11 Best Naxos Day Trips To Add To Your Itinerary (2024)
Are you visiting Naxos this summer and wondering which Naxos day trips to add to your itinerary? You came to the right place!
While Naxos is best known for its incredible beaches, I’m not the kind of person who can just lie on the beach for a week. I love swimming, but laying out in the sun for hours is not my thing.
Luckily, there are so many things to do in Naxos!
I stayed in Naxos when backpacking the Cyclades, and I loved exploring this mountainous island and its quaint villages.
Also, Naxos is perfectly situated for day trips to other islands, so you can easily visit more popular islands close to Naxos without staying there.
If you’re ready to find the best day trips from Naxos, let’s jump right in!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. I hope you find the information here helpful!
Do You Need A Car For These Day Trips From Naxos?
You don’t necessarily need a car on Naxos, but ideally, you would rent a car for some of these day trips on Naxos Island.
I rented a car for a day, and it made it so easy to reach remote mountain villages and nature without relying on public transport.
The main reason I rented a car in Naxos, even though I wasn’t planning to, was that it was quite affordable.
I found that if you book in advance through Discover Cars the price can be considerably lower than renting a car when you arrive, and you might get an additional driver for free if you’re not traveling solo!
Alternatively, you can also rent a quad. It is a very popular vehicle on the island, but it is not my thing.
I also saw people renting electric bikes and biking to the mountains. I love cycling, but it didn’t look too appealing in the scorching Naxos sun. But it could be a really fun way to explore the island if you visit in the shoulder season!
If renting a vehicle is not an option, you can still enjoy Naxos without a car – take a bus or simply join a tour!
Naxos has reliable public transportation, so it is possible to organize cheap Naxos day trips by bus if you’re paying attention to your Naxos budget. However, it will require more planning and flexibility on your side.
I will note when there’s a bus or a tour available!
Best Naxos Day Trips On The Island
Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades, and there is so much to discover on this versatile island.
From remote beaches to stunning mountain views, you can easily spend 3 days in Naxos or more, exploring a different part of the island each day.
1. Day trip to Naxos Mountain Villages
Visiting traditional mountain villages is one of the most popular things to do in Naxos.
It is a great way to get off the beaten path and drive from village to village for an authentic Greek island experience.
You can visit many villages, but the most popular ones are Halki, Apiranthos, and Filoti.
- Halki is best known for the Byzantine churches, some dating back to the 7th century.
- The main attraction in Filoti is the impressive orthodox church Panagia Filiotissa. I also like the small Old Tailor’s and Smith’s museums hidden in the street of Floti and free to visit.
- Apiranthos is probably the most picturesque of the three villages. It is the highest in the mountains and offers a spectacular view of the island.
How to get to Naxos Mountain Villages?
The easiest way to get to all three villages is by car. That is how I did it, and it was amazing.
The road was easy to drive and the views were spectacular.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a car, visiting the villages is one of the most popular tours of Naxos.
Combine a visit to the villages with tasting local food on this Naxos: Local Villages’ Cultural Food Tour!
If you want to organize the trip yourself, you can also take a bus. Bus fares vary by distance, so the price will depend on how far you’re going. Browse the Naxos bus schedule here.
2. Day trip to Mount Zas
Hiking is one of the best reasons to visit Naxos. Mount Zas is the highest peak in the Cyclades, making for an excellent sporty activity to add to your itinerary.
The trail starts next to the Saint Marina Holy Chapel, and it is easy to follow from there. You could take other routes, but this one is the most common.
The hike can be challenging for somebody who’s not a frequent hiker, and it should take an hour to 2 hours to reach the top. You can also make a little detour to Zeus’ Childhood Cave.
It is best to start early in the morning as the trail is not shaded at all. Bring lots of water since there are no amenities on the trail.
You can also take a trail from Aria Spring Fountain or make it a circuit and return from that side.
How to get to Mount Zas?
As it is a nature hike, the easiest way to reach the summit is by car.
There are about 20 parking spots in front of the Saint Marina Holy Chapel, so come early to ensure you don’t have to park your car far from the trail.
If you don’t have a car, you can take a bus to Floti village and then walk to the trail. It is about a 3km uphill walk.
Do you prefer hiking with a guide? Join this Hike to the Top of the Cyclades organized tour. You can meet up with your group in front of the Saint Marina Holy Chapel or request a hotel pick-up.
⛰️ Check rates and availability of Hike to the top of the Cyclades tour!
3. Day trip to Apollonas Village
Apollonas is a village located in the north of Naxos. It is best known as the place to see the unique marble sculpture of Apollonas Kouros.
This impressive, 10m tall, sculpture dates back to the 8th century BC, and it is found lying down. The archeologists believe it represents young men, hence the name Kouros – meaning young man or Dionysus.
Apollonas Village itself is small, so this day trip is best combined with more sights. For example, visit the Tower of Agia which is on the road from Naxos.
If you want to swim, Apollonas Beach is a pebbled beach, unlike other sandy Naxos beaches. Great alternative for those who don’t like sand!
How to get to Apollonas?
Apollonas is located about an hour’s drive from Naxos Town.
You can also take a bus from Naxos to Apollon Village, Line 5 bus takes about 1 hour and stops at the Apollon Kouros site as well!
If you like Greek mythology and want to hear all the mythological stories about Naxos, consider joining this Naxos Mythology Tour! It is one of the best Naxos tours and covers all the ancient Greek sights on the island, including the Kuoros.
🏛️Check rates and availability for the Naxos Mythology Tour!
4. Day trip to Temple of Demeter
The Temple of Demeter is one of the most important archeological sites on Naxos. It is located in the center of the island, close to the village of Sangri.
You can explore the grounds of the old temple and visit a small museum to learn more about the history of this place.
You’ll have to pay an entrance fee to access the temple, so remember to bring cash, as they don’t take cards!
How to get to the Temple of Demeter?
The easiest way to reach the temple ruins is by car. It takes about half an hour to get there from Naxos Chora.
If you’re short on time and want to see as many Naxos highlights as possible in one day, this Naxos Highlights Bus Tour with a swimming stop at Apollonas Village is the perfect way to do so!
Joining Naxos day tours is more affordable than renting a car if you’re traveling solo, and you get to see all the main sights around the island without worrying about the bus schedule.
🚌 See rates and availabilities for the Naxos Highlights Bus Tour!
Best Day Trips From Naxos To Other Islands
Naxos is perfectly situated for day trips to other Cyclades.
If you want to take some Naxos island tours to neighboring islands, you can organize it yourself by ferry, join a tour, or a boat trip.
5. Naxos to Paros Day Trip
People usually debate whether to visit Naxos or Paros, but there is really no reason to choose as you can easily see both!
So, what are the best things to do in Paros in one day?
The ferry will leave you in Parikia, so you can start by visiting either Parikia or Naoussa, the two main towns on the island.
Naoussa is a former fishing village turned into an upscale seaside town. It is a charming small town, with a labyrinth of pristine paved roads taking you among the picturesque whitewashed houses.
One of the seafront bars of Naoussa is the perfect place to grab a drink or a light lunch before continuing to explore the island.
Parikia is more authentic, as it is the main town of the island where people actually live, but not less picturesque. Stroll narrow, winding streets, and visit Frankish Castle and Holy Church of the Virgin Mary.
If you have more time, visit Lefkes, one of the most picturesque Paros villages, and hike the Byzantine road.
How to get to Paros from Naxos?
You don’t need to join a tour to visit Paros from Naxos.
It is easy to take a ferry from Naxos to Paros. There are multiple daily departures, and the trip takes about 50 min.
The first ferry from Naxos departs at 9:30 in the morning, and the last one going back is around 22:00, so you’ll have plenty of time to discover the whole island!
When booking a ferry, go for the cheapest option. The trip is literally the same regardless of which company you go for.
🚢 Check ferry departure times and prices here!
6. Naxos to Santorini Day Trip
Santorini is the best-known Cycladic island and a number-one destination on countless travelers’ bucket lists.
The biggest downside of Santorini’s popularity is that it is hard to visit Santorini on a budget, especially during the high season.
That makes a day trip to Santorini from Naxos the perfect alternative, as you don’t have to spend a night on the island in expensive Santorini hostels!
So, what can you do on a Santorini day trip?
You will have enough time to see the main attractions and maybe take a dip on one of Santorini’s unique beaches on a day trip to Santorini.
Picturesque cliffside villages of Oia and Fira are a must-see with their typical Cycladic white-washed houses and blue domes.
Make sure to grab an ice cream at Zotos Gelateria in Fira as you stroll the cobblestone streets. They serve the best vegan ice cream I’ve had in the whole of the Cyclades.
If you have time for a swim, Perissa’s volcanic black sand beach is among the most unique beaches in Greece.
How to get to Santorini from Naxos?
While there is a ferry from Naxos to Santorini that takes about 2 hours between the islands, it is not the best option for a day trip.
When you look at the ferry schedule, you’ll see that the last ferry from Santorini to Naxos is at 15:30.
Even if you take the earliest ferry to Santorini, you’d only have about 3h on the island before rushing back to the port.
If you want to avoid the stress of Greek ferries, the best way to see Santorini on a day trip from Naxos is to join a Naxos to Santorini tour for almost the same price!
This tour includes a boat trip from Naxos to Santorini and a bus transfer from Santorini to Oia and Fira.
You’ll get a tour guide to take you around Santorini and have free time to roam the cobblestone streets of this picturesque island.
🛥️Check rates and availability for this Full-Day Boat Trip to Santorini From Naxos!
7. Naxos to Mykonos Day Trip
Mykonos is best known as the upscale party destination, and easily the most expensive island in the Cyclades.
Avoid the high accommodation prices, and visit Mykonos on a day trip from Naxos!
Little Venice is the most famous sight in Mykonos. This seafront neighborhood was modeled after Venice, Italy. You’ll see they are quite different than the usual Cycladic aesthetic.
Mykonos Windmills are another tourist attraction and a must-see spot on the island.
How to get to Mykonos from Naxos?
It is possible to self-organize a day trip from Naxos to Mykonos by ferry. However, it is cheaper and easier to simply join a tour.
You can check here the ferry departure times and ticket prices in case they are running a promo. Though when I was planning this day trip, it was about 100€ just for tickets.
This day trip to Mykonos Island is great value for money! It is basically just an organized transfer, and you won’t have a tour guide. You’ll have complete freedom as to how you want to spend your time on the island.
This day tour can be cheaper than booking the ferries yourself, and you avoid the stress of ferry travel.
🏝️Check rates and availability of the Round day trip to Mykonos Island!
8. Naxos to Delos day trip
Delos is a UNESCO site and the most sacred of Greek islands, according to Greek mythology, it is the birthplace of the gods Artemis and Apollon.
The whole island is an archeological site, and you’ll be able to see ancient ruins as soon as you land at Delos Port.
The best thing you can do in Delos is to simply walk around and discover all the temple ruins, mosaics, and museums.
For the best view over the island, climb to the top of Mount Kynthos. It is quite a steep climb up several hundred stone steps, but it is well worth it!
How to get to Delos from Naxos?
The easiest way to visit this UNESCO site is to join one of the Naxos excursions to Delos.
There is currently no direct ferry line from Naxos to Delos.
This Delos and Mykonos Full-Day Boat Trip from Naxos takes you to both islands, and you get free time to explore on your own. It is an excellent way to see both islands, without worrying about ferries.
The tour only includes boat transfers, so you’ll have to buy tickets to Delos separately.
🏛️Check rates and availability of Delos and Mykonos Full-Day Boat Trip!
9. Naxos to Koufonisia day trip
We’re getting into sailing day trips, and the Small Cyclades are the most popular destination for island hopping from Naxos.
Located south of Naxos, Koufonisia is actually a set of two islands: Ano Koufonissi and Kato Koufonissi.
The islands are best known for their pristine beaches and turquoise waters, so they make for a perfect sailing day trip.
How to get to Koufonisia from Naxos?
You could self-organize a trip by taking a speed boat from Naxos to Koufonisia, but you won’t have much time on the island that way.
The best way to visit Koufonisia from Naxos is on full-day boat tours.
With this Full Day Koufonissi Cruise, you’ll get to see the famous Rina Cave and explore beautiful remote beaches. Lunch and drinks are included, so you don’t have to worry about that either!
🛥️Check rates and availability here!
10. Naxos to Iraklia day trip
Iraklia and Schinoussa are two more islands in the Small Cyclades group. They are located right next to each other, making for a perfect island-hopping itinerary.
The first thing you’ll notice as you approach these beautiful islands is the tranquility. Still untouched by mass tourism, life is slow in Iraklia and Schinoussa.
The most popular thing to do is to explore the beaches, and you’ll be mesmerized by the clear, turquoise waters you’ll see here.
How to get to Iraklia from Naxos?
While there is a direct ferry from Naxos to Iraklia, the schedule doesn’t work for a day trip.
Therefore, you’ll have to join a boat day cruise to explore Iraklia from Naxos.
This boat tour takes you on an incredible full-day trip to Iraklia and Schinoussa, two of the Small Cyclades islands, for a day of swimming and relaxation.
🏝️Check rates and availability of the Schinoussa and Iraklia Sailing Cruise with BBQ!
11. Day trip from Naxos to Amorgos
As a somewhat remote island, Amorgos is still untouched by mass tourism. That makes it a perfect place to explore and relax away from crowds.
Unlike other Cyclades, Amorgos Chora is situated inland, away from the sea. It is one of the most beautiful villages in the Cyclades.
How to get to Amorgos from Naxos?
While there is a direct ferry from Naxos to Amorgos, the schedule doesn’t work for a day trip. You’d have less than 2 hours to explore the island before having to come back,
Therefore, if you really want to visit Amorgos from Naxos, you’ll have to join a boat tour.
This Private Amorgos Islanirakliad Discovery Boat Tour is a perfect way to get a personalized tour of this underrated Cycladic island.
🛥️ Check rates and availability of the Private Amorgos Island Discovery Boat Tour!
FAQ: day tours from naxos
You should book tours in advance unless you’re spending a week on Naxos or traveling in the low season. In person, you can usually only book the excursion for the following days and only if spots are still available. In high season tours usually sell out a couple of days in advance.
Yes, you can do many day trips from Naxos. The island is perfectly situated for day trips to other Cycladic islands including Paros, Mykonos, Santorini, and the Small Cyclades.
Yes, if you’re staying in Naxos it is worth it to take a day trip to Paros. It takes less than an hour to reach Paros from Naxos, and there are multiple daily ferry lines linking the islands. Paros is a compact island, and you can see all the main highlights in one day, even without a car.
It is not easy to do a day trip from Naxos to Milos. The direct ferry from Naxos to Milos departed in the afternoon and the ferry from Milos to Naxos in the morning. Alternatively, you could ask around Naxos if you can get a private boat tour from one of the providers, but it will be pricey.
No, you can’t currently easily do a day trip from Naxos to Ios. The ferry schedule does not allow for a day trip. The last ferry from Ios to Naxos is around 1 pm, which is not enough time to visit the island if you take an 11 am ferry from Naxos.
Summary: Best Naxos Day Trips
Naxos is still kind of a hidden gem among the Cyclades and one of the cheapest islands to stay at in the area.
That makes it an excellent and affordable base for day tours from Naxos to popular islands like Mykonos or Santorini.
There is so much to discover on Naxos and islands close to Naxos. If you’re already visiting other bigger islands on your Cyclades island hopping itinerary, spend a day sailing the Small Cyclades or exploring this mountainous island.
Naxos is definitely worth visiting, and I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I did!
Are you planning a trip to Naxos? Read these next:
- Is Naxos Expensive To Visit?
- 11 Reasons Why Naxos Is Worth Visiting!
- Naxos or Paros: The Ultimate Comparion
