5+1 REASONS TO VISIT NAXOS ISLAND

The island where you can find everything you’re looking for!

When I first decided to visit Naxos, I honestly didn’t have high expectations. Some friends had been and weren’t exactly thrilled. But you know what? I totally disagree – I absolutely loved it!

I truly don’t know how someone could not fall for Naxos. It’s such a charming island that really has it all: endless sandy beaches, ancient Greek ruins, mouthwatering food, and even rooftop bars with beautiful views. What more could you ask for?

Angel’s tip: The only downside I’d dare to mention is the long distances, as Naxos is actually the biggest island in the Cyclades! That’s why my personal advice is to combine your beach days with nearby food spots, so you can avoid too much driving around.

Location:
Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades, located in the heart of the Aegean Sea. It’s easily accessible by ferry from Athens (Piraeus or Rafina ports) or nearby islands like Paros, Santorini, or Mykonos. There’s also a small airport with daily domestic flights from Athens. Book your ferry tickets and support my site here: Ferryscanner.com !

Transportation:
While there is a reliable bus service connecting major beaches and villages, renting a car is highly recommended – especially if you want to explore the island’s hidden beaches and mountain villages at your own pace. Roads are generally easy to drive on. Click here to book a car from Discover cars, like me.

Where to Stay:

• Chora (Naxos Town): Perfect if you want to be close to shops, restaurants, nightlife, and the port. Ideal for first-time visitors.

• Agios Prokopios / Agia Anna / Plaka Beach: Great beachfront options with a more relaxed vibe, still close to town.

• Halki or Apeiranthos villages: For a more authentic and peaceful stay in the heart of the island.

Angel’s Tip: Stay in Chora if you don’t plan to rent a car – you’ll have easy access to everything. If you want both beach and freedom to explore, rent a car and stay in one of the beach areas!

Why You Should Visit Naxos:

1.SANDY INCREDIBLE LONG BEACHES

Not sure if you prefer sandy or pebble beaches, but Naxos mostly offers beautiful sandy shores—so get ready to kick back on soft sand! Some of my favorites are:

• Agios Prokopios: the most famous one, where you can find many beach bars (like Macao, Kahlua Jungleroom and Del Mar Cafe). There is also plenty of free space to bring your own umbrella. Unfortunately while beach bars are great , they are expensive. The 1 umbrella and 2 sunbeds set, is around 20-35 euros and with minimum consumption of 10 euros per person usually.
• Agia Anna: Where the Agios Prokopios beach ends, Agia Anna starts. I prefer Agios Prokopios as a beach but Agia Anna has nice beach bars as well! The most popular are Santanna , Caya (great food that you can sit and avoid paying sunbeds 60 euros per set) and Yazoo summer blizz, all well organized with a variety of choices for food and drinks.

Angel’s tip 1: “Santanna beach club & restaurant” usually hosts afternoon parties on Sundays during summer.

Angel’s tip 2: At the end of the beach you can find a beautiful church called Saint Nicholas. The view is incredible, especially during sunset.

• Plaka: my favorite beach bar there called Tortuga. Nice set upand ambiance, delicious food and great music! The beach is wonderful.
• Orkos: Parthena beach – wonderful water, less known but beautiful.
• Mikri Vigla: 2 sides on this beach, one side intended mainly for the kite surfers and the other is organized and less windy normally. Both amazing and really worth a visit. Angel’s tip: When I visited there were no winds in the area and the not organized side was incredible.
• Hawaii: a popular impressive beach with young people and a beautiful scenery with rocks. You park your vehicle and follow the path on foot for 5 minutes.
• Alyko: a quiet beach with no umbrellas or sunbeds, just a cedar forest and wonderful waters. There is also a pretty church there, that you can visit.
• Pyrgaki: Close to Hawaii , a beach with sand same as in the desert! Angel’s tip: follow the sign for the restaurant “Psili Ammos”.
• Roos: ideal when island has northern winds as it is protected. Sandy, with amazing crystal clear waters. Angel’s tip: No shops close by, so have any food or drinks with you and an umbrella.
• Panermos: a bit far but great choice if you want to avoid the winds on the island! Angel’s tip: There is a boat there that you can take for a ride of 2 hours  and costs 10 euros per person , try it and you will not regret it!
• Psili Ammos: a bit far but worth it! Peaceful and quiet. Angel’s tip: Don’t go when it’s windy, check the wind directions here….

Angel’s tip: In case you are interested in nudist beaches, you can visit “Agia Anna nudist beach”, that is located at the end of “Agia Anna”. You can find it here.

And don’t forget to check the weather on the island, in order to avoid the beaches with strong winds!

Angel’s tip: If you have many days and want to see even more extraordinary waters & stunning beaches, make a day trip to Koufonisia (Pano Koufonissi island)! There is a ferry every day connecting the 2 islands (40 minutes duration) or even private boats. You can check ferryhopper.com.

You can check here my blog post for Koufonisia!

2. BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES

Naxos does not have many villages, but the few ones there are very pretty.

• Chalki. Angel’s tip: don’t forget to eat “Galaktoboureko” there.
• Filoti.
• Ano Potamia and
• of course the most famous: Apeiranthos village which has kept its architecture untouched since the Venetian era. Apeiranthos has a unique authenticity, since its inhabitants keep the customs of Crete island & speak the Cretan dialect. Angel’s tip: Combine this village with a visit to gorgeous “Rotonda – Cafe Bar Restaurant” for a drink during sunset time and then head into the village to stroll around and have an incredible dinner.

3. DELICIOUS FOOD

Below you can find some amazing recommendations for Greek food on the island.

All of them were suggestions from locals but unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to try them all! Despite that, I have written all about it, since I am pretty sure they are super tasty and are worth your time!

• “Lefteris” in Apeiranthos village. Angel’s tip: Try the burger stuffed with tomato and Graviera; the local cheese produced in Naxos.
  

  O Lefteris in Apeiranthos village

• “Amorginos” in Apeiranthos village for dinner with a view and excellent meat.
• “Stou Vasilarakiou” in Kinidaros village for incredible fresh meat.
• “Pigi traditional tavern” in Ano Potamia village.
• “Giorgis” in Melanes village. Angel’s tip:  reservation is recommended.
• “Sxolarcheio” in Filoti village.
• “Axiotissa” close to Mikri Vigla beach.
• “Paradiso” in Plaka. Angel’s tip: tables are literally on the beach, have a light jacket with you in case it is windy and go before sunset to enjoy the gorgeous colours of the sky. When I visited, they even had live music!
• “Giannoulis” restaurant in Agios Prokopios beach, for big portions & great food.
• “Maro’s taverna” for incredible food with reasonable prices in Naxos town. Angel’s tip: No reservations accepted so be patient!
• “To Elliniko Restaurant” in Naxos town with quality top notch!
• “Yasouvlaki” in town in case you fancy eating souvlaki.
  
• Don’t forget to have your ice cream/desert  in Milkato Gelateria and Waffle house in Naxos town.
• For brunch don’t miss “Melimilon” and “AVATON 1739 – Coffee & Wine Roof” in Naxos town. Angel’s tip: Avaton is located on the roof of an old monastery and has amazing view . You you can combine it with your castle visit and the old town. 

4.AMAZING COCKTAIL BARS

Naxos has great nightlife and I was really impressed by the gorgeous roof-top bars with excellent cocktails & drinks. Must visit in Naxo town in my opinion are the below:

• Swing cocktail bar
• Toro rooftop coktail bar
• 520 cocktail bar restaurant
• The ocean club
• Like home bar
  

  Swing coktail bar is amazing

A great bar for drinks outside town is “Island bar of Naxos” in Agia Anna in an amazing location. Angel’s tip: make a reservation if you are visiting during high summer season.

And of course, as mentioned before, “Rotonda cafe restaurant” in Apeiranthos village.

5. BEAUTIFUL TOWN

There is no doubt that Naxos Town, which is at the port actually, is bigger than other in Cyclades island group but still it is soooo charming! It is a MUST to get lost in the little cute alleys, to stroll around the pretty souvenir shops and visit the amazing bars/restaurants around the port and town. Angel’s tip: Although night time is great with the bars open, a visit during daylight is crucial to take photos and enjoy the area. 

2 things you shouldn’t miss:

• A visit in the old town and castle area. The Castle of Naxos Town is actually the old Venetian town. You can walk around, observe the daily life within the walls of the still inhabited castle and admire the historic buildings of the Venetian era, like the Catholic Cathedral and Glezos Tower.
• A visit in Portara or Temple of Apollo. Portara actually is the first thing you can see arriving at the port; the island’s crown jewel! And it is so impressive! It is a huge marble gate and the single remaining part of an unfinished temple of Apollo of 530 BC standing on the islet of Palatia, at the entrance to Naxos port. From Portara you can enjoy incredible view over the Naxos harbour, the castle and the Aegean Sea. If you love ancient history, don’t miss as well “Kouros of Apollonas” which is a 10 meters in height marble statue in Apollonas village.
   Angel’s tip : Visit during sunset, the pictures you can take from Portara are majestic. 

If you love ancient history you can visit the Temple of Demeter as well. It is located just outside Sangri village and is made of the finest Naxian marble. The temple is of Ionic order and it is dedicated to the ancient goddess of grain, Dimitra. There is a small museum and parking space outside. Entrance fee is 4 euros.

Angel’s tip: Easy access but not recommended for people with walking difficulties.

6. LOCAL FLAVOURS AND TASTES

I don’t think that anybody will disagree with me (haha!), that you should not leave Naxos island without:

• Tasting the local liqueur Citron. Angel’s tip: the oldest Citron distillery of the island from 1896 is in Chalki village. 
• Eating or even buying local cheeses : Graviera from Naxos, Arseniko and Anthotiro. Angel’s tip: My recommendation is to buy from Tyrokomia Naxou Koufopoulos in the town.
• Eating the famous potatoes of Naxos.
• Ordering at least once a local dish. If you eat meat, Patoudo or Rosto. Rosto is made of pig leg, which is marinated in wine and Patoudo is lamb stuffed with fennel, chard, herbs and garlic….

Naxos, I will come back soon! You are wonderful!

*For more pictures check my Instagram & the highlight for Naxos island*

IG: explorewith.angel

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