The largest of the Cyclades is greener, more agricultural and more affordable than its famous neighbours. Expect long sandy beaches, marble mountain villages and excellent cheese, potatoes and kitron liqueur.
Highlights
- The Portara — a giant marble doorway to an unfinished temple of Apollo
- Chora's Venetian Kastro quarter
- Sandy beaches: Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, Plaka
- Mountain villages of Halki, Filoti and Apiranthos
- Hiking Mount Zas, the highest peak in the Cyclades
- Ancient kouros statues lying in the fields
Naxos is big enough to have its own farming economy, so tavernas serve island-grown produce: graviera and arseniko cheeses, potatoes, lamb and citrus. It is also one of the best Cycladic islands for families thanks to its shallow sandy beaches.
Inland Naxos
Drive into the Tragea valley for Venetian towers and Byzantine chapels among olive groves. Apiranthos, built of marble, is a highlight, and the climb up Mount Zas (just over 1,000 m) gives views across the Cyclades.
☀️ Best time to visit
June and September are ideal; the island is pleasant from May to October. July–August is busy but less frenetic than Mykonos or Santorini.
🧭 Getting there & around
Ferries from Piraeus and Rafina take about 3.5–6 hours, with good links to Paros, Mykonos, Santorini and the Small Cyclades. Naxos also has a small domestic airport (JNX) with flights from Athens.
Naxos guides & articles
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