EXPLORE NAXOS

Naxos is one of those Greek islands that becomes more interesting the longer you stay. At first, it is the beaches that capture your attention: kilometres of pale sand, turquoise water and some of the most beautiful swimming conditions in the Cyclades. But drive inland and the island changes completely. You will find fertile valleys, olive groves, vineyards, marble villages, Byzantine churches, mountain tavernas and Mount Zas – the highest mountain in the Cyclades. This combination is exactly why we love Naxos at Yamas. It offers the beauty of the Cyclades without relying entirely on tourism. Agriculture is still part of everyday life, villages remain genuinely inhabited, restaurants cook with ingredients produced only a few kilometres away, and there is enough variety to build a holiday around far more than the beach. For families, couples and groups who want beautiful villas, excellent food, long sandy beaches and plenty to explore, Naxos is one of the most complete islands in Greece.

HIGHLIGHTS OF NAXOS

BEACHES

Naxos has some of the finest sandy beaches in the Cyclades.

Agios Prokopios

A long stretch of pale sand and remarkably clear turquoise water. It is organised, easy and family-friendly, with plenty of restaurants and facilities nearby.

Agia Anna

One of our favourites when you want to combine swimming with lunch. Choose a table at one of the waterfront tavernas, spend the afternoon on the beach and stay until the light begins to soften.

Plaka

Plaka feels freer and less developed. The beach stretches for kilometres, so even during busy periods it is possible to find quieter sections. It is excellent for long beach days and sunset walks.

BEACHES

Mikri Vigla

Come here for kitesurfing and windsurfing. The reliable winds attract experienced riders, but local schools also offer lessons for beginners. If you have children or members of the group who are not interested in water sports, they can still enjoy the neighbouring calmer sections of beach.

Alyko

Alyko is completely different. Sand dunes, small coves and an unusual cedar forest create one of the island’s most natural coastal landscapes. There are no rows of organised sunbeds here. Bring water, walk through the cedar trees and discover one of the small beaches hidden between the rocks.

The abandoned hotel complex nearby has also become known for large-scale street art.

Hawaii Beach

Within the Alyko area is a particularly beautiful stretch often referred to as Hawaii Beach. The combination of pale cliffs, sand and transparent water makes it one of the most photogenic swimming locations on Naxos.

BEACHES

Pyrgaki

Continue farther south for an even quieter atmosphere. Pyrgaki has sand, dunes and clear water with far fewer visitors than the beaches closer to Chora.

Agiassos

Agiassos is worth the drive for families looking for shallow water and a more local atmosphere.It feels removed from the busy western resort strip.

Official Greek tourism information also highlights Alyko and Pyrgaki for their dunes and cedar landscape, Mikri Vigla for wind and kitesurfing, and Agiassos for its shallow clear water.

COLINARIA & WINE

Food – One of the Best Reasons to Choose Naxos

Naxos is not an island where food has to arrive by ferry every morning.

Its fertile plains, mountains and agricultural traditions produce an extraordinary range of ingredients.

The famous Naxos potato has PDO status.

So does Graviera Naxou, one of Greece’s great cheeses.

You should also try arseniko, xinotyro and other local cheeses.

Traditional dishes include rosto, slow-cooked pork; goat and lamb dishes; local sausages; vegetables grown on the island and excellent meat from mountain farms.

This abundance is why Naxos is one of our favourite Greek islands for food.

Restaurants &Tavernas Worth Knowing

Axiotissa – Kastraki

Axiotissa is one of the restaurants we would specifically reserve rather than simply “see where we end up.” The setting is relaxed and leafy, while the kitchen remains closely connected to local produce. Recent 2026 restaurant coverage highlights dishes such as slow-cooked lamb, rooster in tomato sauce and ingredients coming from the restaurant’s own farm. It is particularly good for a long dinner after exploring the southern beaches.

Rotonda – Apeiranthos Area

Come here as much for the setting as for the food. The elevated location gives extraordinary views across Naxos and towards the surrounding islands. Time your reservation for late afternoon and allow the light to change as you eat.

Doukato – Chora

For an atmospheric dinner in Naxos Town, Doukato is a name worth knowing. The courtyard setting and traditional Greek cooking make it particularly suited to a relaxed island evening.

Restaurants &Tavernas Worth Knowing

Barozzi

For guests looking for something more refined, Barozzi offers a contemporary approach to Greek ingredients and is a good choice for a special dinner in Chora.

Our recommendation on Naxos, however, is not to eat every evening in sophisticated restaurants. Some of the best meals happen in mountain villages where the menu is short, the meat comes from nearby farms and the cheese was produced only a few kilometres away.

Halki – One of Our Favourite Villages

Halki sits in the fertile Tragea Valley and is one of the villages we recommend most strongly. The village was once an important commercial centre, and its neoclassical houses and elegant architecture still reflect that history. Today, small cafés, galleries and boutiques occupy beautifully restored buildings.

But there is one stop you should not miss:

Vallindras Kitron Distillery

Kitron is one of the products most closely associated with Naxos. The liqueur is produced from citron leaves, and the historic Vallindras distillery in Halki offers visitors an introduction to the traditional production process. Taste the different varieties and buy a bottle to take home. Halki is also an excellent starting point for countryside walks through olive groves and Byzantine churches.

Apeiranthos – The Marble Village

If you visit only one mountain village, make it Apeiranthos. Built high in the mountains, Apeiranthos feels very different from coastal Naxos. Marble-paved lanes wind between stone houses, arches and small squares. The village has preserved a particularly strong cultural identity and even its local dialect has distinctive characteristics. Come without rushing. Walk through the lanes, stop for coffee and then have lunch at a traditional village taverna. The journey through the mountains is part of the experience.

Filoti

Filoti sits beneath Mount Zas and is one of the island’s largest villages. The central square beneath enormous plane trees is a lovely place for coffee or lunch. Filoti is also the natural starting point for exploring Mount Zas and the surrounding countryside. The village has preserved a particularly strong cultural identity and even its local dialect has distinctive characteristics. Come without rushing. Walk through the lanes, stop for coffee and then have lunch at a traditional village taverna.

The journey through the mountains is part of the experience.

Filoti

Filoti sits beneath Mount Zas and is one of the island’s largest villages.

The central square beneath enormous plane trees is a lovely place for coffee or lunch.

Filoti is also the natural starting point for exploring Mount Zas and the surrounding countryside.

Windsurfing & Kitesurfing

Naxos is one of Greece’s strongest destinations for wind sports.

Mikri Vigla

This is the main destination for kitesurfing. Reliable summer winds and open space make it suitable for both experienced riders and lessons.

Agios Georgios

Closer to Chora, the lagoon-like conditions around Agios Georgios are particularly useful for windsurfing instruction and beginners. For a family where only one or two people want to surf, Agios Georgios can be very convenient because everyone else can remain close to town.

A Private Boat Day

Koufonisia

For a full-day private boat experience, Koufonisia is one of our favourite destinations. The water around the Small Cyclades can be extraordinary – transparent, intensely blue and ideal for swimming. A good skipper can combine swimming coves with time ashore for lunch.

Iraklia and Schinoussa

For clients who prefer something quieter than Koufonisia, consider Iraklia and Schinoussa. These islands have a slower atmosphere, tiny settlements and beautiful bays. They work particularly well on a private sailing day when the objective is swimming and relaxing rather than sightseeing.

Rina Cave

Another interesting boat experience is Rina Cave, reached from the southern side of Naxos. Boats anchor outside the limestone cave and guests can swim inside when conditions allow. The route can be combined with southern Naxos or the Small Cyclades depending on the vessel and weather. The exact route should always be decided with the skipper according to the Meltemi.

Nightlife

Naxos is lively without feeling like a party island.

Chora is the centre of evening life.

Start with dinner in the Old Town, continue to a cocktail bar around the harbour or Kastro and stay as late as you like.

Agia Anna and Plaka offer more relaxed summer evenings with beach bars and restaurants close to the sand.

This balance is another reason Naxos works so well for mixed groups: younger guests can go out while families and couples can have a completely different type of evening.