Is Naxos Worth Visiting? 11 Reasons To Visit Naxos In 2026
Are you planning a trip to Greece and wondering is Naxos worth visiting? I’ve got you covered!
I spent several days exploring this Greek island, and it is one of my favorite places in Greece.
Naxos is the largest Cyclades island, with some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece, numerous hiking trails, and archeological sites to discover.
Also, it’s one of the most affordable islands in the region!
Here are the top reasons why you should visit Naxos on your next trip to Greece!
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Why Is Naxos Worth Visiting?
1. Naxos Has World-Class Beaches
Beautiful beaches are the main reason to visit Naxos. And that’s coming from someone who doesn’t really like sandy beaches, to begin with!
Naxos is home to some incredible, endless, sandy beaches. If you’re deciding whether to visit Naxos or Paros, and you are a beach lover, Naxos could be the one to go for!
While the main beach in the city center can get busy in the high season, there are numerous others where you can have the whole beach to yourself!
Unlike Atlantic Bordeaux beaches, water gets nice and warm in Naxos – and stays warm long into September!
You’ll find beautiful beaches throughout the island, but if you’re short on time, you don’t even need to leave Naxos Town, as there is a beach right in the city center.
The most beautiful beaches are situated along the west coast, south of the capital.
Agios Georgios Beach
Agios Georgios is the main Naxos beach, situated in the center of Naxos Chora. Despite being a “town beach” it is rather enjoyable, the water is crystal clear, and the sand is clean.
I visited this beach twice, as it was right in front of my accommodation. You’ll have to pay to use the beach loungers, but there is a large “free” area on the south end of the beach where you can simply put your towel on the sand and enjoy.
Naturally, this beach can get very crowded as it is the easiest to reach, but it is to be expected when you visit Europe in summer.
Agios Prokopios Beach
Agios Prokopios Beach is the most popular Naxos beach, located about 6 km outside of Naxos Chora.
You can easily reach it by bus from the city center if you don’t have a car in Naxos.
The beach has long white sand shore and crystal clear blue sea. It is an organized beach so you’ll be able to find sun beds, umbrellas, beach bars, and many water activities.
As it is the most popular beach on the island, it can get crowded in the high season.
Plaka Beach
Plaka Beach is a seemingly endless sandy beach along Naxos’ west coast. I reached this beach by driving in Naxos but you can also take a bus.
It is one of the most popular beaches in Naxos and some areas are organized, with sun loungers, umbrellas, and beach bars.
Since I had a car I went to the south end of the beach and had it all to myself in mid-September!
Other Naxos beaches to visit are:
- Mikri Vigla Beach – unique sandy beach surrounded by large boulders
- Agia Anna Beach – a small sandy beach situated between Plaka Beach and Agios Prokopios Beach
- Aliko Beach – a sandy cove surrounded by lush green forest in the south of the island
2. Sailing From Naxos
If you’re dreaming of sailing the Cyclades, but quickly wake up when you look at the price of that adventure, you’ll be glad to know that a mini sailing experience from Naxos is quite affordable.
Sailing the Small Cyclades is one of the most popular Naxos boat trips.
The Small Cyclades, also known as The Lesser Cyclades, are a group of small islands located southeast of Naxos. Most are uninhabited, with pristine beaches and crystal clear seas to enjoy.
The best way to visit is on a sailing tour from Naxos!
A full-day tour will take you to several islands to explore and swim on remote beaches. The most popular islands to visit are Koufonisia, Iraklia, and Schinoussa.
🏝️Check rates and availability of the Schinoussa and Iraklia Sailing Cruise!
3. Picturesque Villages
So, what is Naxos like besides the beaches?
Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades, and it is dotted with picturesque villages just waiting to be discovered.
If you want to enjoy the mellow atmosphere and slow living on Naxos, get outside of Naxos Chora to discover these hidden gems.
Popular mountain villages of Halki, Filoti, and Aperathos are located in the center of the island.
If you rent a car for a day instead of joining a tour, you might have the villages all to yourself like I did!
Apollonas, on the north of the island, and Moutsouna, on the east coast, are some of the most popular Naxos fishing villages.
4. Delicious Fresh Food And Naxian Specialties
Naxos is one of the most fertile Greek islands when it comes to fruits and veggies, so most produce you can buy on the island was actually grown there!
Naxos potatoes are known throughout Greece for their taste and quality. There’s even the Naxos potato festival, held each August in Agia Anna!
You can also taste fresh local tomatoes, olives, grapes, and much more!
I’m vegan, so I can’t tell you much about Naxos cheese, seafood, or meats, but they are quite famous too!
Make sure to try Naxian specialty Kitron liquor! It is a citron liquor traditionally produced in Naxos. It comes in three varieties, the green one is a bit sweeter than the others.
Kitron 1896 Cocktail Bar is the perfect place to try it!
Naxos is not known as a wine-making island, but that doesn’t mean there are no wineries on the island. You can try local Naxian wines at Saint Anna Winery.
If you want to try the best Naxos food and wines, consider joining the Naxos food tour and wine tasting! It’s a perfect way to try all the specialties and learn about agriculture and winemaking on the island.
🫒Check rates and availability of the Naxos food tour and wine tasting!
5. Naxos Archeological Sites
If you love exploring historical sites and Greek mythology, you’ll be spoiled for choice in Naxos.
The Archaeological Museum in Naxos Chora is a great place to learn more about the history of the island.
Some of the must-see places in Naxos for history lovers are:
- Temple of Apollo – Portara
- Temple of Demeter
- Apollonas Kouros
- Faragi Kouros
- Byzantine churches
- Naxos Castro.
6. Island Hopping From Naxos
Naxos is a great base to explore the rest of the Cyclades, as it is close to famous islands like Mykonos and Santorini.
If you want to see these popular islands, but avoid the high accommodation prices, hopping on a boat is a great idea for day trips from Naxos.
Paros is located right across from Naxos, and you can easily organize a day trip on your own.
Simply get ferry tickets in the morning to Paros and in the evening back to Naxos, and spend a day admiring the best things to see in Paros.
Ferry departures to Santorini and Mykonos are not the best for a day trip, but you can easily join an organized tour from Naxos!
Combine a trip to Mykonos with a visit to a UNESCO site Delos – the birthplace of Apollo according to Greek mythology, and an important place in Greek history.
7. Many Fun Activities To Try Out
So, what to do in Naxos?
How about learning to cook traditional Naxian dishes?
Cooking classes are quickly becoming one of my favorite activities to try when traveling, and I love finding places that also cater to vegans!
If you want to try scuba diving, you can do it in Naxos! It is a great place to go for your first dive with attentive and friendly dive instructors.
Cyclades are known for their marble production, and you can experience marble carving too! Sure, you won’t create a new Kuoro on your first try, but it’s a fun way to create your own souvenir from Naxos.
8. Lively Naxos Chora
When I read about Naxos before visiting, I noticed Naxos has quite a reputation as a perfect family holiday destination.
But don’t let that discourage you if you’re a solo female traveler or simply not traveling with kids!
While families will surely love sandy beaches, Cyclades backpackers and young travelers will love the lively Naxos Chora.
The capital of Naxos is dotted with bars, small nightclubs, and authentic restaurants.
As the night falls, tourists and locals gather in the city center for dinner, ice cream, or a drink. Most places are located along the seafront and in the small alleys parallel to it.
For those wondering is Naxos safe for solo female travelers, I felt completely safe during my time on the island.
Sure, if you want to go out as a solo female traveler, you should stay alert, keep an eye on your drink and avoid staying out alone late at night.
9. Best Hiking Trails In The Cyclades
If you’re wondering which is the best Greek island for hiking, Naxos should be at the top of your list.
Naxos is home to the highest peak in the Cyclades, Mount Zas at 1003 meters. Once you reach the summit, you’ll see the whole island and the neighboring islands in the distance.
Hike to Mount Zas and Zeus Cave is the most popular hiking trail in Naxos, but it is not the only one.
Naxos is quite on a mountainous island, with over 60 Naxos hiking trails you can follow!
10. Naxos Is Affordable
One of the main reasons to visit Naxos is that the island is quite affordable compared to its neighbors!
As I went to Naxos after visiting Santorini, what I really wanted to know was: is Naxos cheap?
Luckily for my travel budget, Naxos was one of the cheapest islands in Greece!
Accommodations, activities, and restaurants are much more affordable in Naxos than in Mykonos or Santorini.
Also, beaches and hiking, which Naxos is famous for, can be totally free activities!
You get more for your money, and it is a great option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly Greek island to spend your summer holidays.
11. Relaxing Holiday Destination
If you’re wondering is Naxos worth it for a relaxing holiday, the answer is definitely yes, you will have a relaxing holiday on this Greek island.
Life is slow on Naxos. It is an island where you’ll see locals going around living their lives. Locals live and work on the island, not just in tourist establishments.
Naxos is a large island, the biggest in the Cyclades, and it is easy to escape the crowds, especially if you rent a car.
Sure, some spots are more busy than others, but there are still plenty of places where you’ll feel like you’re on your private island.
If you’re wondering whether Naxos is touristy, you’ll be glad to know that it retains an authentic charm and doesn’t feel like a tourist playground, unlike Santorini or Mykonos.
How To Get To Naxos?
Getting to Naxos is pretty straightforward. You can reach the island by ferry from Athens and neighboring islands or by plane from Athens.
Getting To Naxos By ferry
Taking a ferry to Naxos is the most common way of getting to Naxos.
Naxos has direct connections to 34 ports throughout the country, including Athens, Crete, and Cyclades.
The ease of getting around by ferry makes Greece one of the best backpacking countries in Europe.
Whether you’re island hopping in the Cyclades, or just coming to Naxos from Athens, it is the most affordable and straightforward way to reach the island.
A ferry from Athens to Naxos takes approximately 4h.
Naxos Port is located right in the city center of Naxos Chora, which is very convenient if you don’t have a car
Getting To Naxos By Plane
If you want to save time, you can also take a flight from Athens to Naxos.
Naxos Airport has several daily flights to and from Athens, but it is the only place you can fly to Naxos from at this moment.
Where to stay in Naxos?
Naxos is a large island. Still, most people stay in Naxos Chora or close to the popular beaches.
Naxos Chora
Generally, Naxos Chora is the best place to stay in Naxos. It is the best place to stay if you don’t have a car, and you’re looking for a place with lively nightlife, proximity to public transport, and beaches.
I stayed in and loved Soula Naxos – the studio was perfectly located right next to the beach and within walking distance of the city center.
However, if you want to treat yourself to a more luxurious accommodation, here are my favourites:
- Galini Hotel – right in the city center, with beautifully decorated rooms with sea view and a generous breakfast
- Naxos Earth Suites – exceptionally beautiful property with an unobstructed sea view in a calm location
Naxos Villages
If you want to get away from the crowds or just want to spend a week swimming on Naxos’ amazing beaches, consider renting a place in one of Naxos’ villages.
Mountain villages are a great option if you visit outside of the swimming season and you want to spend your time on the island hiking or discovering the authentic Greek spirit.
In the summer, staying in a beach hotel like Annio Boutique Studios is a great option for a relaxing beach holiday.
FAQ: Why Visit Naxos?
Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades. It is home to the highest mountain peak in the Cyclades, Mount Zas, and a mythical cave considered the birthplace of Zeus. You’ll find unique marble statues of Kouros, endless sand beaches, picturesque villages, and delicious, fresh food.
No, Naxos is not too touristy compared to the other Greek islands. Naxos is the biggest island among the Cyclades, and if you avoid the main tourist hot spots, it offers a remote island holiday experience. It is easy to get away from the crowds in Naxos, especially on the east coast.
Naxos is one of the most underrated Greek islands. Some of the main reasons why Naxos is a good island to visit are the best beaches in the Cyclades, incredible nature, and affordable activities compared to the more popular islands in the area.
No, Naxos is not a party island compared to the other islands in the area, like Mykonos, Ios, or Santorini. Yet, you can still party on Naxos. Naxos Chora has several seafront bars and clubs which get very lively in the summer.
Summary: Is Naxos Worth Visiting?
To conclude, the answer to the question is Naxos Greece worth visiting is: Definitely yes!
The Greek island of Naxos is a fantastic place to spend your summer holiday, swimming on endless sandy beaches, hiking mythical mountains, sailing the Small Cyclades, and enjoying delicious Greek cuisine.
Even if you’re island hopping the Cyclades and only have a few days to visit Naxos, Naxos is well worth stopping by for several days to escape the crowds and experience the slow life on a Greek island.
Each of the Cyclades has a different vibe, and Naxos is worth visiting if you are looking for an island with laid-back vibes, vibrant Greek culture, and incredible nature.
This underrated island is still a hidden gem, and right now is the best time to discover it!
