Naxos: What to Know Before You Go

Short answer: you can roll your suitcase straight off the ferry into Naxos Town (Chora) without needing a transfer taxi, use the frequent KTEL bus from the port for the south-western beaches (Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka), and rent a compact car for one full day to drive the inland mountain loop of Demeter's Temple, Halki, Filoti, Apeiranthos and the Kouros statues.

How Naxos is Laid Out: Three Distinct Zones

Measuring 35 kilometres from north to south, Naxos is organized around three zones radiating from Naxos Town (Chora) on the western coast:

• 1. Naxos Town (Chora) & Palatia Islet: the walkable historical and ferry hub. On the northern causeway stands the 530 BC Portara; in the centre rises the 1207 Venetian Kastro and Bourgos; and starting just 400 metres south of the port stretches the 1-kilometre sandy town beach of Agios Georgios (St George).
• 2. The Golden South-Western Beach Chain (4 km to 18 km south of Chora): protected from the northern wind by Cape Stelida, a continuous string of crystalline golden-sand bays runs south from Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna through 4 km-long Plaka, Mikri Vigla, Kastraki and the cedar forest of Alyko.
• 3. The Inland Valleys & Marble Mountain Villages: behind the coast lies the green olive-and-citron basin of Tragia (Halki and Filoti), the marble-paved mountain village of Apeiranthos, and the ancient marble quarries of Melanes and Apollonas.

How to Beat the Meltemi Wind on Naxos Beaches

When the summer Meltemi wind blows from the north, Agios Georgios, the northern cove of Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and the south-facing side of the Alyko peninsula (Hawaii and Mikro Alyko beaches) stay sheltered for swimming, while windsurfers and kitesurfers flock to the breezy northern side of Mikri Vigla. Before setting out, review our naxos things to do and mount zas hike and rotonda sunset guide so you can coordinate local transport, walking distances and seasonal daylight hours across each neighbourhood.