When people talk about the Greek islands, they often rave about the beauty of Santorini and Mykonos, which by all accounts, is completely true.
These islands are definitely some of the prettiest islands in the Cyclades archipelago but that also means that their reputation attracts an influx of tourists all year round which can be a huge turn-off.
Naxos on the other hand, despite it being the largest island of all, doesn't get as many tourists as Santorini and Mykonos and the place is steep in history and filled with awesome things you can do. It is the perfect base for those who are, like me, prefer solitude over crowded picturesque towns.
Within this guide, I will provide you with a comprehensive list of the best things to do in Naxos and all the information you need to plan a great trip here. Without further ado, here are the 10 best things to do in Naxos for solo travelers.
- Naxos Itinerary Map
- Where to Stay in Naxos?
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10 Best Things to Do in Naxos
- Visit the Temple of Apollo at Sunset
- Explore Naxos Old Town
- Learn More About Naxos at the Archeological Museum
- Relax at the Beach
- Hike Up to the Chapel of Agios Ioannis Theologos
- Stroll Along Protopapadaki Street in the Evening
- Spend a Day exploring Naxos Island
- A Day Trip to Santorini
- Spend a Day in Mykonos
- Explore Delos and Its Archeological Site As a Day Trip
- More Naxos Activities
- How to get to Naxos?
- Further Reading for Greece
Naxos Itinerary Map
10 Best Things to Do in Naxos
1. Visit the Temple of Apollo at Sunset
One of the most unique tourist attractions in Naxos is the Temple of Apollo or Portara, a beautiful ancient temple located atop a small hill off the coast of Naxos.
Built in the 6th century BC, the temple is believed to be dedicated to the god Apollo, making it a place of worship for ancient Greeks. Despite being partially destroyed over the years, one of the temple's iconic monuments, the Portara still stands tall right at the center, giving us a glimpse into the island's rich cultural past.
Portara is more than 2,500 years old and it was constructed with a massive marble that stands alone on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Aegean Sea. It is believed to be the entrance to a never-completed temple dedicated to the god Apollo.
- BURGOS BARRIO (Budget)
- Lygdamis Hotel (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Portara Seaside Luxury Suites (High-End)
- Naxos: Half-Day Cooking Class at Basiliko Family Tavern (4 hours)
- Naxos: Naxos Town Food Tour with Included Tastings and Wine (3 hours)
- Naxos: Catamaran Cruise and Snorkeling with Lunch & Drinks (7 - 8 hours)
From the Temple of Apollo, you will be able to see Naxos Old Town and the town's coastline in its entirety making it one of the most popular places to visit at sunset.
Sunset is also when the temple attracts the most people and it can get quite crowded up there. The sunrise is also great but the light is not the best for photography since most of Naxos town is under shade. If you want the best condition for photography, about 30 minutes before sunset and find a place to sit and enjoy the golden hour.
There is no entrance fee to the temple and it is open 24 hours so you can come and visit the place any time.
Where to Stay in Naxos?
2. Explore Naxos Old Town
One of the greatest charms of Naxos is being able to explore the beautiful Old Town, also known as Chora, without having to wade through crowds of people like in other islands in the Cyclades like Santorini and Mykonos which can get pretty extreme at times.
The history of this town is believed to have been dated all the way back to the 9th century BC when it was established and was initially inhabited by the Mycenaean Greeks. Throughout the centuries, Naxos was invaded and ruled by various civilizations, including the Venetians, Byzantines, and Ottomans hence why you will find the Venetian Castle of Naxos located right at the top of the Old Town.
During the medieval period, the town developed into a thriving commercial center, thanks to its strategic location on the trade routes between the East and West. The town was fortified with walls and towers, which still stand today and serve as a testament to the town's defensive capabilities.
Since Naxos Old Town is not overwhelmingly commercialized like on the other islands in Greece, you will still find people living in the all-white traditional houses that the Greek Islands are famous for.
Strolling around the narrow crisscrossing streets of Naxos Old Town will allow you to get a glimpse of what it is like to live on this idyllic island. One particular street that I love is the cat staircase where you will find a ton of cats chilling out under the shade as the ladies in the houses nearby often come out and feed them. It is magical.
It is one of the reasons why I chose to base myself in Naxos instead of other islands. It is quiet, tranquil, and authentic while being extremely affordable, all in one. If you choose to stay in Naxos, be sure to spend some time and explore Naxos' Old Town.
3. Learn More About Naxos at the Archeological Museum
If you want to learn more about the history of Naxos, there is no better place to visit than the Archaeological Museum of Naxos, a museum displaying excavated artwork, figurines, pottery, and other artifacts from prehistoric eras.
Some of the items you find here can be dated all the way back to 3000 BC which is pretty mind-boggling. On the terrace of the museum, you will also find a beautiful well-preserved mosaic depicting the mythical scene of Europa being abducted by Zeus. You can also get a pretty nice view of Naxos Old Town from the terrace.
The museum is open from 9 AM to 2 PM every day except Tuesday and the entrance fee is 2 EUR per person. At the moment of writing, the museum is undergoing renovation and only a small part of the exhibition is open to the public for free. As you explore Naxos' Old Town, be sure to drop by the museum and check the collection out.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
Looking to save some costs on your travel? Why not join a shared group tour from Naxos? Here are some activities you might be interested in:
4. Relax at the Beach
Of course, if you are visiting a Greek island, you have to spare some time to enjoy the crystal clear water of the Aegean Sea. There are several beaches you can enjoy in Naxos like Agios Georgios Beach which is located not too far from Naxos Old Town.
If you want more remote beaches, you can also explore the coastline up north where you will find plenty of hidden beaches behind cliffs and rocks like Paralia Grota or Agios Prokopios Beach if you don't mind renting an ATV or a car to get to.
You can also jump into the water from the footbridge between Naxos Old Town and the Temple of Apollo which is surrounded by concrete walls protecting you from the crashing waves which can be pretty extreme at times. All in all, if you are in Naxos, make sure to set aside some time to unwind by the sparkling, transparent waters of the Aegean Sea.
5. Hike Up to the Chapel of Agios Ioannis Theologos
If you are looking for a high point near Naxos to hike to for a nice view of the island from above, I highly recommend you check out the Chapel of Agios Ioannis Theologos located northeast of Naxos Old Town.
This tiny temple is located atop a rocky hill near Naxos and can easily be reached on foot in about 30 minutes from Naxos Old Town. All you have to do is follow the road up north and you will see the temple embedded in the mountain from afar. That's where you will be heading.
Since the heat can get pretty brutal here and there is no shade along the way, be sure to pack a few liters of water and wear comfortable shoes for the hike.
Once you arrive at the chapel, you will be rewarded with a view of Naxos and its coastline as well as the island of Paros in the background.
There is not a whole lot in the chapel with an altar and a few religious icons and that is it. It is the panoramic view you get that makes this place worth a visit. It is one of the highest vantage points you can get near Naxos and one of the best things to do in Naxos so be sure not to miss it.
6. Stroll Along Protopapadaki Street in the Evening
Protopapadaki Street is the main shopping street of the island and it is the liveliest place you will find here and a great place to stroll around, find a nice place to sit and enjoy people-watching.
The street is lined with restaurants ranging from expensive seafood restaurants to small kiosks selling delicious and affordable gyros and kebabs which goes to show the true beauty of Naxos which doesn't cater to only premium tourists with big pockets like Santorini or Mykonos.
If you are looking for a place to eat and drink in Naxos in the evening, be sure to stroll around and check out some of the restaurants along Protopapadaki street while in Naxos.
7. Spend a Day exploring Naxos Island
If you have a day to spare, I highly recommend you spend the day and explore the highlight of Naxos Island with a bus tour that will take you all over the island and visit some of the best attractions the island has to offer.
Notable attractions on Naxos Island are the Temple of Demeter, a 6th Century BC ancient sanctuary, the marble neighborhood of Apiranthos, the idyllic village of Apollonas Bay, and so much more.
With the tour, you will be visiting these places while having some spare time for relaxation and swimming in one of these places allowing you to enjoy the best of the island without having to worry about the logistics. If you want to see more of Naxos Island, be sure to check out this organized tour.
8. A Day Trip to Santorini
Due to how centrally located Naxos is among the Cyclades, you will find many day trips to explore the surrounding islands departing from here and one of the most popular day trips to make is to visit Santorini.
Everyone should know about Santorini by now. It is a beautiful volcanic island known for its unique architecture, featuring white-washed buildings with blue domes that contrast beautifully against the deep blue sea and bright sunsets.
Due to its reputation as being one of the most romantic getaway places on Earth, the place attracts a ton of tourists every single day which in turn, drove the prices of everything up astronomically, making it one of the most expensive places to travel to in Greece.
To avoid paying outrageous prices for accommodations and dealing with the chaotic transportation of Santorini, I highly recommend you visit Santorini with an organized tour from Naxos which will take you to the island and visit the highlights of Santorini without having to worry about the logistics.
With the tour, you will be taken aboard the Naxos Star ferry and you are on your way to Santorini in 3 hours. Once you arrive at Santorini new port, there will be a bus waiting to take you to Oia, the famous Santorini village where you will find the highest concentration of the famous white-washed houses built along cliffsides on the island.
Oia is extremely crowded all the time and there is just no way to avoid it. With the tour, you will have around 2 hours here to freely stroll around the village. With the limited time, I highly recommend you power through the people and get yourself Oia Lookout Viewpoint on the tip of the peninsula.
This is where you will have the best view over the whitewashed houses as well as the Oia coastline. There are also fewer people here as most of them are still stuck in the crowded streets of Oia.
Also, if you are hungry, DO NOT EAT at Oia if you don't want to pay outrageous prices for food. It is incredibly expensive here and you would get your money's worth more if you eat in Fira (Thera), the capital city of Santorini, and the next place the tour will take you to.
Fira is definitely preferable for me when it comes to crowds since the town is a little more spacious than Oia and there are a ton more things to do here. The food is also much more affordable here and so if you are looking for a place to eat lunch, Fira is the better place to be than Oia.
While in Fira, be sure to walk all the way to the Three Bells of Fira, the iconic bell tower, and the blue dome of a church set against the blue backdrop of the Aegean Sea. Along the way, you will be able to appreciate the views of Fira and the volcano nearby as you climb up to the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, another great place to visit in Fira.
After another 2 hours, you will be transported back to the port of Santorini and the ferry will take you back to Naxos. The whole trip should take about 12 hours in total.
If you want to see Santorini but do not want to pay the outrageous price to stay overnight there and have to wade through crowds to get to places, visiting the island as a day trip from Naxos is the best way to go.
9. Spend a Day in Mykonos
Mykonos is another great place to visit as a day trip from Naxos since it is located not too far away from the island and is home to some of the most iconic attractions in the Cyclades like the Windmills of Mykonos and more.
With an organized tour, you will be taken aboard the Naxos Star Ferry that will take you to Mykonos as well as Delos, another popular place to visit which we will discuss next, as part of the same trip.
Once you arrive in Mykonos, you will have ample time to explore this beautiful seaside town known for its white-washed buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, and iconic windmills, which create a unique and charming atmosphere to explore.
While you are here, you can visit the town's boutiques, galleries, and restaurants, which lined the picturesque streets as well as tourist attractions like the iconic Panagia Paraportiani Church, the Little Venice, and all the windmills scattered throughout the town.
Just like Santorini, Mykonos can be extremely expensive to visit but by visiting the town as part of a day trip from Naxos, you are able to see the beauty of Mykonos without having to pay the outrageous price for accommodations and food which is the best way to do it if you want to save cost in my opinion.
The duration of the tour is around 10 hours including Delos which is located right by Mykonos. If you want to see Mykonos without spending a night here, this organized tour is the best way to go. You can book the tour from here.
10. Explore Delos and Its Archeological Site As a Day Trip
As part of a day trip from Naxos to Mykonos, you will also be stopping at Delos, a small island that is home to an impressive archaeological site located just off the coast of Mykonos.
In ancient times, Delos was considered a sacred island and a major center for commerce, religion, and culture. It was believed to be the birthplace of the gods Apollo and Artemis and was home to one of the most significant sanctuaries of ancient Greece.
Today, you can explore the ancient city of Delos and the island's many archaeological sites, including the ruins of temples, theaters, houses, and public buildings. The most famous of these is the Terrace of the Lions, a row of statues that once guarded the Sacred Way, the main street of the city.
There are also other notable attractions in Delos that you should visit while you are here like the Ancient Theatre of Delos, the House of Cleopatra, and the Archaeological Museum of Delos.
With the organized tour, you will have around 2 hours to explore the island which will allow you to see most of the sites here as well as hike to the highest point of the island where you will be able to see the whole Delos island and all of its beautiful ruins as well as the coastline and even Mykonos island.
The hike is extremely steep towards the top and since there are no shades along the way, be sure to carry enough water to complete the hike. It should take about 15 minutes to hike from the bottom to the top.
Despite the effort, you are going to appreciate the view you get from up here. You can spend a few minutes taking photos and resting at the top before you make your way back down to the ferry and the tour will take you to Mykonos next.
I think Delos is one of the most interesting islands to visit in the Cyclades especially if you are a history buff and would like to learn more about the ancient Greeks and their way of life on these islands. If you want to visit Delos and Mykonos from Naxos, be sure to book the tour online from here.
How to get to Naxos?
To get to Naxos, you will have to first travel to Athens. You can easily reach Athens by flying into Athens Airport (ATH) via airlines like Wizz and Ryanair and once you arrive at the airport, you can catch the direct bus numbered X96 straight to the Port of Pireas where most of the ferries to the Cyclades leaves from.
From the Port of Pireas, you can catch the ferry operated by Blue Star Ferries, Seajets, or Hellenic Seaways that runs from Athens to Naxos between 7 AM and 5:30 PM every day.
Seajets and Hellenic Seaways are speed ferries that are faster, taking only around 4 hours to reach Naxos, although it is also more expensive at 70 EUR per person.
Blue Star Ferries, on the other hand, is a slow ferry service that offers a cheaper ticket costing around 50 EUR but the journey can take almost 6 hours and can often be delayed. If you want to go with this route, you will be asked if you want to book a seat for an additional cost.
Here's a reserved seating area on the Blue Star Ferries.
Here's a tip for you, if you are traveling in the evening, say the 5:30 PM ferry, you do not need to book a seat as not many people are traveling at that time. On the other hand, if you choose the morning ferry, reserve a seat or you will be scrambling, trying to find a place to sit which is not fun for a 6 hours trip like this. I ended up sitting on the stairway as the airplane-style seats were all occupied. Don't cheap out like me and get a reserved seat with your ticket!
Here's a non-reserved seating area on the Blue Star Ferries.
You can book the ferry ticket here for your trip from Athens to Naxos and vice versa. If you are traveling during the summer months, I highly recommend you book the ferry in advance to get the best seats.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Greece
I hope you found this Greece travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Greece, here is a selection of articles you might like:
- For a complete itinerary of Greece, check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Greece Itinerary.
- Most journeys in Greece begin in Athens. For a complete travel guide to the capital city of Greece, check out: 13 Best Things to Do in Athens.
- Here is a complete 3 days itinerary for Athens: 3 Days In Athens: An Itinerary For First Timers.
- One of the best day trips you can make from Athens is to go visit Delphi, an ancient Greek sanctuary that was considered to be the center of the world by the ancient Greeks. To visit this historical site, check out our Complete Guide to Backpacking Delphi.
- Have 3 days but want to see the Greek Islands? Check out this itinerary: 3 Days Backpacking Greek Islands Itinerary.
- Looking for things to do in Thessaloniki? Check out: 16 Best Things To Do In Thessaloniki.
- My favorite place out of all of Greece is Meteora with its incredible towering rock formations and stunning monasteries perched atop. If you plan to visit Meteora, be sure to check out: A Complete Guide to Backpacking Meteora.
- Santorini, despite the crowd, is a place you have to see once in your life. If you plan to visit Santorini, the best place to base yourself is Fira, the capital of the island. For a complete travel guide, check out 10 Best Things To Do In Fira, Santorini.
- Renowned for its picturesque streets and crystal-clear water, Mykonos is another great island to visit in Greece. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Mykonos.
- One of the most interesting islands in the Cyclades that you shouldn't miss is Delos, home to stunning ruins of an ancient Greek city of Commerce. Want to visit Delos? Check out the Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Delos.
- Want to visit Santorini but not sure where to begin? Check out our 3-Day Backpacking Santorini Itinerary.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- To see all the articles about Greece, visit the Greece Travel Guide page.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Southern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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