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The largest of the Cyclades islands, Naxos tends to be more of a \u201chidden gem\u201d when it comes to Greek Islands. Santorini and Mykonos make nearly every list (and for good reason), but because Naxos is lesser-known, it\u2019s far less crowded.<\/p>\n
And that\u2019s 100% fine by me when looking for a beach to lounge on! Naxos may just be the most underrated of the Greek Islands, which makes it an ideal addition to your Greece itinerary.<\/strong><\/p>\nFor the history buffs out there, the iconic Portara from the Temple of Apollo remains standing on the island of Naxos and it\u2019s one of the most photographed landmarks.<\/p>\n
We spent 3 days on the island and this was perfect for us. There are a million ways you can do this island, but the highlights for me are the charming town of Naxos, all of the beautiful beaches, and the hilly old towns \u2014 Apiranthos and Filoti.<\/p>\n
From where to stay to what to do, here\u2019s my ultimate guide to visiting Naxos, Greece!<\/h4>\n \n
How to Get to Naxos, Greece<\/h2>\n You can fly in from Athens or you can take the ferry. If you arrive by ferry, you\u2019ll arrive in the Port of Naxos which is right next to the Temple of Apollo \u2014 this is where most people go and it\u2019s one of the best spots for sunset.<\/p>\n
The ferry we took from <\/strong>Santorini<\/strong> to Naxos was really nice. It was one of the big cruise ship-looking ones from Blue Star Ferries. <\/strong><\/p>\nWhile that was a pleasant experience, I\u2019m definitely not the biggest fan of utilizing Greek ferries for island hopping. Most of the time I\u2019d recommend flying!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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The Ultimate Guide to Taking Greek Ferries<\/h3>\n Don\u2019t book a ticket for a Greek ferry without reading this guide first. Here\u2019s all you need to know about ferries in Greece!<\/p>\n
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Where to Stay in Naxos, Greece<\/h2>\n If you choose to stay in Naxos Town, you\u2019ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to dining, sights, and easy places to walk to.<\/strong><\/p>\nOr, if you\u2019re looking to lay your head down on a beachside property, you can look for accommodations in the Agios Prokopios area\u2014one of the most popular beaches, and not too far from Naxos Town. If you\u2019re looking to experience more local life, history, and nature, head into the mountain villages.<\/p>\n
We stayed at Naxian Spirit, located over by Agios Prokopios Beach. This was an excellent location as the beach has very swimmable water, beach chairs for rent, and was just overall lovely!<\/strong><\/p>\nBest Hotels in Naxos<\/h3>\nBest Hotels in Agios Prokopios<\/h3>\n <\/p>\n
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Getting Around Naxos, Greece<\/h2>\n I highly recommend getting a car for Naxos; while you can get away with renting an ATV or a scooter for places like Milos, Naxos is definitely an island where you\u2019ll want (and need) a car. The roads are pretty rough and the distances are far.<\/p>\n
Heads up, you\u2019ll most likely need to know how to drive Manual Transmission as Automatic rental cars are far and few between.<\/strong><\/p>\nDo I need an International Drivers License?<\/h3>\n Yes. Greek law requires you to have an International Driving Permit along with your state-issued driver\u2019s license to operate a vehicle.<\/p>\n
The good news? It\u2019s actually super easy to get.<\/strong><\/p>\nYou can obtain the International License here for only $29 and get it emailed to you to print within a few hours of ordering.<\/h4>\n
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What\u00a0 to Do in Naxos, Greece<\/h2>\nSpend Time Exploring Naxos Town<\/h3>\n Naxos Town, also referred to as Chora, spreads down the sides of a hill crowned by a 13th-century castle. The town itself is a bit maze-like, with stone stairways and charming hole-in-the-wall shops. The area is bustling and a great village to walk around.<\/p>\n
I\u2019d recommend exploring Naxos Town during the day and then returning in the evening for dinner.<\/strong><\/p>\nThe whole port is super charming and as you walk into the hilly historic town, you\u2019ll find a number of really cute restaurants.<\/h4>\n We were there during the high season and reservations were required pretty much everywhere, so depending on what time of year you\u2019re visiting, you may want to make reservations in advance.<\/p>\n
Kastro (Castle) of Old Town<\/h3>\n Located above the Old Town of Naxos is the citadel, built in the 13th century. You\u2019ll find narrow alleys that lead to monasteries, churches, and mansions here.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Portara \u2014 Door to the Temple of Apollo<\/h3>\n If you\u2019re arriving at the ferry port, this is one of the first things you\u2019ll see when you reach the island. The marble frame is what\u2019s left of the Temple of Apollo from the 6th century BC.<\/p>\n
To access the marble frame, you walk along something that sort of feels like it\u2019s from the Hunger Games\u2026 The scenic point stands on the islet of Palatia and you\u2019ve got to walk along a stone path with waves crashing on both sides of it.<\/p>\n
Explore the Beaches<\/h3>\n I feel like it\u2019s hard for an island in Greece to be known for its beaches\u2026because beaches abound\u2014but Naxos is known for its beaches!<\/strong><\/p>\nFind one you like, spend some time there, and then head on to the next. Naxos is a place where you can explore as much or as little as you like, so if you don\u2019t want to leave your slice of paradise, feel free to stay put!<\/p>\n
Some of the best beaches in Naxos are: Plaka Beach, Agios Georgios Beach, Agios Prokopios Beach, and Alyko Beach.<\/strong><\/p>\nGo on a Sailing Tour<\/h3>\n Take a sailing trip to the many secluded coves of small islands that surround Naxos. Find a sailing tour here!<\/p>\n
Take a Cooking Class<\/h3>\n Want to learn how to prepare things in a Naxian tradition? Select one of the cooking classes on offer \u2014 some are located in family tavernas or even in family homes. Find a cooking class here!<\/p>\n
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Drive Into the Mountains<\/h3>\n You simply must visit the little villages of Filoti and Apeiranthos. We drove up one morning and had lunch at Mpakal\u00f3gatos. It\u2019s a super cute little village and worth the drive \u2014\u00a0it takes about an hour to get there from the coast, so plan accordingly.<\/p>\n
Wind & Kitesurfing<\/h3>\n Naxos is known for being a windy island, thus wind and kitesurfing are popular activities. There are a few beaches that are prime for these activities \u2014 if you\u2019re interested in wind or kitesurfing in Naxos check out: Glyfada Beach, Mikri Vigla Beach, Amitis Beach, or Agios Prokopis Beach.<\/p>\n
Vallindras Kitron Distillery<\/h3>\n The liqueur of kitron is specific to Naxos \u2014 it\u2019s made by distilling the leaves and fruit from the citron tree, a citrus fruit very similar to a lemon.<\/strong><\/p>\nYou\u2019ll see kitron offered all over the island, at bars and souvenir shops, alike. For something unique to do in Naxos, you can venture into the hills and visit the village of Chalkia where Vallindras Kitron Distillery is.<\/p>\n
Panagia Drosiani Church<\/h3>\n Dating to at least the 6th century, the Church of Panagia Drosiani, which translates to the Dewy Virgin, is the oldest church in Naxos. The stone church is small but impressive with the original frescoes that fill the walls.<\/p>\n
The Best Restaurants in Naxos<\/h2>\n Fun Fact: Naxos is known for cheese! Most restaurants will be serving some kind of cheese, whether this is a Naxos-specific cheese or some kind of dish with phyllo and feta. Naxos cheese with phyllo, honey, and sesame seeds was a common one\u2026and so heavenly.<\/p>\n
Some of these places are only open seasonally, so make sure to check beforehand if they\u2019ve opened for the season yet, which is typically late spring.<\/strong><\/p>\nWe didn\u2019t realize we needed reservations pretty much everywhere, so plan ahead as the best places book up fast!<\/h4>\n As a note, all of these are located within Naxos Town, with the exception of Rotonda.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\nTypografio:<\/strong> This darling restaurant at the base of Naxos castle is located in a former newspaper press (how cool is that?). The two rooftop terraces offer views over the village to the sea. It\u2019s a bit more fine-dining with a modern twist on classic Greek dishes. One of the best in Naxos Town!<\/li>\nCapone\u2019s:<\/strong> This outdoor spot was super cool and had more of a cool, modern vibe than old-school charm.<\/li>\nTaverna:<\/strong> This place, located right on the water, is a cute little spot that features authentic Greek cuisine. It\u2019s all super delicious. I ordered their spicy Naxos Cheese \u2014 so good. And then go with whatever the waiter recommends for the day!<\/li>\nMaro\u2019s Taverna:<\/strong> We received numerous recommendations to visit this place. It\u2019s a bit further out from the main part of town, but still within walking distance.<\/li>\nTo Elliniko:<\/strong> This family-owned restaurant features traditional Greek cuisine. Choose from the cozy indoor seating to their gorgeous garden patio. Reservations are recommended for To Elliniko.<\/span><\/li>\nDoukato: <\/strong>This place brings the romance! Hidden away in the courtyard of an old monastery \u2014 framed by flowers and climbing vines, no less \u2014 tables dot the cobblestones and it\u2019s a place you simply won\u2019t want to leave. The menu features a number of Naxian specialties, namely the saganaki kataifi, which is fried cheese topped with sugary phyllo. Yum!<\/li>\nRotonda:<\/strong> *This is the only one that\u2019s a bit further \u2014 Rotonda is on the way from Filoti to Apeiranthos. Open for morning bites and coffee or late into the evening for Naxian delights and cocktails, check out traditional dishes here. Did I mention it boasts magnificent views for sunset?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nFor Night Life<\/h3>\n While we didn\u2019t go to either of these places, they looked like they\u2019d be super cool to hang out at during sunset, or if you\u2019re wanting to go out for drinks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n If you\u2019re wondering how many days to spend in Naxos, I mentioned earlier we spent three days on the island. This was perfect for us.<\/strong><\/p>\nIt was enough time to explore some of the gorgeous villages, relax on the beach, and dive into some delicious meals. You can definitely spend more time here \u2014 it\u2019s just up to you and how you want to enjoy your holiday!<\/p>\n
However, if you\u2019re planning to island-hop around Greece, I would say three days in Naxos is prime.<\/h4>\n Have you been to Naxos before? What other things would you add to this guide? Do you have any suggestions or a favorite Greek island to visit? Let me know in the comments below!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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