Avoid the chaotic crowds and protesting locals with this often overlooked Greek island filled to the brim with charm, history, lush mountains, and over 30 ‘pristine’ beaches
Live out your Mamma Mia fantasy on this often-overlooked Greek island just a stone’s throw from the party-mad Mykonos. Last year, Greece witnessed a record-breaking 35.9 million international visitors flock to its mainland and cluster of Instagram-worthy islands, a 9.8 per cent jump from the year before.
Despite cries from fed-up locals arguing they’ve been priced out of the property market, hotspots like Santorini saw unmanageable crowds fill out narrow pathways – desperate to take an iconic shot of the blue-domed homes at sunset. Despite having a population of just 15,480 – the island was bombarded with a staggering 3.4 million visitors last year, and many Brits were left feeling a tad overwhelmed by the island’s cramped atmosphere.
It’s a similar story for Mykonos, the uber-luxury island that sees 1.5 million visitors every year. It makes finding a secluded beach (or even a free sun lounger) an almost impossible feat – and hardly screams ‘relaxing’. Luckily, paradise awaits just a small boat trip away.
Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades island group, located in the South Aegean, and is often touted as one of the most beautiful. Here, you’ll find over 30 beaches perfect for kicking back with a good book, or cooling down with a dip in crystal clear waters. Most of the beaches in Naxos boast soft, fine sand and bright blue waters, with most of the tourists flocking to the western side of the island. However, if you’re up for driving over to the east, you’ll find ‘pristine’ but ‘wild’ beaches that you may have to yourself.
“The most famous beaches are Plaka, the longest sandy beach on the island, and Agios Prokopios,” says travel experts over at Greeka. “They are considered among the most beautiful beaches of the Cyclades and are well-organized with sunbeds, water sports, and restaurants.”
Naxos is one of the most fertile Greek islands, meaning you’ll never be surrounded by lush mountains and endless hiking opportunities. When sunbathing gets boring, challenge yourself to climb the highest peak, Mount Zas (Mount Zeus). The challenging route takes around two and a half hours to complete but rewards you with panoramic views of the Aegean Sea, where you’ll be able to spot several other Greek islands.
The old town of Chora is also worth a visit. You’ll see classic white houses with blue doors, stacked down tiled, narrow alleyways – but won’t have to barge past a million and one tourists. This area is pedestrianised and filled with an eclectic range of shops and eateries. And for history buffs- you need to check out Portara (the great doorway).
“It stands like a sleepless guard adjacent to the port on the islet of Palatia,” Greeka added. “The imposing monument was built as a part of a Temple dedicated to the Olympian god Apollo, but its construction was never completed. Nowadays, guests can easily admire the monument closely since a long paved road leads to it.”
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While there is an airport on Naxos, there are no direct flights to the island from the UK. This means you’ll likely have to stop over in Athens – which can make your journey time exceed nine hours altogether. This also means that getting a cheap flight can be difficult, with the lowest return fares in April coming out at £159 per person from London, and £248 from Manchester.
If you’re already sunning it up in Greece – getting to Naxos is a little easier. You can get a ferry from Mykonos or Santorini which only takes one hour and 25 minutes, and costs around £50.
Accommodation on Naxos varies depending on your budget. For example, a week’s stay (Monday, April 7-14) in your own private villa with a pool would set you back £725. However, opting for a private suite in a more bog-standard hotel costs £370 for the exact same dates.
*Prices based on Skyscanner and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.
What’s your favourite Greek island? Let us know in the comments section below