Naxos Travel Guide

I absolutely loved visiting Naxos, and it’s easily one of my favourite Greek islands. I fell in love with the sunsets, the relaxed atmosphere, and the stunningly beautiful Old Town. As one of the largest islands in the Cyclades, Naxos makes a fantastic addition to any Greek island-hopping trip.

The island is full of charming historic streets and buildings, and some of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen. If you love wandering through cobbled Greek streets and exploring traditional villages, Naxos is perfect. There’s great nightlife too — lively and social, but not really a clubbing destination.

We found food, drinks, and accommodation to be very reasonably priced. I’d recommend staying in Naxos Town or just outside it, especially if you’re not renting a car. Personally, I preferred Naxos to Paros, even though they’re visually quite similar and very close together (aprrox 15 minute ferry journey)

We stayed in Naxos Old Town at a small apartment called Naxian Memories. If you’re looking for accommodation with a pool, the Agios Georgios area is a great choice — it’s the closest beach to the Old Town and very convenient.

There’s lots of history to explore, particularly in the beautiful mountain villages of Halki, Filoti, and Apeiranthos. Naxos is accessible by plane from Athens or by ferry. While you’ll need a car to reach the most beautiful beaches, Agios Georgios beach in town is nice, just not amaaazing.

How long to stay

We stayed for 5 nights, which, considering we didn’t rent a car, felt like the perfect amount of time because the island is so big. There were some places I didn’t get to visit, so we definitely could have stayed a little longer. If you are renting a car, I think you could see everything the island has to offer in 3 nights, but it wouldn’t be a particularly relaxing visit.

Getting to Naxos

Naxos does have an airport; however, flights only arrive from and depart to Athens, so you would likely need to get a connecting flight. There are flights into Naxos frequently every day, and during peak season these are increased. The direct flight from Athens to Naxos takes 40 minutes, so it’s the quickest option.

I live in Newcastle upon Tyne (UK) and there are no direct flights to Athens from there, which is why I opted to fly to Crete instead. Another great option (but not the cheapest) is flying into Santorini, as the airport is well connected, and then taking the ferry from Santorini to Naxos.

We arrived by ferry from Crete (Heraklion), and Naxos is a very well-connected ferry stop and common on most routes. Our ferry left Heraklion at 8am, passed through Santorini (dropping off about 90% of passengers), and then headed to Naxos. All in all, the ferry from Heraklion to Naxos took around 3½ hours.

Getting Around

Public Bus

the public transport system is pretty reliable in Naxos, the main bus stop is in Naxos town just in front of the ferry port and close to temple of the appollo. a single trip cost 2 euros per person, but make sure you bring cash/change. Its best to use the main bus terminal if you are staying close to Naxos town and you are using the public bus for the first time, we tried to get on the bus close to our hotel, but couldn't work out which bus went to Halki. At the terminal, you can pay for your tickets at the kiosk and someone will point out the right bus for your destination.

The website for the public bus system is surprisingly in depth and reliable. The routes do cover most areas you would want to visit during your stay in Naxos and they do turn up fairly frequently (in comparison to Milos and Sifnos, in my opinion)

https://naxosbuses.com

Hop on hop off tour

Alternatively, at the main bus terminal, there is a company called Naxos bus transfers, which seemed like a good option for seeing multiple locations in one day. I kind of wish we had done this as we went the Halki, then walked about an hour in the heat to Filtoli, and then waited about an hour for the public bus to take us back to Naxos town. All the while, tonnes of these Naxos bus transfers were collecting groups pretty frequently.

I have checked and a full day 8 hour tour is 30 euros and takes you to places of interest in Naxos such as Ancient Temple of Dimitra - Damalas - Halki - Apiranthos - Apollon. I didn't do this tour so cant comment on if it is good but it did seem like a good choice to see lots of sites.

https://www.naxosbustransfer.com

Car Rental

Naxos is a pretty big island, so I would recommend renting a car if you can. We wanted to do a cooking class which was in the countryside, but couldn’t do it as the buses just didn’t go anywhere near. Most car rental company offices are located right in front of the ferry port.

https://summercars.gr

https://nactionrentacar.com

https://naxosautorent.com

Taxi

Similarly, Naxos’ main taxi terminal is located at the ferry port, very close to the main public bus and hop on hop off terminal.

There are only 30 taxi drivers in Naxos, so booking in advance is recommended, particularly if you are in a hurry! We were on a budget for our Greek island hopping trip, so we slummed it on the public buses rather than getting a taxi.

From the port there is an extra charge of 2 euros on top of the below prices, and an extra 4 euros on top of the below prices from the airport.

Radio Taxi +30 22850 22444 or +30 694 77 44 883

From Naxos Town	To	Cost
	Agios Prokopios	12 euros
	Agia Anna	13 euros
	Plaka Beach	15 euros
	Kastraki	27 euros
	Mikri Vigla	27 euros
	Pirgaki	32 euros
	Agiassos	35 euros
	Moutsouna	53 euros
	Apollonas	60 euros
	Apiranthos	37 euros
	Filoti	27 euros
	Chalki	25 euros
	Potamia	17 euros
	Kournochori	17 euros
	Agia Marina Zas Mountain	35 euros
	Melanes	13 euros

Accommodation

Naxian Memories, Chora, Naxos

We loved this apartment and it was in the perfect location, just outside the Chora and close to Agios Giorgios beach, so we really had the best of both worlds. The price was great at £200 for 5 nights, which was perfect for our budget-friendly island-hopping trip. It was nothing fancy and there was no pool, but it did exactly what we needed.

It was decorated nicely and felt modern. We had a kitchenette, a coffee machine, and a small balcony overlooking cute Greek cobbled streets. Most importantly, it was very clean and cleaned every day. This definitely isn’t the place for you if you’re looking for 5-star luxury accommodation.

The accommodation didn’t include breakfast. The bed was very comfy, which is really important to my partner, Dan. The property also had air conditioning, and even though it overlooked a road, we didn’t hear any noise in the evenings.

Check out the link to Naxos hotels

Links to accommodation here

Prices

We noticed that Naxos was the most reasonably priced islands we visited on our greek island hopping trip, both regarding accommodation, eating out and shopping. Accommodation ranged from budget-friendly rooms to mid-range hotels — we paid £100 per person for 5 nights at Naxian Memories, which was perfect for what we needed, and there were plenty of other options around similar prices. You can definitely find more expensive places, especially if you want a pool or a more luxurious stay, but overall Naxos felt affordable — especially for food, drinks, and daily expenses. Compared with islands like Santorini or Mykonos, where prices can be very high even for basic hotels, Naxos was nice on the wallet and let us enjoy more of what the island has to offer without feeling like we were overspending.

Honourable mention for shopping in Naxos! I noticed the same clothing (I had my eye on a few cute bohomian style tops and ponchos) were much cheaper on Naxos, and jumped in price on Sifnos and Crete.

Restaurants & Bars

Doukato Restaurant, Chora, Naxos

If I could pick only one restaurant to eat at in Naxos, this would be it. It’s in the heart of Naxos Town, close to the old market streets, hidden down a little side street. I was completely blown away by how beautiful it was — set in a traditional church courtyard.

We had zero complaints about the food. I got the meatballs (Giaourtlou) and Dan ordered a traditional Naxian dish made with aubergine and local cheeses (Kalogeros). This meal was right up there as one of my favourites of our entire island-hopping trip.

We travel around Greece a lot and have eaten at plenty of traditional restaurants, and this is easily one of my favourites. It’s a traditional Greek restaurant with reasonable prices — not pretentious at all, just really good food in a beautiful setting.

Drinks in Peace, Chora, Naxos

This was our favourite bar in Naxos. It has the prettiest sunset views, overlooking the harbour. We ordered tapas-style food — pita bread, feta and chilli cream dip, and bread and butter with miso and maple syrup butter. The food was amazing: Greek cuisine with a fusion twist. And, as the name suggests, the setting was so peaceful.

Disclaimer: the waiter did ask if we wanted the cats gone and we said it was fine - this is definitely a bar for cat lovers only.

Drinks in Peace wasn’t the cheapest place to eat or drink, but I’d still really recommend it. Main food options were around €16–€31, a glass of wine was €5–€10, and signature cocktails were €14.

We didn’t book in advance, but we visited in May, so it was much quieter.

Sun Kyma, Agios Giorgios Beach

This spot was perfect for lounging in the sun on Agios Giorgios beach, and the best part was that the sunbeds were free with the purchase of food or drinks from the restaurant/bar. This was the only bar we saw on Agios Giorgios that didn’t charge a separate sunbed fee and only required you to order something.

That said, we visited at the end of May, so it’s possible this changes during peak season — but it’s definitely worth checking.

The bar itself was modern, stylish, and beautifully decorated. The staff were lovely and the sunbeds were so comfy. We spent the best part of our five days here because we loved it so much. Prices also felt very competitive compared to other beach bars we saw along Agios Giorgios beach.

Avaton 1739, Chora, Naxos

This is the perfect spot for panoramic views of Naxos. It’s a rooftop bar and restaurant located inside the Old Monastery of Ursulines. It’s ideal for a little pit stop after walking around the walled town, or for booking a table with stunning views for a sunset meal or drink.

We visited for drinks only, but it was incredibly relaxing and I honestly could have stared at that view for the rest of my life. The drinks are slightly more expensive than those at ground level, but not by too much. They also serve brunch and breakfast, which I think would be amazing. We didn’t eat here, but I wish we had.

Inside, there’s also a museum with the history of the Chora, the Archaeological Museum of Naxos, and a kitchen that’s frozen in time, which was really interesting.

You can either climb to the top of Avaton 1730 by wandering through the medieval walled town and following the footpath, or you can do what we did and take the elevator to the top.

Main meals were around €18–€26, and wine ranged from €4 for a small glass to €8 for a large glass, depending on what you chose.

Taverna Naxos, Chora

This is a perfect traditional greek taverna, at great prices. As much as I loved Doukato, this taverna was so reasonably priced, and the food was amazing. Its located on the harbour front, overlooking the sea. You can sit either on the harbour front area, or further into the back they have a lovely traditional courtyard. We sat in the courtyard, and the twinkling fairylights and painted cobble floors created a lovely atmosphere.

To Spitiko Naxos

This grill restaurant was our absolute favourite of the entire trip. We tried loads of different gyros places in Naxos as we were on a budget, and this one was hands down the best (in our opinion) — and apparently in the locals’ opinion too, because it was always super busy, with Greeks chilling with a beer and food straight off the grill.

A gyros was around €4, or you could get a full plate for €11, which is such good value. I’m genuinely hungry just typing this out and ready to book a plane and ferry ticket back.

https://spitikonaxos.gr

Areas to Stay

If you’re not planning to rent a car, the best area to stay is Naxos Town (Chora) or just outside it, particularly near Agios Georgios Beach. Staying here gives you the perfect mix of convenience and charm - you’re within walking distance of the Old Town, the harbour, restaurants, bars, and some of the best shops, while also being able to relax on the beach without worrying about transport. Agios Georgios Beach has plenty of hotels, apartments, and beach bars, so you can enjoy sunbathing and dining just steps from your accommodation. The only downside is that the beach can get busy during peak season, but for first-time visitors or those wanting a relaxed, central base, it’s ideal.

Naxos Chora
Agios Georgios beach

If you are renting a car, you have a lot more flexibility and can explore some of the quieter, more scenic areas around the island. Staying slightly outside Naxos Town, in villages like Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, or Plaka, lets you enjoy a quieter environment and gives quicker access to some of the more beautiful beaches. You’ll also have the freedom to visit mountain villages like Halki, Filoti, and Apeiranthos without relying on buses or taxis. These areas tend to be less crowded and can feel more like a traditional Greek island experience, but you’ll need a car to make the most of it.

Agia Anna
Agios Prokopios
Plaka

For a balance between central amenities and beach access, Agios Georgios is probably the best option, especially if you don’t have a car. But if you’re prioritising peace, more remote beaches, and freedom to explore, a rental in one of the surrounding villages mentioned is the way to go.

Places of Interest

Halki

This is a stunningly beautiful traditional Greek village. Think independent stores, pottery shops, art and jewellery stores, and cafés. The streets are lined with flowering trees and painted homes and shop fronts. The village does get busy with tourists during the summer season, and many of the shops are aimed at visitors.

If you feel like going on a bit of an adventure like we did, you can follow the signs for a hiking trail. Ours took around 30 minutes, but we stopped and stared at everything... buildings, churches, farmyards, and wildlife, including small cute snakes, which I’d never seen in the wild before and found so memorable. There are other trails that branch off this route and can take you much further, even all the way back to Naxos Town, which we didn’t do.

Our hike was fairly flat but pretty hot, so definitely take a hat, water, and flat shoes.

Filoti

Filoti is much less touristy than Halki, and we really enjoyed wandering the streets without many other visitors around. Locals live here, so it’s best to be respectful and keep noise down. There are traditional grocery stores with wicker baskets hanging from the shop fronts, white-painted floors, and cafés shaded by trees.

Visit the Old Cinema Café & Restaurant for a peaceful meal in a courtyard and some of the best views over Filoti. Just don’t go if you’re in a hurry as the service is very slow, which actually suits the relaxed atmosphere of the village. Everyone takes their time here, and there’s no rush.

We walked to Filoti from Halki because we enjoy walking and didn’t want to wait for the bus, as the next one wasn’t due for a while.

Getting there

You can get to Halki and Filoti using public buses. Head to the main bus terminal in Naxos (Chora), located opposite the ferry port, and hop on Line 7. There’s a small kiosk inside the terminal where you can buy tickets before boarding.

Temple of Apollo (Portara)

This iconic ancient temple is one of the first things people think of when they think of Naxos. Known as “The Great Door”, it’s a huge marble doorway that perfectly frames the Chora (Old Town). The Temple is a very short walk (5 minutes) from Naxos Old town, so can easily be visited during a stay wandering around Naxo town.

This was one of our favourite parts of our entire Greek island-hopping trip. Visiting the Temple of Apollo at sunset made it even more special. The sunset was absolutely breathtaking. There was a musician playing handpan drums, which made the experience even more calming. The musician orchestrated the soft drum vibes to the timing of the sunset - you could hear only whispers in the build up followed by applause all over the hill when the sun and the song came to a synchronised ending. It was such a beautiful way to begin the evening, go for drinks and pre-book a table somewhere for afterwards as crowds of people have the same timings revolving around the sun. Any words I write down really will not do the experience justice to be honest! We visited in May, when the island was much quieter, which made the experience feel even more relaxed. During peak season it may be busier and less peaceful, but it’s still 100% worth adding to your itinerary. It is free to visit the temple.

Naxos Town (Chora)

Please please spend at least 1 day wandering around Naxos old town, it is one of my favourite Greek villages and I felt very lucky to be there. Do not miss the old market street and kastro. We explored every street and followed every little winding path we could (and believe me there were lots). The Old Town is fairly large, so I will split it into categories:

The Harbour

The harbour gets pretty lively in the evening, a perfect place to grab a Gyros (we ate so many for 4 euros, see the resturaunts section of this guide). We tried and tested different Gyros grills on this harbour. Also great for getting a drink and watching the world go by! Some bars on the habour sold 6 euro cocktails, keep an eye out for sandwich boards advertising the prices, lots of places are competing and we found each bar we visited on the harbour was ideal. In particular we liked the Rum Bar which had a great selection of Rum cocktails (obviously) and a really great view on the balcony with views of the ocean and the streets below.

On the harbour there is a much favourited restaurant called “Meze 2” which we didnt have time to try, but one to book up if you are visiting or need some inspiration for other restaurant spots.

The Bourgos (Old Market Street)

Explore these classic Greek winding streets as much as possible, you might want to take a photo every 30 seconds (I definitely did). The streets are narrow, shaded, and feel like a maze, which makes wandering around without a plan part of the experience. There are some amazing boutiques here selling women’s clothing, linens, jewellery, art, and pottery, often in tiny shops built into old stone buildings. As mentioned earlier, I found the prices here better than on other islands, so I’d definitely recommend stocking up if you see something you like.

The Bourgos is part of the medieval area of Naxos, where the Orthodox community historically lived, and you can really feel that history as you walk through it. You’ll also find small churches tucked between buildings, hidden courtyards, and little cafés where it’s perfect to stop for a drink and people-watch after exploring the streets.

Some people have contacted me asking where the Old Market Street is. It is just behind the harbour, if you head to Captins Cafe/Bar, and follow the alley along the right hand side of this cafe.

(Check out the bars and restaurants section of this guide for places to eat and drink around here)

Kastro

Kastro is the uphill, fortified Venetian district of Naxos and one of the most historic parts of the island. This area was once home to the Catholic community and Venetian nobility. It’s full of narrow stone streets, old mansions, archways, and quiet corners that feel very different from the rest of Naxos Town. Once again, wander down every little street if you have the time!

The Archaeological Museum of Naxos is located here, housed in a former Jesuit school, and it’s a great place to learn more about the island’s long history. Kastro also has some of the best views over the port and Chora, especially as you climb higher, making it a really rewarding area to explore slowly. Within the walled disrict, visit the Naxos Catholic Cathedral, try visiting just before sunset for quieter streets here.

If the uphill walk isnt for you, try what we did and take the lift from Avaton 1739 to the top of the walled distict and wander the streets downhill.

Agios Georgios Beach (Saint George)

This is the closest beach to Naxos Town and a perfect place to spend the day chilling after a couple of action-packed days walking around the villages and towns mentioned above. There are lots of accommodations and hotels in this area, as well as beach bars and tavernas.

Because of its location, it does get quite crowded, especially during peak season and in the middle of the day. That said, this would still be a great area to stay if you want the best of both worlds, relaxing beach time combined with wandering around the Old Town whenever you feel like it. It isn’t the most stunning beach on the island, and it’s probably avoided by locals for that reason, but it’s still clean, pretty, and very conveniently located.

We did try wandering further up the beach towards Naxos Surf Club (around a 40 minute walk), but it was unfortunately very dirty, with lots of people tipping rubbish into the sea. Because of this, I wouldn’t recommend walking up this way. We tried clearing some of the rubbish from the sea and sand and moved it as far away from the water as possible, but there were no bins nearby, which was frustrating. Stick to Saint George beach.

Day trip to Santorini

We didn’t do this, but I was surprised to see lots of tour companies on the harbour offering excursions to Santorini, which is good to know if you want to visit another island during your time in Naxos. I’ve never actually visited Santorini, so I can’t really comment, but Naxos feels like a much nicer and more relaxing place to be. Personally, I’d rather spend the day exploring Naxos but it’s definitely an option if Santorini is on your list.

Day trip to Paros

Similarly to the above, Paros is very close to Naxos and only around a 25 minute ferry journey away. There were tour excursions available from tourist centres around Naxos harbour, but I actually took the ferry to Paros on the way to Sifnos using Ferryhopper, which cost €32 one way. If you’re planning to do this as a day trip, just keep in mind that you’ll need to factor in the cost of the return ferry too. Check out the tourist centres for costs and see which works out best for you.

Personally, I preferred Naxos to Paros. This is purely down to the atmosphere. Paros felt much more luxurious and expensive, and we found it noticeably busier with large groups of tourists. The streets were absolutely stunning, and this isn’t a negative comment about Paros itself or the people who live there, more just the overall vibe from the visitors. For us, Naxos felt more relaxed and enjoyable.

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