If you happen to’re in search of the perfect issues to do in Naxos, you’ve come to the place. We knew we needed to make the journey to Naxos Island after spending a beautiful week close by on Paros. We had heard many issues about Naxos and knew it was time to discover it!
After visiting over 15 different Greek islands, together with Milos, Santorini, Crete, and Mykonos, I can confidently say that Naxos is one other of my favorites. Though, it’s really powerful to go unsuitable with any Greek island!
Naxos has every little thing you possibly can need from a visit to the Greek islands. Cycladic white and blue homes, unbelievable historical past, historical Greek structure, nice meals, stunning European seashores, wonderful sunsets, pleasant Greek individuals? Verify, Verify, Verify! We had a full 5 days on Naxos, and it was powerful to do all of the wonderful issues on Naxos – however we tried!
Issues to do in Naxos – High Excursions
The place is Naxos Island?
Naxos is the most important and most fertile of all of the Cyclades Islands. It’s nicely related by ferry and aircraft. It’s solely 2 hours by way of catamaran from Santorini and simply over 5 hours by way of ferry from Athens. There’s additionally a small airport that runs a number of flights per week between Naxos and Athens.
Finest Issues to do on Naxos Island!
Sundown Stroll on the Hora Waterfront
The most effective issues to do in Naxos, and certain the very first thing you’ll do when the solar goes down is stroll the streets of Hora. Hora is the capital and primary port of Naxos Island and has tiny roads, alleys, and archways.
Alongside the principle seafront strip, you’ll discover bars, eating places, boutique retailers, and ice cream retailers. The realm comes alive within the night simply earlier than the solar units and stays fairly vigorous nicely into the evening. Put in your finest Greek outfit and stroll the city.
Stroll Round Chalkio
Chalkio, or Halki is a small village within the island’s middle. It’s a must-visit whereas on Naxos and the place one can simply spend a day strolling the attractive Greek streets.
There are quite a few artwork galleries, boutique retailers, small Greek tavernas, and dessert retailers. There’s so much to do right here, or you are able to do completely nothing however take in the sunshine and benefit from the Greek environment.
Discover the Deserted Lodge Ruins at Alyko
On Alyko Seashore lies and deserted resort advanced that has been overlooking the ocean for many years. I by no means received the story on what truly occurred to the would-be resort with the million-dollar view, and why it was by no means completed.
Nonetheless, we managed a go to to see the great avenue murals which have gathered through the years. Close by is Alyko Seashore and Hawaii Seashore, two unbelievable locations to spend the day!
Eat Naxian Delicacies
The most effective issues to do in Naxos is eat Naxian delicacies. You can’t depart with out making an attempt a number of staple dishes, although it might be arduous to go to a restaurant and keep away from the native delicacies anyway!
The island’s meals is closely influenced by its agricultural heritage, with a concentrate on native substances comparable to olives, grape vines, wheat, and sheep and goat merchandise.
Some fashionable Naxian dishes embody:
“Xinotyro”, an area cheese constituted of sheep’s milk
“Lachanodolmades”, stuffed cabbage leaves stuffed with rice and herbs
“Kolokithokeftedes”, zucchini fritters
“Moussaka”, a dish made with eggplants and floor meat
“Pasteli”, a candy manufactured from sesame seeds and honey
Naxian wine can also be a preferred product, with the island being house to many vineyards. The native wines are identified for his or her distinctive style, which is claimed to be influenced by the island’s volcanic soil.
Discover the Churchs round Chalkio
If you happen to’re already in Chalkio you might as nicely go and take a look at a number of the outdated church buildings within the space. Most of them are walkable from city. There’s the Church Agios Nikolaos, the Church of Panagia Rahidiotisa, and the outdated Byzantine church Taxiarhis Rahis to call a number of.
Take pleasure in Filoti
After visiting Chalkio, maintain going to a different small village close by. Filoti village is a cute cease in Naxos, and we discovered it to be tranquil in comparison with Chalkio (which was already very chill).
It’s in Filoti you could get pleasure from white-washed Cycladic buildings and picturesque “kafenio” (Greek cafes). One of the best factor to do is come right here and luxuriate in a Greek espresso or Ouzo and chat with a number of the locals.
It’s also possible to see the Church Panagia (Virgin Mary) Filotitissa, which is nicely well worth the cease. Preserve driving up the street till you possibly can’t go any additional for excellent views over the village and to see the Church of Agia Irini.
Go to the Fontaine d’Aria
If you happen to maintain going up the street previous the Church of Agia Irini, you’ll discover a spring! Sure, proper on the foot of Mount Zas is a small shady oasis, a pure spring, and a quiet place to benefit from the view over the Greek mountains.
If you wish to get energetic, convey your mountaineering sneakers as there are a number of trails from the fountain starting from 1-3 hours!
Discover Portara
In all probability the most well-liked factor to do in Naxos is to go to Portara. Portara is just a web site that may’t be missed; actually, you possibly can’t miss it because it greets everybody coming out and in of Naxos by ferry. It’s a stunning landmark over the entire island and must be visited by all. We visited a number of instances at completely different components of the day, however Portara at sundown is the perfect!
Portara is a monumental marble body standing 6 meters excessive. It’s half of what’s left of Historical Greece and the Temple of Apollo.
The construction is on the small islet of Palatia, only a five-minute stroll from the Naxos outdated city. Cautious crossing over the walkway in adversarial circumstances, or you might get soaked!
Have Sundown Wine at Apollo Cafe Restaurant
For the perfect place to get pleasure from a glass of Greek wine on Naxos, head proper down from Portara and grasp a proper earlier than you cross again over to Outdated City. The Apollo Cafe Restaurant is a small family-run Greek restaurant that offers insane views of Hora. We loved a €3 glass of white and rose wine right here a number of instances. Sure the wine was low cost, however the views by no means get outdated!
Stroll round Naxos Outdated City
Like most Greek island cities, Naxos Outdated City, or Chora (Hora), is one to be explored. The outdated historic city is the principle harbor city of Naxos. If you happen to’re arriving by ferry, you’ll be passing by means of Hora.
It’s the place one might come and spend your complete day strolling across the marble streets and admiring the white Cycladic homes. You’ll discover loads of scrumptious eating places, bars, tavernas, and memento retailers right here. I’d advocate combining Outdated City with a sundown cease at Portara.
Whereas all of Hora is walkable, be certain that to stroll round The Outdated Market, which has a number of the finest buying within the space.
Go to The Fortress (Kastro)
Overlooking Chora’s Outdated City is a Thirteenth-century citadel. The Fortress of Naxos City as soon as served as a fortress and defend for Naxos constructed by the Venetian Duke in 1207.
The partitions and the Kastro are nonetheless nicely preserved and supply a maze-like expertise of small alleyways, cobbled streets, and loads of ups and downs.
I completely liked strolling across the Kastro and hopping into a number of cute cafes and retailers. The most effective cafes on the island, 1739 Terrasse Cafe, has a shocking terrace overlooking the outdated city and lovely Aegean. It’s one other nice sundown spot on Naxos.
Sunbathe at Agios Prokopios
Only a brief drive away from Chora is a unbelievable Blue Flag seashore that could be a whopping 1.5 kilometers in size (fairly lengthy by Mediterranean requirements).
Agios Prokopios is among the hottest issues to do in Naxos and is probably the most visited and exquisite seashore on the island. However how might you blame guests for heading straight to wonderful blue water and golden sand seashores?
Agios Prokopios is the proper place to come back and spend a day at. Alongside the seashore are a number of eating places and tavernas, and within the summertime, you’ll discover loads of locations to rent out seashore chairs and umbrellas. Don’t neglect to convey your towel and different seashore necessities although!
It’s an excellent place to come back for households because the water is calm and heat, however additionally it is the place you can find teams as buddies and {couples}, in addition to a number of nudist beachgoers.
Certainly one of my favourite issues to do right here at Agios Prokopiosis take a stroll alongside the entire stretch of sand!
Learn our information to the 12 BEST Seashores in Naxos
Plaka Seashore
Nonetheless questioning what to do in Naxos? Just a little additional south from Agios Prokopios seashore is Plaka Seashore. Plaka Seashore was once a whole nudist seashore however now could be loved by all. Although you’ll probably nonetheless see a number of bare our bodies lounging round.
Plaka Seashore extends for 4 kilometers, which means you could find some peace and quiet even within the busy Greek summers.
Temple of Demeter (Temple of Sangri)
The Temple of Demeter isn’t on the well-beaten Naxos vacationer path, however it’s nicely value a cease. Close to Sangri, a small Greek village is the Temple of Demeter. The ruins listed here are imposing and are manufactured from the best Naxian marble.
Hike to the High of Mount Zas
In response to Greek mythology, Mount Zas (additionally known as Mount Zeus) is the place Zeus spent most of his childhood. It’s additionally the very best level in all of the Cyclades and is totally hikeable!
From Aghia Marina, the hike as much as Mount Zas is simply 7km with 300 meters of elevation. Though there’s a more difficult choice from Aria Spring that’s 5km and 500 meters of acquire, if you happen to go this manner, you’ll go the Cave of Zeus, so it could be value it to take the extra difficult route! We advocate heading up round sundown to get stunning colours over the entire island!
Strive Rooster With Pink Sauce
That is a type of issues to do in Naxos you gained’t discover on many different lists. There’s a restaurant within the village of Melanes identified across the island for its scrumptious rooster dish in pink sauce, with do-it-yourself hilopites pasta, dusted with kefalotyri cheese.
It’s known as O Vasilis, and if what I simply described to you sounds good be certain that to move right here one evening. It’s unlikely you’ll have the ability to discover a dish like this anyplace else in Greece!
Boat Journey to Rina Cave
Rina Cave is a novel cave system and a preferred vacation spot for vacationers and adventurers. Nestled subsequent to a pristine seashore boasting of lush inexperienced waters, this location could be discovered within the Kalandos area on the southern coast of the island.
To get there you’ll must embark on a crusing tour, bookable as a day journey. Take a dip in stunning swimming spots, snorkel to identify marine life, and relish a pleasant lunch with drinks whereas crusing on the Aegean Sea. That is simply top-of-the-line issues to do in Naxos, and can you should definitely create a memorable day in your Greece journey.
E-book: Rina Cave and South of Naxos Cruise with Lunch
Kitesurf/Windsurf in Mikri Vigla
Naxos is a well-liked vacation spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing because of its newbie pleasant circumstances. The seashore at Mikri Vigla is the most well-liked place to move to get pleasure from this sea exercise.
Petros at KiteLife is correct there to offer freshmen with classes or anybody with out their gear a rental arrange.
Take a Cooking Class at Basilikó Household Tavern
Certainly one of my favourite issues to do in Greece is take a cooking class. There’s nothing higher than studying the fundamentals of Greek meals from an area. At Basiliko Household Tavern, you’ll study Naxian delicacies, and choose your personal herbs, veggies, and fruits of their household backyard.
On the finish of your cooking class, you’ll get to get pleasure from a scrumptious dinner paired with Greek wine. E-book the expertise right here.
Day Journey to Paros
The most effective issues to do in Naxos take a day journey to a neighboring island, particularly in case you are spending longer than a number of days on Naxos. You could be to Paros on a quick ferry in lower than an hour (examine Ferry Hopper for instances and costs).
As soon as there, take in the vibe in Naoussa or cliff soar at Ambelas Seashore. There may be a lot to do in Paros, you may contemplate extending your journey.
How Lengthy Ought to You Spend on Naxos?
Naxos is the most important island within the Cyclades. Which means there may be a lot to do and discover on the island. You can simply spend every week right here and by no means get bored. Nonetheless within the effort to get probably the most out of your trip to Greece, you might wish to spend much less time so you possibly can go to a number of completely different islands close by. Paros, Milos, and Tinos aren’t too far-off by ferr.
On the very least, plan to spend two days and three nights in Naxos. This provides you with a style of what the island has to supply and can make sure you get to a couple of the issues to do in Naxos talked about on this checklist.
What did we do? We had a full three weeks to spend within the Cyclades on this explicit journey. We spent one full week in Paros, earlier than taking the ferry to Naxos for five days. After Naxos, we took the ferry to Milos the place we spent the rest of our time. We felt we divided our time up nicely between the three islands as we felt there was extra of curiosity to us on each Paros and Milos.
We revisited Naxos once more this previous 12 months. This time we spent 4 days having fun with the seashore after our marriage ceremony Paros. After our few days on Naxos we continued onto Tinos by way of ferry.
How To Get to Naxos
Taking the ferry to Naxos
There are two methods to get to Naxos, by ferry or by aircraft (until you’re a superb swimmer)
Naxos is a well-liked vacation spot 12 months spherical, even for Greeks, so there are many ferries crusing to Naxos from Mykonos, Athens, Paros, and a lot of the islands within the Cyclades.
Naxos additionally has a small airport, Naxos Airport Apollon, close to Agios Prokopios has a number of scheduled flights to Athens a day.
Find out how to Get Round Naxos?
There are three choices for getting round Naxos. Rental Automobile, Moped, or 4×4.
Moped
A moped is the most cost effective choice, however in Greece, you want a bike license to be able to hire one. Many rental companies in Greece will allow you to slide and hire a moped with out this, however we couldn’t discover anybody in Naxos to hire us a moped on simply a normal license.
4×4
A 4×4 is probably the most enjoyable choice to get round Naxos in. Nonetheless at round €40 a day it’s an costly one. Additionally throughout the excessive season, you’ll want a sophisticated reservation to hire certainly one of these unhealthy boys. I choose to not hire mopeds or 4x4s as I admire my shade and AC whereas getting round Naxos. It’s a giant island, and a 4×4 can solely go so quick. If you happen to plan on hanging out in a single space and never exploring the island a lot, a 4×4 could also be choice for you.
Rental Automobile
The final choice is a rental automotive. To hire a automotive in Greece you want a normal Worldwide driver’s license (A sound US license works). In case your license will not be in English or Greek, have a translation simply in case. You additionally must be ready handy over your passport. Additionally relying on the place you making an attempt to hire an Worldwide Drivers Allow could also be necessary for if you happen to get pulled over. It might be powerful to discover a rental company to hire to you with out an IDP on Naxos.
We’ve rented a automotive in Greece with out an IDP and had locations in Greece require that we now have an IDP. If you’re from North America, Australia, or exterior the EU it’s finest that you simply arrive to Greece with an IDP simply to be protected. You may get one right here if you happen to’re in a rush. If you happen to get in an accident or our fulled over with out an IDP you might be topic to a steep superb within the EU.
Most automotive rental corporations in Greece would require you to be 21 and to have held a license in your house nation for a 12 months. If you’re beneath 25 you might face further fees.
Search and Examine Costs for Rental Vehicles
DiscoverCars.com – We personally use them to look and evaluate rental automotive costs across the globe. Auto Europe – Compares the perfect charges!
The Finest Eating places in Naxos
Arolithos Restaurant: Conventional Greek restaurant in Melanes with rave critiques. Strive the tzatziki!
Irini’s Restaurant: Greek household restaurant with scrumptious Greek meals, pleasant workers and good environment in Hora.
BOULAMATSISL: Can’t go unsuitable with this one in Chora. Head right here for sundown and sit exterior for probably the most wonderful views.
The place to Keep in Naxos?
There are such a lot of choices for lodging round Naxos it could make your head spin when reserving. Listed below are a number of nice Naxos lodging choices.
That is the place we stayed on Naxos and completely liked our time there! It’s family-run, clear, and tremendous fashionable (which generally is a uncommon discover in Greece).
Simply 5 km from Naxos City and Port, Seven Suites affords stunning views. It’s one other tremendous snug place to remain in Naxos!
We keep in so many Airbnb’s world wide. They allow us to dwell in somebody’s house and expertise a extra native lifestyle. They’re nice for people who need their very own kitchen too! Take a look at a number of of our Airbnb ideas earlier than reserving.
What to Pack for Greece?
Spending a summer season on one of many many Greek islands? Fortunate you. It’s possible you’ll be questioning simply what to pack for Greece. The islands are stunning, swarming with historical past, and are populated with a number of the friendliest individuals on this planet.
READ MORE GREECE TRAVEL TIPS
I hope you loved this information on issues to do in Naxos! Hopefully you discovered it helpful. Listed below are a number of related articles for extra journey round Greece!
Greek Journey Planning Sources
‘Good day’ and ‘Thank You’ in Greek: “Yasou” and “Efharisto”Forex: Euro – (EUR) – €Visa: Schengen visa. Which is 90 days within the European Union out of 180. Many nationalities are granted this on arrival without cost. Verify along with your embassy to see if that’s you.Climate: The climate in Greece is a Mediterranean local weather. This implies winters are delicate and wet, whereas summers are heat and dry with loads of sunshine all year long.What to Pack: Heat climate garments and a swimsuit, don’t neglect pair of garments to go and a jacket for cool nights. Examine what to put on in Greece.Finances: If you happen to’re within the preliminary levels of planning, take a look at our superior publish that breaks down how a lot a visit to Greece prices.Hire a Automobile: We propose most guests contemplate renting a automotive for the perfect journey attainable. Strive Uncover Vehicles to match quotes from completely different rental companies. Verify Worth Right here!Defend Your Journey: Don’t neglect to buy journey insurance coverage! We at all times carry journey insurance coverage to guard us from harm, theft, or a canceled journey. We use HeyMondo for our insurance coverage wants.Excursions in Greece: Take a look at our checklist of the perfect excursions you possibly can get pleasure from in Greece!Journey Adapter: Be sure you discover a good adapter to maintain your private electronics charged. In any other case, you might be paying for an inexpensive one when you land. Buy one right here.
