The Archaeological Museum of Naxos holds one of the world’s most important collections of Early Cycladic figurines, drawn from Naxos and the Small Cyclades. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
This guide was updated in August 2026. The museum’s historic home in the Kastro’s Venetian tower has been closed since 2021 for a major renovation project not expected to finish until late 2027 or early 2028. In the meantime, a free temporary exhibition operates at the nearby Saint Ursula Cultural Center.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Temporary exhibition. Winter: Wed–Mon, 09:00–14:00. Summer: Thu–Mon, 09:00–14:00. Closed Tuesdays (also Wednesdays in summer) |
| Ticket prices | Free, while the temporary exhibition runs |
| Address | Saint Ursula Cultural Center, Kastro, Chora, Naxos 843 00 |
| Nearest transport | About a 10-minute walk uphill from the port through the Old Market |
| Typical visit length | 20 to 30 minutes |
Archaeological Museum of Naxos opening hours
The museum’s original building in the Kastro is closed for renovation, so all visits currently take place at the temporary exhibition in the Saint Ursula Cultural Center, within the same walled precinct.
As with many state-run museums, such as the Archaeological Museum of Eleusis near Athens and the Archaeological Museum of Chania on Crete, opening hours can be erratic.
Winter hours run Wednesday to Monday, 09:00 to 14:00, closed Tuesdays. Summer hours run Thursday to Monday, 09:00 to 14:00, closed both Tuesdays and Wednesdays, an unusually reduced schedule linked to the temporary setup.
The exhibition is also closed on 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Easter Sunday, and 25 and 26 December.
Archaeological Museum of Naxos ticket prices
Admission is currently free, for as long as the museum’s collection is shown at the temporary exhibition rather than its permanent home.
Free admission days that would otherwise apply, such as 6 March and 18 May, are not relevant while general entry is already free.
The museum is not included in any city pass, since it operates as part of the state museum network rather than a ticketed regional pass.
Opening hours and background information were checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026.
Why book the Meet Naxos II Bus Tour Around Naxos Island?
- 🏛️ Temple of Demeter at Gyroulas: Visit the stunning 6th-century BC marble temple, beautifully restored and situated in the fertile valley of Sangri, showcasing ancient Greek architectural mastery.
- 🏺 Damalas Pottery & Olive Oil Mill: Step back in time to witness traditional pottery craftsmanship at a fifth-generation workshop and tour a restored historic olive press to sample authentic local oils.
- 🏺 Marble Village of Apiranthos: Stroll through the picturesque mountain village famous for its marble-paved alleys, traditional stone architecture, and rich local folklore.
- 🗿 The Colossus of Apollonas (Kouros): View the impressive, unfinished 10.5-meter ancient marble statue lying peacefully in an ancient quarry near the coastal village of Apollonas.
- 🍋 Kitron Distillery Tasting in Halki: Stop in the island’s former capital to visit the historic Vallindras Distillery and taste Naxos’ famous citrus-based liqueur, Kitron.
How to get to the Archaeological Museum of Naxos
The Saint Ursula Cultural Center stands inside the Kastro, the walled Venetian old town above Naxos’s port.
From the port, it is about a 10-minute walk uphill through the Old Market alleys to reach the Kastro’s main gate.
A free public lift within the Kastro can carry visitors to the upper part of the complex, near the Avaton 1739 café, for those who prefer not to climb the final stretch on foot.
Parking near the Archaeological Museum of Naxos
The Kastro and much of Chora’s old town are pedestrianised, so there is no parking near the exhibition itself.
Visitors arriving by car should park near the port or the edge of the old town and walk up.
How long to spend at the Archaeological Museum of Naxos
Most visitors need 20 to 30 minutes, since the temporary exhibition displays only a selection of the museum’s full collection.
Visitors expecting the complete Early Cycladic figurine collection may be disappointed until the renovated museum reopens.
Accessibility at the Archaeological Museum of Naxos
No specific accessibility information is published for the temporary exhibition space.
The wider Kastro has a free public lift to its upper level, though the old town’s lanes remain narrow, stepped, and cobbled in most places.
Inside the Archaeological Museum of Naxos: what to see
The museum’s full collection, currently in storage during renovation, is renowned for its Early Cycladic marble figurines from Naxos, Keros, and Kato Koufonisi.
Other highlights normally include Late Mycenaean stirrup jars and grave goods from the Kamini and Aplomata cemeteries, Geometric-period pottery, and a Roman-era mosaic floor.
The temporary exhibition presents a selection of these finds, spanning the Neolithic period to early Christian times, with more limited exhibition space and labelling than the permanent museum.
The historic building itself, a 17th-century Venetian mansion once home to a Jesuit school, will reopen as part of a wider network of museums across the Kastro once restoration is complete.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip |
|---|
| Manage your expectations, since the temporary exhibition is much smaller than the museum’s full permanent collection. |
| Combine your visit with a walk around the Kastro, since the surrounding Venetian architecture is a highlight in its own right. |
| Ask locally about the museum’s reopening date, since the renovation timeline can shift. |
| Visit the Kastro in the late afternoon for cooler temperatures on the uphill walk. |
| Use the free public lift if you find the climb to the upper Kastro difficult. |
Frequently asked questions about the Archaeological Museum of Naxos
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the museum suitable for children? | Yes, though the current temporary display is small. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No, and no ticket is currently required at all. |
| Is the museum open on Sundays? | Yes, during its listed hours, since Sunday is not one of its closed days. |
| Are bags allowed inside? | Small bags are fine, given the modest size of the temporary space. |
| Is the museum wheelchair accessible? | Not confirmed for the temporary exhibition; the wider Kastro has some step-free routes. |
Things to do near the Archaeological Museum of Naxos
The Catholic Cathedral of Naxos, one of the oldest Catholic churches in the Aegean, stands within the same Kastro walls. The Della Rocca-Barozzi Venetian Museum, a private tower-house museum, hosts summer concerts in its courtyard.
The Portara, the massive marble doorway of an unfinished ancient temple, is a short walk from the port. The Glezos Tower, another Kastro landmark, is under restoration to become a future Byzantine museum.
Avaton 1739, a café at the top of the Kastro reached by the free public lift, offers panoramic views over the town and port.
Alternative attractions
The Archaeological Museum of Paros, about 30 to 45 minutes away by ferry, holds a comparable collection of Cycladic and Classical finds. The Archaeological Museum and site of Delos, reachable via ferry from Mykonos, displays finds from the same excavation network across the Cyclades. A guided tour is recommended here.
The Archaeological Museum of Milos, home to the findspot of the Venus de Milo, lies a longer ferry journey to the south. The Archaeological Museum of Syros, in Ermoupoli, covers a similarly broad span of island history.
More Cyclades travel
Other Cyclades travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Practical guide to visiting the Yria Archaeological Site on Naxos.
- Discovering the inland highlights on a full day Naxos bus tour.
- What to expect at the Andros Maritime Museum.
- Practical guide to visiting Panagia Evangelistria on Tinos.
- Plan your visit to Ekatontapyliani on Paros.
