Holidays on Naxos have a lot in common with those in the other Cyclades Islands. However they are not the same. Being in the same region, they have similar climate during summer, with sea breeze cooling them down even when the rest of Greece experiences very hot weather. This is very comforting from people coming from northern areas who can adapt to the areas temperatures easily. That, of course, does not mean that it never gets hot; but happens rarely.
Naxos is an island of many things to see and do. Its main attraction stands imposing at the entrance of its main port, the huge marble gate called “Portara”. There is no island on the whole planet that can boast about a monument so spectacular. Besides that, while you organize your Naxos holidays, you ought to know that there are various other sightseeings of great historical and natural importance.
Apart from its many and wonderful shores, which make it almost impossible to select the perfect beach, you will enjoy the food, the historical monuments, the festivals, the traditional villages and, above all, the people.
One of the best things to do during your Naxos holiday is to travel around the neighbouring islands. Such trips are usually arranged on a daily basis, i.e. they start early in the morning and return in the afternoon. These sailing tours make the most of your time to allow you to explore hidden coves of Naxos, Paros and the Small Cyclades and, at the same time, ensure maximum fun. Not to mention that you get to jump from the boat and from the top of a cave (it is quite high but do not worry, it is not obligatory) and you will have the opportunity to navigate the yacht under the instructions of the captain of course.
If you only have a few days to spend, planning your Naxos holidays efficiently is a real challenge. Being such a big island with a rich historical heritage and many wonderful beaches, Naxos has many to offer to its visitors. So, make sure your plans include at least a full week on Naxos. It is barely enough, but you will be able to get a good idea of what the island has to offer. You can always see the rest on your next visit. After all, how many of the 64 villages and the 30 beaches can you visit in 7 days? How many historical monuments, museums and castles can you see?
For those who are worried that it is not a good idea to spend their entire holiday on one place, we need to make clear that this does not have to be so. Your Naxos holidays may include several other islands, as long as you have enough vacation days. And that is what we call island hopping. With Naxos as your starting point, you can visit many of the Small Cyclades islands in a very short time. You do not need a car, but if you want to see a lot more, renting a bicycle from Naxos and travel with it to the Small Cyclades is a great idea. Other islands within your reach are Paros, Mykonos, Delos, Syros, Tinos, Milos, Ios and of course, Santorini. How many islands you can see depends on how many days you have and how willing you are to travel around. Younger people love it but it proves to be rather challenging due to the ferry schedules. However, we still need to keep in mind that travelling by boat is a much loved experience by many people who rarely have the chance to get so close to the sea.
For those who do not find making plans easy, we have created an special information page with what to do during your Naxos holidays named “What to do on Naxos”. This will provide some useful ideas and tips. All you need to do is read it through and follow the links. For additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Let us start with what you need to do in order to book your holiday accommodation. You can do it either via a tour operator, in which case you will book a package that includes flight, hotel and perhaps ferry tickets, or online, through any official internet guide. Make sure that you trust your holiday and your money to a secure and valid business. Check for the best deals on the hotels or apartments that interest you the most or for packages that provide all travelling costs.
Before making your reservation, make sure you have selected first the places that are more appealing to you (by the sea or with a sea view, maybe close to town ...) and then explore all available offers for the specific areas only. Although you may find cheap price elsewhere, it is important to stay at the place you have selected. After all, it is you who defines your holiday, right?
In general, there are plenty of vacation rooms available during low and middle season. It is always best to book in advance because an early booking always guarantees that you will find the right accommodation. As for accommodation types, the most common to find on Naxos is hotels, rooms, studios and apartments, few suites and villas and even fewer cottages.
Although parts of your Naxos holiday need careful planning, there are some other parts that should be left entirely to chance. After all, we are supposed to acquire new experiences and planning would spoil the whole idea of it. Long walks around Naxos Town and the main villages of the island is a great way to do just that. Sitting anywhere to enjoy the view or choosing new café to find out what they offer adds a little pleasurable adventure. There are, of course, various activities on the island to boost up that adventurous spirit of yours, should we choose to take this path. But most people are satisfied with the simple pleasures of life.
Take a quick tour on Naxos island and discover its most impressive features. You may start with the following:
What's new (or old) on Naxos, from our blog articles.