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This Summer’s Best Beaches In Naxos
Written by Ella from Many More Maps
The island of Naxos in Greece may not be as well-known as some of its neighboring islands (Santorini, we’re looking at you), but it has a lot to offer regarding stunning beaches!
Pristine sandy beaches with clear blue waters are the name of the game here. Plus, since Naxos is the biggest island in the Cyclades, it goes without saying that you’ll have plenty of beaches to choose from.
With an island this big, though, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Which beaches should you visit if you can only spend one or two days in Naxos? No worries – after reading through this list of the best beaches in Naxos, you’ll come away knowing what the very best ones on the island are.
Agios Prokopios
Located just 5km from Naxos Town and easily accessible by public bus, Agios Prokopios Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Naxos. With soft white sand stretching over a kilometer and plenty of shops, bars, and restaurants nearby, this is one of the best beaches in Naxos!
This beach does get pretty busy, but it’s worth the crowds, especially at sunset. Watching the sun sink below the waves from Agios Prokopios is one of those essential Naxos experiences you can’t miss in summer.
If Agios Prokopios is too busy, no worries. You’re able to walk along the beach all the way to the neighboring (and quieter) beaches of Agia Anna or Plaka to escape the crowds.
Agia Anna
Slightly further along the coast from Agios Prokopios, the delightfully spacious Agia Anna Beach is a gem located on the southwest coast of Naxos Island. After the chaos of Agios Prokopios, you’ll love the laid-back atmosphere here.
Agia Anna is Agios Prokopios’ quieter cousin, the perfect hideaway to escape the crowds. The beach is a long, crescent-shaped shore perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or taking a stroll. Plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas are also for rent if you’re not into getting sand everywhere.
One of the highlights of Agia Anna Beach is the picturesque chapel of Agia Anna, which sits on a hill overlooking the beach. It’s one of the most romantic spots on Naxos, and even in the middle of summer, you’re likely to have the chapel to yourself if you walk up here.
Mikri Vigla
Naxos is known for its wind, making it one of the top windsurfing destinations in the Balkans. Although numerous windsurfing beaches exist on Naxos, Mikri Vigla Beach is one of the most popular.
Located on the island’s southwest coast, this long and sandy beach is split into two parts. The southern side has particularly strong winds, making it a prime location for kite-surfing and windsurfing. Here, you’ll find plenty of kite-surfing and windsurfing schools, with plenty of opportunities to rent equipment or take lessons.
You’ll find calmer waters on the northern side since this part of the beach is sheltered from the wind. This is the part that’s ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
Agios Georgios
Known as St George Beach, this is the most popular beach in Naxos, thanks to its proximity to the port. You’ll find it on the island’s west coast, in Naxos Town.
Is it the most beautiful beach you’ll find in Naxos?
Definitely not. It’s pretty, but it’s nothing special.
So, why does it deserve its spot on this list of the best beaches in Naxos? Because its location is so convenient!
If you have a few hours to kill before your ferry or want to break up your sightseeing in Naxos Town with some beach time, Agios Georgios Beach is the place to be. The beach gets busy, but it’s also huge, with plenty of sunbeds, parasols for hire, and safe water to swim in.
Plaka Beach
Just further along from Agios Prokopios on Naxos’ west coast, Plaka Beach is a slice of quiet paradise. It’s perfect for anybody looking for a peaceful and relaxing time on the beach. Plaka is absolutely gorgeous, with soft, powdery white sand, sparkling blue water, and barely any other beachgoers in sight.
This is one of the top contenders for the title of the most beautiful beach in Naxos.
Although there are a few bars and hotels nearby, the level of development here is still very low compared to many other Naxos beaches. It’s ideal if you’re looking to get away from it all.
Psili Ammos
Psili Ammos is a hidden gem on Naxos’ south coast, 400 meters from the tiny village of Messaria. Psili Ammos means “fine sand” in Greek, but contrary to common sense, the sand here is a mixture of sand and pebbles, so pack your water shoes!
The beach is clean, the water is clear, and even a few trees offer shade from the intense Greek sun. It’s only a small beach, around 60 meters long, but it never gets too busy thanks to its isolated location.
There are no facilities or vendors at Psili Ammos. This is an off-the-beaten-path beach, after all! Because of this, you’ll need to make sure to pack everything you need for the day.
Apollonas Beach
Another fabulous off-the-grid Naxos beach is in the ancient fishing village of Apollonas. Here, you’ll find the creatively named Apollonas Beach.
The beach itself is pebbly and surrounded by cliffs, making it a great spot for snorkelling and exploring the rocky shoreline. The water is crystal-clear and perfect for swimming, while the beach is lined with quaint tavernas serving fresh seafood and cold drinks.
To extend your time in Apollonas, be sure to head a short 10-minute walk inland to find the Kouros of Apollonas – a 10-meter-tall ancient statue carved from the local Naxian marble. It’s unclear how the Kouros even got here, and that’s one of the most popular mysteries of the island.
Aliko Beach
Aliko Beach is known as one of the best beaches in Naxos, but it’s actually made up of two separate beaches: Hawaii and Kedros.
These beaches are always quiet because they’re a bit of a mission to get to. Located on the island’s southwest coast, the two beaches are surrounded by sand dunes and cedar trees, offering a unique beach landscape.
Although they’re not officially naturist beaches, since they’re so remote and quiet, you may stumble across more than you bargained for here! For this reason, although the isolated beauty of these beaches is undeniable, they may not be suitable for children.
The two beaches are adjoining, so you can easily walk from one to another.
Pyrgaki Beach
On the southern coast of Naxos, you’ll find a charming beach beloved by locals: Pyrgaki Beach. Offering a long and wide stretch of sand with clear blue waters, this is the perfect spot for swimming and sunbathing.
Unlike some of the more crowded beaches on Naxos, Pyrgaki Beach is relatively quiet. This makes it one of the best beaches in Naxos for seclusion and privacy.
Along the beach, you’ll find a couple of tavernas serving up fresh seafood and cold drinks, as well as some sun loungers and umbrellas for rent. But don’t worry; this beach hasn’t been overrun by tourist amenities just yet. For now, it’s still very peaceful.
What makes Pyrgaki Beach so special is its natural beauty – the landscape is rugged and wild, with rocky outcroppings and sand dunes adding to the scenery. If you want to get active, take a hike along the coast and explore the hidden coves and tidal pools that dot the shoreline.
Maragas Beach
If you’re looking for a beach that offers up the best of both worlds – stunning scenery and modern amenities – look no further than Maragas Beach. You’ll find it on the west coast of Naxos, and it’s well worth traveling to.
Many Naxians view it as one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole of Greece – not just the island of Naxos!
Maragas Beach is a great spot for families, as the water is shallow and calm, and the beach is wide enough to accommodate running around and playing. You’ll also find one of the biggest campsites on the island here, so plenty of other families will take advantage of the beach here.
Sunbeds and umbrellas are available to rent here, so you don’t need to risk sunburn to enjoy a trip to Maragas Beach.
Kastraki Beach
Between Mikri Vigla and Aliko Beach, you’ll find the charming Kastraki Beach, one of the most underrated beaches in Naxos.
Facing west, towards the neighboring island of Paros, this quiet and undeveloped beach is the perfect place to escape it all. It’s also the logical next stop if you’re at Mikri Vigla or Aliko and want to spend the day beach hopping!
Although the water can get quite choppy when the famous Naxos winds are blowing, it’s always suitable for swimming.
Thanks to the lack of development here, you’ll have plenty of space to roll out your towel and sunbathe for free. If you’re looking for shaded areas, though, you’ll have to head to one of the few nearby beach bars. The good news is you’ll also get to enjoy a pool and free wifi as you sunbathe here.
These are just a few of the beaches of Naxos; there are, of course, many more waiting to be explored. All you have to do is decide which of these Naxos beaches you’ll swim at first.