The greenest and largest island in the Cyclades, Naxos is defined by its staggering mountains, stunning valleys, and fine-sand beaches. It’s also home to some incredible history, with churches, monasteries and castles all waiting to be explored. Throw in the fact that Naxos is easily reachable by plane and ferry from Athens, and you’ve got an excellent holiday destination for all the family.
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Naxos is the perfect all-round destination for a summer villa holiday in Greece, boasting a natural landscape that’s simply bursting with possibilities. Looking to ascend to new heights? Plan a hike up Mount Zaz. Prefer to laze the day away? There’s over 30 beaches to choose from. And if you’re looking to step back in time to explore the island’s past, you won’t be short of ancient attractions to uncover either.
Naxos is also easily reachable from the busier islands of Santorini and Mykonos, so why not plan some island hopping to tick a couple more destinations off your bucket list?
While there’s plenty to keep all kinds of travellers entertained when visiting Naxos, history fanatics will be spoilt for choice. Firstly, there’s the historic Portara, or ‘Glass Door’. This is the only remaining part of the ancient Temple of Apollo, dating all the way back to 530BC, and it’s found just a short walk away from the main town.
Then there’s the 13th century Venetian Kastro, or ‘castle’, located in the island’s capital. Enter through its old wooden doors and allow your imagination to run wild! The Temple of Demeter in the village of Sangri is also worth a visit, constructed of Naxos marble way back in the 6th century BC. There’s a small museum here too that’s free to visit.
Looking to get outdoors and explore? Mount Zaz (Zeus) towers over the island at over 3280ft high, serving as the tallest point in the Cyclades. A typical hike here can take between 2-3 hours, so make sure you come armed with a map, plenty of water, and a snack or two to keep energy levels up. You don’t want to be stuck out there fading away in the sun!
For those who think four legs are better than two, take a tour with the Naxos Horse Riding Club. They offer excursions that take between 2-3 hours, trekking across the beach, through forests, and even wading in the waves!
Speaking of which, if you prefer water to land, you’ll obviously have plenty of options on Naxos too. Give windsurfing a try at Laguna Beach Park’s dedicated school – one of the safest spots in the entire world to give this watersport a try. Many companies also offer sailing trips around the island, with the possibility of chartering your own boat!
Despite being an island, Naxos’ lack of natural ports means that it’s actually lacking in the seafood department. Instead, you’ll find fine cuts of beef, lamb, pork, rooster and even rabbit on the menu – all elevated in flavour by the fertility of the land.
That also explains the wealth of locally grown ingredients available. In fact, most villages even have their own specialties that they love to show off! Dakos is one dish that makes excellent use of island produce – this traditional meze plate tops a slice of olive oil-soaked bread with chopped tomatoes, crumbled feta and fresh herbs.
A staple of Greek cuisine, gyros is popular here too, filling pita bread with grilled meat, tomato, onions, tzatziki sauce, and sometimes even chips! If you’re looking to eat lunch on the go, this is your best (and most filling) bet! After something simpler? Try a plate of fries smothered in melted Graviera cheese – Naxos’ very own variety made from goat’s milk. Other popular cheeses here include mizithra (an excellent pasta topping) and manouri (a lighter soft cheese).
To wash it all down, try Kitron. This citrus liqueur is made in Halki at one of Greece’s oldest operating distilleries. However, Naxos is actually said to be the island where Olympian Dionysus grew up, so if you prefer a glass of red or white with your meal, plan a visit to the Saint Anna Winery – it’s renowned for producing some of the island’s best bottles.
After a sweet ending to your day? Walnuts are grown widely across the island, and so incorporated into many desserts. Kataifi is one such example, similar in texture to baklava. It combines chopped walnuts with ground clove and cinnamon, wrapping everything up in crispy dough and smothering it in lemon syrup. Warning: you don’t need much of this to get a sugary kick! Melachrino also celebrates the popular nut, baking it into a dense cake that’s moistened up with Kitron.
Katafi with Walnuts and Lemon Syrup
Looking for the sandiest spots where little ones can happily build castles and splash about all day? Head to the west side. Plaka Beach is perhaps the most popular, with a whole host of restaurants and hotels to the north, while the south stretch is a little quieter. Agios Prokopios Beach is our top spot for families however, and you can easily reach it by bus from Naxos Town.
For the explorers among you, the Aliko area will hold endless appeal. It’s situated on the edge of a protected cedar forest and made up of four different beaches. Mikrolimano is the most intriguing – it’s home to an unfinished and abandoned hotel!
Finally, if you want to amp up the romance factor, head to Kastraki Beach around sunset. You can’t beat the glow coming from behind the neighbouring island of Paros.
Aliko Beach
Many local businesses observe a siesta, closing between 2-5pm. Make sure to plan your dining and shopping accordingly!
Naxos is known for its beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, and traditional villages, making it a perfect destination for those looking for a mix of history, culture and relaxation.
No matter where you stay for your villa holiday in Naxos, we’d highly recommend taking some time to explore the wider island. Not only will you get to soak up its rich cultural history and sample authentic food offerings, but you’ll also get a taste for local life this way. So, change into something comfortable and get ready to explore!
Want to expand your holiday horizons further? We've got plenty of premium villas in Crete, Corfu, Rhodes and other destinations across Greece to extend your stay.
The small seaside village of Lionas is a great spot to take in some dramatic landscapes, and you can also spy entrance shafts to the emery mines here.
Chora (Naxos Town) serves as the island’s capital and is also home to its main harbour. The Venetian houses here provide plenty to look at – many of them even still bear their original coats of arms – while the golden St George beach is perfect for families. For a break from the midday sun, head inside the Archaeological Museum of Naxos. You’ll find relics that date all the way back to the Late Neolithic period.
Sat precariously high on a hilltop, this beautiful village boasts the Church of Panagia Aperathitissa among its attractions – one of the island’s oldest churches. You’ll find five museums here too, among plenty of local tavernas to keep you fed throughout your visit. However, it’s the architecture that really makes this a must-see spot, whimsically transporting you back in time.
Filoti is the island’s largest settlement, situated on the foothills of Mount Zas and surrounded by olive trees. Wonderfully rural and abounding with natural beauty, it also has several buildings of note to see, including the Panagia Protothroni Church – don’t miss the murals – and the Chimaros Tower – it dates back to 4BC! Take some time to simply sit back and relax in the main square: bliss.
Naxos offers various options for transportation. Renting a car or scooter allows you to explore the island at your own pace. Public buses run regularly between main towns and villages on the island. Taxis are available throughout the island, especially useful for groups. Walking and cycling are great ways to experience the local culture and scenery. There are daily boat trips that can take you to the most remote beaches or nearby islands.!
There’s no direct flight to Naxos from overseas, so your best bet is flying to Athens airport (roughly 3.5 hours from the UK) and then catching a connecting flight. The onward trip takes around 40 minutes. However, you can also board a ferry from one of Athens’ three ports to Naxos, and that journey takes anywhere from 4-9 hours. The quicker the route, the more expensive the ticket!
Keep in mind you can also easily get to Naxos from Santorini, Mykonos or Paros via ferry. Did someone say island hopping?
Many taxis are available in Naxos, typically congregating around the airport, ferry port, or Chora. It’s an expensive option, but ideal if you want to get from A to B as fast as possible and don’t plan on hiring a car.
We’d recommend hiring a car for the length of your stay, allowing you to explore the island at your own pace for as little as €15 per day. It’s worth noting that some destinations will be harder to reach owing to poor road conditions. Keep to the main tourist areas, however, and you’ll have no trouble getting around.
It’s cheap and easy to explore the island using the KTEL bus network, with fares starting as low as €1.80. Most routes begin in Chora, and from there, you can reach destinations including Filoti, Apollonas, and several other towns and villages. Services are more regular in the summer, so make sure you obtain an up-to-date timetable once you arrive.
Many of the cobblestone streets are designed to be explored by foot, but make sure you wear supportive and breathable footwear. Temperatures typically drop after dark too, so if you’re wandering after sunset, pack a light layer to put on when needed.
Motorbikes are widely available to hire and an excellent way to explore, but only if you’re already experienced with using one.
