Perfect 4 Days in Naxos Itinerary: First-Timers Guide

Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades, so planning a trip can be a little challenging. I remember trying to nail down our Naxos itinerary the first time we visited and thinking, “How on Earth are we going to see everything?!”

The truth is, you won’t be able to see absolutely everything in just 4 days in Naxos, but you can get pretty close, and we’ll show you how.

This itinerary for Naxos will allow you to see the best parts of the island, like the Temple of Apollo, Mount Zas, Chaliki Village, numerous beaches, and even the nearby island of Koufounisia.

We’ll also share our insider tips on which area to stay in Naxos and how to navigate the island efficiently to see as much as possible!

Our Naxos Itinerary: At A Glance

• Day 1 – Chora and Portara
  • Naxos Town
  • Naxos Castle
  • Agios Georgios
  • Temple Of Apollo (Portara)
• Day 2 – Beach Hopping
  • Agios Prokopios
  • Agios Anna
  • Plaka Beach
  • Alyko Beach / Hawaii Beach
• Day 3 – Naxos’ Mountain Villages
  • Chalki
  • Koronas
  • Mount Zas
  • Temple Of Demeter
• Day 4 – Day Trip to Koufonisia
  • What to Do in Koufonisia
  • Alternative Boat Trips In Naxos

How many days to Spend in Naxos?

Even if we only have 1-2 days to visit Naxos while island hopping in Greece, we would still say it’s worth stopping by to see the Chora, Portara, and Naxos Castle. But ideally, you would have 4-7 days to explore more of the island and not feel rushed while you do it.

How to Get To Naxos?

It’s really easy to get to Naxos, especially in the summer. There are a lot of direct flights each day from Athens, or you can take a ferry from Athens or almost any other major Greek Island.

Flights to Naxos always go through Athens. So, if you are coming from Crete, Santorini, Rhodes, or any other island, expect a connection. The flight from Athens takes less than an hour and usually costs about $100-150 each way.

Historically, we’ve always found the best flights on Skyscanner or Google Flights.

But we’ve recently been testing out a new flight aggregate called WayAway, and they almost always find a slightly cheaper flight. In addition to that, they show you how much the bags will cost right up front (we’ve never seen this) and have a cashback loyalty program for frequent travelers!

The ferry from Athens to Naxos takes 3-5 hours, depending on which company you book with, and it generally costs much less than the flights ($40-80).

So, if you’re traveling on a budget, you should definitely take the ferry to Naxos. This is also ideal if you’re visiting some nearby islands in the Aegean Sea, like Paros, Ios, or Mykonos.

Ferry Scanner is the only booking platform with free cancellation, so that’s what we use to book our ferries around Greece.

How to Get Around Naxos?

Naxos is a relatively big island, so it’s best to have your own transportation. We rent a car every single time we come to Naxos, but you can also find scooter and ATV rentals. But if that makes you uncomfortable, there is solid public transportation and plenty of day tours available.

Car Rentals – Renting a car in Naxos is very easy and affordable. A small compact car costs roughly $30-40 per day, but we rented one for a lot longer, so it was even cheaper!

Scooter Rental – Another option is to rent a scooter in Naxos. If you’ve traveled through Southeast Asia before, you know that driving a scooter is pretty easy and usually a cheaper way to get around. Scooters in Naxos cost about $15 per day for a 4-day rental. Parking is also way easier with a scooter.

Local Taxis – Local taxis are available all around Naxos, and it’s also possible to reserve an airport transfer online beforehand. But it’s not the most affordable option. A taxi from Naxos Town to Agios Prokopios is €12, and Naxos Town to Chalki is roughly €25.

Naxos Buses – The public bus system in Naxos is really good. You can get anywhere on the island for less than €7 (but places close to Naxos Town are closer to €2). The only sacrifice is time, which you don’t have much time to spare with just 4 days in Naxos.

Best Areas to Stay Around Naxos

As we already mentioned, Naxos is a really big island, but almost all of the best places to stay are on the west coast, whether you want to be in the heart of town or stay on the beach!

We prefer to stay in Naxos Chora. It’s the liveliest part of Naxos and has plenty of shopping and places to eat. The Hotel Grotta is a beautiful option with a view of the port. It sits on the hillside near Naxos Castle!

But if we were hoping for a proper beach holiday, we’d probably stay 10 minutes south of Chora in Agios Prokopios or Agia Anna. These small towns are central to all of the best beaches in Naxos and still have a lot going on during the high season. Lianos Village has a stunning pool area and is only a 5-minute walk from the beach.

Day 1 – Chora + Portara

So, when you first arrive in Naxos, it’s inevitable that you’ll want to explore the port town (Chora) the right way, especially if you come by ferry.

As you enter the port, you’ll see the Portara, along with whitewashed houses stacked on top of one another, with Nasos Castle perched at the peak. It’s stunning, and we were so excited to get off the ferry, check into our hotel, and wander around town.

If you love trying local food, one thing we’d love to do soon is a Food Tour in Naxos Town, which lets you try a lot of different Greek dishes and other local cuisines.

Naxos Town (Chora)

If your ferry arrives in the morning, you’ll want to start exploring immediately to make the most of your day! We got to Naxos around sunset, so we grabbed dinner and waited until the next morning to see more of the Chora.

Start your day with a cup of coffee from The Rebel Project. They have the best coffee in Naxos, and we come here more than anywhere else on the island!

After that, take the rest of the morning to walk through the streets and peruse the local shops. It’s tempting to stay near the port area – and there are quite a lot of shops right by the port – but we also loved walking around the shops slightly south in the local town center.

Most things open around 10 – 11 AM, so if you’re an early riser, save this for later and go to Naxos Castle first!

Naxos Castle

The Ancient Venetian Castle of Naxos is one of the most recognizable places in Naxos, although you may not even realize what you’re looking at when you first see Naxos’ Chora. The town has sort of built itself around the castle without harming the historical site.

Much of the castle remains as it was built in 1207, but only one of the 12 defense towers is still standing.

Be prepared for quite a few steps up and down the castle. If you need a small break, there’s a cute wine and coffee rooftop bar called Aviation 1739, where you can stop for a quick bite.

All in all, expect to spend about 1-2 hours here!

Agios Georgios

We absolutely love the beaches in Naxos. They’re one of the main reasons the island is worth visiting, and that’s why a beach is mentioned almost every day in this 4-Day Naxos itinerary.

Agios Georgios is considered the Naxos town beach despite it being a 10-minute walk from Naxos Castle. We were able to find free parking in this lot between the Agios Georgios and Chora.

It’s not the nicest beach in Paros, but it’s good for a quick swim, and there are some sunbeds, small beach bars, and eateries right on the water!

For dinner, head to our favorite Greek restaurant in Naxos, Maro’s Tavern. We loved all their food, but the owner has frequent specials like stuffed vegetables and zucchini fritters that are SO GOOD.

Temple of Apollo (Portara)

The Temple of Apolla (a.k.a. Portara) is the most iconic place in Naxos. It’s in almost every postcard, and after spending a lot of time here ourselves, it’s still the most impressive thing to see on the island.

The half-finished temple is incredible. In our opinion, there is no world in which it’s overrated.

You can obviously visit any time of the day, but it’s most beautiful during sunset. We came here on our first evening in Naxos and came back almost every evening to watch the sunset there. It was the best sunset spot on the island.

There aren’t many steps to get to the temple, but we also wouldn’t say a short walk. It takes about 10 minutes to walk here from the edge of the Boardwalk.

Day 2 – Go Beach Hopping

On Day 2 in Naxos, you should take the day to visit as many beaches as you can.

While hanging out and working in Naxos, we loved visiting one or two of the beaches in the afternoon. Before heading to the beach, we’d stop by Naxos Bakery to grab something small for breakfast and a few snacks for the day.

Then we’d make our way south.

Basically, the entire west coast of Naxos is one long beach, and small towns dot the whole shoreline to Agiassos (the town near Alyko Beach). After that, it gets more rural and rugged.

Here are the top 4 beaches in Naxos. We’ve visited each one of these, and while they’re all beautiful, each one offers a slightly different experience.

The best way to tackle the day is to choose two that seem like your style, then have a third one that you’ll swing by and see if you have time!

Another insider tip is that there are very few restaurants at Alyko Beach or Plaka Beach, so either pack a lunch or plan to be around Agia Anna/Agios Prokopios at some point for lunch. Giannoulis is an awesome spot for classic Greek food, and Colosseo Restaurant is an excellent place on the beach with pizza and pasta dishes!

Agios Prokopios Beach

Agios Prokopios is the closest thing to a ‘resort beach’ in Naxos. It’s popular among honeymooners and filled with beachfront restaurants, cafes, and sunbeds all day.

We thought it was a great spot for an easy-going day by the sea without sacrificing any amenities.

It’s really popular in the high season and has a lively atmosphere. In the offseason, most resorts and restaurants are temporarily closed, so while we would still like to visit, we wouldn’t want to stay here outside of the summer months.

Agia Anna

If you walk less than a kilometer south of Agios Prokopios, you’ll run into Agia Anna. It’s a small, charming town, but the beach is not as spacious or relaxing as the rest. Luckily, just around the south side of the cove is Maragkas Beach, and it’s very easy to walk to.

This is the most developed part of the coast south of Chora, and we noticed a lot of essential shops, a pharmacy, a decent number of dining options, and Naxos’s only beach club, Santana Beach Club & Restaurant!

Agia Anna also has a small pier, which is the starting point for many of the boat trips that take you to Koufonisia and some of the beaches and caves along the south coast of Naxos (but we’re saving that for day 4 of this Naxos itinerary.

Plaka Beach

When we arrived at Plaka Beach, we were shocked at how empty and peaceful it was. It’s kind of the same shoreline as Maragkas Beach, but the farther you go south, the more secluded it is!

We were there for about 2 hours and didn’t see another soul!!

This is the most pristine, beautiful beach in Naxos. The water is crystal clear, which makes swimming and snorkeling pretty epic, too!

Even in the summer, the beach is relatively empty. There isn’t much development outside of a few pensions, and you won’t see many sunbeds/umbrellas. One thing to note is that it’s challenging to get here if it’s rained recently.

Alyko Beach / Hawaii Beach

If you are willing to drive 30 minutes from Chora, you’ll find our favorite beach in Naxos.

Alyko Beach and neighboring Hawaii Beach sit in a small protected Cedar Forest on a quiet peninsula in southwest Naxos. There are these cool abandoned hotel ruins with graffiti everywhere and an awesome view of the mountains in Southern Naxos.

There’s a small church on Alyko Beach that’s worth visiting and adds to the local feel, along with lots of small boulders on the right side of the bay. There’s a small food truck near the entrance to the Cedar Forest, but that’s the only facility/amenity.

Hawaii Beach is on the same little peninsula, but it’s much smaller and sits under a 20-foot cliff, which is probably what gives it its name.

The water here is super clear, so bring snorkeling equipment if you have it!

Day 3 – Naxos’ Quaint Villages

After a day of visiting the beaches, it’s the perfect opportunity to change up the scenery and explore inland. Naxos has many small villages and historical sites to see, as well as some excellent hiking opportunities.

If you have only 4 days in Naxos or less, we don’t suggest going all the way to the other coast. Places like Apollonas and Moutsouna are very cool, but the beaches are all rocky, and it’s tough to get there.

Instead, on your third day in Naxos, you should head about 30 minutes inland to the ancient capital of Chalki, Korona’s village, the Temple of Demeter, and consider hiking to the top of Mount Zas.

For those who don’t like hiking, you can swap Mount Zas with a Cooking Class at Basilico or a tasting and tour of Saint Anna Winery on the way back to Naxos Town.

Chalki

Chalki (a.k.a. Halki) is a charming village in the heart of Naxos, known for its rich history and cultural heritage. It’s actually the ancient capital of Naxos. Although it’s become a really popular tourist destination, there’s still a relatively active local population and a lot of cool things to see here.

Everything feels old and rustic in town, and it’s full of boutique shops, distilleries, small taverns with outdoor seating, and ice cream shops.

One of the most unique things to do is sample Kitron (a local liquor made from citron fruit leaves). If you take a History and Cultural Tour, it will always include a visit to the historic distillery.

Other things not to miss in town include the Byzantine Church of Panagia Protothroni, the Church of Saint George Diasoritis, and the village of Filoti right down the street.

Mount Zas

Mount Zas is the highest point in Naxos and a significant landmark because of the mythological history surrounding it.

The mountain is said to be Zeus’s birthplace, and you can see Zeus’ Childhood Cave on the way to the top.

The ascent is pretty challenging if you do the official hike, which starts from Filoti and covers 9 kilometers and about 600 meters of elevation. There is a shorter (but steeper) route to the top that starts at Cave Za. Depending on your route, plan to spend about 2-4 hours on the hike.

From the top, you’ll get a 360º view of Naxos, and on a clear day, you can see both coastlines!

If you’re nervous or an inexperienced hiker, group tours of Mount Zas are available!

Temple of Demeter

On our way back from the Chalki area, we passed the Temple of Demeter, located near Sangri on Naxos. This ancient site dates back to the 6th century BC.

Its name comes from its dedication to Demeter, the goddess of grain and agriculture.

The temple is in a really serene setting, without much around it, and we noticed that a fair amount of the temple had been reconstructed. They use a slightly different shade to show which is the original stone and what’s new.

We saw many websites saying that there is no entrance fee, but this isn’t true. It costs €10 per person to enter the small complex. Once you’re done, it’s only 20 minutes back to Naxos Town, where you can have a chill evening!

Day 4 –Day Trip to Koufonisia 

On the final day in Naxos, you can relax and visit some of the places you didn’t get to see in town or along the coast, but we highly suggest taking a boat trip to Naxos.

The best boat trip is to Koufonisia, a smaller island just off the southwest coast of Naxos. Still, it’s also possible to take a day trip to Delos and Mykonos, book a catamaran cruise along the island’s South Coast, or even rent your own boat and explore at your own pace!

Koufonisia

Koufonisia is celebrated for its unspoiled beauty, comprising Ano (Upper) and Kato (Lower) Koufonisi.

Some travelers like to spend a couple of days on this smaller chain of islands, but there isn’t much going on. Therefore, most people visit on a day trip from Naxos. The islands are surrounded by beautiful beaches, sea caves, and small seafood tavernas with a view of the water.

A boat trip from Naxos to Koufonisia usually includes:

• 1-2 short scenic stops for snorkeling
• Barbeque lunch on board
• 2-3 hour stop at Ano Koufonisia to explore the small village and spend time on the beach
• 1 Hour at Rina Cave on Naxos’ southern coast.

Alternative Boat Trips in Naxos

If you aren’t interested in seeing Koufonisia or Rina Cave, there are other ways to get out on the water.

You could take an alternative boat trip to another island. Paros is a short 30-minute ferry away, and Mykonos/Delos is also a manageable day trip with a few operators running tours each day.

You can also spend the entire day hopping around remote parts of Naxos on a South Naxos Boat Trip.

You could also book a Catamaran Cruise from Naxos for you and your friends, which includes lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a full day on the water!

But above all the boat tours, we’d probably tell you to rent your own boat. We rented our own boat for a day in Greece, and it ended up being one of our favorite experiences ever! It typically costs €100-150, and we didn’t even need a boat license!!

Is 4 Days in Naxos Enough?

We like to take our time while traveling, so the ideal trip to Naxos would be about one week. But for most people traveling to multiple Greek islands, 4 Days in Naxos is enough to see most of the best parts.

Just don’t expect it to be super chill!

If you have even less time, consider skipping the day trip to Koufonisia or combining a trip to Chalki and the Temple of Demeter with one of the beaches!

Make sure that you rent a car ahead of time (don’t worry, driving in Naxos isn’t that hard), and no matter how long you end up being able to spend in Naxos, it’s still worth the time and effort of getting here!