Greece › Naxos › Naxos Town Hotels
Updated: August 18, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com
My wife and I enjoying the evening in a Naxos Town square.
Naxos Town, also called Chora, is the best place to stay in Naxos for most first-time visitors. The ferry port, Old Town, Kastro, Portara, bus station, restaurants, bars, and shops are all within walking distance, and you do not need a rental car.
The one choice to make is whether you want to be right in Naxos Town proper or a few minutes south at Agios Georgios Beach. I prefer Chora if restaurants, nightlife, the Old Town, and ferry access are the priorities. Agios Georgios is better if you want a sandy beach outside the hotel but still want to walk into town for dinner. There is no hard boundary between the two areas, and some hotels are described as being in Naxos Town even though I consider them Agios Georgios hotels.
For my full island-wide hotel rankings, see my Best Hotels in Naxos guide. My Where to Stay in Naxos guide covers the other beach areas and how they compare with Chora.
Naxos Town Hotels: My Advice
- Best Hotel in Naxos Town: Hotel Grotta. Fantastic service, breakfast, Portara and sea views, spa facilities, and easy access to the ferry port and Old Town.
- Best Boutique Hotel: Emery Suites. Stylish rooms and apartments in a superb central location close to the Kastro and Old Town.
- Best for Couples: Anapollo Boutique Hotel. Adults-only, small pool, excellent breakfast, and a quieter location between town and Agios Georgios.
- Best Spa Suites: Legato Spa Suites. Four large suites, each with its own hot tub, hammam, sauna, and massage chair.
- Best Views: Cyano Suites. Large suites in the Grotta area with wonderful sea, sunset, and Portara views.
- Best for Families: Castle Mansions. Spacious apartment-style accommodations at the foot of the Kastro, right in the center of town.
- Best Location: Xenia Hotel. About as central as you can get, steps from the waterfront, Old Town, restaurants, and shops.
- Best Value in the Old Town: Hotel Anixis. Simple, friendly, atmospheric, and right beside the Kastro walls.
- Best Beach + Town Hotel: Nissaki Beach Hotel at Agios Georgios. It is not in Naxos Town proper, but it is close enough to walk to everything and is my favorite choice if you want both Chora and the beach.
Should You Stay in Naxos Town or Agios Georgios?
Stay in Naxos Town if restaurants, nightlife, the Old Town, ferry convenience, and being able to walk everywhere matter most. Chora is especially good for first-time visitors, short stays, late ferry arrivals, early departures, and anyone who does not want to rent a car.
Stay at Agios Georgios if you want a proper sandy beach but still want Naxos Town within walking distance. It is my favorite area for families and one of the easiest beach-and-town combinations in Greece. The water is shallow and calm, though the swimming is not as good as at Agios Prokopios or Plaka.
Naxos Town and the northern end of Agios Georgios are so close that you will probably walk back and forth between them several times a day.
See my Best Beach Hotels in Naxos and Best Family Hotels in Naxos for more beach-focused options.
Where in Naxos Town Should You Stay?
• Near the waterfront: Best for ferry convenience, restaurants, nightlife, and flat walking. This is the easiest location with luggage, though the busiest streets can be noisy at night.
• Old Town and Kastro: My favorite area for atmosphere, with stone lanes, stairways, old Venetian houses, small shops, wine bars, and restaurants. The downside is luggage. A hotel that looks close to the port on a map can involve steep steps and uneven pedestrian lanes.
• Grotta: Best for sea and Portara views and a quieter setting while remaining close to the port and Old Town. There is some uphill walking, but I like this area a lot.
• South of the center toward Agios Georgios: Quieter, easier for parking, and closer to the beach, but still an easy walk into town. Anapollo and Legato are good examples.What to Know About Luggage
Do not choose an Old Town hotel based only on its distance from the ferry port. Parts of the Kastro and surrounding pedestrian lanes have stairs, slopes, cobbles, and no direct vehicle access. A carry-on is not much trouble, but dragging a large suitcase up some of these lanes is another matter. Ask your hotel for the easiest route and whether they can help with luggage. Hotel Grotta is close to the port but uphill. Emery, Castle Mansions, Xenia, and Anixis are more central, though individual routes through the Old Town vary.
What to Know About Parking
I would not rent a car for your entire stay if you are sleeping in central Naxos Town. Parking is the biggest disadvantage of staying in Chora, and you can walk to almost everything. I’d rent one for a day or two to explore the mountain villages and more remote beaches, then return it. If you do keep a car, confirm parking with the hotel before booking. Anapollo is particularly convenient for drivers because it offers parking while still being walkable to central Chora.
The view of Naxos Town, an arriving ferry, and the Portara from Hotel Grotta.
The 8 Best Hotels in Naxos Town
1. Hotel Grotta
My favorite hotel in Naxos Town. Grotta is not a flashy luxury hotel, but I recommend it more confidently than almost anywhere else in Chora. Service is exceptionally personal, breakfast is outstanding, and the shoreline location has wonderful views over the sea and toward the Portara.
There is also a small spa area with an indoor hydromassage pool, hammam, sauna, and hot tub. Rooms are comfortable rather than extravagant, and most have a balcony or terrace; the sea-view rooms are worth requesting.
The hotel sits in the Grotta area just north of the Old Town. The ferry port, Kastro, restaurants, and waterfront are all easy to reach on foot, though there is an uphill walk back to the hotel. The seafront in front of the hotel is rocky, not a swimming beach.
Best for: first-time visitors, ferry convenience, views, and excellent service.
Not ideal for: travelers who want a sandy beach or completely flat walking.2. Emery Suites
My favorite boutique stay in the center of Naxos Town. Emery has stylish rooms and apartments tucked into a quiet lane close to the Old Town and Kastro. It’s really a small collection of beautifully designed apartments rather than a conventional hotel.
All accommodations have kitchen facilities, and some add indoor or outdoor jacuzzis. Service is friendly and hands-on. The location is the main advantage: you can walk to the port, restaurants, waterfront, Old Market, Kastro, and Agios Georgios Beach.
There is no pool, restaurant, or resort infrastructure. Emery works best if the room and location matter more to you than having a pool, restaurant, or other hotel facilities.
Best for: couples, longer stays, Old Town access, and travelers who prefer apartment-style accommodations.
Not ideal for: travelers wanting a pool or full hotel facilities.3. Anapollo Boutique Hotel
My favorite Naxos Town hotel for couples who want a pool. This adults-only boutique hotel sits in a quieter residential part of Chora between the town center and Agios Georgios Beach.
Rooms and suites are stylish and contemporary, all with balconies. There is a small but attractive swimming pool, bar, fitness room, and an excellent breakfast. Parking is another advantage if you plan to rent a car.
The location is not as atmospheric as staying inside the Old Town, but it is much easier for driving and still close enough to walk to restaurants, the beach, and the center of Chora.
Best for: couples, a pool, parking, and easy access to both town and Agios Georgios.
Not ideal for: travelers who want to sleep inside the medieval Old Town.4. Legato Spa Suites
My pick for couples who want private spa facilities. Legato has only four large suites, each with its own private hot tub, hammam, sauna, massage chair, and aromatherapy setup. All also have kitchens, and the largest suite has two bedrooms.
Legato is essentially four very private spa suites rather than a traditional hotel. There is no big pool, restaurant, or busy lobby. The location is in the quieter southern part of Chora, walking distance to both central Naxos Town and Agios Georgios Beach. Parking is easier here than in the Old Town.
Best for: couples, honeymooners, private spa facilities, and travelers with a car.
Not ideal for: travelers wanting a social hotel, restaurant, or resort pool.5. Cyano Suites
One of the best places in Naxos Town for sea, sunset, and Portara views. Cyano sits in Grotta, close to Hotel Grotta, with a small collection of spacious suites looking across the water toward the Temple of Apollo.
The suites are spacious and romantic, with separate living areas and furnished balconies; some categories add spa baths. Restaurants, the port, and the Old Town are a short walk away.
Best for: couples, views, sunsets, and spacious suites.
Not ideal for: travelers wanting resort facilities or easy beach access.6. Castle Mansions
One of the best central choices for families and longer stays. Castle Mansions sits at the foot of the Venetian Kastro in the heart of Naxos Town, close to restaurants, shops, the waterfront, and the port.
The accommodations are apartment-style, with kitchens or kitchenettes and more space than most central Chora hotels. They’re a great choice for families who want to stay in the center without squeezing everyone into one hotel room.
Best for: families, apartments, Old Town atmosphere, and a central location.
Not ideal for: travelers wanting a pool, spa, or traditional hotel services.7. Xenia Hotel
Book Xenia for the location. It sits in the heart of Chora only a few steps from the waterfront, with restaurants, shops, bars, the Old Market, ferry port, and Kastro all close by.
Rooms are modern, clean, and comfortable, but this is not the place to book for a resort experience or romantic hideaway. The location is excellent and you can walk almost everywhere in Chora in minutes. I especially like Xenia for a short stay or if you’re arriving by ferry without a car. Drop your bags and you’re immediately in the middle of town.
Best for: location, short stays, ferry travelers, restaurants, and nightlife.
Not ideal for: pools, views, parking, or a quiet resort atmosphere.8. Hotel Anixis
My favorite inexpensive hotel for staying right in the Old Town. Anixis sits beside the Venetian Castle walls, close to restaurants, shops, the port, and the Old Market.
Rooms are simple and traditional, but some have wonderful sea and Portara views. The rooftop terrace is a big part of the appeal. Because it sits in the Old Town, expect pedestrian lanes and stairs. Travelers with large luggage or mobility concerns should ask about the easiest approach before arriving.
Best for: value, Old Town atmosphere, views, and travelers without a car.
Not ideal for: resort facilities, pool, parking, or anyone who dislikes stairs.
What About Hotels at Agios Georgios Beach?
Booking sites often include Agios Georgios hotels when you search for “Naxos Town hotels,” which isn’t really wrong. The beach starts immediately south of Chora, and many hotels are within a 5- to 15-minute walk of the town center.
I separate them because staying on the beach does feel different from staying in Chora. In Chora, you’re staying for the restaurants, nightlife, Old Town, and easy port access. At Agios Georgios, the beach is the reason to be there.
My favorite beach hotels are:
- Nissaki Beach Hotel – my favorite hotel for travelers who want both Naxos Town and a real beach. Excellent restaurant, pool, and beachfront location.
- Naxos Resort – best for families wanting a large pool, beach access, and a walkable location near town.
- Naxian Secret – excellent all-suite boutique hotel with a pool in a quieter location between the beach and town.
- Kalergis Studios – one of my favorite value beach stays, close enough to walk into Chora in minutes.
See my full guide to Agios Georgios Beach Hotels for more choices.
Best Naxos Town Hotels for Families
Castle Mansions is my favorite option for families who specifically want to stay in Naxos Town proper. You get more space and a kitchen, with restaurants, shops, and the Old Town right outside.
Emery is another good choice for families who want an apartment rather than resort facilities.
But for most families with younger children, I prefer staying at Agios Georgios. You still walk into Naxos Town for dinner but get shallow water and sand outside the hotel. Nissaki and Naxos Resort are my first choices there.
See my complete Best Family Hotels in Naxos guide.
Best Naxos Town Hotels Near the Ferry Port
There’s no reason to stay right beside the ferry port. Many of the best hotels in central Chora are an easy walk away.
Xenia is probably the easiest choice with luggage because the walk is straightforward and it’s right in the center. Emery, Castle Mansions, and Anixis are also very convenient, but the Old Town lanes make luggage more awkward. Hotel Grotta is close to the port but uphill.
With heavy luggage, small children, mobility limitations, or extreme summer heat, I would arrange a short transfer rather than choosing a hotel solely because Google Maps says it is ten minutes away.
Do You Need a Car in Naxos Town?
No. Naxos Town is the best place on the island to stay without a car. The port, restaurants, Old Town, shops, Portara, main bus station, and Agios Georgios Beach are all walkable.
Buses make it easy to reach Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka during the main season. Rent a car for a day or two if you want to explore Halki, Filoti, Apeiranthos, the Temple of Demeter, mountain roads, and remote southern beaches.
Getting a car for an entire Naxos Town stay adds more parking hassle than convenience.
Naxos Town Hotels: FAQs
What is the best hotel in Naxos Town?
Hotel Grotta is my favorite hotel in Naxos Town. It has exceptional service, one of the island’s best hotel breakfasts, sea and Portara views, spa facilities, and an easy walk to the port and Old Town. Emery is my favorite boutique alternative right in the center.
What is the best luxury hotel in Naxos Town?
Naxos Town does not have the large luxury resorts found at some of the island’s beaches. For an upscale stay in town, I’d choose Emery for location, Anapollo for a pool, Legato Spa Suites for private spa facilities, or Cyano Suites for the views.
For a true five-star beach hotel that is still walkable to Chora, choose Nissaki Beach Hotel at Agios Georgios.
Is it better to stay in Naxos Town or Agios Georgios?
Stay in Naxos Town for restaurants, nightlife, the Old Town, ferry convenience, and the easiest no-car trip. Stay at Agios Georgios if having a sandy beach outside the hotel matters more. They’re so close that I’d choose the hotel you like best rather than worry too much about which side of the boundary it’s on.
Can I walk from Naxos Town hotels to the ferry port?
Yes, from most central hotels. Xenia, Emery, Castle Mansions, Anixis, and Hotel Grotta are all practical for ferry travelers. The important issue is not distance but terrain. Old Town lanes and the Grotta hillside can make a short walk less convenient with large suitcases.
Can I walk from Naxos Town to the beach?
Yes. Agios Georgios is the main sandy beach within walking distance of Naxos Town. From the southern and central parts of Chora, the northern end of the beach is only a short walk away. For better swimming, take the bus to Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, or Plaka.
Where should I stay in Naxos Town without a car?
Anywhere in central Chora works well without a car. I especially like Grotta, Emery, Xenia, Castle Mansions, and Anixis. If you’ll be walking to the beach every day, stay on the south side of Chora or just cross over into Agios Georgios.
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