Naxos is the largest island of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea and one of the loveliest and most varied islands of Greece. It has long sandy beaches with turquoise water, a mountainous interior with the peak Zas at a thousand and one metres, stone villages, Byzantine churches and ancient monuments including the famous Portara, the gateway of a never-finished temple. Naxos town with its Venetian castle and lanes is lively and charming. The island is calmer and cheaper than Mykonos or Santorini, so it is a great choice for families, couples and windsurfers. From Athens you reach Naxos by ferry in five hours or by plane in forty-five minutes; from Prague you fly to Athens. The best time is May to June and September; in summer it is hot and in August the strong meltemi wind blows. You pay in euros.
The places worth your time in Naxos, and what to expect at each
Naxos harbour
The marble gateway of a huge temple dedicated to Apollo from the sixth century BC, standing on the islet of Palatia by the harbour. The temple was never finished. It is the symbol of Naxos and the best place for sunset.
Tip: Walk out along the causeway to the islet, about fifteen minutes from the harbour. Come an hour before sunset; there is no shade.
Naxos town
The old town of Naxos with narrow white lanes, a thirteenth-century Venetian castle and a Catholic church. In the castle descendants of Venetian families live and there are museums. The lanes lead to arcades and cafés.
Tip: Getting lost is part of the experience; the lanes are like a maze. In the morning it is calmer. In the evening tavernas are full.
Agios Prokopios
A long sandy beach of pale sand and turquoise water just five kilometres from town, one of the best in the Cyclades. There are tavernas, loungers and water sports. It is gradual and suits families.
Tip: Loungers and umbrellas cost about ten euros. Early in the morning it is calm; in the afternoon the wind blows.
south-west Naxos
A long sandy beach with dunes and juniper, longer than two kilometres, in the south-west of the island. It is calmer than Agios Prokopios and part of it is designated for naturists. The sea is clean and shallow.
Tip: A bus runs from town in twenty minutes. Bring water and an umbrella, as there is little shade. In the south of the beach it is calm.
interior
A mountain village of white and grey marble on the slopes of the mountain, with narrow lanes, towers and four small museums. The inhabitants cherish tradition and speak a distinctive dialect. It is one of the loveliest places in the interior.
Tip: A bus runs from town in an hour. Bring a jacket and sturdy shoes; the lanes are stony. Lunch in a taverna on the square.
Tragea valley
A small village in the Tragea valley with Byzantine chapels, Venetian towers and olive groves. It is calm and has a distillery of the liqueur kitron. It is the calmest and most authentic part of the island.
Tip: Visit the Vallindras distillery and taste kitron. Come in the morning; in the evening tavernas are open.
centre of the island
The highest peak of the Cyclades at 1,001 metres, reached by a hiking trail and from whose summit there is a view of the whole archipelago. Legend says Zeus lived here. Below the summit is a cave.
Tip: Set out early in the morning; the trail takes three hours. Bring water and a hat; at the top the wind blows.
Sangri
A marble temple of the sixth century BC in a valley, partly reconstructed, with a small museum. It is a calm archaeological site without crowds. The surroundings are green.
Tip: Entry costs about four euros. Come in the morning, when it is calm; combine with Halki.
Naxos harbour
From Naxos harbour boats run to the small islands of Koufonisia, Iraklia and Schinoussa, which have the cleanest sea in the Cyclades. It is a popular full-day trip. The beaches are white and turquoise.
Tip: Boats run daily in season; check the timetable. Bring a snorkel and sun cream, as there is little shade.
Photos: The Portara — Jules Verne Times Two (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Chora and the Venetian Castle — Manfred Werner (Tsui) (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Agios Prokopios Beach — Jules Verne Times Two (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Plaka Beach — G Da (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Apeiranthos — Yiannis Z. at English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Halki and Tarant — C messier (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Mount Zas — Zde (CC BY-SA 3.0) · The Temple of Demeter — Stepanps (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Trips to the Small Cyclades — Sgroey (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking
Best for: harbour and monuments
The capital with the castle, lanes and tavernas by the harbour. It has the widest choice of hotels and restaurants. Best for a first visit.
Best for: beaches and families
Sandy beaches a short way from town with apartments and tavernas. It is calmer and children swim well. A good choice for families.
Best for: calm and windsurfing
Southern beaches with long sandy stretches, wind and calm. There are fewer people and lower prices. Suits windsurfing and calm.
Best for: interior and villages
Mountain villages with guesthouses and tavernas. It is calm and traditional, but farther from the sea. Suits those who want to get to know the island.
Naxos Airport (JNX) is three kilometres from town; flights run from Athens in forty-five minutes and from several other islands. From Prague you fly to Athens in two and a half hours. Ferries run from Piraeus and Rafina in five to six hours and from other islands. Fast boats run from Piraeus in three and a half hours. You cannot drive to the island; a car is rented on site.
Naxos Airport (JNX) · 3 km
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) · 0 km
Buses run around the island from town to beaches and villages, but for the interior a rental car or quad is handy. Roads are winding. Taxis are pricier. In town everything can be walked.
Useful apps: Google Maps, Ferryhopper, Maps.me, KTEL Naxos
Naxos has a Mediterranean climate with a hot dry summer and a mild winter. In July it is around thirty degrees and the sea twenty-four. The best time is May to June and September. In August the strong meltemi wind blows.
Best time
May to June and September
What to avoid
August (meltemi wind and crowds)
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 14° | 14° | 16° | 20° | 24° | 28° | 30° | 30° | 27° | 23° | 19° | 16° |
| Night | 9° | 9° | 10° | 13° | 17° | 21° | 23° | 23° | 21° | 17° | 14° | 11° |
| Rainy days | 80 | 60 | 45 | 20 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 40 | 70 | 90 |
| Sea | 16° | 15° | 15° | 16° | 18° | 21° | 24° | 25° | 24° | 22° | 19° | 17° |
Naxos cooking is rustic and excellent: cheeses, potatoes, meat and fish. The island is self-sufficient and food is cheaper than on other Cyclades. A main dish costs eight to fifteen euros. People drink wine, kitron and beer.
Naxos potatoes
Famous potatoes from fertile soil, fried or baked with oregano. Tastiest in tavernas in the mountains.
Graviera Naxou
A mature cow's milk cheese with a protected designation. Served with honey and olives.
Kitron
A liqueur from citron leaves, the traditional Naxos drink. Drunk after a meal.
Slow-cooked meat
Meat stewed slowly with herbs, a traditional dish in the villages. Served with potatoes.
Grilled fish and octopus
Fresh fish grilled with olive oil. Best in the harbour.
Melopita
A honey cake with mizithra cheese, a traditional dessert. Sweet and delicate.
Rakomelo
A warm drink of raki and honey with spices, a winter drink. It warms you.
Frappé coffee
€3–4
Lunch in a taverna
€10–18
Gyros
€3–4
A beer
€3–4.5
Lounger (day)
€10–15
Boat to Koufonisia
€25
3★ hotel (night)
€70–180
Ferry from Piraeus
€40
Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.
1 day
2 days
3 days
Paros
20 km · 45 min by boat
A neighbouring island with the village of Naoussa, beaches and fish tavernas. It suits a full-day trip.
Santorini
130 km · 2 hrs by fast boat
An island with a caldera, white villages and the sunset at Oia. It suits a full-day trip.
Mykonos
70 km · 1 hr 30 min by fast boat
A famous island with windmills, beaches and nightlife. It suits a full-day trip.
Four to five days suffice for the town, beaches and villages. For Koufonisia and the mountains add another day. For windsurfing or a calm holiday a week.
From Athens by plane in forty-five minutes or by ferry from Piraeus in five to six hours. Fast boats run in three and a half hours. From Prague you fly to Athens.
May to June and September, when it is warm and less crowded. In July and August it is full and the meltemi blows. For swimming the best is June to September.
Yes, it is markedly cheaper. Lunch costs ten to eighteen euros, a hotel seventy to a hundred and eighty euros a night. The island grows its own food, so food is cheap.
For the interior and distant beaches yes. For the town and nearby beaches a bus suffices. Rental costs about thirty-five euros a day.
Agios Prokopios and Plaka are the most popular, with fine sand and turquoise water. Mikri Vigla is for windsurfing. For calm choose the south.
Yes, it has gradual beaches, calm villages and cheap cooking. Children will enjoy the Portara and water sports. A safe island.
Naxos potatoes, graviera cheese and kitron. With them grilled fish and melopita. Tavernas in the villages are cheapest.
Check the latest visa requirements for entering this country. Some nationalities may need to apply for a visa or e-visa before travel.
Check visa requirementsLanguage
Greek
Currency
EUR
Timezone
Europe/Athens
Dial Code
+30
Population
10.4M
Area
131,957 km²
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Driving Side
Right
