Sep 29, 20236 min read

Guide to Naxos, Greece

Updated: Oct 3, 2023

Naxos is a lovely, less popular island, only a 30 min ferry from Paros and Mykonos. It is definitely the least touristy of the three and therefore the cheapest of the three. The island was gorgeous with white sand beaches and whitewashed buildings. There were lots of cute shops & restaurants to explore in the alleyways of town. In general, it was very laid back and uncrowded with many quaint and modest restaurants. It also has well-known mountain villages if you want to adventure inland for hikes for a different feel.

For the day-by-day itinerary of my whole trip, check out my 10 Days in Greece blog! This is one of my favorite trips, and one of my most requested itineraries to share. I went to Mykonos, Paros, Naxos and Athens. The Greek islands definitely live up to the hype and will not disappoint. This was my first time to Greece, but definitely not my last.

When to Go

I went in May of 2022 over Memorial Day through the first week of June and traveled with my mom! I would definitely recommend visiting at the end of May/beginning of June. The Greek islands' “tourist season” goes from May to September. Outside of these months, the islands are mainly shut down and most of the locals go back to the mainland in the colder months. Given there is such a short travel season, it can tend to be busy, but we were fortunate to travel early in the season and miss the crowds. I would highly recommend missing the peak of the season mid-June through August if you want to avoid the crowds. It is also cheaper! I have read that in September/October is also cheaper but that it can get very windy on the islands during this time.

Tip: We spent at least 3 nights on each island during our trip and I would not recommend staying shorter than that in each place. I would do at least 3 nights in Naxos. There is so much to do, especially if you want to go to the mountain villages, you could definitely stay longer and still be very entertained. My travel philosophy is: I would rather see less places and really get to know them, rather than packing my bags every day to see every stop and not fully enjoying any of them.

How to Get There

I flew from LAX to Mykonos with one layover in Vienna. I was eager to get to the islands, so I was very excited when I found a flight directly into Mykonos. Most people fly into Athens and then take a ferry or short regional flight to the islands from there. I personally was not super enthusiastic about visiting Athens and wanted to only stop through there on the way home. From Paros, we took a 40 min ferry to Naxos, which was super cheap (~$30) and easy!

Where to Stay

Naxos is much less traveled than some of the other islands, so you can get a gorgeous hotel room for an amazing price. If you are on a budget, you can definitely get rooms for $50-$60 on the low end and still be near the beach. For a luxury stay, you can even stay at a 5-star resort for $180-300 per night.

I would recommend staying close to Chora (Naxos Town) to be able to easily access restaurants and bars at night. We stayed on Agios Georgios beach which I loved. We were steps away from a gorgeous swimming beach, and a very short 5-10 min walk to the town of Chora.

Antony Suites (Apartment, Agios Georgios): This is where I stayed for 3 nights in Naxos. It was well-located and reasonably priced, but not my favorite place. It was small, clean and no-frills, which did the job, but I would recommend exploring other hotels if you want more of a resort feel with a pool and service. It was very reasonably priced though and included free breakfast! We booked our Naxos stay a bit last minute and options were more limited.
18 Grapes (5-star, Agios Prokopios): I really wanted to stay here but it was sold out during our dates. It is stunning! It is a unique boutique hotel with only 18 rooms and a minimalistic style. The property has many amenities including a pool, outdoor lounge, fitness center and roof terrace.oor lounge, fitness center and roof terrace.
Naxos Island Hotel (5-star, Agios Prokopios): In addition to the lovely rooms, the rooftop pool with an ocean view really sells this property.
Nissaki Beach Hotel (4-star, Agios Georgios): Another beautiful boutique hotel, including rooms with ocean front views.
18 Grapes (5-star, Agios Prokopios): I really wanted to stay here but it was sold out during our dates. It is stunning! It is a a unique boutique hotel with only 18 rooms and a minimalistic style. The property has many amenities including a pool, outdoor lounge, fitness center and roof terrace.

Where to Eat

Naxaki: We rented sunbeds on the beach here and the food was awesome. The cocktails and fish n chips on the beach were to die for.
La Vigne: This was by far my favorite meal on Naxos. It is a 10 table French restaurant with the most amazing fish entrees and creative flavors. The owners are a couple from France and they are so lovely. We were lucky to walk up and get a table, but I would recommend a reservation. It is a little hard to find but it was worth every bite and a memorable dining experience!
Avaton: It has a 360 view which was amazing for sunset and to see the city. It was a little pricier, relative to the rest of the town, but by US standards still very reasonable. I would highly recommend coming here for an appetizer and drink.
Scirocco: This restaurant was amazing for traditional Greek food and we had the best fresh sea bass that was filmed in front of us!
To Elliniko: For homemade Greek food, cooked with fresh local products, this is the place! The patio was also beautiful for outdoor dining on a nice day.

Things to Do

Rooftop Bar for Sunset: For sunset we went to a small rooftop bar with an ocean view called Oniro. They also offer food, but I would recommend just doing drinks here. I would also recommend Avaton for a rooftop sunset. Keep in mind Naxos is pretty hilly, so you will encounter a steep uphill walk to get here (aka leave your heels at home).
Plaka Beach: We took the public bus to Plaka beach which was only two euros. The bus is very safe, clean and easy to navigate! This side of the island has a very different vibe, so I recommend checking it out. It feels almost Cabo/Mexico-esqe, and we really enjoyed it! The beach clubs here are very well maintained and aesthetically pleasing. We spent the day at Picasso, and the margs were so good. I would skip the food, but the ambiance and drinks were well worthwhile.
Temple of Apollo - Portara: This archaeological site stands proudly on a hilltop near Chora. The massive stone doorway, known as Portara, is a beautiful landmark against the backdrop of the ocean. It is worth a visit, but you won't need long there. To go there is a short walk from town, but there are quite a few stairs, so wear comfy shoes!
Wander the streets of the old town: Chora, the charming old town of Naxos, has winding streets to get lost in. As you meander through these historic streets, you'll stumble upon hidden gems, cozy cafes, and artisan shops. Don't forget to savor a traditional Greek coffee at a local café while people-watching and soaking in the laid-back atmosphere.
Visit the mountain village of Halki (Chalki): For a taste of Naxos's rustic beauty, venture inland to the mountain village of Halki (also known as Chalki). This town is nestled among rolling hills and verdant landscapes. The quaintness and landscape of Halki offers a delightful contrast to the island's coastal vibes.