10 Best Beaches in Naxos

Long stretches of white sand and sparkling turquoise water make it easy to see why Plaka Beach is among the best beaches in Naxos. Powder-like sand along its 4-km length makes for a comfortable place to lay a towel and soak up plenty of vitamin D. Wading into the sea is easy with calm waters ideal for family members of all sizes.

You can find grass-roofed umbrellas and sun loungers for hire along the sandy shores so you can perch for a day of paradise-induced relaxation. Behind the sand dunes that border the beach, you’ll discover a variety of cafés and restaurants as well as a number of popular hotels. These facilities remain discreet though, ensuring the beach takes centre stage.

Situated just 5 km from Naxos Town, Agios Prokopios Beach is favoured for its heavenly crystalline waters that are much like a giant pool. The beach’s proximity to Naxos Town makes it ideal to reach by a leisurely walk or bike ride, taking in the scenery along the way. A variety of markets, tavernas and cafés skirt the eastern end of the beach.

Those seeking a quieter space at this popular beach can discover some solace at the western end, where a chapel of the same name is located. If you’re looking for activities to fill your day, there are plenty of watersports and rental facilities, including bikes, windsurfing and volleyball. Nearby, Kokkini Limni, is a salt pan worth visiting as it's often home to herons.

Orkos Beach makes the list of best beaches in Naxos for being a firm favourite among visitors and locals. Two sections make up this less-than-1-km-long beach. About 700 metres of sandy shoreline is completed with 100 metres of small coves that are divided by sharp rocks. Trees fringe the edges along the length of the beach, providing shaded areas to escape the midday sun.

Behind the beach, red hillside contrasts against the vivid blue sea. Like nearby beaches, windsurfing is popular at Orkos and this is also considered the most popular surfing beach on the island. Despite the superb qualities of this beach, it remains quiet as it's considered rural. On your way here, you'll often see donkeys and potato farmers in their fields. You'll need your own transport to reach this beach, but the journey is worth the spectacular paradise you’re rewarded with.

It’s easy to see why Agia Anna Beach is popular, skirted as it is by whitewashed buildings and tropical palms. An extension of Agios Prokopios, the beach is made up of several smaller bays and surrounded by a small fishing village fringed by rocky outcrops. The picturesque port now only hosts small fishing boats that make this corner so delightful.

Just 6 km from Naxos Town, the beach is easily reached by public or private transport along the coastal road. Umbrellas and sunbeds are available for hire, with this beach offering one of the most well-organised settings of the beaches on Naxos. With plenty of tavernas and beachfront cafes and restaurants, whiling away the day at Agia Anna is easy.

Agios Georgios Beach is well positioned near the island’s capital, Naxos Town, so it's easily reached on foot from almost anywhere in the town. Soft sand and clear, shallow water make this beach ideal for families. The beach’s shoreline stretches several kilometres along the coast.

Unlike most of the beaches on Naxos, Agios Georgios has waves that gradually increase the further along you walk. At the southern end, the conditions are just right for windsurfers, making it one of the best places on the island for the sport. From here, you can also enjoy a lovely view across the sea toward the neighbouring island of Paros.

One of the most beautiful beaches on Naxos is Aliko Beach. Flanked by a forest of cedar trees, white sands ease you into shallow aquamarine waters. Part of a longer stretch of coastline, Aliko is well protected from northern winds and easy to reach with a car. There are no umbrellas or sun loungers for rent, so you'll need to bring your own with you.

The seclusion of this beach means the nearest taverna is 1 km away. However, those in search of a quiet beach will feel like they’ve found their little slice of heaven here. There's a pier that offers a good snorkelling spot for those keen to check out what’s below the surface and salt pans nearby offer some additional sightseeing opportunities.

Kastraki Beach is an unspoiled beach set some 20 minutes’ drive from Naxos Town, offering a sense of solitude for those in search of somewhere a little quieter. Kastraki Beach is characteristic of the most-loved qualities of Greek island beaches: crystal-clear waters with shallow areas for wading, soft white sand, and a pleasant number of visitors making it possible to find your own space.

Nearby, there are a few options for accommodation, with some local tavernas and cafés offering a good meal. Cedar trees speckled along the sandy shores offer shaded rest spots and the beach acts as a brilliant vantage point to enjoy a romantic sunset as it sets behind the mountains of the nearby island, Paros.

The exceptionally beautiful Mikri Vigla Beach is divided by a hill, creating 2 smaller beaches. Soft golden sand and sparkling blue seas define the landscape of this beach. Blessed by northern winds, the north side of the divide is a hotspot for watersports enthusiasts, especially windsurfers and kitesurfers.

The south beach is often nicknamed ‘Sahara’ for its endless sands and is particularly popular with families. Plenty of accommodation and dining options are available nearby, with a wealth of delicious dishes and local produce on offer. The drive from Naxos Town to Mikri Vigla Beach, via the villages of Galanado and Tripodes, offers incredible unobstructed panoramic views of the surrounding coastline, making for a beautiful drive.

For a full day of calm and relaxation, head to Psili Ammos Beach. Considered the beach of the nearby town Kanaki, the long sandy stretch is covered by fine white sand that makes for a comfortable place to laze away the day. To enjoy such seclusion, you’ll need your own transportation to reach the beach as there are no public services nearby.

Gentle waves lap at the shore while the turquoise waters here. You can enjoy uninterrupted views out to sea, towards the neighbouring island of Donoussa. The beach's location on the east coast of Naxos makes it ideal for early risers who want to catch the sunrise.

Azalas Beach, near Moutsouna Bay on the eastern side of Naxos, is an idyllic beach for nature enthusiasts. The red rocks contrasting against the piercing blue of the Aegean Sea in a brilliant display of nature will leave you speechless.

Perfect for those in search of their own space, Azalas Beach offers a good solution for a secluded location. The journey is best made by private transportation, and the seclusion means the nearest food options are at Moutsouna – about 2 km away. Make a day of it by packing a picnic lunch, plenty of water and enjoy having the pebbly beach almost all to yourself.