Things to do in Naxos Greece

Naxos is a beautiful island in the Cyclades archipelago in Greece with only 14,000 inhabitants. Very close to Mykonos in the Aegean Sea, this little Greek island has everything you could want for your holidays: paradise beaches, picturesque villages, delicious food, a wide range of cultural and leisure activities… Discover all Naxos has to offer, a Greek island with fewer tourists due to the fame and charm of Mykonos and Santorini. Enjoy a trip worthy of Mamma Mia!

Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter, completely free to use, easy and practical. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most by adding them to your route map.

Places to visit on the Island of Naxos

Chora, the capital of Naxos

Chora is a beautiful, simple and very Greek town. For anyone looking for that Greek, white, blue and decadent feel that jumps to our mind every time we hear the word “Greece”, the capital of Naxos will not disappoint. The central and most touristic area is the Kastro, the old quarter and the site of the Venetian castle. The castle offers wonderful views of the city from a viewing platform (2€).

Another must-see on Naxos is the Portara, the largest monument on Naxos and the perfect place to watch the sunset over the sea and mountains. The Portara is an ancient marble gate from a temple dedicated to the god Apollo that was never built, hence the name Apollo’s Gate.

Apeiranthos

Apeiranthos is a pretty village on Mount Fanari. It is a sight to behold both from the inside and from the road, where you can see the small white houses as an ensemble against the brown and green of the mountain.

A stroll through Apeiranthos is a real treat for all the senses. From the visually stunning marble-paved streets, colourful gates and churches, to the delicious cafes and restaurants where you can try authentic Greek cuisine.

Filoti

When visiting Apeiranthos you should make a stop at Filoti, which is connected by the same road. It is another beautiful white village full of Greek tavernas and charming narrow streets. Lose yourself in its streets, discover its hidden corners and be enchanted by the beauty of this Hellenic village.

Halki, the village of Naxos to see Byzantine churches

In the same valley as Filoti, the Tragea valley, is the wonderful village of Halki. In its narrow streets you can find not only magnificent restaurants, but also shops selling local products such as olive oil. But its deep-rooted olive-growing tradition is not the only thing that characterises the village of Halki. If you walk through its streets you will come across many beautiful Byzantine churches, some better preserved than others.

Vivlos

Vivlo is one of the largest villages on Naxos and, in addition to its characteristic architecture, here you can see 3 picturesque windmills perched on a hill, reminiscent of those on Mykonos. Another must-see in Vivlos is its curious church, with red detailing, white walls and blue windows.

Temple of Demeter

The Temple of Demeter, near the village of Sangri, is considered a predecessor of the Parthenon. It was built between 530 and 520 BC, a century before the Parthenon. Once a temple dedicated to Apollo and Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, it was converted into a Christian basilica in the 6th century AD, and many believe this is why the lands of Naxos are so fertile.

The ruins of this temple can still be seen today, with its Ionic columns still present.

Beaches of Naxos Greece

• Agios Georgios, Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna: these are the most accessible beaches from the capital and therefore the most crowded and least wild, although very beautiful, as is typical of the Greek coast.
• Ammitis and Abrami: two beautiful beaches in the north of Naxos, not very crowded but with a lot of waves.
• Mikri Viglia North and Mikri Viglia South: The beach of Mikri Viglia is divided in two, north and south, and although both are spectacularly beautiful, each attracts a different type of holidaymaker. The northern beach is known for the wind that constantly whips it, so at Mikri Viglia North you won’t see many sunbathers, but plenty of people kitesurfing. However, the southern part is perfect for swimming in its calm waters.
• Alyko Peninsula: On the Alyko Peninsula, 20 km from the capital, you will find some of the best beaches on Naxos. An example of this is Hawaii beach, situated in a quiet, uncrowded turquoise-white bay with hillsides full of vegetation. Other beaches on the peninsula worth a visit include Aliko, Micro Aliko and Kedros. Bring water and something to eat, especially if you plan to spend the day there, as these unspoilt beaches have no beach bars or shops.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Naxos Greece?

Mykonos

This small island in Greece is one of the tiniest islands in the Cyclades archipelago. It is without a doubt one of the country’s top destinations and one of the most visited islands in the Mediterranean. Mykonos is undeniably beautiful, with its picturesque narrow white streets, its characteristic windmills and stunning beaches.

The old town of Mykonos is striking for its whitewashed houses. We recommend wandering through its narrow streets to discover the most beautiful places in the town. In the small harbour of Mykonos you will find the locals’ fishing boats side-by-side with luxury yachts. You can take small boats from here to go to different parts of the island and to the island of Delos. The harbour is also home to some of the island’s best restaurants overlooking the sea.

The windmills of Mykonos are part of its landscape and have become a symbol of the island. They are in the district of Chora, on a large viewing platform overlooking the sea and the beautiful old white houses.

Read Things to do on you vacations in Mykonos Greece for more places and the best beaches on this Greek island.

How to get to Naxos Greece?

One way to get to Naxos is by plane. Naxos airport is only served by domestic flights, so if you want to visit the island, you’ll have to make a stopover at Eleftherios Venizelos airport in Athens, which costs around €50 and takes 45 minutes.

Visitors often go to Naxos after spending a few days on other islands such as Mykonos and Santorini. In this case, the most convenient way to get there is by ferry. Ferries from Mykonos, the closest island to Naxos, take 30 minutes to an hour, from Santorini about 2 hours and from Athens up to 5 hours. Ferries run fairly frequently from all these islands, especially in high season, and cost around €40.

Visit in Naxos in 2 and 3 days

Visitors usually come to Naxos after a few days on Mykonos or Santorini, so they only spend two or three days on the island. Below is a suggested itinerary for a trip of this length, but you can create your own route and select the destinations you are most interested in using the Passporter app.

What to do in Naxos in 2 days?

Day 1:

• Chora: centre of Naxos
• Agios Georgios, Agios Prokopios and/or Agia Anna beaches.

Day 2:

• Apieranthos
• Halki and Panagia Drossani
• Filoti and Mount Zeus

What to do in Naxos in 3 days?

Day 3:

• Beaches on the Alyko Peninsula

Where to eat in Naxos?

• To Elliniko: A beautiful restaurant with an open-air terrace surrounded by white houses, plants, colourful flowers and an olive tree that invites you to come in and try some of the best Greek food you have ever tasted. To Elliniko serves traditional Greek food with local produce and dishes prepared daily. As they say on their website, their secret is that they have their mother Katerina in the kitchen who cooks traditional recipes with love and meraki (soul, love and creativity). Price range: 8-18€.
• Oasis: One of the best traditional Greek home cooking restaurants you will see on Naxos. It has excellent seafood dishes, such as grilled squid and sardines, as well as other typical dishes such as moussaka and souvlakis. Sit on the terrace and enjoy the shade of the grape leaves and the best flavours of Naxos. Price range: 8-18€.
• Rotonda: Probably the best place to eat in Apeiranthos. Rotonda stands out not only for its good food, but also for having one of the best views of Naxos and all of Greece, from its terrace built on a cliff overlooking the beautiful Aegean Sea. Price range: 6€ – 20€.

Where to stay in Naxos?

To make sure you get the best prices, book well in advance. Greece is a popular summer destination and accommodation can easily sell out or skyrocket in price. If you’re on a budget, we suggest travelling in April and May rather than July or August.

• Saint George Hotel: Located only 10 metres from the beach of Agios Georgios, this fantastic hotel with white walls and blue shutters is one of the best places to stay in Naxos. The hotel is close to many restaurants, beach bars and supermarkets, as well as a bus stop so you can explore the island. The airport is 5 minutes away by car, and you don’t have to pay aanything ahead of time. Price per night in high season: up to 140€.
• Argo Boutique Hotel: a small family-run 4-star hotel very close to the beach and 400 metres from the centre, with swimming pool and breakfast included. It has an airport transfer service. Price per night in high season: up to 237€.

Tips for your trip to Naxos, Greece

• The high season in Greece runs from late May to early September, with July and August being the busiest months for tourists.
• Greece is a popular destination, so book in advance.
• Always carry some cash, as not all shops accept card payments.
• The currency in Greece is the Euro.
• Hire a car if you want to explore Naxos independently and take trips to the villages and beaches.
• Before you go shopping, remember that shopping hours in Greece are Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings only, with Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons and Sundays closed.
• If you’re looking for outdoor activities such as hiking, we do not recommend going in August because of the high temperatures. June is a good month, milder and with fewer visitors.

How to organise what to do in Naxos, Greece?

Sign up or download the app to discover all of its useful features.

• Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location.
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
• Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.

If you need help planning your itinerary, read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

FAQs about Naxos Greece