For a touch of luxury, stay at this boutique hotel offering spacious rooms with picturesque views. You can relax by the glistening pool or walk to Naxos Town and the sandy beach for a mesmerising sunset.
The bustling capital of the island is where you’ll rub shoulders with locals and soak up a vibrant atmosphere. You’ll also find tourist facilities such as restaurants, shops and car hire rental stores.
Agia Anna
A charming beach resort that’s not overly touristy, Agia Anna is a great choice for anyone who wants to enjoy a traditional Greek vacation without the hefty price tag of neighboring islands. There are a number of quaint hotels, holiday homes and apartment complexes located here that offer everything from a simple studio room to a luxurious suite complete with jacuzzi and private pool. Many of these accommodations have a view of the beautiful sandy beach or the sea and are within easy walking distance of restaurants, cafes and tavernas.
One of the best places to stay in Naxos, this picturesque village is known for its beautiful beaches and relaxed atmosphere. Visitors can spend their days sunbathing on the sand or enjoying the shallow water of the crystal-blue sea. The village is also home to a number of taverns that serve traditional Greek dishes, such as moussaka and souvlaki. Those looking for something a bit more exotic can try octopus and squid at one of the local seafood tavernas.
There are also plenty of activities to keep visitors entertained, including windsurfing, snorkelling and scuba diving. The best time to visit Agia Anna is in the summer, when the weather is warm and sunny. However, the area can be busy, so if you want to avoid the crowds, consider visiting in spring or autumn instead.
Guests staying in Agia Anna can easily access the rest of the island, as the main town of Naxos is only a short bus ride away. The village is also well-connected to the rest of the island by ferry and air. The Xenia Hotel is a luxurious boutique hotel that offers a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. The rooms are light and airy, with whitewashed walls and chic decor. Guests can also relax in the outdoor pool or the spa, which has a sauna and massage treatments available.
The main beach in the town of Agia Anna is Paralia Agios Prokopios, which is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The sheltered bay with shallow water is ideal for families, and it’s a great place to watch the sunset. The beach has a variety of amenities, including a number of restaurants and cafes, as well as sunbeds and umbrellas for rent.
Chora
The picture-postcard center of Naxos, Chora is where you’ll find the majority of hotels, restaurants, and bars. It’s also where the island’s main ferry port is located. The town is built like a maze of narrow stairways and footpaths, lined with shops and centuries-old Orthodox chapels. It’s a great choice for families and those looking to stay in a hotel that’s centrally located.
There are some really fantastic hotels to choose from in Chora, including the fabulous five-star Ammothines Cycladic Suites, which is a short walk from Plaka beach. It’s a bit more expensive than other hotels in the area but well worth the splurge for a stay that’s centered around a gorgeous pool and a superb breakfast. There are also some excellent vacation homes and apartments to consider as well if you prefer to self-cater and want to get away from the crowds.
Those looking for a more budget-friendly option might want to consider staying in one of the traditional villas that are available in the central town. They might not have the sweeping vistas of Plaka and Agios Prokopios but they do provide an authentic experience of Naxos and are still well connected by public transport so you can take day trips to the beaches without paying the hefty tourist prices.
Other budget options include the lovely sand/pebble beach of Stelida, situated on the north coast of the island. This is a very pretty and peaceful beach, usually not overly busy even during peak season. There are limited facilities on the beach but it’s a great choice for anyone who wants to stay close to the capital yet not be in a noisy resort environment.
Another good budget option is the inland village of Glynado, which sits a few kilometers south of the capital. It’s a very quiet, residential area but it does have shops and tavernas and is only a short bus ride into the capital to enjoy all the amenities that the city has to offer. There are some independent, family-run accommodations here as well as some really terrific hotels that have been recently renovated.
Stelida
Located northwest of Naxos Town, Stelida is a quiet village with limited amenities, but it’s right next to two of the island’s best beaches, shielded from winds. Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna have calm water, golden sand, a great choice of beach restaurants, and fun beach clubs. Both are easily reached by bus from Naxos Town and the resort offers a mix of hotel, villa and apartment options.
Stelida is a place to spend long, lazy days sunbathing and swimming; sipping cooling drinks in laidback cafes; and sampling local cuisine at cozy tavernas. The area is also home to Aqua Fun, a small family waterpark with numerous slides and a tiki bar.
The largest and most cosmopolitan town on the island, Chora is one of the best places to stay in Naxos for a mix of history and beach fun. The ferry docks in the center and the snow-white old town (called the “Kastro”) is an archaeological treasure trove of temple gates, Venetian fortresses, and labyrinth streets filled with shops, bars, and tavernas.
This is where you’ll rub shoulders with the locals and discover a more authentic side to Naxos. A variety of hotels in Chora are available to suit all budgets, including characterful boutique guesthouses, aparthotels, and luxury villas. At night, the scene shifts to romantic squares and jazz bars.
The western coast of the island is scattered with charming villages, the biggest being Apollonas, home to the biggest kouros on Naxos and a relaxing spot for day and night. Other small villages like Melanes are relaxed by day and buzzing with life by night.
Filoti
A laidback seaside town about 7km from Naxos Town offering a beautiful blue flag sandy beach, water sports, waterfront tavernas and accommodation. It’s ideal for couples who want a traditional beach holiday with time to kick back and relax.
You can stay in a range of accommodation here from hotels and apartments to luxury villas. It’s best to rent a car or take a taxi from the main town as public transportation is limited.
It’s also worth exploring the streets of Apeiranthos and the many small churches in this pretty little village. It’s one of the most authentic villages on the island and is a great choice for those who want to avoid larger resort towns.
The quaint little streets of Filoti are lined with shops, cafes and restaurants. You can enjoy a home-cooked meal in a family taverna or tap your feet to the beat in one of the jazz bars in this lively little town.
There are some Greek islands that can be explored in just a couple of days but to really get the most out of your visit to Naxos you should plan on staying here for at least a week. This way you’ll have plenty of time to explore the top cultural and scenic spots on this large island.
If you love to hike, you’ll find a variety of trails in the mountains surrounding Filoti. Some of the most notable include the Cave of Zas, which is believed to have been Zeus’s hiding place while his father Kronus persecuted him. Another popular trail is the one that leads to Aria Springs, a picturesque spot with a waterfall and fish pond.
The main road in Filoti is lined with outstanding old churches and they’re all worth a look for their frescoes. Other noteworthy sights include the old sports stadium and entertainment theater as well as a war hero’s cenotaph. The village’s old town also boasts an outstanding collection of neoclassical and neo-Greek architecture. The well organized Greek Numismatic Collection Museum of Nikolas Moustakis is another highlight. The village is a good base for hiking to the summit of Mount Fanari and visiting the temples in the north of the island.