The Beaches of Naxos

One of the great joys of Naxos is that beach days can be whatever you want them to be. Easy and sociable. Quiet and wild. Full of swimming, tavernas and sunbeds. Or just a towel, a book and the sound of the sea.

Naxos is blessed with some of the best beaches in the Cyclades, especially along the west and south-west coast, where long stretches of golden sand meet clear, shallow water. Whether you are staying near Chora, joining us for a retreat, or exploring the island on your own, here is our honest guide to the beaches we return to again and again.

Agios Georgios

Agios Georgios, also known as St George Beach, is the closest beach to Naxos Town. It is not the wildest or most beautiful beach on the island, but it is incredibly useful.

If you arrive in Chora late in the day and want that first swim before dinner, this is the place to go. You can walk there from town, have a dip, dry off, and still be back in Chora for supper or sunset at the Portara.

The water is usually shallow and gentle, and there are cafés and tavernas nearby. It is a practical, easy beach — and sometimes that is exactly what you need.

Agios Prokopios

Agios Prokopios used to be one of the most glorious beaches on the island. The sea is still a spectacular blue, and the sand is still beautiful, but in the height of summer it can feel packed with sunbeds.

For us, that has changed the atmosphere. It is still worth seeing, especially out of season or earlier in the day, but in July and August it can feel more like a busy resort beach than the relaxed Naxos we love.

If you like facilities, beach bars and everything close to hand, you may enjoy it. If you are looking for quiet and space, there are better choices.

Agia Anna

Agia Anna has also become very busy in high season, but it still has real charm. There are little fishing boats, tavernas close to the water, and lots of places to sit, eat and watch the world go by.

It is not where we would go for peace and quiet in August, but it is a lovely place to have lunch or an early evening meal by the sea. Swim first, then find a table and linger.

Plaka

Plaka is still one of our favourites. It is long, sandy and open, with beautiful water and enough space to find the kind of beach day you want.

Some areas have sunbeds and beach bars, but keep walking and you will find quieter stretches. There is also a sneaky corner where the nudist beach begins — calm, quiet, easy, and without sunbeds or beach bars. It feels much more like the old Naxos: simple, relaxed and unspoilt.

Plaka is also wonderful for walking, especially in the late afternoon when the light softens and the sea starts to glitter.

Mikri Vigla

Mikri Vigla is famous for wind. On one side, you will often find kitesurfers and windsurfers making the most of the conditions. It is exciting to watch, even if you have no intention of joining in.

The area has a more open, elemental feel than the beaches closer to Chora. It is beautiful, but it is not always the best choice if you want a calm, lazy swim. When the wind is up, it really is up.

Check the wind before you go, especially if you are planning to swim rather than do watersports.

Kastraki

Kastraki is for people who like their beaches a little less busy. It is long, natural and spacious, with fewer crowds than the better-known beaches further north.

You will not find the same level of facilities everywhere, so it is worth taking water, snacks and anything else you need. That is part of the appeal. Kastraki feels like a place to slow down properly.

A car is helpful, and shade can be limited, but it is a beautiful option when you want space.

Alyko and Hawaii Beach

Alyko is one of the most atmospheric parts of the island. Here you will find sandy coves, cedar trees, unusual rock formations and the famous abandoned hotel, now covered in striking street art.

Nearby Hawaii Beach is especially beautiful, with clear water and a more hidden-away feel. The whole area feels different from the busier resort beaches. It is wilder, quieter and more dramatic.

Facilities are limited, so take what you need and leave nothing behind.

Orkos

Orkos is a lovely option if you enjoy finding smaller, quieter places to swim. It sits between Plaka and Mikri Vigla and has a more tucked-away feel.

It can be windy, and access is not quite as straightforward as the main beaches, but that is also why it remains special. If you like a beach day that feels a little more discovered than delivered, Orkos is worth seeking out.

Apollonas

Apollonas is on the north of the island, so it is not usually where you go for a quick swim from Chora or Plaka. It is more of a day trip, especially if you want to see a different side of Naxos.

The village has a small beach, tavernas and a peaceful harbour feel. The drive itself is part of the pleasure, with mountain views and a sense of travelling away from the busier holiday coast.

It is worth combining with a visit to the Kouros statue nearby.

Moutsouna

Moutsouna is on the quieter eastern side of Naxos, so it feels like a proper little adventure rather than a quick beach stop. The drive there takes you through the mountains and gives you a very different view of the island.

The beach itself is small and relaxed, with a peaceful harbour, clear water and tavernas close by. It is not a dramatic, sweeping beach like Plaka, but it has real charm — especially if you want to get away from the busier west coast for the day.

Moutsouna also has a fascinating history. It was once an important little port for the emery mines of Naxos. Emery, a very hard mineral used for grinding and polishing, was mined in the mountains above the village and transported down to the harbour by an aerial cable system. You can still see traces of this industrial past, including the old loading equipment near the port.

That mix of sea, mountain road, mining history and quiet tavernas makes Moutsouna feel very different from the classic beach resorts. It is a lovely place to swim, have lunch by the water, and feel as if you have slipped into a slower, older Naxos.

Combine it with the mountain villages, or with a visit to the emery museum at Apeiranthos, if you want to make a full day of it.

Practical tips for Naxos beach days

The sun is strong, especially from late morning to mid-afternoon, so take a hat, water and proper sun protection. A beach umbrella is useful if you are heading somewhere less organised.

The wind matters. A beach that is perfect one day can feel completely different the next. It is rather fun experiencing a beach with different wind directions. Just be prepared for a much wavier experience!

Buses run to several of the main beaches in season, especially Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka. For beaches further south, a car gives you much more freedom.

And finally, I suggest you do not try to “do” all the beaches in one trip. Naxos rewards lingering. Choose one, take your book, swim often, eat something simple and delicious, and let the day unfold.

The best beach on Naxos is not always the one in the guidebooks. It is the one that suits the day: the wind, your mood, your book, your appetite, and how far you feel like wandering. Let us know if you find a fabulous secluded beach