Agia Anna: The Most Peaceful Beach Town in Naxos
Agia Anna is a small port on the west coast of Naxos, and if you’re looking for a nice beach town to base for your holiday, it’s one of the best spots on the island.
The town is super close to Naxos Town (just 5 km), and it has a small sandy beachfront with a few local tavernas, shops, and other beaches nearby.
We visited Agia Anna spontaneously one time while beach hopping in Naxos and were shocked at how much we liked the town. It’s super cozy and quiet but still has all the amenities you could need for a few days of holiday in Greece.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Agia Anna!
Where is Agia Anna?
Agia Anna is located 6.3 kilometers from Naxos Town (Chora) on the southwest coast of the island.
If you’ve ever been to Naxos, you know that the west coast is basically just one long beach, and Agia Anna is essentially a continuation of Agios Prokopios just a kilometer to the north, but with a small port town.
It’s also close to some of Naxos’s best beaches, such as Agios Prokopios, Maragkas, and Plaka Beach.
Best Time to Visit Agia Anna
Agia Anna is a pretty small beach, but it gets really busy during peak season. So, if you like a lively atmosphere with a lot going on, then you’ll love staying here between June and August.
However, for those who want a more low-key holiday, you should visit Agia Anna during the shoulder seasons (April, May, September, and October).
We’ve been here in the winter months, and it’s completely dead.
The beach club, along with most of the shops, was closed. Only two tavernas were open, and there were zero facilities on the beach.
How To Get to Agia Anna
It’s so easy to get to Agia Anna that you don’t need extensive direction.
The village is a straight shot south of Naxos Town, and the roads between the towns are all easy to navigate (all paved!)
A couple of public buses travel between the towns every day, and you can even walk if you’re staying nearby in Agios Prokopios or Maragkas Beach.
Bus from Naxos Port to Agia Anna
Two buses run between Naxos Chora (Port) and Agia Anna. If you’re staying in Naxos Town, you can catch the bus at the Naxos Public Bus Terminal, which is right next to the Temple of Apollo.
If you’re looking for the Google Pin, it’s right here!
If you take Bus 1, Agia Anna will be the 6th stop (right after Agios Prokopios), and it takes 17 minutes to get there.
Bus 10 has the exact same route but makes an extra stop at Agia Anna Kapares, which is great if you’re staying in a hotel in the hills above Agia Anna.
Just remember that bus schedules can vary depending on the season, so you should always double-check the timetables and schedules.
Taxi to Agia Anna
Taxis are kind of expensive in Naxos, so we always prefer to take the bus or rent a car. However, it’s pretty easy to find a taxi to Agia Anna if you prefer that route.
You can catch a taxi from a stand in Naxos Town or book one in advance with WelcomePickups.
The fare will depend on the time of day and season, but we’d tell you to expect it to cost €20-30.
Drive Yourself
For those who, like us, prefer to have their own transportation while exploring the Greek islands, renting a car or booking a scooter rental in Naxos is the best option.
We are so glad that we rented a car in Naxos because it gave us complete freedom and control over our itinerary!
Rates vary wildly by season (July and August are the most expensive), but we’ve always found it really affordable on Discover Cars.
We should warn you, though, that parking is super limited in Agia Anna, so if you’re staying here for a couple of days, be sure to look for a hotel with free parking.
Best Things to Do
Agia Anna has pretty much everything you’d expect from a Greek island holiday, like beachfront restaurants, ATMs, local cafes, a bakery, mini-markets, a couple of rental agencies, and even a beach club.
But in addition to being a comfortable place to hang out for a few days, there are also some cool things to do in Agia Anna!
1. Relax on the Beach
The main reason to visit Agia Anna is to access the beach. It’s not even close to Naxos’s largest (or prettiest) beach, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great place to hang out.
The water is just as clear and calm as Plaka Beach or Alyko Beach, but there are far more beachfront amenities, like sunbeds for rent and local tavernas where you can have sunset dinner with a view of the ocean.
Agia Anna is also the beach where almost all boats leave for day trips to Koufonisia.
2. Walk Through the Cedar Forest
On the south side of Agia Anna, a small cedar forest is a nice walk from town. You can look out over the bay full of fishing boats and visit some secluded sections of the rocky coastline.
We also found a small, picturesque church called the Chapel of Agios Nikolaos in the center of the cedar forest.
This is a beautiful place to come around sunset for a romantic picnic. You can pick up some snacks from the bakery and some local wine from the market and spend the evening hanging out with a view of Paros across the water!
3. Day Trip to Koufonissia & Rina Cave
Another popular thing to do in Agia Anna is actually taking a day trip to Rina Cave and Koufonissia.
Even if you book the tour from Chora, you’ll still have to come to Agia Anna to catch the boat.
Rina Cave is a stunning spot on Naxos’s south coast where you can swim, snorkel, and kayak under a huge rock dome. Boat trips typically stop in Koufonisia, one of the smaller Cyclades near Naxos, for lunch and allow for free time to explore the main town.
It’s known for being a super relaxed and remote island with beautiful beaches.
Be sure to read the fine print, though, because some of them only allow you to stop and swim offshore with a view of the island.
Boat Tours in Naxos are typically all-day excursions, so expect to depart from the port around 9:00 AM and return close to 6:00 PM.
4. walk to Marakgas or Agios Prokopios
Another awesome one of the top things to do near Agia Anna is go beach hopping to the surrounding parts of the coastline. It’s a bit of a misnomer, though, because you can walk down the coast for hours, and it’s the same beach, just with a different name.
Still, the stretches around Agia Anna are way more beautiful than the town beach!
Agios Prokopios is the more built-up beach, with many sunbeds, vendors, and cafes with views.
Maragkas is very different. Some restaurants and cafes are still nearby, but they are a little bit offshore, so the actual beach feels secluded and peaceful.
5. Hang Out at Naxos’ only Beach Club
The other unique thing about Agia Anna is that it’s home to the only beach club in Naxos.
Santana Beach Club is a lively beachfront club with complimentary sunbeds, luxury suites, and a small private section of the beach that stays way less crowded than the public beach.
You can get food, cocktails, or other drinks for a relatively affordable price, and there are often events here in the summer that have live music and contribute to the party atmosphere.
It’s just a great vibe, especially if you’re into a beach day with a bit of a party atmosphere!
Agia Anna Beach Restaurants
There aren’t many dining options right in Agia Anna, but there are a few quality options in town. If none of them work for you, you can always walk down the street to Agios Prokopios!
Here are the best places to eat in Agia Anna:
- Palatia Beach Restaurant – Seafood on the Water
- Banana Restaurant – International Food and great Brunch options.
- Ostria Cafe Restaurant – Authentic Greek Dishes
- Oregano Souvlaki Meze – Cheap Eats, Gyros, & Souvlaki
Hotels Near Agia Anna
Best Budget Hotel – Kallithea Hotel
8.6/10 – 225 Reviews
Kallithea Hotel in Agia Anna, Naxos, is the highest-rated hotel with rooms consistently under $100/night (even during high season).
It’s excellent value for your money, but it also has all the amenities you’d expect, including a nice pool, clean and well-maintained rooms, and a really convenient location. There are even studios and apartments with kitchenettes and private balconies with ocean views!
Best Mid-Range Villa – Anemomilos
9.1/10 – 322 Reviews
Anemomilos in Agia Anna is another one of the best places to stay in the region. The villa is not right on the water, but it’s really close, and for the price, it’s arguably the best value for your money in Agia Anna.
Most of the rooms here have balconies overlooking a pool, and the staff is incredibly helpful throughout your stay.
Best Luxury Hotel – Manios Suites
9.0/10 – 214 Reviews
Manios Suites is one of the best luxury hotels in Agia Anna if you’re hoping to book an extra special hotel for a romantic trip to Naxos or just hoping to splurge on yourself.
Many of the rooms have a view of the ocean since all of the suites are oceanfront, and it’s unreal to be able to watch the sunset over the Aegean Sea from your room!
In addition to being beachfront, Manios Suites is near restaurants, markets, and the Agia Anna bus stop. Plus, staying here includes complimentary breakfast and access to beach sunbeds.
Final Thoughts
Naxos is full of awesome beaches, and we spent a lot of days on the island beach hopping all the way down the coast.
Agia Anna is certainly one of the best places to stay in Naxos if you want to go outside of Chora, but it still has some amenities nearby. That said, we thought that Plaka Beach was much more beautiful and better for sunbathing and swimming.
But our favorite beach of all the ones we visited was actually the pairing of Alyko Beach & Hawaii Beach, a bit further south.
Also, if you want to spend a long weekend in Naxos, check out our perfect itinerary for 4 days here!
