5+1 REASONS TO VISIT NAXOS ISLAND

The island where you can find anything you like!

When I first decided to visit Naxos, I did not have great expectations, since some friends of mine had already visited the island and didn’t get too thrilled with it. And you know what? I totally disagree. I loved it!

I really don’t know how you cannot like Naxos, as it is absolutely charming. Naxos has it all! From wonderful sandy long beaches and Ancient Greek ruins, to delicious food with wonderful roof-top bars!

First : Naxos is connected with Piraeus port in Athens by ferries all the time / book your tickets here: Ferryscanner.com !

The only negative I dare to say is the long distances, as the island is big, actually the biggest in Cyclades island complex! That’s why my personal advise is to combine the beaches with the restaurants in order to avoid the long drive.

MUST HAVE  a car!

Below you can find a list with the reasons I believe you should visit NAXOS island for:

1.SANDY INCREDIBLE LONG BEACHES

I don’t know if you prefer beaches with pebbles or sand but the beaches of Naxos are mainly sandy; so be prepared! My favorite are:

• Agios Prokopios: the most famous one, where you can find many beach bars (like Macao, Kahlua and Delmar). 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 10-15 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 and Yazoo, both 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. Angel’s tip: don’t forget to have a burger in the canteen close by called NSI. 
• Alyko: a quiet beach with no umbrellas or sunbeds, just a cedar forest and beautiful 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….

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.
• “Amorgino” in Apeiranthos village for dinner with a view and excellent meat.
• “Stou Vasilarakiou” in Kinidaros village for incredible fresh meat.
• “I Pigi” 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” 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.
• “SIU & GU” in town in case you want to eat pizza/pasta.

Don’t forget to have your ice cream/desert  in Milkato 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
• The ocean club
• Like home

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*