Naxos Travel Guide

Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com

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Naxos is the largest and greenest island in the Cyclades and one of my favorite Greek islands. It has long sandy beaches, excellent local food, mountain villages, ancient sites, Byzantine churches, hiking trails, and enough year-round life to feel less dependent on tourism than Santorini or Mykonos. It is also easy to combine with Santorini, Mykonos, and Paros by ferry. For most first-time visitors, I recommend at least 4 nights and preferably 5 or 6.

My 2027 Naxos Travel Guide

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My wife and I at To Spitiko, our favorite place for gyros in Naxos.

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• Best Time to Visit Naxos
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• Best Hotels for Families
• Best Beach Hotels

Naxos Activities and Attractions

• Best Beaches on Naxos
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• Best Tours & Things to Do

Naxos Trip Planning

• Getting Around Naxos by Bus
• Santorini to Naxos Ferry
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Frequently Asked Questions about Naxos

See Also: Greece: Tips & Information for First-Timers

How Many Days Should I Stay in Naxos?

Naxos is much larger than Santorini or Mykonos, and the best beaches, villages, hikes, and archaeological sites are spread around the island.

I recommend 4 to 5 full days if you have the time. That gives you several beach days plus a rental-car day or two for the interior.

3 Nights: A Short Visit
Three nights works if Naxos is one stop on a larger island-hopping trip. Stay in Naxos Town or Agios Georgios so you can walk to restaurants and use the bus for the beaches. Spend one day in town and at Agios Georgios, one day at Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, or Plaka, and rent a car for your remaining day to visit Halki, Filoti, Apiranthos, and the Temple of Demeter.

4 to 6 Nights: My Recommendation
This is enough time to enjoy the beaches without giving up the interior. Add a hike on Mount Zas, a longer drive through the mountain villages, the Kouros statues, Alyko, or a boat trip to the Small Cyclades.

7 Nights or Longer
A week is not too long on Naxos. The island has enough beaches, villages, restaurants, and day trips that you do not need to keep moving. This is especially true for families or anyone looking for a slower beach holiday.

I would avoid staying only 2 nights. You can see Naxos Town and one beach, but you will miss much of what distinguishes Naxos from the smaller Cycladic islands.

How big is Naxos?

Naxos covers about 430 square kilometers and is the largest island in the Cyclades. It is roughly seven times the size of Manhattan. Driving from Naxos Town to the northern village of Apollonas takes about 75 to 90 minutes without long stops.

The view of Agios Georgios Beach from our room at Kalergis Hotel in Naxos Town.

What’s the easiest way to get to Naxos: fly or ferry?

Naxos has a small domestic airport with flights from Athens but no regular international flights. Whether flying or taking the ferry is easier depends mostly on where you are coming from.

Fly to Naxos if…

• You are already at Athens Airport: A short connecting flight is much easier than traveling from the airport to Piraeus and then taking a ferry.
• You get seasick: July and August can be windy, and smaller high-speed ferries can have a rough ride.
• You can book early: Flights use relatively small aircraft and summer seats can sell out well ahead of travel.

Take the Ferry to Naxos if…

• You are staying in central Athens: Piraeus is easy to reach by Metro, taxi, or private transfer, and Naxos has excellent ferry service.
• You are island hopping: Ferry is the obvious choice from Paros, Mykonos, Santorini, and the Small Cyclades.
• You have lots of luggage: Ferries are much less restrictive about baggage than the small aircraft serving Naxos.
• You prefer a conventional ferry: Blue Star ferries are slower than the high-speed boats but have large interiors and outdoor decks and are my preference when schedules work.

My wife and I arriving in Naxos by ferry.

Typical Ferry Times

• From Piraeus (Athens): Roughly 3.5 to 5.5 hours, depending on the ferry.
• From Rafina: Roughly 4 to 6 hours. Rafina can be useful if you are staying near Athens Airport.
• From Santorini: Usually about 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
• From Paros: Usually under an hour.
• From Mykonos: Generally about 40 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the ferry and route.

What is the best month to visit Naxos?

June and September are the best months for most visitors. July and August have the hottest weather and busiest beaches, while May and October are better for sightseeing and hiking.

July & August

• Weather: Hot, dry, and often windy. The Meltemi is strongest in midsummer, which is good for windsurfing and kitesurfing at places such as Mikri Vigla but can make exposed beaches uncomfortable.
• Crowds: These are the busiest months. Hotels, rental cars, and the most popular restaurants should be booked in advance.
• Best for: Families tied to school holidays, nightlife, and reliably hot beach weather.

June & September

• Weather: Warm, dry, and excellent for the beach. September has warmer sea temperatures than June, while June has longer days and greener countryside.
• Crowds: Noticeably easier than July and August, especially outside weekends.
• Best for: The best combination of swimming, sightseeing, open restaurants, and manageable crowds.

May & October

• Weather: Good for hiking, villages, and sightseeing. May sea temperatures are cool. Swimming in October is possible, especially early in the month, but weather becomes less reliable as the month progresses.
• Services: Many seasonal beach businesses open during May and begin closing during October.

November to April

• Naxos Town remains active year-round, but the beach resorts become very quiet and many seasonal hotels and restaurants close. This can be a good time for hiking, food, villages, and local life, but I would not choose Naxos in winter for a first Greek-island trip.

My Recommendation: If I had to choose one month, I would pick September. The sea is warm, most businesses are still open, and crowds are lower than in July and August.

Naxos has an unusually large number of early Byzantine churches scattered through its interior.

What is the history of Naxos?

Naxos has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was an important center of Cycladic culture.

Ancient Naxos
In Greek mythology, Zeus was raised on Naxos, and the island was closely associated with Dionysus. Naxos is also part of the myth of Ariadne, whom Theseus abandoned here after escaping Crete.

The island became wealthy in antiquity, helped by agriculture and its excellent marble. Its best-known ancient monument is the Portara, the huge marble doorway of an unfinished Temple of Apollo begun in the 6th century BC.

Byzantine Naxos
Naxos has one of the most interesting collections of Byzantine churches in the Cyclades. Hundreds of small churches and chapels survive around the countryside, including Panagia Drosiani, one of the island’s most important early Christian sites.

Venetian Naxos
After the Fourth Crusade, Venetian nobleman Marco Sanudo established the Duchy of the Archipelago in the early 13th century and made Naxos its capital. The fortified Kastro above Naxos Town dates from this period, and Venetian towers remain scattered around the interior.

Naxos later became part of the Ottoman Empire and joined the modern Greek state in the 19th century.

Agriculture remains much more visible here than on most famous Cycladic islands. Potatoes, cheeses, livestock, olives, citrus, Kitron, and other local products are still an important part of the island’s economy and food culture.

What is the best way to get around Naxos?

Use buses for Naxos Town and the main west-coast beaches, and rent a car for at least one or two days if you want to explore the interior.

Public Bus (KTEL)

The Naxos bus system is one of the better ones in the Greek islands.

• Main station: The KTEL station is directly in front of the ferry port at the start of the Naxos Town waterfront.
• Beach buses: Service to Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka is frequent in summer, generally every 30 minutes during the busiest period.
• Villages: Buses also serve Halki, Filoti, Apiranthos, and other inland villages, but service is less frequent. Check the return schedule before leaving town.
• Tickets: Buy tickets before boarding. In Naxos Town they are sold at the KTEL office; elsewhere they are available from designated shops and kiosks near the bus stops. The KTEL Naxos app also sells tickets.

Rental Car

I recommend renting a car for at least part of a 4-day-or-longer stay.

• A car makes it much easier to visit Halki, Filoti, Apiranthos, the Temple of Demeter, the Kouros statues, Alyko, and the northern part of the island.
• Driving is fairly easy once outside Naxos Town, but roads through villages can become narrow.
• Parking in Naxos Town is difficult in July and August. Use the public parking lots around the edge of town and walk into the center.
• Rent a small car. There is little advantage to having a large vehicle on Naxos.

Taxis

Taxis are useful for airport and port transfers and late-night trips after bus service becomes less frequent. There are taxi ranks near the ferry port and airport. In July and August, I recommend arranging important transfers in advance.

From Naxos Airport (JNX)

• Bus: The main Naxos Town-to-beaches bus route passes about 300 meters from the airport terminal. It is workable with light luggage but not as convenient as a taxi.
• Taxi: Naxos Town and Agios Prokopios are only about 10 minutes away by car.
• Transfer: For a guaranteed pickup, book a Welcome Pickup or arrange a transfer through your hotel.

From the Ferry Port

• Walk: Most central Naxos Town hotels are an easy walk. Agios Georgios is also walkable for many travelers, but I would take a taxi with several bags.
• Bus: The bus station is directly in front of the port and is the easiest cheap transfer to Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka.
• Taxi: Taxis wait near the port waterfront and sometimes directly beside the ferry pier.

My Recommendation: If you stay in Naxos Town or Agios Georgios, do not rent a car for the entire trip unless you know you will use it every day. Walk and use buses for the beach, then rent a small car for one or two days to explore the interior and more distant beaches.

What are the main towns on Naxos?

Naxos Town (Chora)
Naxos Town is the capital, main port, transportation hub, and best base for most first-time visitors. The waterfront is lined with restaurants and cafes, while the Old Market climbs through narrow pedestrian lanes to the Venetian Kastro. The Portara is a short walk from the harbor, and Agios Georgios Beach is about 10 minutes from the center.

Halki (Chalki)
A small inland village with neoclassical houses, cafes, galleries, and the Vallindras Kitron Distillery. It is easy to combine with Filoti, the Temple of Demeter, and nearby walks.

Filoti
The largest village in the interior, at the foot of Mount Zas. Its large central square has several cafes and tavernas and makes a good lunch stop on an island road trip.

Apiranthos
A mountain village known for marble-paved lanes, stone houses, small museums, and excellent views. I would combine it with Halki and Filoti rather than make a separate trip.

What are the best beaches on Naxos?

Naxos’ beaches are my favorite in Greece. Most visitors concentrate on the long west and southwest coast.

• Agios Georgios: Best for families with young children and travelers staying in Naxos Town. Shallow water and an easy walk from the center.
• Agios Prokopios: One of the island’s best all-around beaches, with excellent swimming, restaurants, hotels, and frequent buses from town.
• Agia Anna: Smaller and more compact than Agios Prokopios, with a little fishing harbor and several good restaurants directly beside the beach.
• Plaka: A long sandy beach with more space and less development as you continue south.
• Alyko & Hawaii: Small undeveloped beaches beside a protected cedar forest. Best reached by car.
• Mikri Vigla: The island’s best-known beach for windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Where is the best place to stay in Naxos?

For most first-time visitors, I recommend Naxos Town or Agios Georgios Beach. You can walk to restaurants and nightlife, use the bus for the west-coast beaches, and avoid having a rental car every day.

Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna are better if the beach is the priority. Both have plenty of hotels and restaurants and frequent buses into Naxos Town.

Choose Plaka for a quieter beach stay with more space. A car is more useful here, particularly if you stay toward the southern end.

I would only stay in the mountain villages if you specifically want an inland base and have a rental car.

What are the best things to do in Naxos?

• Portara: Walk across the causeway to the huge marble doorway of the unfinished Temple of Apollo. Sunset is busiest but also the best time to go.
• Old Market & Kastro: Walk uphill through the pedestrian lanes of Naxos Town to the Venetian Kastro. Do this in the late afternoon and stay in town for dinner.
• Beach Day: Agios Prokopios and Plaka are my favorites for a full beach day. Agios Georgios is easiest if you are staying in town.
• Mountain Villages: Rent a car and combine Halki, Filoti, and Apiranthos in one day. Add the Temple of Demeter if you start early.
• Temple of Demeter: A partially reconstructed 6th-century BC marble temple near Sangri. The site is compact and easy to combine with a drive through central Naxos.
• Kouros Statues: Ancient unfinished marble statues remain in the quarries near Melanes and Apollonas.
• Mount Zas: At 1,004 meters, it is the highest mountain in the Cyclades. Go early in summer and bring plenty of water.
• Rotonda: The Rotonda Cafe near Apiranthos has superb west-facing views and is a good stop for sunset on a driving day.

The water slides at Aqua Fun. It’s not huge, but my kids loved it.

Naxos for Families

Naxos is my favorite Greek island for families. The beaches are excellent, distances are manageable, Naxos Town has plenty of restaurants and services, and there is more to do than simply sit at the beach.

Best Areas to Stay for Families

• Agios Georgios: My first choice with toddlers and younger children. The beach is sandy and very shallow, and Naxos Town is an easy walk away.
• Agios Prokopios & Agia Anna: Better swimming for older children, with lots of restaurants and regular buses to Naxos Town.
• Plaka: Best for families who want more space and a quieter beach. A rental car becomes more useful the farther south you stay.

Family-Friendly Activities

• Aqua Fun Water Park: A small water park in Stelida near Agios Prokopios. My kids enjoyed it. Best as a half-day activity rather than something to build a full day around.
• Old Market & Kastro: Fun to explore with older children. With toddlers, bring a carrier because there are plenty of steps and uneven lanes.
• Horse Riding: Local stables offer riding trips near the beach and countryside. Reserve ahead in summer.
• Temple of Demeter: One of the easiest ancient sites on Naxos to visit with children. It is compact and does not require a long hike.

Practical Tips for Parents

• Strollers: The waterfront and Agios Georgios are easy. The Old Market and Kastro are not.
• Baby Supplies: Diapers, formula, baby food, and other essentials are easy to find in Naxos Town and the main beach resorts.
• Car Seats: Request one when reserving a rental car, or bring your own if you want to be certain of the model and condition.
• Dining: Children are welcome virtually everywhere. You do not need to eat at 9 PM just because Greeks do. Most tourist-area restaurants serve dinner from early evening.

My Recommended Family Hotels

• Nissaki Beach Hotel (Agios Georgios): My favorite upscale family hotel near Naxos Town. It is directly on the beach, has a pool, and is an easy walk to restaurants in town.
• Iria Beach Art Hotel (Agia Anna): Excellent beachfront location with several good restaurants within a few minutes’ walk.
• Kavos Boutique Hotel (Stelida): Spacious rooms and villas, a great pool, and beautiful sea views. A rental car makes staying here much easier.

It’s easy to get happily lost in the tangle of shops and footpaths in Naxos Town.

What are the best areas, beaches, and hotels for couples in Naxos?

For couples, I would stay in Naxos Town if restaurants and nightlife matter most, or Plaka for a quieter beach holiday.

Best Areas for Couples

• Naxos Town: My first choice for most couples. Walk to the Portara for sunset, have dinner in the Old Market, and return to your hotel without needing a taxi.
• Plaka: Better for a quiet beach-focused trip. There are good beachfront hotels and restaurants, but a car is useful for exploring.
• Stelida: Quiet, close to Agios Prokopios, and home to several of the island’s best small hotels and villas. Best with a rental car.

Best Beaches for Couples

• Plaka: Long, sandy, and easy to find space away from the busiest sections.
• Alyko & Hawaii: Small undeveloped coves that are worth visiting on a rental-car day.
• Agia Anna: Good swimming and several restaurants around the little fishing harbor. One of my favorite places for a long lunch.

Best Hotels for Couples

• 18 Grapes Hotel (Agios Prokopios): Stylish boutique hotel close to one of the island’s best beaches, with an excellent pool and rooftop.
• Naxian Collection (Stelida): Upscale villas and suites in a quiet location between Naxos Town and Agios Prokopios. Best with a car.
• Hotel Grotta (Naxos Town): Excellent value, wonderful owners, and beautiful sunset views toward the Portara. One of my favorite hotels on Naxos.
• Nissaki Beach (Agios Georgios): The best choice if you want an upscale beach hotel but still want to walk into Naxos Town every night.
• ELaiolithos (Moni): A very different option in the center of the island with wide mountain and valley views. Stay here if hiking, villages, and the interior are more important than being beside the beach.

The stone lanes of Chalki village. On longer stays, the hike from Moni to Chalki is a good way to see the interior on foot.

Should I rent a car on Naxos?

Yes, for at least one or two days on most trips. You do not need a car just to stay in Naxos Town and visit Agios Georgios, Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka. Buses work very well for those areas.

Rent a car if you want to see Halki, Filoti, Apiranthos, the Temple of Demeter, the Kouros statues, Apollonas, Alyko, or other parts of the interior and south coast.

Driving Tips

• Rent small: Village roads and parking spaces can be tight. A large SUV is more nuisance than advantage.
• Do not drive into central Naxos Town: Park in one of the public lots around the edge of town and walk.
• Book ahead in July and August: Automatic cars in particular can become scarce.
• I recommend Booking.com for comparing local and international rental agencies.

What currency is used in Naxos?

The currency is the Euro (€).

Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, shops, and car-rental agencies. I still recommend carrying some cash for buses, small village businesses, beach kiosks, and other low-cost purchases.

ATMs are easy to find in Naxos Town and the main beach areas. If you are spending the day driving through the interior, withdraw cash before leaving town rather than depending on finding a working ATM in a small village.

Always choose Euros when paying by card. If a terminal asks whether you want to be charged in euros or your home currency, choose euros and let your own bank or card issuer make the conversion.

Credit cards are widely accepted at restaurants in Naxos Town, including the excellent Doukato.

Is Naxos expensive?

Naxos is cheaper than Santorini and Mykonos but no longer especially cheap in July and August.

• Hotels: There is still a good selection of family-run hotels and apartments at moderate prices, especially outside the peak weeks of July and August. Luxury hotels are usually substantially cheaper than comparable properties on Santorini or Mykonos.
• Beach Chairs: At the most popular organized beaches, expect to pay for a set of loungers and an umbrella in summer. Prices vary greatly by beach club, row, and month. There is always free sand if you bring your own towel.
• Restaurants: One of Naxos’ strengths. Good tavernas remain reasonably priced, especially away from the busiest beachfront areas, and local meat, potatoes, cheeses, and vegetables are excellent.
• Resorts: Large all-inclusive resorts are uncommon. Small hotels, apartments, villas, and independently run beach hotels dominate.