Naxos vs Mykonos: which island is right for you?

Hesitating between Naxos vs Mykonos? My guide offers honest experiences and key differences to help you choose your ideal Greek island.

Choosing between Naxos or Mykonos

Choosing between Naxos and Mykonos proved quite difficult, and I can attest to that. After a week and a half on mainland Greece, I was eager to experience some island life. II found an affordable flight from Mykonos back to the Netherlands, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to spend all my time on that island. Mykonos is known for luxury, crowds, and high prices. That doesn’t usually fit with how I travel, so I doubted it was the right fit for me.

During my search, I stumbled upon Naxos, and its many hiking opportunities immediately got me excited. I wanted to stay there for a few days anyway. However, Mykonos kept playing in my head, so in the end I went for a combination: one week in Naxos and three days in Mykonos. That way, I could discover the differences between these two islands myself.

At a glance: the differences between Naxos and Mykonos

Mykonos is photogenic and luxurious. It is beautiful, crowded, and the price level is high. You’ll see stores from luxury brands, and cruise ships dock there daily. It’s a fine choice if you are mainly after those iconic Greek pictures and don’t mind the crowds.

Naxos feels different. It is rougher, quieter and more authentic. You’ll discover small villages, beautiful beaches, and an interior full of hiking trails begging to be explored. Ideal if you are looking for a more local and relaxed experience.

In this article, I tell you more about both islands and help you choose. I share my experiences and insights so you can decide for yourself where you prefer to travel.

Mykonos

I start with Mykonos because it is one of the most famous islands of the Cyclades.

Mykonos Town

Mykonos Town is the vibrant heart of the island, the place where all the ferries and cruise ships arrive. To be honest, it is one of the most photogenic places I have ever visited. The white houses with blue details, the narrow streets and the seaside location make you want to stop everywhere to take a picture. Little Venice is one of those places where it’s easy to linger. The waterfront cafes, the famous windmills, and the cozy streets full of cute boutique shops: it’s exactly what you expect when you open a travel guide to Greece.

What struck me immediately was the crowds. Although it was October, it didn’t feel like low season at all. At times, you could barely move in those narrow streets, and it gets pretty crowded fast. The cause is simple. The cruise ships that dock daily bring large groups of visitors. As a result, the number of people in the city fluctuates tremendously, and the atmosphere changes drastically as soon as a ship docks.

Fortunately, I soon discovered that you can very easily see online when cruise ships arrive and depart. When I saw that after 6 p.m. there was no ship at the dock, I decided to go into town around 5. What a difference from a few hours before! The streets were almost empty and I could explore everything quietly. For me, that was the moment Mykonos Town truly impressed me.

Food and drinks

To be honest, I was quite anxious about the prices for food and drinks in Mykonos. A few days before my visit, someone told me that they really spent a fortune on a piece of fish, because the prices listed on the menus are often based on 100 grams. I didn’t have a very high budget during my trip, so I brought some extra food to Mykonos for that reason.

Once there, I saw that it was not that bad, although the prices were significantly higher than in other Greek destinations. I myself stuck to a cup of coffee and a sandwich, so my expenses were not too bad.

All in all, though, you can eat very well in Mykonos. In the small streets outside the immediate center you can sometimes come across taverns where the prices are reasonable. Furthermore, the waterfront cafes are super nice for a drink, but keep in mind that you will be paying for the location.

Transportation, accommodations and prices

Mykonos is an expensive island, there’s no way around that. From hotels to restaurants, everything is priced a lot higher. For a short trip, it’s fine, especially if you mainly want to walk around town. For a longer vacation, I personally would choose another island.

Through Booking.com I found a very nice accommodation in Agios Stefanos for a great price. I paid less than €90 for 2 nights in a basic room with sea view (Mama’s Pension, which unfortunately has since closed). It was a 5-minute walk to the beach and Mykonos Town was about 2.5 kilometers away, like half an hour walk. As far as I was concerned, this was excellent value for money and nice and quiet.

In terms of transportation, you don’t need much if you only visit Mykonos Town. The town is compact and everything is within walking distance. Public transportation is not extremely expensive either. For the bus from Agios Stefanos to Mykonos town I paid €1.80, and the Sea Bus from the port to town costs €2. That’s quite reasonable, isn’t it?

My flight from Mykonos to Amsterdam (booked through Transavia) was not expensive, but I had forgotten that I also had to get to the airport. Unfortunately, the flight left just too early to take the first bus, so I was forced to book a cab. A ride of less than 6 kilometers cost me a whopping €30. Ouch!

Despite the crowds and higher prices, I totally understand why people go to Mykonos. The beauty of the town is impressive and if you are there just at the right time, when the cruises are gone, it feels like a totally different place. For me, Mykonos took some getting used to, but I would actually like to visit it again to see the rest of the island as well. The island is not very big, so a few days is more than enough to see the highlights.

Naxos

Naxos is the largest island of the Cyclades, meaning there is also much to see and do.

Naxos town

Naxos Town, often called Chora, has a lovely atmosphere. The center consists of narrow streets winding up toward the castle, while down below, the promenade runs along the harbor. The iconic Portara (a remnant of an ancient temple) stands just outside the center and is one of the most beautiful places to watch the sun set. While there are certainly plenty of other tourists walking around here, I noticed that the atmosphere is different from Mykonos. It is a little less rushed, there is more space, and the terraces look a little less polished.

Beaches

Naxos is known for its long, wide beaches. On the west coast in particular, you have some stunning ones that you would expect to find on a Caribbean island rather than a Greek island. Agios Prokopios and Plaka are among the most popular, and with good reason. The water is clear and the beaches are clean and quiet enough to stay all day.

I liked that there is a choice between organized beaches with sunbeds and pristine stretches where you just lay down your towel. They were really lovely places to relax and in early October there was hardly anyone there.

Mountain villages and road trips

The interior of Naxos is perhaps the most rewarding part of the island. You will find villages such as Filoti, Apeiranthos and Chalki, all of which have their own atmosphere. The mountains and valleys make drives through the island very beautiful. I relied on the buses a lot, but also rented a car for a few days. This offered much more freedom to make stops at viewpoints or local stores. The interior shows well that Naxos is more than just beach.

Hiking opportunities

For small hikes, Naxos is ideal. The most famous is the hike to the top of Mount Zas. The route is not difficult and the view is beautiful. There are also many short walks between villages that you can easily do by yourself. The combination of nature, villages and quiet trails makes it a fine island for hikers.

Food and drinks

Eating on Naxos was a lot more affordable than on Mykonos. You can find taverns where you can eat well for a friendly price. I also had many coffees in special spots, often with stunning views!

Naxos is known for local products such as the spicy Graviera cheese and honey. You will also frequently see the Kitron citrus liqueur, often made from leaves of the citrus tree, on the menu. The atmosphere is convivial, and I liked that many places are genuinely frequented by locals.

Transportation, prices and atmosphere

Getting around Naxos is easy. Although they don’t run very frequently, the buses are reliable and call at almost all the important places. A rental car does get you there faster and allows you to visit more villages in a day. In terms of accommodations, you can choose your own level of luxury; there are both very affordable guesthouses and luxury boutique hotels on the beach.

All in all, Naxos feels very friendly and relaxed, and the price level is very good compared to the other Cyclades. My week on Naxos gave me time to really experience the island. I saw a lot without feeling rushed. It is a pleasant island if you like variety, nature, culture, and quiet beaches.

Read more: What to do in Naxos Greece? 16 tips & beautiful sights

Naxos vs Mykonos: the conclusion

Ultimately, the choice depends entirely on your preference. Do you like the perfect Greek picture, a bit of glamour, and don’t mind spending more money? Then Mykonos is your island. But do you prefer authenticity, tranquility, and variety? Opt for Naxos. There is no wrong choice, both islands are absolutely worth exploring.

How to combine Naxos and Mykonos

Or you could just do as I did and combine Naxos and Mykonos in one trip. They are practically next to each other, and the ferry takes about forty to fifty minutes to travel from one island to the other. You can even make it a day trip, as ferries run several times a day. This gives you a lot of flexibility to arrange your trip however you like.

If you want to see both islands, a combination of first Naxos and then Mykonos works very well. Naxos is a nice place to land, especially if you want a quieter start. After a few days or a week, you can travel on to Mykonos for a short finish. Two nights are often enough to explore Mykonos Town.

A combination of the two gives you a nice view of the Cyclades without spending a lot of time on travel days. The contrast between the two islands actually makes the trip fun.