Naxos

Naxos is not touristic enough to have a long season; Easter to October are the usual busy months. Avoid August if you can when the island’s beaches are full, the restaurants can hardly cope and service slows down.

May and June are uncrowded, but the sea is still cold. If you want the sea warm and a good standard of service, go in September.

Not everything shuts down in winter – the island is too big for that – but avoid November when almost everyone goes on holiday after the season is over.

Naxos is connected with Piraeus and almost every other island by ferry.

Ferries dock on the port of Naxos Town, and almost every hotel will pick you up and take you back upon arrangement.

There’s also a small airport by Agios Prokopios for domestic flights only.

You need your own wheels to get around, but there’s a frequent bus during the summer that runs along the southwestern beaches connecting them with Naxos Town.

Travel agents have their offices by the main bus station where you can rent cars and scooters. You can also find here the main taxi stand, although RadioTaxis Naxos are on call 24/7. Prices are reasonable and regulated.

For beaches, most stay around Naxos Town with its beaches of Grotta and Georgios.

The sandy shores southwest of Naxos Town in the resorts of Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna, or the 5km long stretch of Plaka, are another good choice.

For watersports, head to the hub of Orkos. To be remote and quiet, try Glyfada, Alyko or Pyrgaki.

The northern coast is windswept and rugged without any infrastructure, but there’s a small, laid-back settlement at Apollonas 36km northeast of Naxos Town worth a few nights.

All good restaurants are concentrated in Naxos Town first and foremost, and to a secondary extent at Agios Prokopios.

There are also local tavernas along the southwestern strip, especially at Plaka and Orkos.

It’s also worth a drive for lunch into the interior for an inexpensive feast at Filoti, Apeiranthos, Halki or Moni.