Naxos is the most fertile island of the Cyclades. The products it produces, known throughout Greece for their excellent quality, prove that the island is - as the locals say - a blessed place.
Southern Naxos, the Livadi area with its fertile inland valleys and surrounding villages, produces large quantities of potatoes, the famous Naxian agricultural product, as well as fruits and vegetables.
The lush valley of Eggares adds large amounts of fruits and vegetables to the island's annual harvest, thanks to its vast orchards.
The Smiridochoria of mountainous Naxos, built on vine-covered slopes, produce what the locals call the "nectar of the gods," their famous wine. Naxos is also renowned for its high-quality olive oil. It is indicative that more than 400,000 olive trees are cultivated on the island, 200,000 of which are located in the Tragea basin.
And of course, it is not only agricultural products that have made Naxos famous among food lovers, but also its equally high-quality livestock products.
In the mountains of both mountainous and semi-mountainous Naxos, hundreds of goats and sheep are raised, while cattle are mainly bred in the Livadi area. Their milk is used to produce the famous Naxian cheeses: graviera, kefalotyri, xinotyro, and xynomyzithra.
And because the people of Naxos are known for their lively spirit and musical tradition, they accompany their celebrations not only with local wine but also with their traditional liqueur. The famous Kitron liqueur is produced from the distillation of citron leaves, a plant cultivated only in the fertile soils of Naxos.
In Chalki, you can visit the traditional distillery and learn the secrets of producing this exquisite local liqueur. Traditional Naxian products can be purchased in shops in Chora as well as in other areas of the island. And of course, before buying them, you can taste them in tavernas across the island.
As for shopping, do not miss the chance to buy handmade traditional textiles as well as ceramic items, whose production has a long-standing tradition on the island.