Why Honeymoon in Naxos
The beaches are the best argument. Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, Plaka and Mikri Vigla run down the west coast one after another, with soft sand and clear water that stays shallow for a long way. They are easy swimming beaches, more forgiving than the cliffs and coves of many Cyclades islands.
The second argument is variety. Naxos has a medieval Venetian quarter in town, a mountain that is the highest point in the Cyclades and Byzantine chapels scattered through the valleys. Giant unfinished marble kouros statues still lie where ancient sculptors abandoned them near Melanes and Apollonas.
It is also relaxed. Naxos has bars and a few beach clubs but no party scene to speak of. Evenings mean a taverna table, a carafe of local wine and a walk along the harbor. For couples who find Santorini overpriced and Mykonos too loud, Naxos is a very comfortable middle ground.
When to Go
Late May, June and September are ideal. The sea warms up through June and stays warm into October, while crowds and prices peak from mid-July to the end of August.
Naxos is famously windy in summer. The meltemi, a dry north wind, blows hardest in July and August and can make north-facing beaches choppy. The west coast beaches south of town are more sheltered. Mikri Vigla's windward side is a kitesurfing hub. If wind bothers you, avoid the peak of summer.
October is lovely for walking and village visits, though some beach businesses close by mid-month and ferry schedules thin out. From November to April many hotels and restaurants shut, but Naxos Town stays open year-round because people actually live there. Spring brings wildflowers and hiking weather, with the sea still cool until late May.
Where to Stay
Most couples choose between Naxos Town and the beaches just south of it.
- Naxos Town (Chora): stay near the Kastro for atmosphere, with the harbor, restaurants and the Portara on foot. Rooms are mostly small hotels and guesthouses.
- Agios Georgios: the town beach, a short walk from Chora. Convenient if you will not rent a car.
- Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna: about 15 minutes south, with sandy beaches, boutique hotels, pools and tavernas on the sand. A good base for a beach-first honeymoon.
- Plaka and Mikri Vigla: further south and quieter, with villas and small suites hotels among the dunes.
- Mountain villages: a few restored stone houses in places like Halki suit couples who want cool evenings and quiet.
Rent a car or ATV for at least part of the stay. Buses link town to the west coast beaches but reach the interior only a few times a day.
Romantic Things to Do
Walk out to the Portara before sunset and claim a spot on the rocks. Afterward, climb into the Kastro, the hilltop Venetian quarter, where vaulted passages and old mansions are lit by lamps at night.
Give one day to the interior. Drive to Halki, a village of neoclassical houses where the Vallindras distillery has made kitron, a liqueur from citron leaves, since the 1890s. Continue to Filoti and Apiranthos, whose marble-paved lanes are lovely in the late afternoon.
If you like to hike, Mount Zas reaches 1,004 meters. The trail from the chapel of Agia Marina above Filoti takes about two hours to the top, with views over most of the Cyclades on a clear day.
Book a boat day to Koufonisia or the other Small Cyclades for turquoise coves. Or charter a small boat around the southern coast for snorkeling and a swim far from anyone.
Getting There and Around
There are no direct flights from the US to Greek islands. Fly into Athens (ATH), then take a short domestic flight to Naxos (JNX), which is just outside town. The small airport handles only small aircraft, so seats sell out in summer.
Ferries are the more popular route. High-speed boats from Piraeus take roughly 3.5 to 4 hours and conventional ferries about 5.5 to 6 hours. Naxos sits at the center of the Cyclades ferry network, so connections to Paros, Santorini, Mykonos, Ios and Amorgos are frequent. The ferry from Paros takes under an hour.
On the island, buses connect the port to the beaches and main villages. To explore the interior on your own schedule, rent a car. Roads are paved but narrow and winding in the mountains. Drive slowly, watch for goats and avoid parking in the tight lanes of Chora.
Food and Drink
Naxos feeds the rest of the Cyclades. Its potatoes are famous across Greece. Its cheeses are the thing to bring home: graviera, a firm nutty cheese, plus fresh xinomyzithra and arseniko, a sharper aged cheese.
In tavernas, look for rosto, slow-cooked pork with wine and garlic, along with local lamb and goat. Fresh fish is excellent in harbor restaurants and seaside places in Agia Anna and Plaka. Ask for the catch of the day, which is priced by weight.
Kitron comes in three strengths, marked by color, from the sweet yellow version to the strongest clear one. Try it after dinner or at the distillery in Halki. Mountain villages have simple kafeneia where an afternoon coffee comes with a homemade sweet.
Dinner on the waterfront in Chora is lively. For a quieter meal, drive to a village taverna in the hills.
Honeymoon Tips
Bring sun protection and water on beach days. Shade is limited on the long west coast beaches unless you rent loungers and umbrellas.
When the meltemi blows, pick a beach on the side of the island away from the wind. Locals and hotel staff will tell you where to go each morning. Swim carefully when waves are up.
Plan your ferry days with flexibility. Strong winds sometimes cancel smaller fast boats, so avoid scheduling the trip back to Athens the same day as your flight home.
Naxos is much less expensive than Santorini. A comfortable boutique hotel near the beach often costs a fraction of a caldera view room, so you can afford a sea-view suite or a private pool here. In August, though, book early. Accommodation fills quickly and prices rise across the island.
