Spending the summer vacation in Greece is for so many of us nothing special. The fascinating islands attract millions of visitors every year. But how does it feel when there are no crowds? Grece open up on May 15 (2021), and that’s the day when I landed in Santorini. Two days later I decided to hop on Naxos.
The largest of the Cycladic Islands, Naxos is a nice combination of beautiful beaches and turquoise water, with a flavor of culture and history. It is said to be the place of Zeus’ birth and the home of other historical sites.
A good point to start discovering Naxos is the old town – island capital, also known as “Chora” or “Naxos city”. Here, the best way to explore is a stroll through the labyrinth of alleys and courtyards, filled with restaurants, jewelry boutiques, and shops.
The city is overlooked by the hilltop castle – get lost in the alleys while finding your way to it.
You cannot miss the Temple of Apollo, just off the seafront promenade.
If you like a challenge, the mountain terrain of Naxos offers a stunning landscape, dotted by white top-hill villages or historical sites.
A rented car may be the best way to explore the island at your own pace. Get an automatic car, it will be much easier on the curvy roads.
I took full advantage of the little car and had long rides through the panoramic highlands, searching for wild beaches and lost Greek villages. Easy peasy, since there were hardly any tourists on the island.
Launch time in the small port of Moutsouna.
Driving on and on for kilometers without seeing anything else than goats.
And last but not least …. Sea and beach time.Plakawas EMPTY and soo quiet. The afternoon I spent there, with nothing else than a book and a towel, was truly a professionally relaxed time.
Agios Prokopios had sunbeds and around 20 people. I could live with that, since there were also a couple of cafes open, and could imagine what summer vacation looks like in high season but without people.
Info & Tips
Best time to visit: from April until October you will have great weather. If you can, try to get there in May or October, with or without a pandemic, which is a good time to enjoy the island with fewer people around.
How to get there: there are ferries arriving daily from various points. Check here for details. There is also a small airport with daily flights from Athens in the summer months.
Where to stay: I can only make one recommendation: hotel Grotta – the best breakfast I had in Greece with homemade dishes and a sunset view.
Where to eat: I am a gourmand and looove good food. You cannot go wrong in Naxos, everything I tried was delicious, but my highlights were: Meze 2 – yummy food on the main street; Waffle House – literally the best ice cream I ever had, Musiqu Cafe- delicious fusion food, fancy cocktails and with an amazing sunset view.
