Naxos: Perivoli Farm Cooking Class & Wood-Fire Lunch

Summary

Farm animals laughter wood-fire cooking and Naxian flavors

You’ll gather eggs with locals near Melanes, taste fruit straight from the trees, help cook Naxian recipes over a wood fire (with guidance from a grandmother), and share lunch under grapevines with house wine flowing. Expect laughter, honest food, new friends—and moments you’ll probably want to tell someone about later.

What’s the experience like?

Maria waved us over before we’d even made it through the gate—she had a basket of eggs in one hand and a wide grin that made me forget how early it was. I tried to greet her in Greek (not my best moment), but she just laughed and handed me an egg, still warm from the coop. The smell of hay mixed with something sweet, maybe from the fruit trees nearby. Chickens darted around our feet, and somewhere behind us a peacock let out this wild call that startled everyone except Maria’s grandson, who just shrugged like it was normal.

We wandered through olive groves while our guide—her name was Eleni—explained how their family’s been pressing olive oil for generations. She let us rub the leaves between our fingers; they left this peppery scent that stuck to my hands. I didn’t expect to care about potatoes, but there’s something about digging up Naxian potatoes yourself that makes them taste different later. We picked tomatoes too, still warm from the sun. Eleni kept handing us things to try—figs, grapes, whatever was ripe—and at some point I lost track of what season it even was.

I think the real magic happened around the wood fire. Maria showed us how to make zucchini balls (I definitely added too much mint), and then we all tried shaping little cheese pies together. There was flour everywhere—on the table, on my shirt, probably in my hair. Someone poured raki into tiny glasses and suddenly everyone loosened up; even my partner started dancing when Maria put on music for a quick lesson in local steps. The air smelled like baking bread and herbs. I still think about that omelet—eggs we’d collected ourselves, cheese from their goats, potatoes we’d dug up earlier.

Lunch felt more like joining a family than being on a tour. We sat under grapevines with plates of tzatziki and fried potatoes disappearing faster than anyone could refill them. I can’t remember half the names of what we ate but it didn’t matter; everything tasted like summer afternoons should taste. At some point Maria just smiled at us all like she knew something we didn’t—and maybe she did.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Farm visit and cooking experience

• Meet farm animals and collect eggs
• Visit olive groves and taste olive oil
• Explore potato fields and learn about Naxian potatoes
• Taste seasonal fruits from fruit trees
• Gather produce from vineyard and vegetable garden
• Cook traditional Naxian recipes over wood fire
• Enjoy dishes with local wine and cheese
• Dance Naxian local dances

Top questions

Where does the Naxos farm cooking class take place?

The experience is held at a family-owned farm near the village of Melanes in Naxos.

What do you do during the Perivoli Farm Experience?

You meet farm animals, collect eggs and vegetables, walk through olive groves and vineyards, then cook traditional recipes over a wood fire.

Is lunch included in this Naxos cooking class?

Yes, lunch is included along with local wine and other drinks.

Do you get to try Naxian wine or cheese?

Yes, you taste both local Naxian wine and several types of cheese during the meal.

Who teaches the cooking class?

The cooking is guided by a local grandmother using ingredients you help collect on the farm.

Are there vegetarian options available?

The menu includes several vegetarian dishes such as tzatziki, zucchini balls, vegetable briam or gemista, and salads.

How long does this farm experience last?

The exact duration isn’t specified but includes time for animal visits, harvesting produce, cooking together and enjoying lunch.

Is pickup included for this tour?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; guests make their own way to the farm near Melanes.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting friendly farm animals near Melanes village in Naxos, picking fresh vegetables and eggs alongside locals, tasting seasonal fruits straight from the trees plus extra virgin olive oil from their groves. You’ll cook traditional recipes over a wood fire with guidance from a Naxian grandmother before sharing a homemade lunch featuring house wine and coffee or tea—all prepared together from ingredients gathered that morning.