Driving in Naxos: 10 Essential Tips + Things To Know
We totally understand being nervous about driving in Naxos. When we first arrived in Greece, neither of us had ever driven a stick shift. Somehow, we learned on the go, and driving through Naxos was an incredible experience.
If we can do it, you can, too!
Renting a car in Greece is an excellent way to explore the whole island slowly without having to pay for expensive tours or deal with heavy crowds.
But since driving in an unfamiliar country can also be intimidating, we wanted to share some of our experiences with you and tell you all the safety details you need to navigate around Naxos by car.
By the end of this article, you’ll feel totally confident driving in Naxos and be ready to start creating your road trip itinerary. Here are our essential tips for driving around Naxos
10 Tips for Driving in Naxos
If you are taking a short trip to Naxos, it’s almost essential to book your own transportation. That’s actually the most important thing we learned in Naxos and our main piece of advice in our Naxos Itinerary for first-timers!
After driving through multiple islands in Greece for a couple of months, these are the most important tips we can give you for navigating the roads in Naxos.
1. Drive on the Shoulder of the road
Driving in Greece can be a daunting task for those who are not used to the ‘rules of the road.’
Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of Greek driving culture is that people often drive on the shoulder of roads, over the white line. Then they use the new ‘lane’ in the middle to pass each other.
This feels dangerous to us, especially on windy mountain roads, but as long as you follow the locals and drive on the shoulder, you won’t put yourself or other drivers at risk.
2. Download an offline map
Contrary to driving in Paros, the land in Naxos is significantly more rugged and remote, so there’s a good chance that if you’re driving deep into the mountains, you may lose service.
To avoid getting lost, we always download the map for where we’ll be traveling on Google Maps, which lets us look up locations and follow directions even without service.
You can also use this if you don’t want to buy a SIM Card in Naxos. You can simply put in your directions whenever you have Wifi and then follow directions all the way to your location without DATA.
3. Drive on the Right-Hand side of the Road
People in Naxos drive on the right-hand side of the road in all of Greece.
We loved this because driving felt relatively normal, but it can be quite a challenge for those who come from countries where driving is done on the left (such as the U.K. or Australia).
4. There are So Many One-Way Streets in Naxos.
One thing we really didn’t love about driving in Naxos was the number of one-way streets around the Chora (downtown). Even the main road along the port is one-way, so always double-check before making a turn.
This was annoying because we stayed close to Agios Georgios on the south side of Chora, so if we wanted to drive to the Temple of Apollo or the grocery store on the north side of town, we had to detour an extra 5-10 minutes all the way around town just to get back to our guesthouse!
5. You can usually find free parking
When it comes to parking in Naxos, there are plenty of free lots around town. The most convenient parking lot is called Naxos Center Parking. Street parking is also legal unless there are signs telling you otherwise.
Still, you will notice that Greeks tend to park anywhere there is open space – sidewalks, ramps, curbs, storefronts, and front yards. As a guest in the city and someone unfamiliar with the parking laws, don’t do this. It is not worth the safety or legal risk.
6. You do not have to stop for Pedestrians
When driving in Naxos, it’s important to note that if there are flashing yellow lights at an intersection, you don’t have to stop for pedestrians. There is a separate green light letting pedestrians know when it is safe to cross.
If you do decide to come to a complete stop while the lights are flashing yellow, this could actually CAUSE an accident with a Greek driver who isn’t expecting you to stop.
7. Occasionally, you will only see road signs in Greek
Although English is quite common in Greece, road signs in Greece can present a challenge for visitors.
Usually, you will see them in both Greek and English, but occasionally they will only be in Greek. They also aren’t always the most clear and some we’d never seen before driving in Greece.
One thing we found is that it’s super helpful to familiarize yourself with the Greek alphabet if you plan to drive on your own on Naxos Island.
8. Watch out for wildlife
Driving in Greece is the best way to see the country, but you have to watch out for wildlife on the roads. We saw everything crossing the street, from cows to sheep, goats, dogs, and cats. They even walked alongside the road as if they were following directions somewhere!
Especially in the hills of Naxos, go around all turns slowly and watch out for animals that may be crossing the road.
9. Try to Avoid Driving at Night
The streets are narrow and winding in Naxos, which makes driving in Naxos at night particularly dangerous since it is difficult to see intersections and sharp turns. Less visibility also makes it more likely for drivers to encounter wildlife.
For these reasons, we always did our best to return to our apartment in Naxos before dark. Sunset happens around 8:00 PM in the summer and 5:00 PM in the winter.
10. Be wary of backroads
Backroads in Naxos can be notoriously difficult to navigate, with many roads being made of dirt or rocky terrain. In particular, the eastern half of the island, past Chalki, is known for its particularly rough road conditions and should be avoided by drivers without a four-wheel drive vehicle.
We actually heard that the road connecting Apeiranthos to Moutsouna is one of the steepest in all of Greece.
These backroads are often winding and very narrow, so be very cautious!
What to See and Do with a Car in Naxos
Having access to your own car in Naxos makes it easier to explore remote parts of the island and famous places outside of Naxos town. From stunning beaches to ancient ruins, there are tons of places to see in Naxos with a rental car.
Exploring Naxos by car is an excellent way to discover all that this Greek island has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a beach day, sightseeing, or just want to get away from it
Some of our favorite places to visit are the Alyko Peninsula, the town of Chalki, Mount Zas, the Temple of Demeter, and Koronos Village.
Alyko Peninsula / Hawaii Beach
Alyko is a small peninsula on the southeast coast of Naxos with a few different beaches very close to one another. You can spend time on Alyko Beach, Mikrolimano Beach, or Hawaii Beach, each one offering a distinct atmosphere.
The water here is crystal-clear, perfect for swimming or sunbathing during summertime, and it is less crowded than the beaches near Naxos Town. There is also an abandoned hotel with impressive graffiti painted on the ruins.
Alyko is an ideal spot for an unorganized beach day. Since there are no amenities here, just remember to bring your own food and beach towels!
Chalki
Chalki is a quaint mountain town located right in the center of Naxos. The ancient capital city has boutique shops and authentic restaurants while retaining much of its local Greek community.
It is about 30 minutes from Naxos Town and, while there are buses, it is so much easier to reach with your own car. The views are beautiful along the way, and it is a romantic place to explore the narrow cobbled streets or enjoy a romantic dinner with sweeping views of the valley.
Mount Zas
Mount Zas is the highest mountain on Naxos, standing at an impressive 1,003 meters high. Hiking to the peak requires several hours, but it’s well worth it. From the top, you will be able to see amazing 360º views of the entire island. On a clear day, you can even see both coasts!
The hike is moderately challenging (about 5.7 miles), but you can save yourself some time by driving to Zeus Childhood Cave and hiking the final 1.2 miles from there!
The Temple of Demeter
The Temple of Demeter is a well-preserved archaeological site that dates back to the 6th century B.C. It is located in western Naxos, near the small village of Ano Sagkri. The temple was built by the ancient Greeks in honor of their goddess of agriculture, Demeter, and it provides a great opportunity to learn about the ancient history and mythology of Naxos.
Koronos Village
Another traditional mountain village to see in Naxos with a car is Koronos. This stepped village is built on two mountain faces and has plenty of old stone houses, narrow cobbled streets, and some of the best traditional Greek food in all of Naxos. You can drive to the village from Naxos Port in about 45 minutes.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, renting a car in Naxos is the only way that we would want to travel to the island. It gives you so much extra freedom, is so cheap compared to many places in Europe, and it’s actually really easy to drive in Naxos.
We hope this helps you feel more confident about driving in Naxos and that it’s totally safe to explore the different neighborhoods on your own! Just make sure that you watch out for animals, stay close to the shoulder, and avoid driving in the mountains late at night.
Also, if you’re still looking for a rental car, we find that we get the best deals on Discover Cars!
If you have any questions about driving in Naxos, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
