Located amidst the deep blue waters of the South Aegean Sea, Naxos is the largest island of the Cyclades Islands archipelago. Famous for its endless stretches of soft sandy beaches, this is a particularly popular spot for summer travellers and these 7 spots are our pick of the best beaches in Naxos right now.
Further reading : Naxos or Paros?
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When to visit Greece
The best times to visit Greece are April-June and September-October. The weather is mild and most places have few crowds. High season is late June to early September, and prices will reflect that, as will the crowds, the number of cruise ships, and accommodation availability.
Summer is still great, especially for beach time and in some of the lesser known spots. The water is warm, there are blue skies every day, and there is a fun holiday atmosphere.
Easter is an especially wonderful time to visit Greece as it becomes very festive with parades, parties, and on many islands bonfires , fireworks and other activities and traditions. There are many festivals throughout the year that can vary for place to place and can be quite fascinating to witness.
Best beach and swimming weather: June to September
Best sightseeing weather: March to June and September/October
Plaka Beach
Plaka Beach, on Naxos’ western coastline, is probably one of the island’s most popular daytime escapes. It is even frequently mentioned among the best beaches in all of Greece (no small feat when you consider the dozens of islands). It used to be a dedicated nudist beach, and it still remains nudist-friendly though this demographic is somewhat relegated to the further edges of the beach as families and tourists take to the sands in high season.
The beach is seemingly endless, a famously wide expanse of soft white sand, a stretch lasting over four kilometres (perfect for a sandy stroll).
Certain areas are set up with beach chairs and umbrellas, and during the height of peak season, it gets very busy.
But probably one of its most enticing features that can be spotted from a distance is the crystalline blue water just begging for you to go for a summer swim.
Where to stay in Plaka Beach, Naxos
This part of the island is a popular area for tourism, so there are a lot of accommodation options in and around the immediate beach area. You’ll find larger luxury hotels, but also small boutique hotels alongside family-owned B&Bs.
For couples
Villa Paradise is a perfect getaway for a couple eager to get a little luxury while sticking to their budget. Built on a hilltop overlooking Plaka Beach below, the hotel comprises eight beautiful private villas, each different in style, optimized for sustainability, and with all the comforts and necessities you need.
For families or groups
Larger groups or those traveling with children will find everything they need to accommodate group size at the Aegean Land Hotel.
The 60-room hotel offers a mix of suites, villas, and apartments with up to three bedrooms to cater to larger groups. There are a variety of facilities including an outdoor pool (with children’s pool nearby), a game room, children’s playground, and a gym facility.
There are even services for kitesurfing lessons.
St George Beach ( Agios Georgios)
Our first beach on this list that’s in the main city of Naxos is Agios Georgios, sometimes called by its anglicized name St. George Beach.
Because of its proximity to the largest and most populous city on the whole island, this is one of the busiest beaches on Naxos. It covers so much ground that it’s easily walkable from most parts of the city, and it’s named for the Chapel of St. George built at its northern tip.
The waters are calm here, thanks to shelter provided by small shoulders of land that jut into the sea from the shoreline.
The water is warm as well as being shallow for a longer stretch than many beaches, so it’s a place many families frequent as they feel safe taking their children into the water. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available for rent, like other organized beaches on the island.
The area is thick with cafés, restaurants, taverns, bars, and a colorful nightlife, making this the heart and soul of the island. At night, dazzling lights erupt along the entire length of the beach as businesses prepare for the evening rush.
St George Beach, Naxos, accommodation
This area has the most concentration of hotels. You can’t go wrong, and you’ll definitely find a place to stay. That being said, it’s still Naxos, so in high season it’s a good idea to arrive prepared with a booking.
For couples
The aptly-named Saint George Hotel will immediately draw you in with its whitewashed exterior walls, blue accents, and crawling green vines looking very much like the picture of Greek architecture.
Meanwhile, its beautiful, white-painted, cave like interiors will make you never want to leave. Rooms have stunning views over the blue water below.
For families
The Naxos Resort Beach Hotel has been voted a popular family hotel, thanks to certain apartments and suites that sleep up to seven guests. The hotel also offers an outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, and children’s pool, as well as babysitting services upon request.
Alyko Beach
Alyko Beach is an ideal getaway if you really want a little peace and privacy. Located around 17km from the island’s main city (Naxos City), it is located along the island’s southwest coastline. It is one of the island’s largest beaches, with dreamy white sand, and dunes above that are home to a recent plantation of cedar trees. Alyko is also the name of the greater area, which includes the beaches Alyko, Mikro Alyko, Kedros, and Hawaii.
Alyko is the most private of the above-mentioned beaches, and it’s more secluded thanks to its location within a small cove protecting it from chillier winds.
It’s also the easiest of the four beaches to access, as the other three are below rocky formations and require a bit of a careful descent.
Despite this, you won’t find that it gets overrun with other beach-goers – it’s a quiet and relatively hidden gem perfect for a break from the crowds.
Where to stay near Alyko Beach:
This is a quieter area, so you’ll find that hotels are not as numerous here as they may be in busier, more touristy areas – hotels in the immediate area are few and far between since this corner of the island is a little more remote.
But this only adds to Alyko’s appeal – set just far away enough from the crowds to feel like you have your own little slice of heaven, but just a short car ride away from taverns, pubs, restaurants, and other nightlife.
For couples
Finikas Hotel is situated right near the beach and is a great spot for couples. This four-star hotel offers suits and private villas and is a popular choice with honeymooners. There is a restaurant on site, as well as hot tub, sauna, and hammam (Turkish-style steam room).
For families
Most hotels in the Alyko Beach area are great for families.
Check out Villa Alyko, which is a self-catering villa hotel complex with 26 elegant private villas, tucked away from other hotels but perfectly close to Alyko Beach. These are great for groups or large families. Most have private pools, gardens, or terraces.
Agios Prokopios
This beautiful beach lies adjacent to St George Beach (see further down the list for information on that beach). It’s less than six kilometers from the Naxos town centre making it a popular choice for locals and tourists alike. It’s common for people to walk or cycle to the beach from hotels in the city.
Thanks to its stunningly blue waters and cushiony, soft white sand, as well as its proximity to the largest city on the island, Agios Prokopios is among the most popular beaches on Naxos.
What’s left of a salt pan lies nearby, a nod to the island’s industrial past. The beach is slightly sheltered by a small leg of land, creating a sort of inlet that contributes to its gentle warm waters.
There are sunbeds, lounges, and umbrellas strategically placed in certain areas of the beach, and this is a hotspot for watersport enthusiasts.
Where to stay in Agios Prokopios
Thanks to its proximity to both the main city and the airport (a truly optimal location), this is a popular and populous area.
The good news is that there are a lot of accommodation options and a variety to suit every budget. You’ll find that hotels fill up fast in this area, so be sure to book in advance if you plan to visit during the high season.
For couples
Any couples travelling together will likely want something a little more romantic. Check out Naxos Euphoria Suites, a three-star hotel with what feels like five-star quality.
They offer a variety of suites and villas, all with beautiful laid back, minimalist tropical decor. The hotel also offers spa services upon request, cooking lessons, diving lessons, and horseback riding excursions.
For families
Mitos Suites is a great spot for families and groups.
Built in a traditional Greek architectural style, with whitewashed walls and sloping facades, they offer family and deluxe family suites for up to five people.
Every suite includes a kids’ corner, public outdoor kids’ pool adjacent to the large adult pool, and kid-friendly activities run through the hotel.
Agia Anna
Technically, Agia Anna beach is a continuation of the previous beach, Agios Prokopios.
Located just a fifteen-minute walk down the sand, it’s one of the busiest beaches around and backed by an equally bustling area. The small port is usually seen full of traditional Greek fishing boats.
The beach is less than seven kilometes from the city center and easily accessible via car, bike, motorbike, or public transit which is consistent and reliable during the busy summer months.
There is a road nearby that connects many parts of the island, and it tends to be more heavily used in the summer. Parents should take care about watching their children to avoid any brushes with traffic.
Like its neighbor, Agia Anna provides lounge chairs and beach umbrellas so you can comfortably settle in for a few hours of relaxation.
The waters can sometimes get a little choppy from the wind, but the beach’s nearby port is somewhat sheltered so you can still swim at leisure without worrying about rougher water.
Where to stay in Agia Anna, Naxos
This area, like Agios Prokopios, is a busy area and has established quite a community that caters to tourists who visit during the summer months.
Because of this, there are a lot of hotels to choose from, and the bonus is you’ll be close to not just this beach but the connecting beach we discussed above, giving you options for where to spend your day.
For couples
Couples wanting to stay in the immediate vicinity of Agia Anna should check out Sea Nymph Suites specifically, their stunning white-walled Deluxe Suite that beautifully combines traditional Greek architectural elements with modern accents.
For families
Naxian Breeze offers a variety of suites including several apartment options that sleep up to five.
The hotel also offers excursion activities by request, including private boat tours, trekking, and cooking lessons with fresh local ingredients.
Mikri Vigla
Mikri Vigla beach is located along the western coast of the island, just a fifteen-minute drive north of Alyko Beach.
It’s sandwiched between smaller beaches Parthena and Sahara.
Mikri Vigla is sheltered by the small shoulder of land sticking out at the northern end of the sand, providing water conditions that aren’t too rough for a swim but powerful enough to make this one of Naxos’ most popular kitesurfing and windsurfing hotspots.
There is little in the way of nightlife so if you want that kind of excitement, you might want to save Mikri Vigla for a day trip and stay closer to Agios Prokopios. However, with the endless taverns and beachfront huts offering fresh food, this area has the comfortable feel of a small-town surf town.
You’ll never go hungry, which you’ll definitely appreciate after a day spent out on the water.
Naxos town (Chora) is just 11km away, connected to Mikri Vigla by a single paved road. The beach does have umbrellas and sunbeds for rent, but there aren’t many and they get claimed fast, so it’s a good idea to bring your own equipment.
Mikri Vigla accommodation
For a small area, Mikri Vigla does have a lot of accommodation options.
If you want something just steps away from the beach, you’ll definitely have options to choose from, but there are additional choices slightly more inland – though still never far from the tempting white sands.
For couples
As close to the beach as you can be, Ydreos Studios And Apartments have a variety of suites and apartments. They are self-catered, and they have incredible unobstructed views of the water.
Studios Kontos are another great choice for couples looking for something a little more luxurious, thanks to exquisite design and beautiful rooms. These are self-catered too, but the hotel operates a small family restaurant right nearby.
For families
Coralli Beach Apartments are a great choice for families or groups, and the decor is welcoming and distinctly Greek in style.
The middle floor apartment sleeps up to four.
Hotel Naxos Sandy Beach is also popular with families, and it’s located just 200m from the beach. Rooms contain kitchenettes and there are communal barbecue facilities.
Ambrami Beach
Located 20km from Naxos Chora, Ambrami Beach is in a quieter area which makes it ideal for those eager to escape the bustling city centre. The island is only so big, however, so in the peak months it will still see a moderate number of visitors during the day. It is located in a small cove on the northwestern coast of the island.
The main visual draw of the area is the unusual mix of colour and texture – instead of rocky cliffs leading to white sand, the surrounding area is a lush green thanks to an abundance of trees in this area.
Despite its distance from the city, it’s very accessible by car or motorbike thanks to a fully paved road that runs the length of the coastline (though the last 300m stretch is a less even, paved road).
Where to stay at Ambrami Beach
There is an extremely limited number of accommodations and eatery options in this area, although you may find very low-priced quality local food that’s just as tasty as anything you could find in the city.
Nearby Eggares has a little more in terms of groceries, but for anything beyond this, you will have to make the trip back to Naxos.
For couples
Villa Athina is a self-catering accommodation right by the bay. All units have sea views, and either kitchenettes or full kitchens. Despite the lack of an on-site restaurant, the hotel does have an outdoor pool, gardens, terraces, and communal barbecue facilities.
For families
Although specific units sleep only a maximum of four, Petrino Hotel is extremely accommodating if you have more and advertise allowing additional members to stay.
This is a beautiful hotel with traditional Greek decor elements, just 200m away from Abrami Beach. Although most rooms do have kitchenettes, there is delicious local food served on site.
There are also scuba diving lessons that can be arranged through the hotel in nearby Campo Comiakis.
As you can see Naxos’ reputation for great beaches in well deserved and it’s easy to see why it is so popular, especially with families.
This is a wonderful island to spend a few days or even a few weeks and offers a relaxed, laid back vibe that the Greek Islands are so good at.Further reading: the 37 best beaches in Greece
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