From average weather, 2021 to 2025: warm, sunny days with little rain score highest (the air stands in for the sea, which is not included). Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
Arrival day
Before Day 1. Naxos is a big, calm island, so there is no need to rush to anything on the first evening.Details
By air
The small airport on Naxos sits close to the main town and the west coast beaches, and many people reach the island through Athens. Taxis and hotel transfers meet the flights. Check ahead for the schedule, which changes with the season.
By ferry
Most visitors arrive by ferry from Piraeus, with others coming from nearby islands. The port is right beside the old town, so you can often walk to your hotel. Check ahead for the day and the time, since the timetable changes with the season.
Getting around
Buses run between the main town and the west coast beaches. A rental car is the easy way to reach the mountain villages. A scooter is common, but the roads wind and the wind gusts, so take it slowly and only ride if you are confident.
First evening
Walk along the waterfront in Naxos Town as the light goes and have an early supper. Day 1 begins at the great stone gate, a short stroll from the harbor, so you will already be close.
Day 1. Naxos Town
3 stops · 0.4 km
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
1
MiddayWorth the time
Naxos Town
The island’s main town, with a harbor front, narrow whitewashed lanes and small shops. Wander without a plan and stop when something looks good.
Go whenLate morning, when the shops are open and the lanes are not yet busy.
Local tip The harbor front is lively, but the back lanes are quieter. Keep walking uphill and you reach the old quarter without a sign.
The Venetian quarter on the hill above the town, built in the thirteenth century. Narrow stone lanes, old coats of arms above the doors and a quiet museum. Walk it slowly, with no goal.
Go whenAfternoon, as the heat drops and the stone turns gold.
Local tip Look for the old family crests above the doors. The lanes are steep and uneven, so wear shoes with a grip.
The island is known for its potatoes, fried in thick golden wedges, and for its cheeses: soft, creamy graviera, and the sharp, aged arseniko. A simple plate for a slow lunch.
Local tip Order a plate of cheese to share, and ask which one is local.
About 3 min walk0.2 km
3
EveningWorth the time
Portara
A huge marble doorway on a small peninsula by the harbor, all that remains of an ancient temple. Walk out along the causeway and look back at the town. It is a lovely place to start a slow day.
Go whenLate in the day, around sunset (about 7:26 PM), when the marble gate frames the sky.
Local tip Walk out along the causeway and stand under the doorway, then look back at the town. It is windy on the headland, so bring a light layer.
A very long beach of fine sand and dunes, with plenty of room even on a busy day. Walk to the far end for more space. Check ahead on the wind and the sea.
Go whenAfternoon, with a hat and plenty of water.
Local tip There is room to spread out even on a busy day. Walk toward the far end for fewer people. Check ahead on the wind and the sea, which can be rough.
Octopus, hung to dry in the sun and grilled over charcoal, is a classic of the Greek islands. Eat it by the sea with bread and a squeeze of lemon.
Local tip Watch the sun drop into the sea, and order a second plate if you are still hungry.
If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.
Day 3. The beaches of Paros and Parikia and Naoussa
3 stops · 26.0 km
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
Travel from Plaka BeachAbout 25 min by car or transit10.5 km
Where Day 2 ended.
1
MiddayWorth a short stop
Golden Beach
A long beach of golden sand on the southeast coast, well known for its wind. Check ahead on the conditions, since it can be rough, and pick a sheltered end.
Go whenMidday, if the wind is calm. Check ahead.
Local tip The beach is long and exposed, and the wind is strong on many days. A sheltered end often has calm water when the rest is rough.
A salad of tomato and caper, a cheese pie and a plate of grilled vegetables, at a table near the church. Light food for a warm day.
Local tip Look for a small shop along the old lanes, not the waterfront.
About 10 min by car or transit2.5 km
3
AfternoonWorth the time
Santa Maria Beach
A wide beach on the northeast coast with soft sand and clear water, close to Naoussa. A relaxed place for a long swim.
Go whenAfternoon, for a long and lazy swim.
Local tip The sand is soft and the water clear. Check ahead on the wind, which can make the north coast rough.
Dinner
A supper in Naoussa
A table by the harbor, a few small plates and a glass of local white wine. Keep it simple, and finish with a sweet.
Local tip Book ahead if you want a seat at the water.
If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.
Day 4. Parikia and Naoussa
3 stops · 20.0 km
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
Travel from Santa Maria BeachAbout 26 min by car or transit11.3 km
Where Day 3 ended.
1
MorningWorth the time
Parikia
The main port of Paros, with a maze of whitewashed lanes behind the waterfront and a Venetian castle wall built from ancient marble. Wander the old town slowly.
Go whenLate afternoon, when the lanes cool and the waterfront fills.
Local tip The Venetian castle wall includes pieces of an old temple. Look at the stones and see if you can find the columns built into it.
About 2 min walk0.1 km
2
MiddayWorth the time
Panagia Ekatontapiliani
One of the oldest churches in Greece, in the heart of Parikia, an early Christian church that is still in use. Step into the quiet courtyard and look up at the dome. Dress modestly.
Go whenMorning, when the courtyard is quiet.
Local tip Cover your shoulders and knees. The name means the church of a hundred doors, and a local story says you can only find ninety nine of them.
A small harbor with the remains of a Venetian fortress at its mouth and colorful fishing boats tied up at the quay. A lovely place for an evening walk.
Go whenEvening, around sunset (about 7:26 PM), when the boats turn gold.
Local tip The old fortress at the harbor mouth is partly underwater. Sit at the quay and watch the fishermen fix their nets.
Dinner
Fresh fish by the harbor
Fish grilled over charcoal and served whole, with lemon, boiled greens and local wine, at a table on the quay.
Local tip Ask to see the fish before it is cooked, and share a whole one.
The mountain villages are known for grilled lamb and goat, local cheese and thick bread. A big, slow lunch under the plane trees.
Local tip Order simply, share plates and leave time for a short walk afterward.
About 29 min by car19.5 km
3
EveningWorth a short stop
Kouros of Apollonas
A huge unfinished statue of a young man, lying in an ancient marble quarry above the village of Apollonas. It is a long and winding drive, so make it the end of the day, and the sea nearby is a good swim.
Go whenLate afternoon, when the light on the quarry is soft.
Local tip It is a long, winding drive, and the statue was left unfinished long ago. Plan a swim in the village below and drive back before dark.
A few small tavernas on the water in the village below the quarry. Grilled fish, a plate of greens and a glass of wine as the light goes.
Local tip Eat early, so the winding road back is not in the dark.
If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.
Day 6. The mountain villages of Naxos and the hills and villages of Paros
3 stops · 54.9 km
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
Drive from Kouros of ApollonasAbout 40 min by car28.2 km
Where Day 5 ended.
1
MorningWorth the time
Lefkes
A mountain village once the capital of the island, with white houses, marble lanes and a big church on the hill. A quiet morning stroll, with views down to the sea.
Go whenMorning, before the heat.
Local tip Park at the edge of the village and walk in. The lanes are narrow, and the best views are from the steps near the big church.
About 34 min by car or transit20.3 km
2
MorningWorth the time
Halki
A quiet village in a fertile valley with old stone mansions, a Byzantine church and small shops. The old center of the island, and a calm first stop.
Go whenMorning, before the heat and the day visitors.
Local tip Walk the main lane with its old mansions, then look for the small Byzantine church. It is a gentle place to begin a day of driving.
Lunch
A farmland lunch
Simple village food: baked beans, fresh salad, bread, olives and whatever the cook has from the garden that day.
Local tip Ask what is cooking that day and order two or three small plates.
About 17 min by car or transit6.5 km
3
MorningWorth the time
Temple of Demeter
The ruins of a temple to the goddess of the harvest, in quiet farmland near the village of Sangri. A small museum stands beside it. Come early, when the fields are still and cool.
Go whenMorning, when the fields are still and the air is cool.
Local tip It is a small site in a quiet valley. Read the signs, sit on a stone and listen. Check ahead for the opening days of the museum beside it.
If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.
Departure day
After the last day. Paros has its own port and a small airport, so work back from your ferry or flight and keep the last morning slow.Details
Last night on Paros
Pack the evening before and sleep close to the port in Parikia if you leave by ferry. Ask your hotel to hold your bags if you check out early and want a final swim.
Onward by ferry
Ferries from Paros go on to Athens and to other islands. The timetable changes with the season and with the weather, so check ahead and have a margin before any flight you must make.
Onward by air
The airport on Paros is small and a short taxi ride from the main town. Many flights go through Athens. If you cannot find a direct one, a ferry to Naxos and its airport is another way.
If you have a few hours
Walk the lanes of Parikia once more, have a last coffee by the harbor or swim at a beach near town. Keep it light, and leave early for the port.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Naxos?
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, June to September are the best months for a beach trip to Naxos. This plan is built for late September, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
How many days does this plan cover?
It covers 6 days in Naxos, planned for late September. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
Who is this plan for?
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
Is anything on this plan booked?
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Can I plan my own days like this?
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Can I change this plan?
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
How much walking is there?
Each day has about 0.4 to 26.7 kilometers between its stops, and 83.5 kilometers in all across 6 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.