Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades and yet still remains more of a hidden gem. Largely rural and uncrowded aside from Naxos town, it is the perfect destination for travelers looking for lowkey adventures, not beach clubs. We visited Naxos as part of our first trip to Greece and loved every minute on the island.
Here we provide the details of our list of top things to do while on Naxos, all of which can be covered by spending about three days on the island.
- Take a cooking class at a family tavern
- Do a hike (or three)
- See an archeological site
- Visit an olive press
- Do a kitron tasting
- Explore the beaches
Naxos Map
Below is a map of our trip including points of interest and activities. Toggle the sidebar for details.
Naxos Island Tips
Getting To/From Naxos
Naxos is served by both an airport and a port where the ferry docks.
For arrival, we took a Seajets ferry from Santorini to Naxos. In short, we had a very good experience. The trip took just over an hour, was very smooth, and the interior cabin with its assigned seats and free wifi were great. During peak seasons, tickets can sell out far in advance. We booked our tickets nearly 6 months in advance via Ferryhopper.
For departure, we flew from Santorini to Athens on a SkyExpress flight. Even on a high speed ferry it can take over 5 hours to get to Athens and cancellations due to rough weather are not uncommon. As we were heading home and had an international flight to catch the next day, we chose the 45-minute flight instead and were very happy with our choice. The airport on Naxos is teeny tiny and the entire flight process was very smooth and easy.
Renting a Car on Naxos
Renting a car on Naxos is essential for getting around to the dispersed sites on the island. After scouting around message boards for a reputable local car company, we booked with Naxos DriveTime. A company representative met us with the car at the ferry port and we dropped it back off to them at the airport. Like most cars on the island, ours was small, but just what we needed.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at an Airbnb in a small village a 10-minute drive outside of Naxos town. While this meant we couldn’t walk to a huge selection of restaurants, we did have plenty of place to spread out, cook our own meals, and enjoy views of the sea from atop a hill! We were really happy to have a quiet oasis to come back to at the end of each day.
Take a Cooking Class at a Family Tavern
In our opinion, taking a cooking class at a local family-owned and operated farm and tavern should be a top priority for your time on Naxos. We joined this half day cooking class at Basiliko Family Tavern and had the BEST time. Upon arrival, we were greeted with a tasting of sweet cherries and kitron, a local citron liqueur. We then took a walk through the grounds picking fresh vegetables, learning about the olive oil produced from the family’s grove, and more about the history of this 125-year old farm.
Back at the table, we chopped and stuffed a ton of vegetables and herbs for our dishes. To keep us fortified, while working we sipped on red wine straight from the farm and enjoyed snacks of fresh bread with tzatziki and a plate of meat, vegetables, cheese, and potatoes. While everything cooked in the oven, we took a short walk through the village and learned more history about the area.
By this time, our meal we ready and we enjoyed the fruits of our labor in an absolute feast!
- Stuffed banana peppers and other vegetables
- Roasted pork
- Flat beats and potatoes with green beans
- Mini-spanakopita-like tarts
- Greek omelet
- Dolmades
- More tzatziki!
- For dessert, fresh pomegranates with hot grappa with cinnamon and citrus
And then, to cap off an already memorable evening, we learned some Greek dance moves in a circle AND got to smash plates. OPA! By the end of the night, we truly felt like we were a part of the family. Our hosts were amazing. And to know that everything we ate was from within this one farm, was an incredible feeling.
Need to Know
- Booking: We booked our cooking class in advance via GetYourGuide here.
- Hours: Our afternoon class began at 3:30pm and ended around 7pm.
- Directions: The cooking class is located in the rural Potamia Village, about 6 miles outside of Naxos town. It is easiest to drive your own car to the class, but note it is located down a VERY steep road. Alternatively, you can ask your accommodation to pre-book roundtrip taxi transfers.
Take a Hike
Naxos has some truly incredibly hikes. We completed three over the course of our time on the island and most of the time, we saw no one else on the trail. Free and easy parking, no crowds, and fascinating sites along the way make these a great way to experience the island.
Hike Mount Zas
Mount Zas, or Mount Zeus, is the highest peak in all of the Cyclades. At the summit, hikers are rewarded with stunning views of the entirety of Naxos and neighboring islands dotting the Aegean Sea.
There are several routes you can take to the summit. The most direct and shortest is 3.5 miles roundtrip, gaining around 1,300 feet of elevation. The trailhead is located at the small chapel named Agia Marina. What we did, however, was take a longer approach, departing from the village of Filóti. The roundtrip was 6 miles, with 2,000 feet of elevation gain.
The trail begins with a set of switchbacks leading up and away from the village. As you climb higher, views of the surrounding farmland and eventually the sea, come into view. The trail then turns into a very long set of stone stairs. Although relentless, they help to gain elevation quickly!
The last mile or so before reaching the summit is a more difficult climb, straight up a pile of rocks. We recommend starting this trail early, as there is no shade beyond this point and the sun can be intense. Be on the lookout for friendly goats along the way. The summit is marked by a large, square stone. On the morning of our hike, it was very windy at the top. The views were incredible, so make sure to take time to enjoy before retracing your steps.
Need to Know
- Fees: No fee for trail use. The trail is generally straightforward and the path well-marked at junctions. Near the summit, follow the rock cairns for wayfinding.
- Parking: Free parking in a large lot in the village of Filóti.
- Our Stats: We completed this 6-mile hike with 2,000 feet of elevation gain in about 3.5 hours, including a nice break at the summit.
Hike the Seven Villages Trail
This delightful circular trail takes hikers through seven rural villages on Naxos. We’d classify this as more of a cultural walk as you’ll pass ancient stone quarries and statues, Roman aqueducts, verdant countryside, and remains of old buildings. Sure, you could drive to nearly all of these sites, but if you enjoy walking or hiking, we can’t recommend this outing enough.
We found the marble statues that lay broken where they had fallen in transport from the nearby quarry fascinating.
The trail alternates between walking through the village streets themselves, and then up and down through the surrounding mountains and valleys. Near the end of the hike, the trail passes by an old monastic retreat for Jesuits, the Kalamitsia Monastery. This is a beautiful place, at the base of terraced slopes. After completing this hike, you will have walked through several villages before returning to the start in Kourounochori.
Need to Know
- Fees: No fee for trail use. The trail is generally well-marked (look for Trail 6 on the signs with a red and white square), but having an offline map would also be helpful.
- Parking: Free street parking in the village of Kourounochori.
- Our Stats: We hiked this trail covering 7.65 miles and 1,400 feet of elevation gain in just under 4 hours.
Hike to Apano Kastro
Apano Kastro, or Upper Castle, was originally built in 375 BC. Today, you cake hike to the ruins which date back to the 13th-14th century, when it was last reconstructed by Venetian rulers of Naxos. The hike sets of from the village of Ano Potamia and walks up an access road before reaching wide, open farmland.
The first part of the trail is very easy and eventually a large hill will come into view. Atop that hill sits Apano Kastro! From here, we couldn’t find a trail per say, so we made our own way to the top of the ruins.
When we visited, we had the entire place to ourselves and had a blast exploring the nooks and crannies of the ruins. From here you have great views of the sea and even Mount Zas in the distance. Be sure to watch your footing as the rocks at the top can be loose underfoot and there are several areas with gaping holes leading to drops. Once you’ve had your fill, simply retrace your steps.
Need to Know
- Fees: No fee for trail use.
- Parking: Free parking in a small lot in the village of Ano Potamia.
- Our Stats: With our extra exploring, this hike came in at 3.4 miles with 1,150 feet of elevation gain, taking 2 hours.
See an Archeological Site
Naxos is home to several archaeological sites and ancient ruins. If you complete the Seven Villages trail we suggest above, you will have already seen the fallen statue of Kouros of Apollonas.
Temple of Apollo
If you arrive to Naxos by ferry, the Temple of Apollo is one of the first prominent sites on the island to come into view. This unfinished temple dates back to 530 BC and is located on a small islet, accessible by a stone walkway from Naxos town. A visit here is free and doesn’t take longer than a few minutes.
Temple of Demeter
Also dating back to around 530 BC, the the Temple of Demeter is dedicated to the goddess of agriculture and harvest, hence its location on fertile land near the village of Sangri. The remains of the temple can be viewed and there is a small museum with interesting information.
Need to Know
- Hours & Fees: The site is generally open between 8:30am and 3pm daily, closed Tuesdays. The fee is €5/person and when we visited it was cash only.
- Directions: This temple is about a 30-minute drive from Naxos town.
Visit an Olive Press
It’s hard to understate the importance of olives, particularly olive oil, to Greek cuisine. There is no better way to learn more about the process for making olive oil and to do a delicious olive oil tasting, than at Eggares Olive Oil Museum.
We stopped in on a Friday afternoon and received a lovely tour of their vintage machinery and learned about the entire olive oil making process from start to finish. We were also given samples and tastings of olives, tapenades, jams, and more. We ordered a slice of olive oil cake with olive oil ice cream and enjoyed them in the on-site garden. All items are available for purchase in their gift shop. We loved this stop!
Need to Know
- Hours & Fees: Open seasonally, daily, between 9am-6pm. Tours and tastings are free.
- Directions: The museum and cafe are about a 15-minute drive from Naxos town.
Do a Kitron Tasting
Kitron is a citron liqueur produced on Naxos and made from the fruit and leaves of the citron tree. It is definitely worth trying this traditional drink while on the island. We stopped at Vallindras Kitron Distillery in the village of Halki. In operation for over 100 years, you can opt to do a tasting, purchase bottles of kitron, and view the small artifacts on display.
When we visited, we were offered three kitrons of varying strength which were green, orange, and clear-colored. We also tried some flavored grappa. We found them all to be delicious!
Need to Know
- Hours & Fees: Open daily between 10am-5pm. When we visited, we paid €3/person for 5 small tastings + grappa.
- Directions: The distillery is located in the bustling village of Halki, about a 25-minute drive from Naxos town.
Explore the Beaches
Naxos has many beautiful, sandy beaches to enjoy. We visited in October when it was windy and a bit too chilly to hang out on the beach all day. If you’re looking for an alternative way to see the beach, there is a short hike along Agios Prokopios beach out to the cape. This loop hike is about 3 miles in length and flat nearly the entire way. You can park for free right in the town of Agios Prokopios . We enjoyed exploring the sandy beach and rocky coastline.
Pro tip!: If you’re in need of a sweet treat after the hike, Il Gusto Gelato located in Agios Prokopios is a great spot to rest and enjoy cold, creamy gelato.
In addition to visiting Naxos, we spent time on the island of Santorini and in Athens while in Greece. Read more about our trip here!
