Is Naxos worth visiting?

• Yes because it is the largest of the Cycladic Islands. There is plenty to do for at least a week, but even as little as three nights there installs a niggling desire to never leave.
• There is so much to do but those golden sand beaches keep calling your name.
• Naxos lies in the Aegean Sea, south-east of mainland Greece. The Cyclades roughly encircle Delos, where mythical Apollo was born. Yes, it is possible to day trip to Delos from Naxos.
• Naxos is one of the few Aegean islands lucky enough to grow their own food. This reflects in both the quality and menu price in the many cute restaurants in Chora. Naxian Potatoes are famous and it’s worth hunting down the special Naxian Potato Salad.
• As mentioned above Naxos has the best beaches in the Aegean.
• Naxos is not a party island but has everything to make your Greek Island Holiday fun and memorable. Try the Flamingo Bar in Chora for port views, authentic food and dancing and even plate smashing on occasion.
• Naxos has the traditional white and blue Cycladic Architecture which symbolises Greek Islands to people world wide.
• There are historic temples, Churches and Castles to visit around the island, including one right above Chora and the waterfront. It’s an easy climb up to the still used 13th Century Venetian Fortress known as Kastro.
• Day trip to Paros Island or the Lesser Cyclades group of islands (you will love Koufonisia) easily and as mentioned above also to Mykonos and Delos from Naxos. Naxos is a great island to explore from.

How to get to Naxos

Naxos can be reached by a short affordable flight from Athens,

By ferry from the Mainland and from other islands. Ferryhopper App is the friend of ferry travellers.

Check out our Naxos Insta Highlights.

 

Where to stay on Naxos Island

Stay at Chora Naxos

My favourite recommendation is Chora (or Naxos Town) just a short walk from the Port.

When disembarking the Ferry in the evening, Chora lies directly in front of you twinkling a welcome.

Some visitors to Naxos don’t even bother going any further than Chora or the closest beach Agios Georgios, but they are missing out on a lot.

In September, the Port is a very chilled and welcoming compared to the hectic scenes on neighbouring islands.

Restaurants right here on the atmospheric waterfront have some of the best locally grown food on the islands plus the old town is adorable for exploring and souvenir shopping.

There are Great sandy beaches like Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka Beach just a hassle free drive or bus trip away.

Or Stay at Agios Georgios Naxos

Agios Georgios is another all time favourite area to stay on Naxos. The sand beach, beach bars, calm sea and shallow water make it great for families and anyone who wants to be within walking distance of Chora.

A lot of its accommodation is situated close to the beach and there are cute shopping opportunities too.

Recommendation

Both Chora and Agios Georgios are prime places to stay on Naxos and provide the perfect starting point for island explorations by bus or car.

Let’s do it.

What to do in Naxos Greece

• Chora and Kastro – turn right when leaving the ferry – restaurants, bars, shopping and continue uphill for Kastro.
• Naxos Portara (temple of Apollo) turn left when leaving ferry – great for Sunset views.
• Luxuriate at the Beaches near Chora
• Be adventurous and visit beaches further away
• Naxos day trip by car or bus to explore the historical mountain villages, churches, temples, distilleries and olive oil tastings.
• Take a Greek Island boat trip

Naxos Chora and Kastro

The Charming waterfront cafes and restaurants of Chora have great food and are very atmospheric. A quick diversion up behind the waterfront restaurants reveals an Aladdin’s cave of shopping and even more restaurants and bars.

Prices are cheaper here than on most other popular Cycladic islands, although the shopping range may be less than on some (I’m looking at you Paros and Santorini).

Restaurants and bars on this second level actually overlook the restaurants and bars below as well as the harbour, so it is worth considering how their view opens up before bypassing them.

If you’re looking for Greek music and plate smashing with dinner, try the Flamingo Bar. We ate at quite a few restaurants along the waterfront and they were all great. When the Flamingo Bar has live music, the waterfront restaurants below benefit also.

Keep on walking uphill into Kastro and follow signs to the actual Castle with it’s restaurants, museums and churches. It’s not too difficult a walk and the views are amazing.

If you have health problems or the weather is bad, there is an elevator to Avaton at the top of the Castle.

Portara Naxos – Temple of Apollo

Each evening an informal procession of sunset lovers strolls from Chora past the Port and along the causeway to Portara (see above photo). It is an easy walk and a must do at least once during your stay.

This huge door or Portara in Greek, faces in the direction of Delos, the island thought to honour Apollo. This door is all that is left of the Temple of Apollo, the rest of the temple being re-used to construct the still standing Castle fortress (Kastro) high above Chora.

The existing columns of Portara weigh 20 tonnes each and are made of Naxian Marble.

Beaches near Chora Naxos

These four following beaches (in order of distance) are easily reached from Chora and are beautiful sandy beaches. Many people, myself included, believe Naxos has the best beaches in the Aegean.

Agios Georgios Beach

Walking distance of 350 metres or 5 minutes south of Chora Naxos, Agioa Georgios’ white sand slopes very gradually, endearing it to families. It is a popular place to stay being so close to Chora, is a blue flag beach yet has a lot of accommodation and cafes right on the beach. Quintessentially Greek.

This beach is full of life and great for kids but if you’re wanting a more peaceful experience, try some beaches mentioned below. You will need a car or take a local bus trip to reach them. The buses are very affordable and comfortable.

Agios Prokopios Beach

At 5 km South-West of Naxos Chora, this beautiful expanse of sand and water is a blue flag winner. It lies between Agios Georgios and Agia Anna and is a very popular beach. I have seen it 80% covered in sun beds, but this changes with the season so could well be different during your visit.

Agia Anna Beach

This sandy beach continues on from the much larger Agios Prokopios and is another Blue Flag beach. Agia Anna is 6.7 km south of Naxos Chora. It is a personal favourite of ours as it has restaurants and tavernas are very close to the beach yet it is less organised (meaning less sun beds) and crowded than Agios Prokopios. We found their sun-beds and umbrellas to be less expensive than those at Agios Prokopios also.

Plaka Beach

This beautiful beach is 4km long and 8km from Naxos Chora. It is the terminus for buses from Naxos Chora.

Plaka beach is a continuation of Agia Anna Beach. It has plenty of the usual tourist facilities in the north but further south it offers pristine sand, crystal clear water and minimal visitors. It does attract nudists but not in great numbers, so do be aware of that.

*Blue Flag Beaches are Awarded for: Water Quality, Management, Safety, Enviro Education & Info.

Be Adventurous and visit Beaches further away

The following beaches can be visited several at a time if you have a rental car, or one at a time when catching a bus from Chora. Distances are given from Chora.

Apollonas Beach

35 km north of Naxos Chora, this beach is encircled by the picturesque Apollonos Village. It is the kind of place where you spend your whole holiday. Eating at the tavernas, shopping at the few but sufficient shops and chilling on the beach.

It is a totally different proposition to the long sandy stretches closer to Naxos Chora. We visited on a Bus Tour from Chora and had time to lay on the beach and take a swim. A lot of people choose lunch at one of the waterfront tavernas.

Important dates are:

28th June – Blessing of the boats and Fishermans Feast

29th August – Religious celebrations and feast in Tavernas.

Some bus tours of the island visit this beach for a couple of hours over lunch.

Mikri Vigla

(Sahara) – Sandy, Private, Nudist – 12km

(Parthena) – Sandy, Wind Sports, Semi-organized – 12km

Panermos/Panormos – Adventure – 54 from Naxos

The adventure is in getting there! Drive 17.5 km past Moutsouna through Kanaki and a further 9km. There are palm trees and Tamarisk trees for shade and calm anchorage for boats.

Pyrgaki – Sandy, Semi Organised, Secluded, Cute – 19km

Maragas – Sandy, Not Organised – 7km

Aliko – Sandy, Nudist – 18km

Orcos – near Plaka – 11km

Kastraki – Sandy, Not organised, quiet – 12km

Glyfada – Sandy, Not Organised, Wind Sports 16km

 

Naxos is worth visiting on an Island Bus Trip

These Bus day trips are well worth taking especially if you don’t wish to drive yourself or have limited time.

They are expert at fitting as many sights as possible into the day yet it doesn’t feel rushed at all. We would not have managed to see all the sights by driving ourselves.

Recommendation

We loved our Naxos Bus Trip and recommend it whole-heartedly.

Naxos Highlights Full-Day Tour by Bus.

 

Naxos Island Boat Trip

You’re in the Greek Islands so why not explore by boat? The above mentioned bus trip is a great way to explore the island on land, but Naxos is worth visiting by boat too. Those little bays and coves that the land trip misses will be yours to explore.

Recommendation

Koufanissia is in the Small Cyclades group of islands and a small boat day trip to see its jaw dropping blissful water up close and personal is recommended. If the weather is not suitable they will reschedule a different route. There are options for a smaller group also.

From Naxos you can do a day trip on a small boat to Mykonos and Delos!  Rub shoulders briefly with the Mykonos jet set and then be astounded by the ancient sculptures of Delos.

You can also be on the water at Sunset. So Romantic.