The best of Naxos Island, Greece
Greece on schedule? Okay, that's good... But damn, where are we going? Mykonos aka the new Ibiza? The small, über-romantic Santorini? Or rather the 'something for everyone & always good' Crete? It's no wonder we don't know... The The Greek archipelago has almost 2.000 islands of different sizes and accessibility. Whew.
We will choose - we think, because you never know - for Naxos and Paros this summer. Both yes. They can be combined very well (yay, two for the price of one) and both oh so much fun. Naxos is best known for its beaches and beautiful landscapes, but there are also many impressive ancient sights for your dose of culture on holiday. Not to mention the fantastic food, most of which is grown locally on the island. Plus: diving, windsurfing, cycling, village hopping and hunting for a deserted beach (still possible here). Moreover, it is Naxos is a family island par excellence. And where to, once there? We got you covered. The best of Naxos, Greece.
Before you go out, stop for a moment Juicy Point for fresh fruit juices to-go. The business is owned by a very sweet lady, she presses everything fresh herself and you choose on the spot which fruit/vegetables you want in your juice. Also very tasty smoothies with homemade yogurt, coconut milk and acai bowls.
Or are you going for breakfast on the beach? On Plaka Beach – highly recommended, see also below under beaches – you can enjoy breakfast on the beach. Very tasty yogurt (when live gives you Greece…) with homemade granola for example, at Tohu beach & cocktail bar or Cedar Café. You guessed it: they also have very good cocktails here for the end of the day. Pleasant? All!
Paradiso Taverna is a traditional (read: dirt cheap) Greek restaurant. You eat at small tables on the beach at Plaka Beach. Inside, almost everything on the menu is already ready in the display cases, so see what you like (there is so much on the menu, almost too much to choose from). You can order delicious (again very affordable) carafes of wine. Also nice: Paradiso is also a small hotel, if you are still looking for something.
And back to Plaka Beach. This is also where it is Cedar Cafe where you can dine with tasty fresh salads, if you are done with the sometimes quite heavy Greek food. A cozy atmosphere here, colored hammocks, sun loungers and palm trees. Add a game of cards and you're on holiday.
Plaka Beach – the beach closest to the old town of Naxos. It is a long beach with plenty of nice beach bars. Nice to have lunch & drinks at sunset. Beds here cost between 20 and 40 euros. Depends on your location (first row is more expensive) & which tent you have behind you. Tohu Beach Bar was definitely our favorite. Nice beds here and good food; trendy dishes with vegan burgers, sourdough bread – you know the drill. Recommended is the homemade yogurt with homemade granola and fruit. And they also have very good cocktails here. During sunset these only cost 7 euros. Beds at the front are 20 euros. Located next door Nomads, Be sure to visit here for lunch and dinner.
Agios Prokopios – here you also have many beach bars where you can rent a bed (+- 30 euros), and is located next to Plaka.
- Labyrinth Wine – is located in a lovely cozy courtyard where we finally found a bottle of great Chardonnay. The oyster mushroom and the seafood risotto are recommended. With dessert you get a shot of sweet wine on the house; sounds dirty, is tasty. Next to Labyrinth Wine there is Naxos Café if you want to have a nightcap.
- Apostolis – very cozy courtyard, super good quality food, tasty small dishes to share but also good main dishes (from pasta to lamb chops). Greek recommendations: the dolmadakia and the moussaka.
- lithos – Difficult to choose, but this one is number one. You will find Lithos in a cozy street with few tables, which are placed haphazardly along the wall. A jug of wine here is only 7.50, the food is of high quality and not necessarily Greek. The staff is super friendly, and you can dine here for a long time without them rushing you.
- To Elliniko – can be found on a small square near the old center. Don't skip this one because here you can eat the best authentic Greek food, for very nice prices. We only take the plane again for the fried feta with honey and sesame seeds. You also get value for your money here. So don't order too much, because the portions are Greek cozy (very large).
- Maro's Taverna – we didn't eat here ourselves, but it is still on the wishlist!
- Doukatos – in a cozy courtyard, here too it is advisable to book in time.
- Sirocco – a cute restaurant on a square. Here is also the authentic Greek atmosphere.
- Cava wine Oinochorios – wine bar in a quiet street with a wide choice of wines. Nice for a change (to be fair: not all Greek wines are always great).
- Naxos Café – cute little cafe in a quiet street. A bit of Ibiza style and nice music.
- Jazz Blues – very cozy for low key drink after dinner. If we have to pick a favorite, then it is by far this.
- Swing – rooftop bar with a nice view over the harbor, but beware: quite a bit tourist trap this. They charge at least 20 euros for a cocktail.
- Apollon Paradise Café – in our opinion a better tip for the same sunset, at the port of Naxos. At the end of the day you sit above the café on a large rock together with all the people who come there for the same purpose - that sunset does it for you. Bring your own beer and... have fun! And otherwise the café has plenty of drinks.
- Toro – also a rooftop bar and also a popular spot.
- Outdoor cinema – Every summer, recent films and the best classics are shown in the middle of the old town of Naxos. Watching movies in ancient Greece after a day of sunbathing on the beach, it doesn't get any better.
- Stroll through the old center of the capital; you can have a lot of fun shopping here! Tip: GMKT.
If you save this address by clicking the heart, GMKT will be added to 'your booklet' - so you can easily put together your own holiday route, throughout Barts Boekje. - Watching the sunset on a large rock/mountain at the harbor is a must. Are there many people? Then it is a trick to find a nice spot where the two of you or your small group can sit, but don't walk away. It's worth it.
To the three towns Petticoats silk, Filoti en Apeiranthos you have to drive inland. Rent a scooter and go in this order. The first, Halki, is nice for a cup and a cake among the locals (there are also many nice cocktail bars and restaurants here, but because this is the first skip you'll probably have that for a while - you can always come back!). The second, Filoti, is nice to walk through the streets and have another drink. The last, Apeiranthos, is the highest; here you really have a great view over the whole of Naxos. Lunch at cafe Giorgios and you have had a great morning/early afternoon. If you press the heart, you can save Apeiranthos to 'your booklet', so you can collect your own favorites through Barts Boekje!
- Fly to Athens and stay here overnight so that you can arrive early the next day ferry can grab. Ferries after flights often don't connect well, and if you know that a nice bed awaits you after your flight, you start your holiday a lot more relaxed.
- Rent a scooter? Take the slightly more expensive one (40 euros per day), because the roads are all quite steep and bumpy. Renting a quad is also fun, although a bit more expensive. Nice to take a speaker with you.
- Stay in the old town of Naxos, then you can walk to the restaurants and the harbor in the evening instead of riding back on the scooter after a few drinks – remember those steep and bumpy roads…
