Photo: Olaf Tausch · CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Naxos
Long sandy beaches, the Portara and marble mountain villages, calmer and cheaper.
The biggest and greenest of the Cyclades: a harbour town under a Venetian hilltop quarter, the great marble doorway of the Portara, long sandy beaches south of town and marble villages in the mountains, with giant unfinished statues lying in the old quarries. Cheaper and calmer than Santorini or Mykonos.
Places to see
The KastroWalk · The walled hilltop quarter above the harbour: quiet stone lanes, arches, old family…Free- The PortaraSight · A giant marble doorway standing alone on a little islet joined to the harbour by a…Free
Agios Prokopios beachPark · A long curve of golden sand and clear, shallow water about 5 km south of town, with…Free
Halki
When to go
- Jan15° / 10°Some rainQuiet
- Feb15° / 10°Some rainQuiet
- Mar16° / 11°Some rainQuiet
- Apr19° / 13°Mostly dryQuiet
- May23° / 16°Mostly dryBusy
- Jun26° / 20°Mostly dryBusy
- Jul28° / 22°Mostly dryVery busy
- Aug28° / 22°Mostly dryVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Naxos town (Chora). The harbour town: the Kastro, the Portara, the bus station and ferries, and plenty of simple rooms.
Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka. Sandy beaches south of town with rooms, a campsite and tavernas, 10–20 min by bus.
Flying in
Naxos Island Airport (JNX): Taxi or a summer bus into town (about 3 km), about 10 min, ≈ A$21. Small planes from Athens only; many arrive by ferry instead (check).
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Naxos town (Chora); check times and fares before you fly.
By ferry
Naxos is reached by ferry from Port of Piraeus. Conventional and fast ferries from Piraeus to the port in Naxos town, about 4–6 h; book ahead in summer, and wind can delay sailings (check)
Getting around
Mostly on foot. A single ticket is ≈ A$4. Naxos town is on foot. KTEL buses from the station by the port run often to the beaches and less often up to Halki, Filoti, Apiranthos and Apollonas, about €2–5 a ride (check); a hire scooter or car gives more freedom.
Tourist tax
Greece's climate resilience fee is per room a night: about €1.50–2 for simple rooms in summer, split between you, less in winter. Paid at check-in (check).
