Entire home

A jewel in the heart of the Castro: a 14th-century home & magical retreat for 6

Waterfront holiday home with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for A jewel in the heart of the Castro: a 14th-century home & magical retreat for 6

The terrace, blissful to lie down on the long couch and read.
The charming terrace and the Venetian cathedral belltower
The perfect breakfast spot on the terrace at Castro Sea View House.
Juliette balcony view towards Mykonos from master bedroom 1
Sunset looking out across the sea towards Mykonos from upper living room

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6186 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Free WiFi
  • Ocean view

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Naxos Kastro
  • Place, Port of Naxos
  • Place, Agios Georgios Beach
  • Airport, Naxos (JNX-Naxos Island National)

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Dining area

About this property

A jewel in the heart of the Castro: a 14th-century home & magical retreat for 6

A rare chance to stay in a charming fourteenth-century home right in the heart of the historic castle area of Naxos. Come and be bewitched by the special magic of the Castro and this wonderful island.

Sitting above the lively port, the house is a haven of light and sea breezes looking out over the sea, the mountains and our charming sun-trap terrace. Filled with antiques, books, paintings and sculptures, it is a wonderfully welcoming space.

A short walk uphill from the waterfront brings you into the ancient citadel built by Venetian conquerors in the 13th century, surrounded by the stone battlements of the Ducal palace.

The house lies within the Castro walls, a perfect retreat from the buzzy port town. There are two spacious airy, reception rooms, a large kitchen and three comfortable bedrooms (two doubles and a twin). In addition, a lovely whitewashed terrace overflowing with geraniums and bougainvillea provides a wonderful place to sit for breakfast, read a novel or sunbathe.

We have lovingly maintained this historic property since our family bought it in 1963 from descendants of one of the original Venetian families.

It has long been a refuge and inspiration for writers, artists, musicians, archaeologists, and geologists who have fallen in love with the peace of the house and beauty of the island.

All profits are returned to the upkeep of this special place, maintaining traditional workmanship and methods.

As with the whole of the Castro, the house has walking access only, up stepped alleyways. You can park within 5 mins walk of the house, at the foot of the hill.

We think you will fall under the spell of Naxos, as all visitors do.

PLEASE NOTE: we book by the week only, with changeover on Saturdays, except by special arrangement. Please contact us for dates outside this.

PRN (AMA) 00000015062

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Ocean view
Fireplace

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 2:30 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 9:30 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 13–17
Over-11s only, because of the roof access
default

Events

No events allowed
This is a very quiet residential area
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
One week minimum stay, Saturday changeover.
Respect this quiet residential neighbourhood next door to the church.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: This is a very quiet residential area
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number 00000015062

We should mention

Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed GBP 500, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Naxos

Located in Naxos, this holiday home is in the mountains and on the waterfront. While the natural beauty of Agios Georgios Beach and Agios Prokopios Beach can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can explore Port of Naxos. Aqua Fun Water Park and Ergostasion Olive Oil Mill are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain biking and hiking/biking trails.
Map
Naxos

What's nearby

  • Naxos Archaeological Museum - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Naxos Kastro - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Port of Naxos - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • The Portara - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Agios Georgios Beach - 14 min walk - 1.2 km

Getting around

  • Naxos (JNX-Naxos Island National) - 9 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Boulamatsis Tavern - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Avaton 1739 - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Doukato - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪The Rum Bar cocktails & spirits - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Ammos Naxos Seafood - ‬4 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is A jewel in the heart of the Castro: a 14th-century home & magical retreat for 6 pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at A jewel in the heart of the Castro: a 14th-century home & magical retreat for 6?

Check-in begins at 2:30 PM.

What time is check-out at A jewel in the heart of the Castro: a 14th-century home & magical retreat for 6?

Checkout is at 9:30 AM.

Where is A jewel in the heart of the Castro: a 14th-century home & magical retreat for 6 located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of Catholic Cathedral and Port of Naxos. Naxos Kastro and Naxos Archaeological Museum are just steps away.

About the host

Hosted by Zita Newcome

Host profile image
We are three British sisters who were lucky enough to inherit this wonderful house from our aunt, who lived here for many decades. We have loved the house, the island and its people since we were young, and our own children treasure all this in their turn.

When in Naxos we love swimming in the incredible turquoise waters, going for long walks in the interior of the island, relaxing at the house reading, or having long meals at one of our many favourite tavernas. We are a family of artists, who love to find a quiet corner of the island to paint or draw.

We care for and renovate the house using traditional methods that respect its historic construction. We love to share it with visitors and hear how they too fall under the spell of the house, the Castro, and Naxos.

Why they chose this property

Castro Sea View House is a very magical place, and we love it for its secluded position inside the walls of the medieval citadel. You're in the heart of Naxos town, with everything close by, yet you're above all the hustle and bustle.

Our aunt bought the house in the 'sixties to be a haven from the heat of Athens, where she worked. The house was always a refuge for her friends: archaeologists, historians, writers and artists who loved to stay here exploring the culture and antiquities of the island.

Naxos is a great destination for lovely beaches, beautiful walks, great local food and friendly people. It is wonderful to sail on a ferry across the Aegean sea to this fascinating island, full of history. You'll relax so much you'll never want to leave! There is a great variety of delightful tavernas, both along the port and beach or in the alleyways of the old town. You can walk to everything you need and not step in a car at all, or you can do road trips and experience the spectacular drives through the mountains, finding hidden villages, Byzantine chapels and ancient ruins.

What makes this property unique

This is a rare chance to stay in the historic citadel of Naxos, built by the Venetian families who conquered the island in the 13th century. Abutting the lovely Catholic cathedral and close to the archaeological museum, the house is full of history. The Venetian coat of arms on the cellar lintel is dated 1564 - the year of Shakespeare's birth, yet this was only the date when it was renovated, long after it was first built! The marble column supporting the ground floor is a remnant of the classical Greek settlement on this hill.

The Castro hovers above the hustle and bustle of the tourist zone, yet it is just a few flights of steps down to the port town, with its lively marketplace, tavernas and waterfront. A few hundred yards through the North Arch of the castle brings you to the Agora, the ancient market place where you can buy bread cooked in a wood-burning oven, fresh peaches, local vegetables, wine etc . The local produce is delicious and wonderful for cooking up feasts at the house.

You will sink into the timeless atmosphere of this cool and calm home. You can have an all-action holiday or just read, paint and listen to music. Whatever your choice, we hope you'll find this a very special place to stay.

Languages:

English