Naxos is mentioned in Greek mythology as the place where Theseus, returning from Crete after slaying the Minotaur, abandoned Ariadne. According to myth, the abandoned Ariadne was detected by the god Dionysus, who fell in love with her and took her to Olympus.

Naxos was inhabited already from the 4th millennium BC and played an important role in the Cycladic civilization, which is proved by the important archaeological findings that can be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Naxos and the archaeological sites on the island.

During the classical period, the construction of the temple of Apollo begun and today you can only see the remaining famous Portara. In 490 BC Naxos was destroyed by the Persians and it later joined the Athenian League. When it collapsed, it also lead Naxos in decline.

During the Byzantine times, Naxos belonged to the Aegean Theme, while in 1207 it was occupied by the Venetians and Marco Sanudo established the Duchy of Naxos. The island was governed by the Venetians until the mid-16th century, when Turks occupied it and created impressive castles and towers.

Naxos remained under Ottoman rule until the Greek Revolution of 1821, when together with the other islands in the Cyclades it finally became part of the newly established Greek state.