DAY TRIPS FROM NAXOS

Which day trip from Naxos should you do?

Some of these day trips are ones you can easily organise yourself while others are organised tours.

A lot of the tours we recommend are with Get Your Guide or Viator.

These are well known, global companies and we have chosen to partner with them for the following reasons.

1. They have a solid reputation across the planet for providing reliable, safe, and enjoyable tours.
2. In most cases, bookings can be canceled up to 24 hours before starting.
3. Their customer service is available 24/7 in multiple languages.
4. In many cases, they are transparent about who the tour is with and name the operator in the description.
5. They have a very secure booking payment platform that gives you maximum protection – something small, local operators often do not.

Paros

Paros is often described as the quintessential Greek Island and it’s easy to see why.

Located in the heart of the Cyclades Islands there is over 120 km of coastline and 10,000 inhabitants in Paros. With beautiful beaches, medieval villages, wineries, harbours they say Paros is like Mykonos was 20 years ago. It has all the charm and atmosphere, but without the crowds and the steep prices, particularly in summer.

There are two large towns, the Port town of Parikia and the more cosmopolitan and lively town of Naoussa in the north. Both are lovely and offer something for everyone.

There is also the magical inland village of Lefkas in the hills and numerous beachside villages dotted around the island.

How to do a day trip to Paros

While there are a few organised tours to Paros from Naxos it is very easy to visit on the public ferry.

There are regular ferries you can book and the journey time takes between just 15 and 40 minutes depending on which ferry you catch ( be warned the 15-minute ferry goes to the village of Piso Livadi in the south of the island and not one of the main towns).

Once there we recommend renting a car or ATV for the day although the bus system is also quite efficient. There are also usually plenty of taxis to meet the ferries during the tourist season.

Things to do on a day trip to Paros

The main town on the island is called Parikia and this is also the ferry port. It is a nice, flat town with a very charming old quarter and some nice beaches nearby as well.

Naoussa is the dining and nightlife hub so it really comes alive in the evenings. There is a lot of good shopping here too, so it’s always worth a visit.

The main highlights of Paros are:

• Parikia – the old town, the Church of 100 Doors and the Frankish Castle.
• Naoussa – Venetian Fort, fishing harbour, bars, restaurants and nightlife, and Moriaty winery.
• Lefkas medieval village in the interior
• the coastal beach towns of Piso Livadi, Drios and Aliki
• various beach clubs and bars
•  Paros Park – beach, beach club, open air theatre, hiking and conservation
• wineries
• shopping
• Antiparos – the beautiful island right next door is only 15 minutes on the passenger ferry from Parikia or 7 minutes on the car ferry from Punda.

Read more in Things to do on Paros

Mykonos

Visit Mykonos from Naxos

Mykonos is one of the most popular destinations in Europe and also one of the most polarising.

Mykonos is the party capital of Greece and also the most popular destination with the LGBTI+ community and celebrities alike. It’s not uncommon for countless Hollywood Celebrities to be seen here in Summer and there really is red carpet on some beaches down to the Super Yachts.

It can be expensive, crowded and a bit crazy but it is also very pretty and has some unique things that are worth seeing, such as Little Venice and the Windmills.

It’s easy to visit Mykonos from Paros by Ferry and there are several services a day. The trip takes just less than an hour on the fast ferry and it’s good to understand how to get around once you get there as it can be quite chaotic.

Things to do on a day trip to Mykonos

Activities include: 

• Visiting Little Venice, Mykonos Town, searching for Pedro the Pelican, seeing the much-photographed windmills and visiting the many excellent beaches.
• The shopping is high end and plentiful
• Check out the world-famous beach clubs for some serious celebrity spotting and to dance on bars and see Guest DJs are regular events.
• Do a tour of the island to see some more ‘local’ sites including some hidden gems
• A boat tour over to Delos Island is one of the most popular, and worthwhile, things to do in the Greek Islands. This uninhabited island was believed to be the birthplace of Apollo and was once a thriving trading port and small empire.

A day trip to Santorini 

The Archipelago of Santorini includes Greece’s most iconic attraction – Fira Island. Home to the much-photographed white cave houses and blue church domes with stunning views over the Caldera, especially at sunset.

If you haven’t planned to stay a day or two in Santorini, which has some truly incredible accommodation, then it is possible to visit it for the day from Naxos.

How to visit Santorini from Naxos

The fast ferries take just 2 hours and there are several a day although you may not find a departure back after sunset, so this can be tricky to organise. It is better to stay a few nights on Santorini if possible so you can see it at night when it really is at its best. Still, some people do visit Santorini for one day. Just plan for it to be long and probably quite tiring. 

Things to do on a day trip to Santorini include:

• The Fira to Oia Hike ( or reverse)
• Explore Oia – the Byzantine Castle, Church of Panagia, Nikolaoua Nomikoua (Blue Dome church) & numerous galleries & shops. Don’t miss Atlantis Books!
• A Wine Tasting Tour. Santorini is world-famous for its wine and they are quite unique and not to be missed
• Have a professional photographer do a private shoot of you and your group, making the most of this stunning backdrop
• Head to Black Beach, White Beach or Red Beach ( if open). Good swimming can be had at Kamari, Perivolos or Perissa Beaches with plenty of sunbeds and facilities
• Explore the ancient village and ruins of Akrotiri and the authentic villages of Megachori and Pyrgos
• Do a sailing tour of the island and the volcano – including a swim at the Hot Springs

Amorgos

Just over an hour south-east of Naxos or 2-3 hours north-east of  Santorini is the rather extraordinary Cycladic island of Amorgos.

Amorgos has a permanent population of around 2000 residents many of whom are farmers, fishermen or are in hospitality.

It is only accessible by boat which keeps tourist numbers low, and that is unlikely to change due to its unusual terrain.

With its beautiful beaches, pretty towns and authentic farms and villages Amorgos is also home to one of the most incredible Monasteries in Europe and a shipwreck featured in numerous films.

How to visit Amorgos from Naxos.

The only way to visit Amorgos is by ferry. There are ferries up to 6 times a day in Summer and the trip takes between 90 minutes to 4 hours. Obviously, for a day trip, you want to catch the fastest ferry which is usually a Seajets or Hellenic Seaways.

There are two ports – Katapola and Aegiali. The northern port of Aegiali has fewer connections than its counterpart, Katapola, further south which is busier and has more connections.

Once there you can use the bus system or there is often a friendly taxi driver that is happy to take you to the Monastery and perhaps more depending on your interests.

Things to do on a day trip to Amorgos

• The Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa is one of the most impressive and important in Greece. It is the second oldest in the country and an incredible feast of construction and engineering in itself.
• The Venetian Castle – built in 1290 during the period of Venetian rule to protect against Saracen pirates. This landmark is the centrepiece of Chora, soaring high above the town on a 64-meter-tall rocky outcrop. 
• Archaeological Collection of Amorgos – this museum is housed inside the historic 16th-century Garavas Tower, located at the center of Chora. This two-storey Venetian tower is a sight to visit in its own right, but inside its hall are exhibits displaying an array of ancient artefacts.
• Shipwreck Olympia – a filming location from The Big Blue movie, this shipwreck can be found near Kalotaritissa Beach. It ran aground in 1988, and today is the ideal playground for divers. 
• Hiking – this rugged, mountainous island is a haven for serious hikers who explore locations such as the pre-Hellene Minoan Site near Katapola on Moundoulia Hill and the Monastery of Theologas – an hour-long hike from Lagada.
• Cooking and eating at authentic and very affordable local tavernas

The Small Cyclades

Just below Naxos is a group of beautiful small islands called the Small Cyclades, sometimes known as the Little Cyclades or the Lesser Cyclades too.

This includes the islands of Donousa, Schioussa and Ano Koufonisi as well as several uninhabited islands as well.

The water in this area is fairly shallow and crystal clear – stunning azure blue and emerald green. The islands have numerous coves and caves to explore and swimming conditions are generally excellent.

You can catch a ferry over from Chora in Naxos to all of the Small Cyclades islands but Ano Koufonisi is the most popular and is known as having some of the clearest, calmest and bluest water in all the Greek Islands. Once you get there you can hire bikes ( there is only one taxi on the island and cars are restricted) or there are two little boats that go around between the beaches regularly.

One of the best ways to see them is on a sailing trip which you can do from either Naxos or Paros. It’s a magical day out and one that is often cited as many visitors favourite activity while they were on Naxos.

Further reading: A Complete Guide to Koufonisia

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