Where to stay on Naxos? My top picks by location

Not sure where to stay on Naxos? These are my tips for every area, from the beach to the authentic inland villages.

Naxos: the Greek island that has everything

After a press trip through the rugged interior of Greece (Tzoumerka, a region I absolutely recommend!), I wanted to extend my trip with a real vacation. First five days in Athens, a city I’m almost embarrassed to admit I’d never visited, and then somewhere to truly unwind. A Greek island seemed perfect, but Santorini and Mykonos dropped off the list pretty quickly. Both felt too crowded, too touristy, too Instagram. I wanted something more real.

After some searching, I kept coming back to Naxos, the largest island of the Cyclades. And it turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. History, quaint villages, hiking trails, beautiful beaches and an atmosphere not yet completely taken over by mass tourism. I was immediately in my element.

Since I didn’t initially want to rent a car, I chose Naxos town as my base. The ferry arrives there and you have everything within walking distance. But curiosity got the better of me. During a wonderful sailing trip, the other passengers told me about the places they’d explored inland. That was all the convincing I needed, and I ended up renting a car after all. That’s how I discovered places along the coast and inland that completely surprised me, authentic villages, amazing beaches and everywhere a cozy guesthouse or boutique hotel. Naxos truly has something for every type of traveler.

In this article I share my honest tips on the different areas to stay on Naxos, so you can make the choice that suits you best.

Where to stay on Naxos? My tips

Naxos is bigger than you might expect, which makes the choice of where to stay more important than you’d think. Want to stroll along the harbor in the evening? Or would you rather wake up right on the beach? Below I’ve listed the best areas for you.

Naxos town (Chora)

Naxos town, officially Chora, is in my opinion the best base for a first visit to the island. Located on the west coast, it’s the first thing you see arriving by ferry: a hillside of white houses, with the iconic Portara standing alone on a small peninsula. This impressive marble gateway is all that remains of a never-completed temple to Apollo, dating back to the sixth century BC. A must-see at sunset.

You can spend hours wandering the narrow streets of the old town, with little shops, tavernas and bars tucked around every corner. I could have wandered for hours, every turn revealing something worth photographing. The Kastro is an absolute must, the medieval Venetian castle at the top of the hill is another perfect place to get happily lost.

Practically speaking, Naxos town is also the smart choice: buses for the whole island leave from the center, Agios Georgios beach is within walking distance and everything you need is close by. I stayed here for a week myself and never felt like I was missing anything.

Staying in Naxos town: my tips

Anapollo Boutique Hotel (3⭐) – This adults-only hotel with pool is beautifully located in Naxos Chora, between the old town and the beach. It’s a small property with particularly stylishly decorated rooms.

Emery Hotel (3⭐) – Centrally located boutique hotel praised for its quiet setting and great location. Some rooms even have hot tubs.

Nissaki Beach Hotel (5⭐) – Want luxury and a bed right on Agios Georgios beach? This is your place. Stylish, minimalist Cycladic design, a five-minute walk from the center.

Agios Prokopios

About five kilometers southwest of Naxos town lies Agios Prokopios, and this is what many people envision when they dream of a Greek beach vacation. The beach is long, golden and sheltered from the north wind. The water is calm and clear, perfect for children and leisurely swimmers. At the same time, there is plenty to do: beach bars, restaurants, supermarket, all within walking distance.

Agios Prokopios is calmer than Naxos town, but livelier than Plaka further south. There is a bus connection to the harbor, and with a rental car you can easily explore other highlights from here, like the Temple of Demeter. In my opinion, it is the ideal base if you want a real beach vacation but also want to venture out and see more of the island.

Staying in Agios Prokopios: my tips

Agios Prokopios Hotel (3⭐) – Family-friendly, small-scale option with a warm atmosphere, good pool and genuine Greek hospitality. Choose from rooms, studios and apartments with kitchenettes.

Liana Beach Hotel & Spa – Popular hotel close to the beach with an excellent spa, great breakfast buffet and free sun loungers on the beach. A great option for couples and those looking for a relaxing stay.

18 Grapes Hotel (5⭐) – Looking for a luxury beach vacation? This hotel is a wonderful place to stay. The large pool area has plenty of comfortable loungers, rooms are stylishly decorated and fully equipped, and some even come with a private pool.

Plaka

If you really want to enjoy the beach, Plaka is the spot for you. This is the longest beach on Naxos, stretching about four kilometers of uninterrupted shoreline, with incredibly soft sand. The further south you walk from the northern end, the quieter it gets. On the north side you will find beach bars, tavernas and a bus stop to Naxos town, while the south side is noticeably quieter and more unspoiled. I personally loved it here and spent hours reading on my towel in the soft sand.

Although Plaka feels much quieter and more pristine than Agios Prokopios, you are not completely disconnected from the rest of the island. The bus gets you to Naxos town quickly, and a rental car makes it easy to explore inland. Just be aware that many accommodations are scattered along a dirt road, which is something to keep in mind if you are not planning to rent a car.

Staying in Plaka: my tips

Plaka Hotel II – One of the best-rated budget options at Plaka. Great quiet location, rooms with a kitchenette and a pool. Just 80 meters from the beach.

Cosmos Hotel – A great family option thanks to its large suites and apartments, a beautiful pool and a location just steps from the beach.

Sundunes Hotel Naxos – Close to the beach, large pool, spacious rooms and consistently great reviews. A solid choice if you want to combine comfort with easy beach access.

Chalkio (Chalki)

With a rental car, I discovered the interior of Naxos and looking back, I would have loved to spend a few nights there as well. The atmosphere is so different from the coast. You still find the typical white houses, but with more earthy tones woven throughout. And it feels even more authentic.

I was particularly charmed by Chalkio (also called Chalki or Halki), which was once the capital of Naxos. It does not feel like a capital at all though, more like a small village with cozy tavernas and shops selling handmade souvenirs. The surrounding area is full of olive trees and there are plenty of great hiking trails nearby. Chalkio is a perfect base for those looking for peace and quiet or keen on exploring on foot.

I have to be honest: there are no hotels in Chalkio itself. You are limited to vacation rentals and apartments, which you can find through Booking.com. Alternatively, ELaiolithos is well worth considering, and it is instantly one of the most beautiful places to stay on the island. It is a sustainable eco-resort in the hills near the quaint village of Moni, just five minutes from Chalkio.

I have to be honest though: there are no hotels in Chalkio itself. You have to rely on vacation homes and apartments here, which you can get through Booking you can find. Alternatively, you can also stay in ELaiolithos stay, which is instantly one of the most beautiful accommodations on the island. It is a sustainable eco-resort in the hills near the quaint village of Moni, five minutes from Chalkio.

Apeiranthos

Even more authentic is Apeiranthos, a mountain village on the slopes of Mount Fanari. This village is also known as the marble village. The streets are paved with marble, the houses are built from stone, and everywhere you look there are arches and passageways. It is the kind of place you just want to wander. The village has no fewer than five small museums covering archaeology, geology, natural history, visual arts and folklore, plus several craft shops and, of course, cozy tavernas with views over the mountains.

As in Chalkio, there are no classic hotels in Apeiranthos. It is truly vacation rental territory, but that is exactly what makes staying here special: you literally live in the village, among the locals. One important thing to keep in mind: without a car you will not get very far. Apeiranthos is a base for adventurers, not for beachgoers.