3 Days In Naxos Itinerary: Your Ultimate Guide

At 430 square kilometres (170 square miles), Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades by quite a margin. It’s more than 5 times the size of the uber-popular islands of Santorini and Mykonos, with more than enough activities to fill a 3 days in Naxos itinerary.

We had an amazing time hiking around Filoti and sunbathing on Plaka Beach, but there was also ample opportunity to dig into parts of the island’s 200,000-year-old history through the local ruins and artefacts. Some of our fav things to do in Naxos, for example, were exploring the Venetian Castle and snapping pics at the famous Portara.

Naxos is noticeably quieter and cheaper than either Milos or Paros, which makes it a solid option for people looking to enjoy a laidback Aegean Island on a tighter budget. Given the size of the place, we’d recommend renting a car in Naxos to make it easier to get around, but there’s also a decent bus network connecting the most popular areas.

3 Days In Naxos Itinerary: Overview

Day 1: Naxos Town + Agios Georgios Beach

Where else would we start our 3 days in Naxos itinerary but in the island’s capital? It’s here that the main port is located, depositing travellers right into the heart of a very pretty town that’s composed of the whitewashed sugar-cube houses that are a signature of the Cyclades.

Wandering through the precincts of the Old Town, we stumbled across numerous quaint churches, attractive boutiques and galleries, and enticing restaurants and bars. There’s no need to be to strict with your walking route, but here are a handful of places you should make sure you check out.

📍Portara Naxos

An absolute must see in Naxos is the Portara, a large door that is almost all that remains of the 6th-century Temple of Apollo. It sits forlornly on its own little islet, which is accessible via a paved footpath from the main town.

While you might be thinking that a bit of rock hardly sounds like the most interesting thing to see, it’s the location of the door that lends the site its magic. Through the portico, we were able to look back on the whole of Naxos Old Town, perfectly framed by the 20-tonne stone fragments. 

It’s a good place to start off a visit because it gives a sense of the size and layout of the capital before you immerse yourself fully in the winding streets. We also returned during golden hour, when the islet was quite busy with tourists watching the colours of the sunset flash over the houses.

📍Naxos Castle

From the Portara, make your way through the cobbled streets towards Naxos Castle. The Old Town is basically built onto a hill, so there’s a mild incline as you make your way up from the shore, but it’s nothing too strenuous.

Rather than being just a defensive fortification, the 13th-century castle actually encircled the entirety of the old Venetian habitation that used to exist here. There’s an ongoing restoration effort to try and reconstitute the area. When we visited, parts like the Glezos Tower had already been reconstructed, while other structures remained in picturesque ruin.

Bits of the castle were built using materials recycled from the ancient Greek settlement that originally stood here. The Venetian battlements and turrets, in turn, have been adapted over time to form part of the modern town of Naxos, with homes, stores, and galleries emerging from the medieval stone.

📍Cathedral of the Presentation of the Lord

One thing any wide-travelling visitor to the Cyclades will quickly realise is that these islands have tons of religious buildings! Naxos is no different, with lots of charming churches and chapels scattered all over the landscape.

Arguably, the most impressive on our 3 days in Naxos itinerary is the Cathedral of the Presentation of the Lord. Part of the castle (Kastro) complex, it’s the island’s principal house of worship, fusing Byzantine and Cycladic architectural styles.

It was built on the site of an ancient acropolis, and you can still see where columns from the BC era have been recycled in the construction of the medieval church.

Once we were finished taking our photos, we sat down for a break in the charming small square outside, where there’s a large tree that provides a shaded area to catch your breath.

📍Archaeological Museum of Naxos

Another part of the former castle is given over to the Archaeological Museum of Naxos. At some point, this is (allegedly) going to be one of the finest museums in all the Cyclades. On our most recent visit though, it was still undergoing renovation, with no clear indication of when the building works are going to be completed.

In the meantime, there’s a free temporary exhibition that features some of the highlights of the museum’s collection, including pottery and statues from the ancient world.

📍Lunch At Naxos Marina

Bristling with yacht masts, the Naxos Marina is where boat aficionados come to ogle the svelte vessels that drop anchor in the harbour. For people like us, however, the main attraction is the broad range of restaurants! 

The marina is home to all kinds of cuisine, from the classic Greek taverna to waffle houses and pizza joints. Our go-to spot here is Meze 2, which does some delicious, rustic seafood dishes. They have plenty of outdoor tables, so you can enjoy the fine weather and people-watching while tucking into the chargrilled octopus and heaped plates of fried sardines.

📍Agios Georgios 

Mum always used to say to wait half an hour after eating before going swimming. That works out perfectly for our 3 days in Naxos itinerary, because once you’ve paid the restaurant bill, walked to Agios Georgios, and found a space on the sand, almost exactly 30 minutes will have passed!

Going to the beach is one of the top things to do in Naxos, and Agios Georgios is probably the most convenient piece of shoreline to reach. It’s easily walkable from pretty much everywhere in the Old Town and offers several kilometres of soft, golden sand.

The northern end of Agios Georgios, closer to the town, is the quieter part of the beach. The water is super shallow and calm, which is probably why this area seemed to us to have more of a family-oriented feel. The lifeguard on duty was also clearly on the ball – definitely a safety bonus for people with kids.

Further south is where the crowd gets younger and more boisterous. Especially towards evening, the beach bars blast out music while punters throwback cocktail after cocktail. This is basically nightlife central on Naxos!

Keep going south, towards the very end of the beach, and there are a couple of windsurfing schools and equipment rental places. This part of the shore is less shielded from the breezes, which is why it’s more popular with water sports enthusiasts.

End the first day of your Naxos Greece itinerary with dinner at one of the beachfront restaurants in Agios Georgios, where you can enjoy the sight of the sun setting as you eat your meal. 

We ate at the down-home Kavouri Taverna, which has simply plated Greek classics for decent prices. Just next door, Nissaki Restaurant (part of the hotel) offers a slightly more upmarket experience with international cuisine. 

Day 2: Naxos Beaches 

This might be a controversial opinion, but we think that Naxos has the best beaches out of all the Cyclades. A big part of that is down to the size of the island. Because Naxos is such a sizable expanse, there are more beaches to explore, with a mix of places that have loads of on-site facilities and places that are almost completely untouched.

Depending on how adventurous you want to get, you can either stick to the very nice beaches attached to cheerful-looking towns or go off the grid to paradise-like spots hidden behind cliffs.

📍Agios Prokopios Beach 

Many of the nicest beaches on Naxos are on its western shore, which is also where you can see the sunset.

One of the best in terms of convenience and attractiveness is Agios Prokopios. It’s about 10 minutes drive from the port and has a large, unpaved parking area where you can leave the car for the day. There are also a couple of bus routes that pass through the area, so it’s super easy to reach on public transport as well.

The beach itself is a lovely, long bit of soft sand spread for miles along the shore. There’s a good ratio of space for umbrellas and loungers to space for people to put down their own towels.

We would roughly divide Agios Prokopios into two halves. The western/northern end is quieter and less developed, suiting the natures lovers and families with children. The eastern/southern end is the area for people who want cocktails delivered straight to their sunbed, with more eating options nearby for when you get peckish.

📍Agia Anna Town 

Continuing the seaside section of our 3 days in Naxos itinerary, Agia Anna is basically an extension of Agios Prokopios to the south. Boasting some of the most beautiful blue water in the Aegean, the shallows are safe enough to accommodate young children and less confident swimmers. 

The shore also has some of the funkiest beach club restaurants on Naxos, with boho décor that screams chill hippy vibes. These places rent out parasols and sunbeds, but there’s enough free space to throw down your own towel as well.

If you want to go beyond our Naxos guide, there’s a small jetty where daily cruises depart to tiny islands like Kaufnossi for a tranquil day trip away from the crowds.

Towards the southern end of the beach is St. Nicholas Chapel, a classic Cycladic-style building on a slightly raised bit of rock. Walking behind this, we came across some beautiful coastal panoramas, interestingly shaped rock formations, and a nudist beach where you can let it all hang out!

If you want to stay in the area, the town of Agia Anna is more relaxed and peaceful than Naxos Old Town, with plenty of cutesy apartments and hotels to choose from.

📍Lunch At Paradiso Taverna 

A lot of what to do in Naxos revolves around the sea, including eating! Just past the nudist beach, Paradiso has a delicious menu of seafood bites, including shrimp souvlaki and swordfish fillet. 

We would also be perfectly happy just sticking to their range of homemade dips – tzatziki, taramasalata, and melitzanosalata – served with hunks of crusty bread.

The big attraction at Paradiso Taverna, though, is not the food but the view, which looks out across the ocean towards the western horizon. This spot is particularly popular for dinner during sunset, but we prefer coming during the day when it’s less crowded but still offers a glorious location.

📍Plaka Beach

Keep going south along the coast from Paradiso Tavern, and in about 10-15 minutes, you’ll arrive at Plaka Beach. 

One of the best places to visit in Naxos for people who want beautiful dark-golden sands, azure waters, and a relatively chilled-out vibe, Plaka has only a handful of hotels and guesthouses along its shore. 

The northern section has more amenities, including a couple of beach bars with sunbeds and parasols for rent. If you keep heading in this direction, past the Medusa Resort, you’ll come to Maragas Beach, which has more of a party vibe if that’s your jam. There’s also a water sports facility with standup paddleboards and windsurfing boards. 

By contrast, the southern end was still almost entirely untouched when we visited. This is where we came to chill out with a book, far from the sound of the thumping beats. Just make sure to bring your own provisions!

If you keep going to the very end of the beach on the south side, there’s a little hut where you can get a soda or a beer, as well as sunbeds and umbrellas for rent.

Day 3: Mountainous Villages + Remote Beaches

The last day of our Naxos travel guide is all about adventure time. For all the beauty of the beaches, the interior of the island has a wealth of scenic trails for hikers to enjoy. Just make sure you bring along plenty of water!

📍Filoti

Almost smack bang in the middle of Naxos, Filoti is about 30 minutes drive from the Old Town – and pretty much all of the coast. Situated on the slopes of Mount Zas, it’s surrounded by bucolic rolling hills that make it feel like a Shangri-La, hidden from the rest of the world.

The same whitewashed alleys with sugar-cube houses that predominate by the port are present here, along with adorable churches like Panagia Filotitissa with its multiple belltowers and the blue-domed Agia Sofia. 

Make sure you stop for a coffee (and maybe a slice of pastry or cake) at The Old Cinema. It’s a super cute café run by a lovely, very friendly elderly lady who is one of the nicest people you’ll meet on our 3 days in Naxos itinerary.

There are also many local, authentic tavernas dotted about the town that do simple but tasty plates of Greek eats like kebabs and moussaka.

Our fav thing about Filoti, though, is the nearby nature walks, including an excellent, energetic one up to the summit of Mount Zas, the highest point in the Cyclades. Legend has it that this is the birthplace of Zeus, and we even visited a cave here that claims to be where the King of the Gods grew up.

📍Halki 

Just a little to the north of Filoti is the similarly attractive, equally rustic village of Halki (aka Chalkio). It literally only took us 5 minutes to drive between the two places, so you could probably walk it if you felt like it.

We found a surprising number of things to do in Halki, including trying the local speciality of loukoumades. These sweet, puffy dough balls are found all over Greece, but they seem to be a speciality in Halki, served with cinnamon, chocolate sauce, or ice cream.

We also stumbled across a top-notch art gallery, Fish & Olive, an engaging Folklore Museum with an eclectic collection of household items and some excellent independent workshops showcasing handmade items that make for winning souvenirs.

Once you’ve finished checking out all the things to do in Naxos’ most attractive hillside village, you can either head immediately to the beach or go on a 6.5km circular hike up to the village of Monitsia. This sweet little hamlet has only a couple of residents but is surrounded by lush nature and olive groves. We spent far too much time taking pictures of the views – it’s that adorable!

📍Aliko Beach or Pyrgaki 

We know that a full day of walking isn’t for everyone, so instead of spending longer exploring the trails around Filoti and Halki, you can end your 3 days in Naxos itinerary with more beach time!

About half an hour from either Halki or Naxos Old Town, Aliko is one of the more remote sandy shores on the island. Hidden behind a belt of cedar forest, it’s completely devoid of the usual parasols, loungers, and music-fuelled bars that characterise the more party-party beaches.

The only downside when we visited was that it was a little windy, so try and find a bit of cliff or wall for shelter!

The surrounding area contains abandoned buildings that have collected some rather good pieces of urban art over the years, so take the time to step off the beach and have a look around.

If Aliko sounds a bit bleak and desolate for your tastes, head east about 12 minutes to Pyrgaki. It’s still not particularly busy here, but there are a handful of sunbeds, a couple of tavernas, and a water sports place renting jet skis, standup paddleboards, kayaks and banana boats.

📍Hawaii Beach 

Last but not least on our list of what to do in Naxos is a visit to the idyllic shore of Hawaii Beach. Small, with no facilities and surrounded by picturesque cliffs, our afternoon here was one of the highlights of our trip.

It’s not suitable for kids, because you have to climb down rocks to get to the beach. We didn’t find it overly challenging, but make sure you pack a sturdy pair of trainers for safety’s sake! 

Once you get down, you’ll find yourself on white sand shaded by pink and red cliff faces. There’s not much space but neither are there many people, making it feel like a true undiscovered gem.

Best Places To Stay In Naxos 

For first timers who want to do everything on our 3 days in Naxos itinerary, we’d recommend either Chora Naxos or the nearby Agios Georgios Beach. This area has plenty of attractions and is well connected to other parts of the island, which makes it great as a base for exploration. Plus, it’s well-supplied with restaurants, bars, and affordable accommodation.

🌟 TOP HOTEL PICK IN CHORA NAXOS ➡️ Naxos Green Village Hotel

Smaller and more chilled than the main town, Agia Anna is a good village to choose from if your focus is more on laidback living and relaxation. There are a couple of great beaches nearby that are perfect for lazy sunny days.

🌟 TOP HOTEL PICK IN AGIA ANNA ➡️ Anemomilos

Families will find plenty of self-catering accommodation around Plaka Beach, which boasts plenty of sand and shallow sea for youngsters to enjoy.

Naxos Itinerary FAQs

How many days in Naxos?

We’d recommend three days in Naxos to get a good flavour of what the island has to offer. It’s a great long weekend destination, with a nice mix of cute towns, expansive beaches, and hiking options. It’s a huge island, though, so you could easily spend a lot longer getting to grips with the natural environment.

Is Naxos worth visiting?

Yes, we definitely think Naxos is worth visiting! Not only is it one of the quietest, cheapest, and most underrated of the Cycladic islands, but there are also a ton of things to do in Naxos, from checking out the photogenic churches to going on coastal boat tours that explore hidden coves and caves.

Where is Naxos?

The island of Naxos is part of the Cyclades, a group of picturesque isles within the Aegean Sea. It’s located south of Mykonos, east of Paros and north of Santorini, with convenient connections to many of the surrounding islands via ferry.

How to get around Naxos?

There’s a robust bus network between Naxos’ main towns and beaches, which is handy for people who prefer to rely on public transport. Naxos is quite a big island, though, so you might want to speed up your travel around the place by renting an ATV, scooter, or car and going on a Naxos road trip. 

What’s the best time to visit Naxos?

July and August are the hottest months of the year, which is great for beach bums but less good for people eyeing up travel deals. Personally, we’d recommend undertaking our 3 days in Naxos itinerary in either June, September or October, when it’s still warm but less crowded.

Is Naxos safe?

Yes, Naxos is very safe. The worst crime you’re likely to come across here is being overcharged – and even that is less common than on many of the other, more popular Cycladic islands. As with anywhere, just be sensible with your belongings and walking around late at night. 

Can you fly direct to Naxos?

No, you can’t fly directly to Naxos from other countries. While the island does have an airport, the only planes going in or out connect with Athens. That means that whether you want to spend 3 days or a week in Naxos, you’ll have to go via the Greek capital.

3 Days In Naxos Itinerary: The Wrap-Up

While we were crafting our 3 days in Naxos itinerary, it brought back a ton of great memories of how much we enjoyed the island!

What makes it so special is that it really has something for every mood, whether you feel like partying on the sand, chilling on an isolated beach, going on a challenging hike cross rocky hillsides, or drinking in the unique Cycladic architecture of the various little towns and villages.