Ano Potamia: Watermill, Chapel and Hiking Trails

Áno Potamiá brings together specific cultural and hiking highlights: a restored old watermill stands on the edge of the settlement, a chapel dating from 1799 stands in the square, and a water-rich ancient spring welcomes hikers to the village. A statue of a woman stands just outside it. The route descriptions also have different points of focus: Cultural Route 5 leads to Áno Potamiá, while Route 6 becomes a riverside path beyond the settlement. When planning your trip, consider both the buildings and the different landmarks along the routes.

Watermill and Spring

An old watermill has been restored on the edge of Áno Potamiá. It is considered one of 14 old watermills in the area and can be visited. For anyone interested in historic mills, it is a specific destination; the number also places it within a larger group in the surrounding area. Its location on the edge of the settlement sets it apart from the chapel in the square. Check on current visiting arrangements before your visit.

A paved path built with marble leads to Áno Potamiá, where a water-rich ancient spring welcomes hikers. This identifies both a feature of the path and a destination in the village. If you like to pay attention to the path itself when hiking, its construction and paving are described specifically; the spring also anchors it in Áno Potamiá. The path and spring thus complement the historic buildings with a distinct hiking feature.

Chapel and Cultural Sites

In the square of Áno Potamiá, next to the old well, stands the chapel of Agios Ioannis Theologos. It is dated to 1799. Its location and date give you two clear points of reference: the chapel is part of the village square, and its place in time can be pinned to a specific year. If you are interested in historic buildings, this site combines a precise location with a recorded date.

Just outside Áno Potamiá, on the road to Chalki, stands the statue of a woman known as Kore of Potamia. She is also known as the companion of the Kouros of Melanes. The statue is therefore a cultural landmark nearby, but outside the settlement; by contrast, the watermill and chapel are on the edge of, or in the square of, the village. This distinction helps you keep the different points of interest separate when finding your way around.

Two Hiking Routes on Naxos

Cultural Route 5 on Naxos passes through Tragea (Chalki), Tsikalario, Apano Kastro and Agios Andreas before reaching Áno Potamiá. The sequence names several places before ending at the destination, giving your hiking plans a regional context. If you would like to include this route in your plans, check locally for current waymarking before setting out.

Route 6 has a different focus: beyond Áno Potamiá, the path becomes a riverside path; this section lies outside the settlement. This gives you two distinct details to consider: Route 5 lists a series of places leading to Áno Potamiá, while Route 6 follows the riverside path beyond the village. When choosing a hike, you can consider whether you prefer the named sequence of places or the path along the river. Check locally for current waymarking and trail conditions before setting out.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

Your preferred holiday focus can also help guide your search for a holiday apartment in Ano Potamia. If you mainly want to discover cultural sites, you will find different landmarks in the square, on the edge of the settlement, and just outside the village. For hiking, the main options are the cultural route to Áno Potamiá and the riverside path beyond the settlement. This distinction can help you decide how to prioritize the themes of your stay and plan your days accordingly.

Discover more destinations: Glinado, Tholaria, Stelida, Galíni, Chora, Kalantos, Agkidia, Egiali.

For the broader travel overview: Naxos.