Looking for things to do in Naxos, Greece? I was there just in the spring and explored quite a bit of Naxos, Paros, Santorini, and Thira. Before this trip, I thought island hopping in the Cyclades islands was only for the very rich. I was thrilled to learn it’s for everyone.
This was my second trip to the Greek islands, the first being on a cruise. Though the cruise was amazing, Santorini was pretty crowded.
I really thought I would never go back, as it just wasn’t enjoyable. Yes, the views were spectacular, but when there are two or more ships, you’re looking at upwards of 10,000 people arriving on the island around the same time.
This time, I did things differently. I joined Exodus Adventure Travels on a small group hiking trip. It was one of the most amazing trips I have ever taken, and now I know how easy it is to go Greek island hopping from Athens!
Our guide, Thanos, knew what to see, where to stay, and the best restaurants for tasting the amazing Greek cuisine. Being with a local guide is the best way to see the Greek islands. This is just a sampling of what we did in Naxos.
Where is Naxos?
Naxos is a large island in the Aegean Sea. In fact, it’s the largest island in the Cyclades, located about 98 nautical miles from the Piraeus port in Athens.
Though Naxos does have an airport, it has very limited flights. Most people take the ferry from Athens. The ferry is easier, less expensive, and more fun.
The main town in Naxos is Hora, where Exodus booked our room. We spent evenings at restaurants and a few cocktail bars. You’ll see the Portara from the Temple of Apollo when you come into town on the ferry. It’s magnificent at sunset!
Where to Stay in Naxos
We stayed at the Hotel Aeolis, which is so convenient. It has a lovely pool for going for a swim or relaxing on one of the lounge chairs.
I had a classic room with two twin beds pushed side by side and a small balcony with view of the pool. Nightstands were on either side of the bed to keep my book and phone.
The bathroom was a decent size, and the shower was great. I had plenty of fluffy towels, too, which I find isn’t always the case in Europe.
The room had a small flat-screen TV that sat on the desk, which I never turned on as I was exhausted after exploring all day! The wireless internet (which I did use!) worked well.
There was a wardrobe next to the desk to hang my couple of nice outfits. The breakfast buffet was wonderful at this hotel, with a plethora of choices, like homemade Greek yogurt, choices of fresh fruits, breads, pastries, eggs, and more. You will not leave the hotel hungry.
As far as getting around the island, traveling with Exodus Adventure Travels meant it was one less thing I didn’t have to worry about. Our guide arranged all our transportation, as well as our ferries, and was with us the entire trip. Thank you, Thanos!
Below are my favorite things to do in Naxos, including a handful of the best places to eat. Let me know if you have questions!
Wander Around Hora
Hora, the capital of Naxos Island, is also referred to as Chora or Naxos Town. It’s super easy to get around and has everything you could want in a port town.
The local bookstore is huge, with plenty of books in English for those of us who don’t read Greek. I may have an obsession with bookstores, and I visited this one a few times. It also has postcards and gift items,
You’ll find a lot of shops selling clothing and jewelry, much of it really nice, not souvenir-type items. Stop in one of the charming cafes and have a drink and a meal after shopping. I fell in love with the laid-back charm of Hora.
Archaeological Museum
Spend some time at the Archaeological Museum of Naxos viewing ancient jewelry, marble figures, kouroi statues, pottery, and mosaics. The building itself has a rich history, built in the 17th century as a Jesuit school.
Tickets are free to enter, and it really is worth seeing. It’s a relatively small museum, so you can see just about everything in about an hour.
See Kouroi of Flerio
This is another one of those sites I don’t know if I would have seen without our Exodus guide. Kouros is the name used for a free-standing sculpture, usually of a naked male.
This particular Kouros in the Garden is a well-known statue, but it’s not something you would just come across. There is another one not too far away in the quarry.
This area is rich in marble that is used all over the world. The story is that these statues were made for wealthy residents to adorn their gardens. They were roughly sculptured and finished at the final location to prevent damage.
As this particular statue weighs between five and seven tons, it was likely abandoned after being broken along the route of delivery from the quarry. As you can see, the feet are missing, which is the reason the statue was left there. The right leg is broken but still remains with the rest of the statue.
How many times in your life do you get to see something made in the 6th century BC? This was such a special experience.
See the Temple of Apollo Portara at Sunset
The Temple of Apollo is one of the many archaeological sites in Naxos. It’s remarkable to see and worth the trek up to the top of the hill.
This enormous marble gate is what’s left of the unfinished Temple of Apollo from 530 BC. This is also the perfect place to see the sunset. You’ll find this on every list of things to do in Naxos Greece, so don’t miss it! The panoramic views are spectacular.
Take a Marble Carving Class
This would have been fascinating, but we just didn’t have time to fit it in. Marble carving such a traditional craft to learn in Naxos, I’d love to go back one day and try it.
Visit a Pottery Workshop and Take Something Home
We had such a great time visiting the Manolis Pottery Workshop. This family-run business has beautiful pieces, and you’ll see a demonstration by the potter.
I brought home a beautiful bowl, wine decanter, and small bird whistles. Ask for a demo of the whistle. I think I bought 4! Once home, I used the bowl to serve my favorite meal from the trip, Dakos Salad.
Spend the Day on One of the Beaches
Naxos has a plethora of sandy beaches. Unfortunately, April can be quite chilly. In fact, I wore my puffy jacket every day, though I did take it off in the middle of the day a few times and store it in my backpack. Still, there was no way this Florida girl was spending time on the beach in 50º temperatures!
Hopefully, the weather will be warmer when you visit. Ask your hotel for the Naxos’ Hoteliers Association map. You’ll see small umbrellas all along the coast indicating the location of beaches.
You’ll also see a symbol of which beaches are best for windsurfing, which is very popular in Naxos and the surrounding islands. In fact, Paros is considered to be the windsurfing capital of the country.
If your plan is just to enjoy the beach with a good book, you might want to leave the breezier spots to the windsurfers. As you’ll see from the map, most of the beaches for sunbathing with less wind are on the eastern side of the island. However, it could be quite a distance to travel if you’re staying near Hora.
Like I said, grab a map! There is a distance key you can reference to help you decide where to go. From what I’ve read, the best beaches on the island of Naxos are Plaka Beach and Agios Prokopios.
Sample and Buy Local Cheeses at Koufopoulos
This was one of my favorite stops in Naxos, and it was a short walk from our hotel. Emmanuel Vas. Koufopoulos has been making cheese since 1990. With a host of awards, the popularity of his cheese shops in Naxos and Athens has grown exponentially since the early days.
Each day, the milk from cows, sheep, and goats is collected to make cheese and other dairy goods. The cow’s milk comes from over 100 cows from his own farm, and the goat and sheep milk comes from farmers throughout the Naxos region. It truly is local cheese. Ask to do a tasting while you’re there.
The store has a large cheese case for taking cheese home. You’ll also find many other items like bread, crackers, desserts, and wine, perfect to make a picnic for lunch. Give yourself enough time to browse. Their products are promoted for sale all over Greece as well as to Germany and even the United States.
Visit the Kitron Distillery
The Vallindras Kitron Distillery was a fun stop. A truly historic distillery, the Vallindras family has been producing Kitron for five generations.
The liqueur is produced from the leaves of the citron tree. Cultivating the leaves is a practice dating back to the 17th century. The distillery was founded in 1896 by the same family that runs it today, generations later.
It won’t take you long to tour the entire place as it’s really small. Being there with our Exodus Adventure Travels guide was so helpful, not just because of the language barrier, but because everyone knows him. We really had the place to ourselves until a few minutes before we left.
Make sure to see the production area and taste the three varieties of liqueur. The white has a little sugar and is said to be the local favorite. The yellow has no sugar, and the green has a bit more sugar and the lowest alcohol content.
Where to Eat and Drink
If you see a busy restaurant, make reservations for one of the nights you’ll be in town. Again, our guide made reservations for our group of six each night. It was nice not to have to worry about it!
Bossa Cafe
The food at Bossa Cafe was delicious, and the view was lovely. This spot seemed to always be crowded with locals, which is always a good sign. I’m not much of a breakfast person, but when I saw these pancakes, I almost changed my order.
Ammos Seafood
Our dinner at Ammos Seafood was spectacular. I know I keep going on about our guide, but I think they saved all their best seafood for our group.
Swing Bar
Without a doubt, Swing is the coolest bar in Naxos. The rooftop view is incredible and the drinks are so creative. Even if you only stop in for one quick drink, you have to see Swing!
Milkato Gelateria
A gelateria in Greece? You betcha. And it’s delicious. Milkato Gelateria is a local ice cream shop that began in 2008. Their ice cream is made only with Naxian milk, for a low-fat, low-sugar creamy treat you’ll want to eat every day. Support the locals! You’re on vacation, right?
Caffe Greco
Cafe Greco was a well-known spot to our guide, but one we probably would not have found without him. It’s in Chalki, not far from the distillery, so plan to have lunch before or after your visit there. The food is fabulous!
Explore the Hiking Trails
Hiking in Naxos is incredible, and you’ll find one of the largest networks of trails in the Aegean. There are 18 main Routes of Cultural Interest in Naxos, totaling 180 kilometers in length.
As you hike, you’ll encounter olive trees, settlements, monuments, and other historical interests, as well as mountain villages to explore like Chalki and Potamia. If you’re an experienced hiker, you may want to hike to the highest point on the island, Mount Zas. We did not go to the summit, though I heard it does have the best views.
One day while we were out hiking, we came upon a man straightening one of the trail signs. Thanos, our leader, told us that residents volunteer to keep the trails in good shape, and the man we met was the volunteer for that particular trail.
Signs like this are posted along the trails, making it easy to stay on a specific trail and not worry about getting lost. Still, a guide is always a good idea when you’re in a country you’re not familiar with.
Little did I know this man also wrote A Travelogue of Naxos, which our guide had given me as I was looking for a book about the area. I haven’t been able to find it online, but if you go to Naxos, pick it up in the bookstore. It’s a great travel guide for those interested in hiking the trails.
It’s mind-blowing to realize these trails were built during Byzantine times, a period of over 1,100 years from around 313 to 1453. Oftentimes, throughout history, the roads were taken care of by the people who lived there.
It changes your perspective a bit when you take that next step to land on a cobbled path along a stream, knowing it’s there for you to enjoy because thousands of locals have maintained it. You can see below that some trails are paved.
Through the years, these paths have been used for moving people and goods, sometimes by donkeys or mules, other times by foot. This is why you’ll find monasteries, churches, and other historical sites along the routes.
In 1996, the Culture Department of the Prefecture of Cyclades began planning the route for the hiking network. They cleaned and restored the trails to make the routes passable.
Today, the trails are pretty easy to find as there is signage. Still, having a guide makes the experience so much better. Everywhere we went, locals knew our guide and made us feel like family.
In fact, when I was exploring Sicily with Exodus Adventure Travels, I had the same experience with our guide. There is no better way to explore than with a local.
Note: Make sure to evaluate your fitness level before booking. This Walking on Greek Islands trip is level 2 out of 7.
I just turned 65, but I consider myself to be in pretty good shape. There were only a couple of moments where I felt uneasy, like when walking on slippery rocks along a stream. Be sure you’re prepared with good hiking boots.
If you’re very fit and want to take a tougher itinerary, an Exodus Adventure Travels rep can help you decide which one would be the best fit for you. I can promise it will be the trip of a lifetime.
Whatever you decide to do while in Naxos, you will love this island. The views, the food, and the people are calling me back. I can’t wait to take my husband!
Frequently Asked Questions
The very best time to visit Naxos is May and June or September and October. July and August are beautiful but very warm and busy, with higher room prices. I went in April, and it was cool, but still beautiful for hiking.
The ferry is the best way to travel between islands. It’s easy and enjoyable. See my article about Greek Island Hopping. Note that not all Greek islands are on the same ferry route. If you want to go to Corfu, it is located in the Ionian islands, and Rhodes is in the Dodecanese islands.
Almost everyone I have spoken to in Greece speaks English well.
Greek Recipes to Try
Daxos Salad
Greek Meatballs
Greek Chicken Thighs
Greek Cucumber Salad Recipe
