Naxos: Travel Guide to the largest island of the Cyclades
Naxos, the largest island in the Cyclades, is known for its blend of stunning landscapes, rich history, and authentic Greek charm. What sets Naxos apart is its diverse offerings—golden sandy beaches and impressive mountain ranges. Whether you’re seeking relaxation on one of the beautiful beaches or adventure, exploring the history and Greek culture, Naxos provides all the elements of a perfect greek getaway. This Naxos Travel Guide highlights the island’s top attractions, activities, and best beaches, along with my favorite food spots. Plus, I’ll break down the costs from our 2024 summer trip to help you plan your own adventure.
Naxos Travel Guide: Tips & Overview
- Where to stay: We stayed at Contelibro Suites near Agios Prokopios, and for us it was an excellent choice. The room and hotel were new and beautifully decorated. Additionally, the location couldn’t have been more convenient, being just a short walk away to one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.
- Best Months to Visit: I’d personally recommend going in June or September, it is still very warm, but you’ll avoid the crowds of July & August.
- Must-Dos: Dine in Naxos Chora, Catch the sunset at Portara, Explore the charming mountain villages Halki & Apeiranthos, do some Beach Hopping, take a day trip to Koufonisia
- Best Places to Eat: Doukato in Naxos Chora
- Quick facts: 18,000 people – Greek – Euro
Disclaimer: This blog post contains unpaid promotional links. I only recommend products and services that I’ve personally used and genuinely like.
How to get there
If you’re traveling from within Europe, I recommend flying into Mykonos or Santorini and then taking a ferry to Naxos. Generally, ferries in Greece are a great way to connect the islands, making Greek island hopping easy and enjoyable. Explicitly, the two main companies, Seajets and Blue Star Ferries, run frequent services between popular islands. While the ferry ports can be a bit hectic, everything went smoothly for us. Alternatively, you could also fly into Naxos from Athens. While this option is typically more feasible for those arriving from overseas or for travelers who have included Athens in their itinerary, it remains a convenient choice. Since the airport is just a few minutes away from Naxos Chora, flying is also a great option for quickly starting your island adventure.
In case you’re up for some island hopping on your next Greece trip, take a ferry to Paros which is located right next to Naxos. Paros offers a little something for every type of traveler. It is a perfect blend of serene beaches, charming Cycladic villages, and vibrant nightlife, offering. So, be sure to check out my blog post on exploring Paros for more tips and insights!
How to get around
Although considerably larger than its neighbour islands, Naxos is still rather easy to get around. There are various options for you to choose from. One option would be to rent your own vehicle, e.g. an ATV, scooter, or car, for more flexibility while exploring the island. This is the option that we’d chose and we were also quite happy that we had a car throughout our stay.
Apart from that, the island also has a reliable public bus system that connects the main towns and beaches, making it convenient for those without a vehicle. Taxis and guided tours are also available, offering additional ways to navigate the island. However, given the island’s hilly landscape, renting a car is the best and most flexible way to make the most of your time on this stunning island.
Where to stay
We stayed at Contelibro Suites near Agios Prokopios, and it turned out to be a great choice for us. The room and hotel were not only modern and beautifully decorated but also quite new, with a lovely terrace that was perfect for relaxing in the evenings. Some rooms offer direct pool access from the terrace, but we opted for a room on the 1st floor for more privacy. Additionally, it was just a 10-minute walk to Agios Prokopios, one of the island’s most stunning beaches. All in all, the location offered a quiet and relaxing atmosphere.
Another option is to stay directly in Naxos Chora, the island’s main town and a popular choice for travellers. With various dining options and a convenient location as the island’s transportation hub, it’s particularly practical if you’re not renting your own vehicle. On the other hand, if you’re seeking a more relaxed and scenic experience, Agios Prokopios or one of the other main beaches might be a better fit. Overall, if a great mix of dining choices and ease of transport is a priority to you, Naxos Chora might be the choice for you.
Other apartments/hotels we looked at:
Naxos Chora: Naxos Green Village Hotel, Naxos Downtown Apartment & Suites, Ampelos Casart, Ampelos Residence Naxos
Agios Prokopios: Ruby of Naxos, Villa Adriana Hotel
Things to do & see in Naxos
Greek Villages:
Naxos Chora: Naxos Chora is the largest town on the island of Naxos and will be your starting point to explore the island, in case you arrive by ferry. Most people do so, so be prepared for a bit of chaos at the port. However, as soon as you step out of the boat, you’ll already be rewarded by the first glimpse of the Portara, arguably the most iconic landmark on the island. On top of that, you’ll immediately notice the whitewashed buildings stacked on top of each other, with the historic Castro perched right on top of the hill.
During your time on the island, be sure to explore Chora thoroughly. Start by visiting the Castro, then make your way to the hilltop where the Portara stands to marvel at the stunning sunset views. Further, take a stroll through the charming alleys of Old Market Street, perfect for some souvenir shopping. After you’re done with your sightseeing and souvenir shopping, make sure to eat at one of the numerous dining options scattered throughout the town.
Halki: Halki is an old town nestled in the hills of Naxos, which once served as the main town on the island. Despite its small size, it convinces visitors with a charming pedestrian zone centered around the main square. Although you won’t need too much time to explore, a visit to Halki is a must, being just 20 minutes away from todays’ Naxos Chora. Wander through the streets of the town, do some shopping at one of the local handmade textile and souvenir shops and take a break with some ice cream or coffee at one the quaint cafes or restaurants. If you plan to visit Halki, I recommend heading there early to avoid the crowds from tour groups. When we arrived at around 10:00 am, two tour buses pulled up shortly after, and the small town quickly became crowded.
Apeiranthos: As you drive further into the hilly centre of Naxos, you will come across Apeiranthos, known as the “marble town” of the island. It won’t take long to see why – marble is used extensively throughout the town, decorating the streets and houses, giving this town its unique character. Since most of the town is only accessible by foot, I recommend driving along the main road until you get to the end of the town. There, you will find a relatively large parking area. From there, it’s the perfect starting point to get lost in the labyrinth of Apeiranthos. As you wander around, make sure to stroll along the town’s Main Street, which offers plenty of spots to relax, grab some lunch, or enjoy a drink. While doing so, enjoy the beautiful views of the mountainous terrain and take in the town’s unique atmosphere.
Filoti: Filoti is the third main village set in the hilly terrain of Naxos. While we decided to skip this one after experiencing our fair share of Greek villages, Filoti may still be worth a stop for you. It offers a charming glimpse into traditional island life, featuring narrow streets and whitewashed houses. Stop at a local café to enjoy a refreshing drink and some authentic greek food while taking in the stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Beaches
Agios Prokopios: This beach is known for its long stretch of golden sand and crystal-clear waters. It is well-organized, with sunbeds, umbrellas, and plenty of beachfront restaurants and bars to enjoy a meal or a refreshing drink. If you want to spend a relaxing day here at one of the beach clubs, I can recommend Kahlua, or Macao. They offer sunbeds starting from 25 euros for the full day with some minimum consumption. The food is quite good, so all in all, I can really recommend them for a laid-back day by the beach.
Agios Anna: Located just south of Agios Prokopios, Agios Anna is a smaller beach. It has a quieter vibe, making it a great spot to relax, while still offering plenty of places to eat and drink along the shore. We came here for our last dinner on the island. We were lucky and got an amazing table, both of us directly looking towards the beautiful sunset, and it was simply perfect.
Plaka Beach: The third beach on our list, located a bit further south. It is famous for its endless stretches of white sand and turquoise waters and is less developed than the other two. While there are still a few tavernas and facilities, the atmosphere here is much more relaxed.
Other beaches, that are recommended, but we personally, did not get a chance to visit:
- Hawaii Beach
- Mikri Vigla
- Panormos
- Alyko Beach
- Kastraki Beach
Additional Things to do – Visit the islands of Kofounisia:
Koufonisia is a group of small islands south of Naxos and is still a more undiscovered area of Greece, but known for its natural beauty, amazingly turquoise water and serene beaches. So, I’d definitely recommend you to do a day trip to Koufonisia.
One option is to book an organized boat trip for the day to explore the islands of Koufonisia. We opted for the Iason Boat Trip, which included stops at Rina Cave on Naxos, Kano Koufonisia, and a longer visit to Ano Koufonisi. While Ano Koufonisia was absolutely stunning—featuring one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen in Europe, right in the main town—I found the other two stops a bit underwhelming.
In comparison to the Antiparos Day Trip we did during our stay on the neighboring island of Paros, as well as the beaches directly on Naxos, these stops didn’t quite convince me.
Additionally, the boat felt quite cramped with around 100 people onboard. Perhaps we were spoiled by the more intimate 25-person boat trip on Paros and Antiparos, but based on my experience, I would recommend taking a direct ferry to Ano Koufonisi instead. There are fast ferries that only take about 30 minutes, allowing you to spend the entire day on Ano Koufonisi. This has two advantages. First, you have higher flexibility and second, you will also be able to explore Ano Koufonisi in more depth. So, apart from visiting the main village and its beach you will have time to visit the other beautiful beaches on the island as well.
Itinerary
Relaxing day at the beach – Day 1:
- Arrival & Check-in
- Head to either Agios Prokopios or Plaka Beach for a relaxing day by the sea. Enjoy the sun, swim in the crystal-clear waters, and soak up the beautiful surroundings.
- In the late afternoon, make your way to Naxos Chora to explore the town including the historic Kastro
- Enjoy a stunning sunset at the iconic Portara
- Dinner in Naxos Chora – my personal recommendations are Doukato or Apostolis
Mountain Villages – Day 2:
- optional visit to the Temple of Demeter in Sangri. We did a quick stop there, however, if you have seen similar temples or have been to Athens before, it might not be worth it. Also, be aware there is a 4,- € entrance fee that needs to be paid in cash.
- Halki Village: Wander through the charming alleys, enjoy breakfast or coffee at one of the cute cafés. There is also plenty of opportunity to indulge in some shopping for local spices, textiles, and more.
- Apeiranthos village: Stroll along the marble streets and take in the beautiful mountain views.
- Rotonda restaurant: Stop here to either have some lunch or simply marvel at the beautiful views. Don’t miss to check out the well preserved wind mill there.
- Beach: Relax at one of the islands beaches, such as Plaka beach, or another favourite from the list
- Dinner: Choose between a Beachside Restaurant or Naxos Chora
Daytrip to Koufonisia – Day 3
- Cruise/ferry to Koufonisia: Either take an organised cruise to Koufonisia or make it your own and take the express ferry from Naxos Chora to go directly to Ano Koufinisia.
- Dinner: Have dinner at Naxos Chora or Agios Anna and enjoy the sunset as you arrive back on the mainland.
Departure Day – Day 4:
- Have breakfast at Naxos Chora
- Go for a final swim in the ocean or wander the streets of Chora, in case you haven’t gotten enough yet
Where to eat & drink
for dinner:
Naxos Chora:
Doukato – The restaurant has a lovely, calm ambiance, making it a great spot for a relaxed meal. Make sure to try their delicious souvlaki that comes with the famous Doukato fries. It’s best to reserve a table in advance, but we were fortunate to get seated without a reservation when we arrived around 7:20 PM, which is quite early by Greek standards.
Other Recommended Spots
Although I didn’t get the chance to visit them, here are some other recommended dining options:
- Apostolis – a popular choice and highly recommended on IG and TikTok, you will definitely recognise this beautiful restaurants lit up by lanterns
- Lithos Restaurant
- Oniro Wine Bar
- Taverna Naxos
- Dal Professore Naxos
- Scirocco Restaurant
- Maris taverna
- Nissaki Restaurant
- Melimilon Naxos
- To Elliniko Restaurant
Agios Prokopios:
Leftos Souvlaki Kebab House – for a casual dinner after a beach day
Agios Anna:
Palatia Beach Restaurant: enjoy your meal directly on the beach in the sand while taking in the sunset. A perfect way to end a day by the sea!
Day Time – Beach Club or Lunch:
Agios Prokopios:
- Kahlua Beach Cafe Bar
- Macao Beach Naxos
- Del Mar Café
All three options offer sunbeds for the day at at reasonably price.
Agios Anna:
- Oregano Souvlaki Meze
- Patatosporos
Plaka Beach:
- PsaRaki Meze Naxos
- Nomad Beach Bar Restaurant (also offer sunbeds)
- Cedar Cafe
- Nikos & Maria Restaurant
- Tortuga Beach & Restaurant (also offer sunbeds)
Halki:
- Dolce Vita Cafe & Patisserie
- Cafe Grecco
- Halki Cafe Bistro
Filoti:
- Platanos – The Puressence Cafe
- The Old Cinema
- Ambrosia
- Rotonda Restaurant – on the way between Filoti and Apeiranthos
Apeiranthos:
- Matina & Stavros Tavern
for Breakfast:
- Naxos Chora: Hug Me Naxos, Honey & Cinnamon Bar
- Agios Prokopios: Palm Twins
- Agios Anna: Goat in a boat
Do I need to reserve in advance?
Before our trip to Greece, I was unsure whether it was necessary to book tables in advance. While I typically prefer to play it safe, I also enjoy leaving room for spontaneity. In reality, though, most restaurants didn’t offer the option to reserve a table online ahead of time. So I pretty much had no choice but to just risk it. Fortunately, we were always able to get a table on the spot, but it’s worth noting that we were in Naxos in September and made sure to arrive at restaurants just before the rush, around 07.00/7:30 p.m.
Budget & Costs:
Expenses per person (4 days):
- Hotel: 50 EUR/night
- Car: 67 EUR for 4 days
- Boat Trip: 80 EUR
- Gas: 10 EUR
- Food: 188 EUR
- Ferry from Naxos to Mykonos: 48 EUR
- Total per person: approx. 600 EUR
Saving Tips
Most activities in Naxos, such as exploring the villages and beach hopping, are free. However, one of our main expenses was the boat trip. As an alternative and actually my personal recommendation, you can opt to plan your own day trip by taking a direct ferry to Ano Koufonisia.
Although dining out is relatively cheaper compared to other countries, the costs can still add up. To save on meals, consider opting for quick bites or grabbing snacks from the supermarket. Additionally, staying in Naxos Chora and using public transport whenever possible, only renting a vehicle for specific days can help reduce expenses.
I hope this Naxos Travel Guide has given you a great overview of all the must-dos, must-sees, and food spots on the island. Have you already been to Naxos? If so, do you have any additional tips to share? Let me know in the comments below!
