Alyko Beach, Naxos (All You Need to Know + Hawaii Beach)

Of all the beaches we’ve visited in Naxos, Alyko Beach is probably our favorite. It’s so much different from the other beaches around the island and far enough off the beaten path that it rarely gets crowded.

Once we got back to our hotel, we knew we wanted to write a post to tell more people about our experiences and encourage them to make the extra trip to Alyko.

Not only does it have three separate beaches, but it also has a classic Greek Orthodox church on the hill and an abandoned hotel with beautiful graffiti art on the ruins. It’s great.

Here’s all you need to know to visit Alyko in Naxos, from all the different ways to get there to the best things to do, where to stay, and what makes this place unique.

Where is Alyko?

Alyko is a small peninsula on the southwestern coast of Naxos, Greece. It’s roughly 18 kilometers from Naxos Town (Chora), which really isn’t that far.

It’s easy to visit, even if you only have a half-day to spare in your itinerary.

This area is always far less crowded than the other beaches in Naxos, but it’s probably the most scenic because of the varied landscape and beaches.

Note: Alyko is often confused with Kastraki Beach or Glifada Beach, which are the two small parts of the coastline just north of the Alyko Peninsula.

Best Time to Visit Alyko Beach

As with almost everywhere in Naxos, the best time to visit is late spring or early autumn, specifically in May or September. These months are outside the high season when hotel room and car rental prices skyrocket, but it’s not too cold to swim.

Still, if you’re in Naxos in the summer, Alyko Beach won’t be that crowded. It’s flown under the radar enough so far that you’ll be among the few people on the beaches.

We’ve been here in November before, and I remember spending about 3 hours on the beach without seeing another soul. It was too cold to swim but so peaceful.

Getting From Naxos Town to Alyko Beach

You can drive to Alyko, but a bus (Line 3) travels between the beach and Naxos.

We had a rental car, so here are some more details about driving to Alyko Beach and finding parking, along with your alternative options.

Parking and Driving to Alyko Beach

Driving to Alyko gives you the flexibility to explore at your own pace. The journey is a paved road that’s easy to follow. Just download Naxos in Google Maps ahead of time to make sure you don’t get lost.

Once you get there, you’ll alwasy be able to find parking near the left-hand side of Alyko (it’s a dirt/sand parking lot), but if you plan on visiting Hawaii Beach and the Hotel Ruins, then parking up on the hill beside the hotel is more convenient.

We had zero trouble finding the beach our first time here, but once you pass Alyko Villas, it will be your next right. Then, follow the dirt road for about 200 meters, and you’ll see the hotel ruins right.

Taxis to Alyko Beach

If you’d like to take a taxi to Alyko, it’s definitely possible, but prepare to pay a little extra. You can find taxis near the port in the city center or reserve one ahead of time online.

It’s such a weird aspect of transportation in Naxos, but renting a car for the day is nearly the same price as a single taxi. For example, we rented a car for about €15 per day, but a one-way taxi from Naxos Chora to Alyko Beach starts at around €25.

So, if you’re comfortable driving, definitely rent a car.

Bus to Alyko Beach

There is a bus to Alyko Beach from Naxos Chora. It’s Line 3, which takes people from Chora to Mikri Vigla, Kastraki, and eventually Pyrgaki (which is one stop past Alyko). If you’re taking the bus, let the bus driver know where you are going, or keep your eye on the map and get off at the Alyko Bus Stop.

The bus costs €3.10, and there are limited buses running until the middle of the summer.

• May (1 Daily Bus) – Naxos Town to Alyko @ 14:05 / Alyko to Naxos Town @ 7:05 (must spend the night)
• June, July, & August (5-6 Daily Buses) – Naxos Town to Alyko @ 07:30, 11:00, 13:30, 14:15, 16:30, 18:30 / Alyko to Naxos Town @ 08:25, 11:55, 14:25, 15:15, 17:25, 19:00
• September (3-4 Daily Buses) – Naxos Town to Alyko @ 11:00, 13:00, 16:30 / Alyko to Naxos Town @ 07:05, 12:00, 14:00, 17:30

What to See in Alyko, Naxos

Alyko is unique compared to other beaches in the area because there is a lot to see. If you go to Plaka Beach, Agia Anna, or Agios Prokopios, the things to do are mostly the same: swim, sunbathe, eat, repeat.

Alyko, on the other hand, has a dynamic landscape that we really loved exploring.

1. Alyko Beach

From the shoreline of Alyko Beach, you can see for ages. We mapped it out while chilling on the shoreline here, and I’m almost positive that we could see the island of Irakleia way off in the distance.

We spent a lot of time taking in the view. There were also some rocks in the water where you could swim out and take photos or just get a better view. We also heard from some locals that the reef is full of fish and the occasional sea turtle.

Alyko Beach doesn’t have sunbeds or umbrellas to rent, so bring a compact, sand-resistant beach blanket, and don’t be surprised if you stumble upon a couple of naturists.

2. Hawaii Beach

Hawaii Beach is actually the most popular part of Alyko. It’s on the opposite side of the peninsula, roughly a 5-10 minute walk from Alyko Beach.

But, instead of the long sandy shoreline we’re accustomed to in Naxos, this beach is more unique.

The sandy shoreline is only about 10 meters wide before it runs into a deep red cliff that rises another 10 meters before meeting the cedar forest.

To be fair, it looks nothing like Hawaii, but it’s super cool and very different from most beaches you’ll visit in Naxos or Paros—well, except for Kalogeros Beach in Paros.

3. Hotel Ruins in Alyko

Another unique feature of Alyko Beach is the abandoned hotel perched on the cliff overlooking It.

The hotel construction started in the 1960s, but I assume it was never finished due to logistical or financial difficulties. Over the past few decades, local artists have begun using the hotel as a canvas for creative murals and graffiti art.

The paintings are intricate and beautiful–definitely not amateur work–and you should take a minute before hiking down the beach to walk around and see the different murals.

4. Cedar Forest of Alyko

You might hear locals refer to this area as ‘Kedrodasos,’ which in Greek literally translates to ‘cedar forest.’ That’s because the largest cedar forest in Greece is on top of the peninsula. Coming from the U.S., we were shocked by this because it’s really not that big.

But, it was still fascinating to drive through the short, shrubby trees among the sandy forest floor.

There’s a local fast food vendor, FBI Food Truck, which serves a sort of Greek-Mexican fusion dishes during the summer in Alyko. You can order falafel tacos, burgers, and other chicken dishes.

This is the only place you’ll find food around Alyko without going into Pyrgaki

5. Pyrgaki beach

Pyrgaki Beach (or Pirgaki Beach) is a more extended, sandy town beach a little further southeast, near the small town. This beach has more facilities nearby (which you’d probably expect), like souvlaki stands and Greek restaurants.

But it’s also a popular place for watersports in Naxos.

ALL4EXTREME is a company right on the shore that offers a variety of water sports experiences, such as water skiing, jet skiing, tubing, kayaking, and SUPs.

Where to Stay Near Alyko Beach

Despite being far away from the busy tourist centers in Naxos, there are still quite a few villas here near Alyko for travelers looking for a few days of peace and quiet.

Just be aware that if you’re looking for places to stay in this area, you might see it called Pirgaki, the nearest village to the Alyko Peninsula.

Best Budget Hotel – Sun and Moon Villa

9.0/10 ⭐ – 295 Reviews

Sun and Moon Villa in Alyko Beach, Naxos, offers a tranquil location with a beautiful garden and a large outdoor pool with a playground. In addition to the public pool, about half of the villas also have a private pool and their own small garden outside.

The villas are updated with air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-fi, and a kitchenette in case you plan on cooking some of your own meals. This is one of the most affordable villas we’ve seen, and it can accommodate an entire family or groups of friends partying together in Naxos.

Best Mid-Range Villa – Villa Faros

9.7/10 ⭐ – 97 Reviews

Villa Faros also has a variety of villas, from cozy one-bedroom suites for couples to larger apartments with up to four beds. This villa’s special feature is that it’s right at the entrance to the Cedar Forest of Alyko and both beaches, which means you can walk to any of the main attractions in less than 5 minutes.

Guests here also get free breakfast in each room. It’s a little pricier than Sun & Moon Villa, but the location is much better, especially if you don’t have a car.

Best Luxury Hotel – Finikas Hotel

8.5/10 ⭐ – 118 Reviews

Finikas Hotel is another highly-rated hotel near Alyko Beach. It’s a little bit closer to Alyko Beach and Pirgaki Town, so you can walk to restaurants more easily in the evening. It’s also right on the beach, which is a massive perk.

However, it is one of the more expensive places to stay in the area and a bit farther from Hawaii Beach and Cedar Forest. Nevertheless, Finikas has a wide selection of massive 2-4 bedroom villas, most of which have their own private pool and outdoor hot tub.

More Beaches in Naxos

Naxos has a ton of beautiful beaches. Most are along the west coast, so it’s easy to visit them on a day trip from Naxos’ Chora.

Alyko Beach is a bit farther than other beaches, so if you don’t want to travel too far, are hoping for something closer to Chora, or prefer a lively atmosphere, there are plenty of other beaches to visit on the island.

Here are some more beaches we loved visiting;

• Agios Prokopios
• Agios Georgios
• Plaka Beach
• Maragkas Beach
• Agia Anna Beach

Final Thoughts

if you’re island-hopping in Greece and tired of all the overcrowded beaches and expensive sunbeds, then Alyko Beach is a welcome retreat from that.

Although we booked a hotel closer to Chora, we loved visiting the beach on a day trip with our Naxos rental car. It ended up being our favorite of all the beaches in Naxos. It was just so unique and reminded us of some of the remote beaches we’ve visited in other parts of the world.

However, if you’re looking for something a little closer to the action but still escapes most of the over-tourism, then Plaka Beach is a great option!