Naxos
Travel Guide
Welcome to our Naxos travel guide, where we explore the largest island in the Cyclades. Naxos is much more diverse in it’s landscape than many of the other Cycladic islands, and has much to offer visitors including the picturesque town of Chora, isolated beaches and mountain villages.
Compared to some of its’s Cycladic neighbours, Naxos feels more traditional, authentic and less touristic. Even the main town on the island, Chora, has retained it’s Greek charm and local vibe. With a beautiful harbour and a maze of white washed streets, Chora delivers everything you’d expect from a town in Greece. But Naxos doesn’t stop there, with quaint mountain villages and calm, sandy beaches just outside of the main town. Sun, sand, sea and greenery is all available in Naxos alongside fantastic Greek food and friendly faces.
Naxos Travel Guide Contents
Check out our other Greece Travel Guides:
Rhodes Travel Guide | Athens Travel Guide | Heraklion Travel Guide | Santorini Travel Guide | Chania Travel Guide
Naxos Travel Guide
How to get to Naxos
Naxos Island is accessible via internal flights from Athens airport and ferries from Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Heraklion, Crete and many other islands in the Cyclades. To book ferries in Greece, use Ferryhopper which covers all ferry operators in Greece on one website and app. The ferry port is located in Naxos Chora town and is easily walkable from most central hotels and accommodation. The airport is located 4km southwest of Naxos Chora and is very small, with a tiny building, with one small cafe counter, and one small runway. As Chora is the main town on the island, these are the options for how to get to Naxos Chora from the ferry port and airport:
Walk from Port – If you have packed light and are up for a walk, Naxos ferry port is only a 20-minute walk from the majority of town centre accommodation options
Taxi from Port – Available at the end of the Port, taxi’s are readily available and will cost around €10 ($11.50) to a town centre destination, more for villages and towns outside of the centre
Bus from Airport – Cheap but not an ideal option due to the bus stop being located 10 minutes walk from the airport, near Naxos Camping. From here buses stop and go into Naxos Chora and the port. Buses depart every 30 minutes in the summer and will take around 15 minutes journey time to the port. Tickets cost €1.60 ($2) per person
Taxi from Airport – A taxi from the airport will cost around €10 ($11.50) to Naxos Chora and will take around 10-15 minutes. Before booking a taxi, ask your accommodation provider for a cost for the transfer as many on the island will offer this at a reduced price or for free, a perk of Naxos
Areas to stay in Naxos
Naxos island has Naxos Chora, the main town, and an array of smaller villages and towns with unique features and draws. We recommend staying in Naxos Chora as the town is conveniently located for the port, airport, and local buses, as well as having the largest selection of accommodation options, restaurants, and shops. However, this may not suit everyone and it’s always good to see what your options are, so here are the best areas to stay in Naxos:
Naxos Chora – This is the main town on the island with the best transport links, accommodation options, restaurants, bars, and shops. The town offers convenience, a stunning harbour, a picturesque old town, and close proximity to the sandy Agios Georgios Beach
Agios Georgios Beach – Basically a part of Naxos Chora, this area and beach lines the southwest area of the town and is great for families and those wanting to be close to the beach, but also the convenience of a larger town and transport
Agios Prokopios Beach – Popular with families and tourists, this beach and village is located within easy reach of Naxos Chora by car or bus and has restaurants, bars, and shops. The nearby village of Stelida is a 15-minute walk but is much quieter and has far fewer amenities to cater to tourists
Agios Anna Beach – Just a 10-15 minute walk from Agios Prokopios beach, Agios Anna is a little quieter but still has a small selection of restaurants, shops, and bars on offer and quick transport by car or bus to Naxos Chora
Plaka – For the best beach on the island, this is where to stay. Plaka also has a selection of restaurants, bars, and shops along the front at its north end and is a 10-minute walk from Agios Anna beach at this point
Mountain Villages – For a taste of local life and to be close to some of the island’s most treasured historical attractions, the best hiking spots and a greener landscape, stay in a mountain village. There is a number to choose from but the most scenic is Chalki. However, this is a 30-minute car ride and longer bus journey from Naxos Chora, so although it’s closer to other mountain villages, there isn’t the convenience of the main town close by
Accommodation in Naxos
The island of Naxos has many accommodation options to choose from, but the largest variety and selection can be found in Naxos Chora. Hotels, apartments and villas can be found throughout Naxos Chora, for generally quite reasonable prices. Larger hotels with big pools or multiple pools are more common outside of Naxos Chora, where there is more space. Accommodation prices are generally very reasonable, even in the peak season. We would still advise trying to stay and visit out of those peak summer months though, to get more reasonable accommodation prices and more choice. Below are some of the best accommodation picks for where to stay in Naxos:
Budget Apartment | Sweet Home Naxos – For great value, comfort and all the amenities of home, look no further than Sweet Home Naxos. With comfortable apartments, fully equipped kitchens, great service and breakfast and being a 10-minute walk into the centre of Naxos town, it’s hard to compete with this
Mid-range Hotel | The Saint Vlassis – An excellent value hotel offering clean, modern rooms with a balcony and great breakfast, all within a 10-minute walk to Naxos town or the beach
Mid-range Hotel | Euphoria Chora Naxos – Just a 10-minute walk to Naxos town or the beach, Euphoria is a boutique hotel for a reasonable price with beautifully decorated rooms and comfortable spaces
Luxury Hotel | Nissaki Beach Hotel – Located on Agios-Georgios beach, the 5-star Nissaki Beach Hotel is one of the best hotels in Naxos with beautiful rooms, a stunning pool area, quick access to the beach and a great restaurant
How to get around Naxos
In Naxos Chora, getting around is easy as the town is compact and everything is within walking distance. Outside of Naxos town, these are the three options for how to get around Naxos:
Bus – Greek bus company KTEL have 10 bus routes across Naxos. Most of these start from Naxos Port or town, but a few connect further inland. Prices, journey times and departure frequency vary depending on the route you take. The Naxos KTEL website has timetables and details of all the bus routes. They also do a sightseeing route in the summer which is a cheap and convenient way to see more of the island
Taxi – Available throughout Naxos, taxi’s are an affordable way to get around and are the only way to get to destinations that the buses don’t stop at via public transport
Car – Hiring a car is a popular way to get around the island and a great way to see more attractions and sights off the beaten path. Car rental places can be found near the airport and in Naxos Chora
Things to do in Naxos
With such a range of things to see, do and experience, choosing what Naxos attractions to focus your energy on can be difficult. We’ve put together a compact list of the top 5 things to do in Naxos to help you plan your trip:
Explore Naxos Chora Streets – Arguably one of the prettiest towns in the Cyclades, exploring the small streets and alleys of Naxos Chora is a must when you visit the island. Hidden in among the whitewashed buildings you’ll find shops, restaurants, bars and some of the best town scenery in Greece
The Portara – The most iconic landmark in Naxos, the Portara is the last remaining part of the Temple of Apollo, built in the 7th century. It is free to visit and also offers stunning views over Naxos Chora
Explore Chalki – One of the most beautiful mountain villages in Naxos, Chalki is accessible by bus or car and is home to a distillery, several churches and Barozzi Tower
Temple of Demeter – Originally built in the 6th century BC, this temple was restored to its present form by Archaeologists. Tickets cost €4 ($4.50) each
Plaka Beach – This 4km long beach is widely considered the best in Naxos, with fine sand and clear waters
What to eat in Naxos
Greek food is well known across the globe and perfectly encapsulates the hearty, warm Greek people and the diversity of the Greek landscape. Naxos, with its mountains and subsequent rain and clouds, is perfectly suited to growing many foods such as potatoes, grapes, olives, figs and citrus fruits. Naxos town has around 125 restaurants, but there are many more restaurants across the island. Here are our top picks of what to eat in Naxos while you’re there:
Fried Potatoes – Famed for its homegrown potatoes, fried potatoes in all their forms are popular and delicious in Naxos
Fish Soup – A traditional fisherman’s dish across Greece, fish soup is particularly prominent on restaurant menu’s in Naxos, especially along the harbour
Giouvetsi – Slow cooked beef in a tomato-based sauce served on or in orzo pasta, simply amazing!
Spanakopita – Found all across Greece, this is a pastry made with spinach and feta cheese in filo pastry. Great as a snack or for breakfast
Kitron – Available in 3 varieties, Kitron is an alcoholic liqueur made from the leaf of the Citron tree, which is native to Naxos
Money - Naxos Travel Costs
The currency in Greece is the Euro(€). Credit & Debit cards are widely accepted throughout Greece, including in Naxos, and there are plenty of ATM’s which accept foreign cards. A service charge is rarely added to the bill in Naxos, but a tip is often given. For a budget or mid-range meal, a tip of up to €5 ($6) is generally the norm if you are happy with the service. For high-end restaurants, a tip of up to 10% is average. For taxi’s, you can round up the fare. Greece as a whole is an affordable destination and accommodation and food is more reasonably priced than in most popular European destinations. Here’s a guide for what you can expect to pay (per person) in Naxos for:
A local draught beer – $3-€5 ($3.50-$5.50)
A coffee – €2-$3 ($2.50-$3.50)
Gyros (Greek pita wrap with meat) – €3 ($3.70)
Budget restaurant meal – €10-€15 ($12-$18)
Mid-range restaurant meal – €20-€25 ($25-$30)
High-end restaurant meal – €30 ($35+)
When to go to Naxos and for how long
The best time to visit Naxos is in May and June or September to mid October. The peak months of July and August can get busy and the weather can get very hot, so it’s best to avoid these months if possible. The southern location of Greece, means that the weather is generally good and warm from the beginning of May to the end of October, but April can even be nice, as well as November. Naxos could be considered a year round destination but much of the town and resorts shut down from November to March when there are less tourists, so this is something to consider. A visit of at least 2-3 days is recommended to cover the main sights in Naxos town and across the island.
Local language and phrases
The language in Naxos and Greece is Greek, but English is widely spoken in towns and anywhere catering to tourists. Check out our guide to a few useful Greek words and phrases that you should know before you visit Naxos on our Greece travel tips section
Naxos travel tips
– Naxos is a safe island and is safe for lone travellers, including lone females
– There are a few places to eat that cater to those with vegetarian diets
– The tap water is not safe to drink in Naxos
Naxos travel guide written in December 2021
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Naxos Travel Articles
Naxos Walking Tour Videos And Maps
Check out our Youtube Channel for more Naxos walking tours, and tours for other destinations too.
Naxos City Walking Tour
A walking tour video highlighting the sights of Naxos city with an accompanying map showing the route we walked
Naxos Seafront Walking Tour
A walking tour video highlighting the sights of Naxos seafront with an accompanying map showing the route we walked
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