- See my Greek Island All Round Packing List for some tips and ideas about what to pack when you come to visit the Greek islands at any time of the year.
- My Recommended Anti-Theft Travel Items is also a great post to give you tips and ideas of what to pack and what suitcases to use for travels to the Greek islands.
Where does the next ferry go to?Naxos at 6:30pm. That’ll be 31 Euros please.
Naxos Greece: Things to do
Five hours later, I was in Naxos. Upon disembarking the ferry I spied the usual motley crew of accommodation owners seeking their next ‘victims.’ I recognised one of them, Nektarias. He’d looked after my sister & I in June 2010. I wandered up to him, tried in faltering Greek to explain I stayed at his place last year.
“Oh yes!” he threw a small punch on my arm, reached for my bag and threw it into the back of his van before I could ask his prices.
“You no worry about price – me fix you good price, no worry” he reassured me, in that way that is habitually Greek: worry later.
And he did. It was high season, don’t forget and I had a room with three beds in it, all to myself, for €30 a night. Albeit it was located in the basement with a small window, but it was HUGE, clean, a big bathroom with A/C and being located on the ground floor – very cool. It was only a 10 min walk to the beach – which was where I spent the next two days.
Naxos, Greece – Things to do: hidden gems
In those two days, I received a back, neck and foot massage from some Chinese person trawling for business on the beach. It lasted a full hour and I was only charged €25.
The evenings were spend wandering around, taking photos of sunsets, being buffeted a little by the wind (yes, it was windy there with the ‘Etesian’, or ‘Meltemi’ winds) and I ended up staying three days in total – enough time to relax on the beach, travel inland to mountainous villages and generally do nothing.
Best Beaches to try on Naxos island
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Agios Prokopios beach is 5.7km from Naxos Town, Agios Prokopios Beach is rated as Greece’s third best beach and among Europe’s top ten. It’s organised meaning it has umbrellas and sun beds with coarse sand and crystal clear waters from deep blue to turquoise.
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Mikri Wigla beach is a quieter sandy beach, well protected from the northerly winds that can prevail in the summer months. Good for families and people wishing for a quieter beach experience.
- Plaka Beach was a favourite for hippies back in the 60’s and 70’s and its golden sands stretch as far as the eye can see. Be aware of the pebbles as you enter the water, so you might want to bring sea shoes. It’s another organised beach with tavernas and sun beds – Plaka really does suit all tastes.
So try it – don’t book your airline ticket directly to an island, take a chance. Come to Athens, spend a couple of days looking at the sites and alternative tours, then head to Piraeus, see where the next available ferry takes you.
PIN for later
Wow! Now that’s my style!!!! Last minute decisions!! I liked being surprised! Great deal you got on that room! Insane! Did you keep Nektario’s card?!
@Sonia: Hi and thanks for your comment :0)
Here is Nektario’s website:
http://www.gerontakisnaxos.com/
I’d recommend him to all of you.
Sonia, when are you back in Athens? We need to meet and I need cupcakes!!
Hi Bex, loved reading about your impulsive trip.
My wife and I both love Naxos. In fact, we’ll be returning in a few weeks – for the fourth time. Pretty sure it won’t be our last either!
Looking forward to relaxing once again.
Can’t wait!
Thanks Rob,
Yes, there are many, many beautiful Greek islands. It’s a country that is blessed with having so many. Naxos is one of them.
Such a nice post! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Anna. What’s your favourite Greek island?