Flerio Ruins Hike Naxos: Kouros Statues & Jesuit Palace

Ancient Kouros statues carved millennia ago, still standing in the valley where they were left.

A guided hike through Flerio on Naxos takes you past two 6th-century BC Kouros statues, the ruins of a 17th-century Jesuit Palace, and the lush villages of Potamia and Melanes. A certified local guide leads the route. A van picks you up from Naxos Town or another location and returns you at the end. The hike covers olive groves, orchards, and a Venetian tower hidden in the greenery, with energy bars and trekking poles provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hike ancient sites and local villages

• Drive from Naxos Town to Flerio
• Discover the Kouros of Flerio statue
• Visit the Kouros of Farangi statue
• Explore ruins of Jesuit Palace in Melanes
• Wander through Potamia villages and orchards
• Enjoy traditional lunch in nearby village
• Return through olive groves

The experience

The hike starts with a short drive from Naxos Town into Flerio, a fertile valley filled with sycamore trees, olive groves, and citrus orchards. Your guide leads you to the Kouros of Flerio first: a 6-meter statue carved around 570 BC and left unfinished in the stone. From there, the route continues westward through the valley to the Kouros of Farangi, a 5.5-meter statue from the early 6th century BC, both monuments standing as they have for millennia in the open landscape.

The hike then moves through the ruins of the 17th-century Jesuit Palace, nestled between Melanes and Potamia, before entering the villages themselves. Potamia is known for its lush, tropical-like scenery: a serene creek runs through it, and orchards surround the stone houses. Along the way, you'll pass Koko's Tower, a Venetian structure hidden among the greenery. The route concludes through peaceful olive groves, returning to the van for the drive back.

The full hike takes 4.5 hours. You'll carry trekking poles and a backpack provided by the operator. Energy bars, fruit, and juice are included to sustain you along the way. A certified local guide leads in English, and a first aid kit travels with the group. If you choose the lunch option, a traditional meal happens in a nearby village partway through the day.

What’s included

• Certified local guide in English.
• van pickup and return from Naxos Town or your chosen location.
• trekking poles and backpack.
• energy bars, fresh fruit, and juice.
• first aid kit and all taxes. Traditional lunch in a village is available as an optional choice at checkout.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private without lunchGuide in English · 10:00Pickup is included

Private with lunchGuide in English · Available from 1 Apr 2027Pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDeparts at 10:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

AgesUp to age 75

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Is this one for you?Choose the option with lunch if you want to rest midway and eat in a village. The hike without lunch moves straight through. Either way, the 4.5-hour pace gives you time to stand in front of each statue and explore the villages without rushing, and the van handles the drive so you walk only the valley itself.

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Top questions

What are the two Kouros statues on this hike?

The Kouros of Flerio and the Kouros of Farangi are both unfinished ancient sculptures from the 6th century BC, carved directly from the stone and left in place. The Flerio statue stands 6 meters tall and dates to around 570 BC. The Farangi statue is 5.5 meters tall from the early 6th century BC. Both remain in the open valley where they were abandoned thousands of years ago.

How long is the hike and what kind of terrain does it cover?

The full experience takes 4.5 hours from pickup to return. The route follows valleys, olive groves, and orchards through Flerio, Melanes, and Potamia, passing through the villages and along a creek. The terrain is a mix of open landscape and cultivated land. Trekking poles are provided and included.

What's included in the hike besides the guide?

The van pickup from Naxos Town (or another location you choose), trekking poles, a backpack, energy bars, fruit, juice, and a first aid kit are all included. A certified local guide leads the route in English. Lunch in a village is available as an optional add-on at checkout.

What is Koko's Tower and where is it on the route?

Koko's Tower is a Venetian structure hidden among the greenery of the Potamia area. You'll pass it during the hike as you move through the villages between the Jesuit Palace ruins and the olive groves on the return leg of the route.

Can I do this hike if I'm not very fit?

The hike is suitable for all physical fitness levels according to the operator. However, it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. If you have concerns about your fitness, discuss them with the guide when you arrive.