Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades and one of the most beautiful islands in Greece. With beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, authentic villages, and laid back atmosphere, it’s a prime tourist destination.
My Posts on Naxos
Towns and Villages:
- Apeiranthos
- Damalas
- Halki (Chalkio)
- Naxos Town
Attractions:
- Archaeological sites near Melanes (Sanctuary of the Springs, Melanes Kouros, and Kalamitsia)
- Bazeos Tower
- Temple of Demeter
Beaches:
Introduction to Naxos
I immediately felt at home on Naxos. Although I only had a short two-day trip, I was able to see a lot. I also found the people to be among the friendliest I’ve encountered in Greece.
Getting to Naxos
There are two ways to get to the island – by air or by sea.
Naxos Airport
We took a short flight from Athens. The airport is tiny and has one of the smallest baggage claim areas I’ve ever seen. It’s only a few kilometers from Naxos Town.
Ferries
Ferries connect Naxos to Athens and other nearby islands such as Paros, Mykonos, Crete, and Santorini, among others. The port is in Naxos Town.
When leaving the island, we took a ferry to Heraklion, Crete. We got to the ferry terminal about an hour early and saw a huge crowd of people lined up at three different doors. There were no signs indicating which door was for which destination, so we asked one of the crew members who pointed us to the correct door. The ferry showed up a little late, but thankfully we were able to get inside to stay out of the heat.
Getting Around Naxos
Naxos has a good bus system with nice comfortable, air conditioned coach-style buses. They’re the best way to get around if you’re on a budget. The main bus terminal is in town and follows routes throughout the island. If you’re staying outside the town at one of the beach resorts or in a village, your hotel can tell you the nearest bus stop and places to buy tickets. Buses don’t serve the airport, unfortunately.
If you want to save some time and cover more ground, it’s best to rent a car. We rented a car for a day with Motopower. They made pickup and drop off very easy, meeting me at the port both times. Prices were a little high because of high season, but it was still reasonable. Driving is fairly relaxed and we didn’t have any incidents or close calls.
Where to Stay in Naxos
There are plenty of choices for accommodation for any budget, both in Naxos Town and all over the island.
3 Wishes
For my two nights on the island, I stayed at 3 Wishes in Naxos Town. The property contains three beautiful apartments in Grotta, a quiet area of town. It’s only a few minutes walk to the main part of town, Kastro, and the Temple of Apollo.
Each room comes equipped with a kitchenette, air conditioning, large bathroom, and balcony. My room was Evimeria. It was spotless clean, very comfortable, and overall perfect for my stay. The fresh fruit was a nice touch!
The hosts are wonderful people who go out of their way to make you feel at home. If you have a car, there’s a free parking lot just around the corner. I’d definitely stay again on my next trip to Naxos.
Plaza Beach
My group stayed at Plaza Beach Hotel, a resort on Plaka Beach. Although I didn’t stay there personally, everyone in the group highly recommends it. Rooms are big and comfortable, breakfast is excellent, and it’s a relaxing place to stay. It’s a very short walk to the beach where you can rent sun chairs, and there’s also a pool.
