With more than 100 kilometres of coastline – and a similar number of beaches dotted along them – sun sea and sand are some of the highlights of any visit to Kythnos The most well-known beach is Kolonos: connecting mainland Kythnos with Agios Loukas islet sandy strip is flanked by the sea on both sides its unique terrain a popular pull for (non-local) beachgoers Loutra – which means ‘baths’ – is the spot to visit for a therapeutic dip in hot springs popular beaches include Apokrousi and Martinakia (Hamsa beach bar at Martinakia is a good spot to sink into a lounger for a day) Head to Simoussi in the southeast or Stifos in the southwest to soak up the sun in solitude The best bet for restaurant reservations are inland: Da Massimo Sunset Restaurant in the charming village of Dryopida is a good choice or head to Mesaria (Hora) and wander the quaint streets before taking a table at Margiora for an evening of stylised Greek dishes- with-a-twist and creative cocktails housed in a restored 1800s mansion but in terms of meeting the sweet spot of authentic island charm smart hotels and relative ease of accessibility we recommend venturing to the more underrated islands such as Milos (direct flights from Athens) and Paros (direct flights from London) housed inside a neoclassical former residence – it's also just been awarded with one Michelin Key Login For assistance please contact Our Customer Service on: Tel: +44(0)20 8955 7020. Email: musicweek@abacusemedia.com Please enter your email so we can send you password reset link An email has been sent to you containing a link to reset your password Reactional Music has agreed a global licensing partnership with the world’s largest classical and regional music rights-holder, Naxos.  Reactional is an interactive music personalisation engine and delivery platform that connects the worlds of music and games The partnership will bring the world's biggest classical music catalogue to game developers and gamers jazz and cultural music from across the world.  The Reactional Platform allows game developers to create interactive music soundtracks in games It also enables music to be personalised within a game in real time by the gamer It does not affect the master recording.  Naxos and Reactional have also confirmed that they are exploring a collaboration on the composition of interactive soundtracks allowing composed music to be generated in real time around the gamer and gameplay.  The partnership significantly expands and diversifies Reactional’s music delivery portfolio for game developers around the world Naxos becomes the latest in a growing network of rights-holder partners who will gain deeper access to games developers and the global games market “With 14,000 games released on PC, 8,000 on console and thousands more on mobile each year, the diversity of games development across five continents is huge,” said Reactional Music president David Knox “The partnership with Naxos is important as it brings music scores from every region of the world together along with an incredible catalogue of classical music Naxos has a vision and understanding of the transformations that are taking place and the new opportunities that now exist for creative and commercial use and consumption of music.”  Reach and access into interactive and game developers and their customers and gamers is an important step for Naxos Hakan Lagerqvist, CEO of Naxos Digital Services added: “Our partnership with Reactional Music is incredibly exciting Naxos brings a palette of ideas and choice that can work in so many different worlds and interactive experiences “Naxos will also explore how our composers’ work and our music catalogues can be enabled as full interactive game soundtracks It is also a step towards enabling music to be used under licence by creators developers and enablers in all areas of interactive.”  Reactional Music has partnered with more than 50 music rights-holders worldwide over the past three years, including Beggars Group, Defected Records, Cherry Red Records, Hopeless Records Hipgnosis Song Management and production music groups including APM Music For more stories like this, and to keep up to date with all our market leading news, features and analysis, sign up to receive our daily Morning Briefing newsletter You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site Anna Netrebko's role debut has to be postponed to a later date Anna Netrebko's role debut in the title role of Ariadne auf Naxos unfortunately has to be postponed to a later date: Due to health problems in December and the resulting lack of preparation time for the start of rehearsals at the beginning of January Netrebko has been forced to cancel her performances as Ariadne at the Vienna State Opera in January 2025 »I am sad that I will not be interpreting this incredible new role« Anna Netrebko: » I am sad that I will not be interpreting this incredible new role but I am unable to prepare it to the standard I demand of myself I am sorry to disappoint everyone who planned on attending Since beginning to study the role of Ariadne I have fallen in love with it and looked forward to debuting it Bogdan Roščić and I are working to find a new period as soon as possible for me to sing it in Vienna a renowned artist has been engaged: Lise Davidsen will be singing Ariadne – with this role the internationally acclaimed soprano made her debut at the Vienna State Opera in 2017 Director of the Vienna State Opera: »It is always disappointing when a role debut that has been planned for so long has to be postponed we are very fortunate to be able to bring Lise Davidsen perhaps the most important new voice in the German repertoire in recent years Michael Spyres will perform as Tenor/Bacchus and Adrian Eröd as Musiklehrer; actor Bernhard Schir will make his house debut as Haushofmeister Join WUSF next spring for ten unforgettable days exploring the rich history and breathtaking beauty of Greece Immerse yourself in Greece’s mythic legends and ancient treasures on an epic tour of Athens and the islands of Naxos and Crete birthplace of democracy and home to the Acropolis the ubiquitous symbol of ancient Greek civilization We’ll explore imposing ruins overlooking terraced vineyards and the sea Our first stop is Naxos where we will spend 3 nights at the beautiful and serene Ammothines Cycladic Suites on the beach in Plaka time seems to have stood still for centuries From Naxos we travel south to the island of Crete Our home base will be the Rimondi Boutique Hotels located in the heart of the pretty little town of Rethymno with its tangle of streets and Venetian harbor local artisans share with us their traditions and craftsmanship in Greek pottery and handwork as we bask in the glories of Greece your companions throughout the trip are like-minded fellow WUSF listeners.  The tour is limited to only 25 participants You won’t want to miss this wonderful experience based on double occupancy. Single supplement: $1,300 send registration form with check or credit card information for the deposit amount to: The Grand Tour Questions? Contact Kathy Jordan of WUSF: KATHYJ@wusf.org / 941.359.4240 or The Grand Tour: info@thegrandtour.com / 800.727.2995 A historic high in arrivals in the Municipality of Naxos & Small Cyclades With over 600,000 arrivals by ferry and air and a 4.6% increase in total flows the 2024 tourist season closed with a new record for Naxos Ferry arrivals recorded a significant increase between April and October with particularly positive performances in the months of May air arrivals showed an impressive increase of 29% compared to 2023 The Municipality of Naxos and Small Cyclades is implementing targeted actions to promote and extend the tourist season “The challenges we face in such a competitive environment do not allow us to rest,” Deputy Mayor for Tourism Vangelis Katsaras told Tornos News established international media and travel blogs from countries such as France Italy and the USA highlighted the natural beauty enhancing the international recognition of the destination Awarded as a leading sustainable destination the Municipality of Naxos and Lesser Cyclades in collaboration with the Greek National Tourist Board Office Great Britain organized a familiarization trip for tour operators and journalists aiming to highlight the natural and sustainable aspects of the island The success of this action contributed significantly to Naxos’ distinction at the Greek Travel Awards in London where it emerged as a top sustainable destination after an evaluation process under the supervision of the Greek National Tourism Organization and major British tourism organizations Continuous presence in international media The promotion strategy continues with international specials in leading media such as the British TTG and the Italian La Repubblica The reports highlight the authenticity and quality of the destination showcasing Naxos as an ideal place for relaxation The Municipality emphasizes participation in major international tourism exhibitions such as WTM 2024 in London and ITB 2025 in Berlin and tourism professionals are a valuable tool for planning new promotional activities.” Funding for sustainable tourism development With the aim of upgrading the tourism product and attracting visitors with special interests the Municipality secured funding of 381,215 euros through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0” The project concerns the creation of an Integrated Hiking Network for Naxos and the promotion of the geological and agricultural heritage of the islands and investments in sustainable development Naxos strengthens its position as one of the most sought-after Greek destinations with stable growth and a long-term vision for the future Nafplio at the epicenter of world yachting with the 10th Mediterranean Yacht Show Samaria Gorge “War Zone” – “Others Decide, We Pay the Price” Argosaronic Islands: Need for a long-term strategy and modern infrastructure FedHATTA | Tourism Bridges between Greece and the Chinese province of Guizhou Top distinctions for Greece and Santorini at the American Leisure Lifestyle Awards 2025 HOTREC | Supporting SMEs in European Hospitality Aegean and Emirates expand their partnership Delta | Athens is in 5th place in American searches for 2025 TripAdvisor Awards 2025 | Elafonisi Beach World's Best Beach - 9th in Crete, Sani Beach Award ATM'25 - Tourism | The fight against food waste at the forefront of sustainable development easyJet holidays | Fam trips to Santorini, Skiathos and Rhodes Chania: The next actions of the “Tourism Partnership” Navarino Challenge returns on May 9-11, 2025 Three Greek beaches among the world’s 50 best – Triumph for the Ionian The “Typhoon” that saves the Greek coasts from garbage EOT at the “Arabian Travel Market” | Interest from Gulf countries, India, and Australia CERT to manage Vasilitsa Ski Resort – Investment of over 20 million euros Is American tourism in Europe “slowing down”? What do professionals see for 2025 and 2026 This is Athens & Partners | The 7 partners renew their collaboration - the joint actions FedHATTA: Dynamic presence of Greek travel agencies at the international Dubai exhibition ATM 2025 Ryanair announces new offer for Prime members on June flights Thomas Ellerbeck | “Rhodes can become a model of sustainable tourism internationally” The Times | The perfect time to experience the authentic side of Santorini Chania: The Alternative Tourism Festival returns to the Venetian Port Angela Gerekou: "Tourism is a force for good and Greece can play a leading role" New flights to Greece in 2025 from 4 airlines Crete welcomes Reveil 12 – Festival of Sounds and Ecology Greek tourism - 3rd quarter | 97% of arrivals in Athens and Thessaloniki Modernization aid for the marinas of Symi and Messolonghi HOTREC Assembly: Focus on challenges and reforms in European tourism AEGEAN 2025: Passenger growth and fleet expansion with an eye on the international market FedHATTA Cooperation with Shaanxi Province, China Greek academic in finalists of European Sustainable Energy Awards 2025 Thessaloniki museums join forces to promote the city GNTO introduces “Sustainable Greece” to British Agents Strategic meeting for cruises in Santorini A message of friendship and cooperation at the friendly Greek-Turkish football match in Chios Municipality of Xiromero | Diving tourism: Request for sinking of a decommissioned warship The first La Quinta by Wyndham in Batumi, Georgia Double racing event in Megalopolis on May 11: Festival Enduro and Theater Run 2025 Explora Journeys: Start of the summer season with the luxurious EXPLORA I from Piraeus Strong start in 2025 for Aegean and SKY Express Xanthi Tastes: A Gastronomy Festival with a Cultural Flavor Rhodes: These are the five-star hotels with the highest revenue – Which ones “fill up” first Greek Tourism/Webhotelier: The Winners and Losers in Online Bookings for 2025 GNTO | Promotion of Santorini in target markets Unprecedented blackout in Spain, Portugal, France Greece can play a leading role in the global sports tourism scene Rhodes | Event for the protection of biodiversity Attica, the …Caribbean of the Germans Agios Nikolaos | Cruise season kicks off with arrival of luxury Silver Spirit Operational Plan: “Cretan Food Culture 2026-2030” Destination Management and Promotion Organization in Thessaloniki Kefalonia: The authentic character of the island through the “Travel Reimagined” project Hoteliers vs. Booking.com: The European uprising has begun Tourism | Greece 4th choice for Europeans' holidays in 2025 - what the ETC survey shows New high-standard heated swimming pool in Chania, aimed at sports tourism Greeks Traveled (A Lot!) in 2024 – Where They Went, How Much They Spent Greek-American Dean Spanos brings the NFL to Greece – Opportunities for promotion in the USA Lesvos: The season begins with birdwatching tourists MSC Cruises: Strengthens its presence in Greece with 6 cruise ships New Luxury Arrival in Crete | JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa Opens on June 2 "Peloponnese Trails" inaugurated today: New network of trails for sustainable tourism Knossos: 125 years since the excavations of Arthur Evans The Spanish TV show “Viajeros Cuatro” in Corfu Wyndham - Soliteight | 40 Super 8 hotels in Spain and Portugal Airbnb: Final price now displayed in accommodation searches Investments in the beaches of the Attica Riviera The Municipality of Chania at the “From Crete to Side” Festival in Turkey Region of Central Macedonia: Tourism Promotion Activities in Poland and the Middle East Region of Crete | Connecting Minoan Palatial Centers with Archaeological Sites Biodiversity protection plan is in full swing in Elafonisi Record participation in the ATHENA International Olive Oil Competition | Chania 8 - 10 May Communities at the heart of tourism development Booking.com | No to limiting tourists, yes to infrastructure investments Thessaloniki’s dynamic presence at the World Tourism Summit in Hong Kong easyJet | Summer 2026 sales open Cruise | Turkey doubles its share, new opportunities for Greek ports Aid for the upgrade of the tourist shelter of Astakos and the Marina of Alimos Preparing the settlement of Kionia for the tourist season: An example to follow The action of the region of Crete "Let's go for... Greens" concludes this weekend “Art is our Language”: Campaign for the 70th Anniversary of the Athens Epidaurus Festival Tourism | Nostalgia drives Brits’ travel choices ΕΟΤ China | B2B meetings with Chengdu's t.os - Flights to Athens in June State-of-the-art conference center at Theartemis Palace Hotel in Rethymno Zagori: Collaboration with Impact Hub Athens for sustainable tourism and innovation Cooperation Memorandum between Development Athens and Piraeus University on Tourism Kos: New advertising campaigns with Jet2 and National Geographic Traveller UK Five cruise ships in Souda by Saturday Imbros Trail Run & Hike 2025: A sporting tribute to the History of Sfakia Cultural Days and Sea Routes in Piraeus Religious Tourism | The University of Palermo comes to Panagia Nafpaktiotissa Audio Walk in the Sitia Geopark: A Different Exploration Experience in Crete AEGEAN “takes off” Larnaca with a new direct flight to Rome Juneyao Airlines: More direct flights from Shanghai to Athens in 2025 Alltours: Familiarization trip to Greece for 250 travel agents Nations Cup Beach Volleyball is coming to TUI Magic Life Candia Maris on May 16-18 Navarino Challenge returns on May 9-11, 2025 Traditional Easter in Naxos: Unique Customs and Local Cuisine Annual revenue of over 43,000 euros for Airbnb in Mykonos and Santorini What the Israeli Ambassador discussed at the Chania Chamber ATM'25 - Tourism | The fight against food waste at the forefront of sustainable development PM at 1st Greece-Saudi Arabia High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council on Monday Greece's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO organizing concert on January 16 Athens to host the European Film Awards in 2027 German tourism: Advance bookings are the new "last-minute" What to expect at this year’s ITB Berlin Exhibition from March 4-6 North Macedonia: Increase in foreign tourists in 2024 The 20 "loudest" luxury hotel arrivals in Greece in 2025 Athens Municipality Festival 2025 | The city's biggest celebration, with more than 200 events Tri-city winter luncheon unites upstate New York Philoptochos chapters ELSTAT: Hospitality enterprises' turnover grows 28.6% in Greece during Q1 Alonissos tops the list of Greek destinations without mass tourism Direct connection of Chania airport to Israel to be strengthened easyJet holidays | Fam trips to Santorini, Skiathos and Rhodes Greek tourism sets new records in 2024: 36 million visitors and €22 billion revenue Navarino Challenge returns on May 9-11, 2025 Chania: The next actions of the “Tourism Partnership” Increase in visitor numbers and revenues to museums and archaeological sites in 2024 Passenger traffic in Q1 | +9.1% at CAA airports, +6.5% in all Greek Tourism 2024: Record Performance at a Glance Ryanair: New Brussels – Volos connection in summer 2025 Samaria Gorge “War Zone” – “Others Decide, We Pay the Price” Global air passenger traffic hits record high in 2024 with 5.85 billion airline seats Greeks Traveled (A Lot!) in 2024 – Where They Went, How Much They Spent As part of the projects to expand the aircraft parking area and upgrade the runway the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) announces by notice (NOTAM) the temporary closure of Naxos Airport The runway at Naxos State Airport will remain closed in order to carry out technical infrastructure and pavement maintenance works helicopter airlift flights will not be affected as they will use approved space in the airport parking area As the Hellenic Aviation Authority points out the temporary suspension of commercial flight services is necessary in order to complete in a short period of time and safely the required technical works for the construction and connection of the new taxiway with the runway as well as the rehabilitation and reinforcement of the runway shoulders The works are being carried out with the aim of serving larger aircraft types safely