Where to Stay in Naxos, Greece – 8 Best Villages in 2024

Kalimera traveler, welcome to this virtual tour of one of the greenest and most eclectic Cycladic islands! I’m here to help you decide where to stay in Naxos by offering you a glimpse of the best villages and areas of the island along with top-rated hotel recommendations!

I compared ALL the places to stay and can say that Chora (Naxos Town) is the best area of Naxos for first timers! It’s central, close to the best beaches, and has all things touristy!

But I’ve also got you covered with 7 more areas that I sorted by interest and handpicked the best hotels for all budgets in each place! I’ve arranged everything in an easy-to-follow way so you can literally book a place in seconds!

Reminder: It’s important to book your stay in Naxos in advance to secure the best deals!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

These are the best hotels to book in Naxos: 

Check out this map to visualize the 8 best villages to stay in Naxos:

1. Chora (Naxos Town) – where to stay for the first time

Located on the West coast of the island, Chora, also called Naxos Town, is the biggest village in Naxos. I call it the best place to stay in Naxos for first-timers because it’s where the main ferry port is, but also many hotels, bars, and restaurants.

Naxos Town is one of the most beautiful villages in the Cyclades due to its stunning architecture, which combines Venetian and Cycladic influences! 

Naxos Chora is also the historic center of the island, and local findings here are up to 4,000 years old! In this area, you’ll find the Old Town, the famous Agios Georgios Beach (map), and most of the main attractions. 

Start your day getting lost in narrow streets, see the Archaeological Museum of Naxos, the iconic Apollo Temple from the 6th century BC (map), and the Venetian Castle (map). Check out the town’s lovely shops, then when it gets dark, have a nice traditional dinner in one of the tavernas by the seaside followed by a pint in the cool pubs. How does that sound?

The temple of Apollo is the island’s main landmark and emblem! It’s the only remaining part of the temple built in 530 BC! Each of the 4 marble parts of the structure weighs 20 tons!

And when you want to buy some unique souvenirs, head to Tereza’s Greek Concept Store (map)! Past visitors say that she has the most beautiful jewelry pieces you’ll find on the island! 

Naxos also has thousands of years of cheesemaking history, so it’s the perfect place to try unique cheeses! Arseniko is considered the king of cheeses, and you can try the best one at the Naxos Cheese Koufopoulos store (map).

FUN FACT: Naxos was the most important site of the ancient Cycladic civilization which thrived from 4,000 to 1,000 BC! The island was also ruled by the Thracians, Ionians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and Ottomans. Talk about its historical significance!

Naxos Town is not only the best place to stay for first-timers because of the variety of activities it offers, but it is also a great base for day trips to gorgeous beaches due to its perfect location. 

You will be able to find many great accommodation options here, and I’ve already picked the best ones for you.

Other accommodation options in Chora (Naxos Town) 

Things to do in Chora (Naxos Town) 

2. Agios Prokopios – best for great beaches

About a 15-minute drive South of Naxos Town, some 5.7 km (3.5 miles) away, is the lovely beach resort of Agios Prokopios. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Naxos close to stunning beaches, this is it!

Beautiful golden sand beaches are one of the top expectations when visiting a Greek island. If you stay in Agios Prokopios, you will make it happen by being within walking distance of the best ones! 

Small areas on both ends of the beach don’t have chairs and umbrellas, so you can just bring your own towel or beach equipment and enjoy a relaxing day for free! You can also rent the chairs and beds and an umbrella for around €15 – €25 per day. El Greco bar has the most expensive prices, with some guests saying they paid €60 for the day, so you better avoid those!

You can enjoy suntanning on the beach, do water sports and join boat tours to discover the coast. Here, you will find a large beach with golden sand and a crystal clear sea, which also offers many beach clubs, restaurants, and bars. What more is there to ask?

This settlement was named after a tiny church in it called Agios Prokopios, so make sure you drop by for a visit! It’s technically between Stelida and Agios Prokopios (map)!

I wouldn’t miss the Agios Prokopios Viewpoint (map), which has stunning views of the sea, the coastal villages, and the mountains in the region!

The great thing about Agios Prokopios is the location – both of its neighboring villages (Stelida and Agia Anna) are also super popular vacation destinations on the island and are less than 15 minute walk away, so you can go taverna hopping in all these villages!

If you are dreaming of a holiday chilling on the beach and staying in a hotel just by the sea, Agios Prokopios will highly fulfill your expectations!

PRO TIP: When eating out, order a portion or 2 of Naxian potatoes, known as the staple of local cuisine with their creamy and moist texture!

Other accommodation options in Agios Prokopios

Things to do in Agios Prokopios

• Enjoy swimming in the crystal clear water at Agios Prokopios
• Make a day trip to a cute fishing village called Agia Anna
• Join a full-day bus trip of Naxos to see the island’s highlights
• Check out amazing waterfront tavernas and try Greek-style octopus
• Try windsurfing at Laguna Beach Park (map)
• Head to Aqua Fun and have fun with kids

3. Agia Anna – one of the best places to stay in Naxos for a chilled vibe

Agia Anna is a fishing village located between Plaka Beach and Agios Prokopios, and it’s a 15-minute drive from Naxos Town. I mean, you can literally walk from the Agios Prokopios Beach to Agia Anna Beach! 

Here, you’ll find plenty of lively tavernas and nice beaches with a chilled vibe. If you want a laid-back holiday, Agia Anna is the answer to where to stay on Naxos!

Many places in Greece, notably on islands, have the word “Agios” or “Agia” in their name. This means “Saint” in Greek! Agios is used for male names and agia for females. So basically, this place is called Saint Anna!

Agia Anna offers a long sandy beach with shallow turquoise water. Many online reviews say that this is actually one of the best beaches on the island! Beware of the beachfront bars as they tend to scam tourists and may even ask you €100 for the beds and umbrella! It’s best to get your own private spot under a tree here!

When you go to the Northern part of the beach, you may encounter wavy water, which is fun for bodyboarding. But find the small cove next to Agia Anna’s small port, and you will be able to enjoy the calm water as it is well protected by the winds!

Grab your beach essentials, swim in crystal clear water, and enjoy a sunset walk on the powdery sandy beach. I know you can’t wait to go to Naxos, Greece! 

Even though Agia Anna is one of the quieter villages compared to the other parts of the island, you will still be able to find enough tavernas, local shops, and bars. This village also has a great selection of beachfront resorts for all budgets!

They even have an iconic scuba diving center (map) where you can dive into a nearby shipwreck and explore other secrets hiding in the Naxos sea!

Other accommodation options in Agia Anna

Things to do in Agia Anna

4. Stelida – a peaceful place to stay in Naxos

Stelida is just a short drive away from all the popular places in Naxos. Naxos Town is 5 km (3 miles), while Agios Prokopios is 1.5 km (0.9 miles) away. If you’re more into nature and less into bars and nightlife, Stelida is where to stay in Naxos!

The quiet nature of this place makes it less popular than other nearby places, and that’s exactly why I recommend you stay here if you’re looking for a serene vacation without the hustle and bustle of the touristic places. 

Did you know that Naxos is actually considered the home of Zeus, the Greek God of the sky, considered the main deity in Greek mythology? Mount Zas (map), where Zeus grew up, has an ancient temple built in his honor! Naxos is also where the god of wine, Dionysus, is said to be born!

Over the years, Stelida has seen a major increase in luxury accommodation and new apartments, so you can even splurge on your stay here! 

Even though it’s usually quiet and peaceful, Stelida can get crowded in the summer. During this period (July – August), it’s best to walk to the beach instead of driving. Chances are, you won’t find a parking spot nearby!

I also love how you can walk to Stelida from Agios Prokopios or even from Agios Georgios Beach! Just make sure you have a hat, sunglasses, and plenty of water with you during the hike!

NOTE: Stelida is a great place to stay on a budget, and it’s where you’ll find one of the best budget hotels (check it out below)! 

Other accommodation options in Stelida

Things to do in Stelida

• Spend a day at the pebbly beach 
• Visit the nearby Temple of Dionysus (map)
• Walk from Stelida to Agios Prokopios Beach 
• Eat out in the beautiful Symposium (map) restaurant

5. Mikri Vigla – where to stay in Naxos for kite and windsurfers

Located 12 km (8 miles) South of Naxos Town, Mikri Vigla is an internationally renowned windsurfing village thanks to its perfect wind conditions. So if you are a kite or windsurfer, or always wanted to start, you have found a perfect place!

Mikri Vigla has a long sand beach and constant wind, which makes perfect windsurfing conditions for beginners and advanced surfers alike. The town has international visitors from all around the world, meaning that you will find a great friendly atmosphere in Mikri Vigla Beach!

Nearby, you’ll also find Plaka, another popular beachfront destination. You can literally walk to Plaka in 25 minutes and reach one of the longest golden sand beaches on Naxos! Both places have plenty of tavernas and are near one important ancient site called the Temple of Dimitra (map), an ancient hilltop ruin made of marble that’s more than 3,000 years old!

Other accommodation options in Mikri Vigla

Things to do in Mikri Vigla

• Have kitesurfing lessons at Mikri Vigla Beach
• Drive to the nearby Temple of Dimitra
• Learn windsurfing at Mikri Vigla Beach
• Have a meal at the iconic Paradiso Taverna (map)
• Explore other local beaches and towns, including Kastraki (map)
• Have a day trip to Naxos Town and join a cultural food and village tour
• Have some local bakery products with Greek coffee at Artos Bakery (map)

6. Aliko Beach – where to stay in Naxos for white sand beaches

Naxos has tons of beaches to choose from, but if you’re looking for a large white sand beach with crystal waters, Aliko (or Alyko) is your destination! Aliko Beach is located 16 km (9.9 miles) Southwest of Naxos Town, and it’s got the perfect unspoiled nature!

The area is most known for its Cedar Forest (map), with quiet coves, ruins, sand dunes, and even some cool street art! The Hotel Ruins Alyko (map) is another must-see! It’s an abandoned hotel that has been brought to life (to some point) with stunning graffiti, making for an Insta-perfect setting!

Alyko is part of a greater coastal region that also includes Mikro Alyko, Hawaii, and Kedros, spreading across the saltpans (saltpan in Greek is “alyki”) as well as the peninsula after it!

I highly recommend coming here for 1 or 2 days and then continuing your vacation elsewhere on the island. But you can also just visit Alyko for a day trip from Agios Prokopios or Mikri Vigla, as they’re all relatively close. 

The nearest accommodation to Alyko Beach includes just enough options for all budgets, and I’ve listed them all below:

Other accommodation options in Aliko Beach

Things to do in Aliko Beach

• Spend a day at the Aliko Beach
• Hike around the Cedar Forest and take in the majestic views 
• Visit other nearby beaches, including the popular Hawaii Beach (map)
• Explore the Apaliros Castle and the nature around it (map)
• Check out the graffiti at the Hotel Ruins Alyko
• Watch the sunset with dinner at the Faros tou Alykou (map) restaurant

7. Mountain Villages – the best place to experience local life in Naxos

Want to escape the seaside and see what rural Naxos is really all about? Then, head to a one or two-day adventure across Naxos mountain villages!

Chalkio is one of the most charismatic and picturesque villages with plenty of things to do. You can explore the Folklore Museum (map), where you can see artifacts the owner’s family collected for three generations. Some of the objects here are more than 200 years old!

You can also tour a local farm with animals (map), visit the olive mill (map) to see how olive oil is made, and see many old towers and historic places.

Then, just a short drive away you’ll find Moni, Filoti, and Sangri, all of these are even smaller villages where you can explore the local life mostly unspoiled by the tourist industry!

Of course, since Naxos is mainly a tourist island and most of the action takes place on the sea, you don’t want to spend more than 2 days visiting the mountain villages. If you have a short stay, I even recommend the quick itinerary Chalkio-Moni-Sangri for 1 day before you head back to your sea resort!

Other accommodation options in the Mountain Villages

Things to do in the Mountain Villages

• Visit the Chalkio village’s Folklore Museum 
• Explore local olive oil mills 
• Take a tour of the local farms and see the animals
• Explore Sangri, Filoti, and Moni villages

8. Apollonas – what area to stay in Naxos for mythology geeks

I know most of Naxos is considered a gem for ancient history and mythology lovers, but Apollonas is at the heart of it. This village is located at the Northernmost tip of the island, 36 km (22 miles) to the Northeast of Naxos Town. 

Today, Apollonas is just a quiet fishing village, but its history spans millennia. As you can guess, the village carries the name of Apollo, the Greek God of music, poetry, and art, but he was actually believed to be born in Delos, another small Cycladic island just North of Naxos.

Apollonas was the main port for marble exports in ancient Greece. The marble was used to build the Acropolis, the emblem of Ancient Greece, and statues around the country. 

Today, you can find unfinished marble statues at the top of Apollonas, a huge Apollo statue that the locals dedicated to Apollo (map), and many restaurants and shops carrying the name of Apollo, serving as a reminder of the town’s past. 

Of course, there’s also a beach (map) where you can relax and plenty of eateries and lively bars along the coast to enjoy, especially near the port.

Other accommodation options in Apollonas

Things to do in Apollonas

• Check out the Apollonas Kouros (Apollonas Monument)
• Sunbathe at the local Apollonas Beach 
• Eat out in the delicious restaurants by the Apollonas Port (map)
• Visit the nearby Tower of Ayia (map) to learn more about local history

FAQs about where to stay in Naxos

🗺️ What part of Naxos should I stay in?

Naxos Town is the best place to stay for first-timers due to its proximity to main attractions and the beaches. Nissaki Beach Hotel and Naxos Center Houses are some of the best hotels to stay here

🏖️ Where should I stay in Paros or Naxos?

Paros is better for the nightlife, and it’s more cosmopolitan. In Naxos, you can find more historical places, archaeological sites, and pristine beaches. 

🍸 Is Naxos a party island?

Naxos is not a party island, but you can still find nice beach clubs and bars, especially in Naxos Town.

👨‍👨‍👧‍👦 Best place to stay in Naxos for families?

Plaza Beach Hotel is one of the highest-rated hotels for families in Naxos, and it’s located in Plaka. 

🛏️ What is the best resort in Naxos?

Nissaki Beach Hotel is the best resort in Naxos, offering a boutique stay, private beach, and great facilities.

⏱️ How many days should I spend in Naxos?

3-5 days would be perfect for enjoying beaches and major attractions in Naxos, Greece.

🚗 Do you need a car to get around Naxos?

Yes, it’s best to get a car, especially if you plan a Naxos road trip. You can still move around without a car using public transport or taxis, but you’ll definitely feel more comfortable with a car. 

🌃 Where to stay in Naxos for nightlife?

Naxos Town is the best area to stay in Naxos for nightlife. This is the main city on the island and it has late-night bars, pubs, and clubs to enjoy. 

✖️ Where to stay in Naxos without a car?

Naxos Town is the best place to stay in Naxos without a car! It’s a big city close to the beach, and it’s perfect as a base for day trips. 

🌊 Where to stay in Naxos for beaches?

The best beaches are on the Western part of the island, notably the Plaka Beach, Agios Prokopios, and Agios Georgios beaches. 

⛱️ Does Naxos Town have a beach?

Yes! Saint George Beach is located just 300 meters (985 feet) from the center of Naxos Town.

Final thoughts on the best place to stay in Naxos

This is the end of our virtual tour of where to stay in Naxos, Greece! Hopefully, you now have an idea of the best hotel for you and how to spend your vacation! 

This stunning island has so much to offer, from beautiful beaches to water activities to ancient sights and delicious cuisine! With proper planning (that’s what I was here for!), you’ll have the time of your life!

I know I’ve given you so many hotel recommendations, so if you’re still indecisive, these are my 2 favorite places to stay in Naxos:

And again, a friendly reminder to make sure you book your hotel in advance so you can get the best prices!

If you have any other suggestions or questions about Naxos Island and Greece, please leave a comment below. I’ll be happy to answer!

Enjoy Naxos,

Eylul

---

Pin it for later!

Pin it for later!