Where to Stay in Naxos: 6 Best Areas & Hotels

Looking for the best places to stay in Naxos? You’re in the right place!

Naxos is the largest island of the Cyclades family and is home to the highest mountain, Mount Zas. Not only is this beautiful island famous for its pristine beaches, but it’s also known for its Greek mythology, lush meadows, and island-hopping day trips.

With so many sites to see, it may seem impossible to decide where to stay in Naxos. However, this guide is going to go through the six best areas to stay in Naxos to help you make your decision.

You’ll get an overview of each area, the pros and cons of staying there, and the top hotel choices for every budget. So, let’s dive into the best places to stay in Naxos!

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

Overview of Where to Stay in Naxos

Naxos, part of the Cyclades, is close to popular islands like Santorini, Mykonos, and Ios. While less famous, it boasts beautiful beaches, great food, and fascinating architecture.

The island attracts many visitors yearly and is accessible by plane or ferry. Flights from Athens land at the National Airport of Naxos, but no international flights arrive here. Ferries from Athens and nearby islands like Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini offer more flexibility.

Getting around is easy with public buses connecting villages and beaches. For more flexibility, you can rent cars, motorcycles, or ATVs. Taxis and private transfers are available but can be pricey and require booking in advance.

When choosing where to stay, consider transport links, nearby attractions, and your budget. Naxos offers a variety of accommodations, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly options, across many areas.

Plan your stay based on the attractions you want to visit, whether it’s beaches or archaeological sites. If you’re short on time, check the table below for the best areas to stay and what they offer.

AreaRecommended Hotel
Chora (sightseeing, transport links, first-time visitors, culture)Argo Boutique Hotel
Agios Prokopios (family-friendly, beach, food, relaxation)Margaret of Naxos
Agia Anna (budget-friendly, relaxation, family-friendly, beach)Cycladic Islands Hotel & Spa
Stelida (relaxation, beach, family-friendly)Kavos Boutique Hotel Naxos
Plaka (food, beach, family-friendly, transport links)Valena Mare Suites & Apartments
Mikri Vigla (beach, relaxation, budget-friendly, watersports)Oasis Studios

Map of the Best Areas to Stay in Naxos

How to use this map: This map is fully interactive, so you can move around, zoom in/zoom out, and click on the icons. If you want to see a larger map, click on the bracket in the upper right corner. To see more details and the different layers, click on the tab in the upper left corner. If you want to save it for later, click on the star icon next to the name of the map. Then simply open Google Maps either on your desktop or phone, go to ‘Saved’/’Maps’, and open the map whenever you need it.

Where to Stay in Naxos: Best Areas & Hotels

1. Chora

A view of Chora on Naxos island with its classic Cycladic white buildings stacked along the hillside. The bright blue sea in the foreground contrasts beautifully with the mountain backdrop.

Chora (otherwise known as Naxos Town) is the capital of the island and the most well-developed area on Naxos. It’s where the main port is located so if you’re traveling to the island by ferry, this will be your entry point. 

Chora is the historic heart of the island and you’ll find an endless amount of sites to visit, interesting landmarks, and narrow, winding alleyways. Some of the most popular places here include the old town, the Temple of Apollo, Kastro, and the Archaeological Museum of Naxos.

However, one of the highlights has to be Agios Georgios Beach. With its long stretch of golden sands, crystal clear waters, and scenic views, it’s one of the best beaches in Naxos. It’s ideal for relaxation, but you can also try out lots of water sports here too!

Not only does Chora have plenty of attractions to visit, but it’s also perfect for transport links. The main bus stop of Naxos is located here and routes run all across the island to other popular villages and beaches. That makes getting around and exploring super easy!

You’ll also find a variety of accommodation options here, ranging from 5-star hotels to cheap studio rooms. So if you’re looking for plenty of sites to see, great transport links, and a beautiful beach, then Chora has to be one of the best places to stay in Naxos.

Pros and cons of staying in Chora

Pros
  • Great transport links 
  • Lots of attractions to visit
Cons
  • Can get very busy, especially during the summer months
  • The views aren’t as scenic compared to other areas of Naxos

Best hotels in Chora

2. Agios Prokopios

A wide expanse of Agios Prokopios Beach with rows of sunbeds and umbrellas. The clear turquoise water meets a golden sandy shore, while white buildings and hills are visible in the distance.

Agios Prokopios is located just 3.5 km (2.2 miles) from Naxos airport. It’s only a small village but is a popular holiday destination for those traveling to the island.

It’s one of the best places to stay in Naxos as it’s just 5 km (3.1 miles) from Chora and is great for families. The waters are shallow here, there are plenty of food options, and there is even a water park to keep the little ones entertained. 

You’ll also find one of the island’s most popular beaches here – Agios Prokopios Beach. With its long stretch of golden sands, crystal clear waters, and sheltered location it’s no wonder that this beach has been awarded Blue Flag Status.

If you fancy a walk, you can head down to the beach until you come to the small chapel and salt lakes at the end. Aside from that, there isn’t too much to do here making it the perfect place to relax. However, if you’re looking for something to do you can catch the bus to Chora, or walk to Agia Anna which will take around 15 minutes.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Naxos and you’re looking for a relaxing getaway – this is your place! There are also endless accommodation options for every budget, so you don’t have to worry about costs here. 

Pros and cons of staying in Agios Prokopios

Pros
  • Home to Agios Prokopios Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Naxos
  • Very family-friendly 
Cons
  • Not many attractions
  • If you want to catch the bus to other parts of Naxos, you’ll have to head back to Chora first

Best hotels in Agios Prokopios

3. Agia Anna

A picturesque aerial view of Agia Anna Beach with turquoise waters and golden sand. The charming coastal village features whitewashed buildings and a small pier with colorful boats.

If you’re wondering where to stay on Naxos island then Agia Anna is a popular choice. It’s home to a beautiful beach, has plenty of restaurants & bars, and is incredibly family-friendly.

The only thing you’ll need to be mindful of is the coastal road as it passes right by the beach, so don’t leave your little ones unattended by the beach’s edge.

Agia Anna is one of the most picturesque spots on the island with a quaint fishing harbor, turquoise waters, and traditional Greek houses. This beautiful village is a favorite with photographers, and it’s not hard to see why! 

Although you won’t find much to do in Agia Anna itself apart from relaxing on the beach, boat trips to other parts of the island are available daily from the jetty.

This is a great way to get around and will allow you to see the island’s beauty from the Aegean Sea. You can even catch the bus back to Chora or walk to Agios Prokopios which is just up the coast. 

Agia Anna is one of the best areas to stay in Naxos, especially if you’re traveling on a budget. They have plenty of great apartments offering cheap studios and rooms so you’ll have lots of choices.

There are also plenty of dining choices including Faros Stou Chiou, Akrogiali Restaurant, and Gorgona Greek Tavern.

Pros and cons of staying in Agia Anna

Pros
  • Plenty of budget-friendly options
  • Perfect for a relaxing getaway
Cons
  • Very little to do apart from relaxing on the beach and going on tours
  • Only a small village but it does get very popular in the summer months

Best hotels in Agia Anna

4. Stelida

The area of Stelida isn’t often thought of when people are choosing where to stay in Naxos. However, it’s really close to the beautiful Agios Prokopios Beach and is the perfect place to relax. 

This area hasn’t started to gain huge popularity yet, as much of the accommodation here has only been built within the past couple of years. Not only does this make Stelida incredibly peaceful, but it’s also the perfect place to stay if you want to escape the crowds.

This part of Naxos is also a great area for families as it’s really quiet, but dining options and bars are limited unless you wander further along the beach.

Stelida is a protected area and you’ll often find many archaeological digs taking place here. Many of the exhibits on display at the Archaeological Museum of Naxos have been found in Stelida which is pretty cool! 

Although you won’t find much to do in Stelida, there are plenty of places nearby. Agios Prokopios is just a 25-minute walk, while the capital of Chora is just 5 km (3.1 miles) away.

If you’re looking for somewhere quiet and crowd-free, then Stelida is one of the best places to stay in Naxos.

The only thing to consider is the accommodation. Choices here are more limited compared to other areas on the island, so you may have to book in advance. 

Pros and cons of staying in Stelida

Pros
  • Very quiet so perfect for families 
  • Beautiful beach 
Cons
  • Limited choice of accommodation compared to other areas
  • Not much to do here other than head to the beach

Best hotels in Stelida

5. Plaka

Plaka Beach stretches with its soft sand and crystal-clear water, bordered by lush greenery and small white buildings. A few sun loungers are scattered along the shore.

Plaka is one of the best areas to stay in Naxos, especially for families and couples on a romantic getaway. With its pristine beach, incredible food, scenic views, and fiery sunsets it’s no wonder this area is so popular.

You won’t find much to do here other than relaxing on Plaka Beach, so if you’re looking for a chilled getaway – this is a great option.

The beach itself is beautiful with endless stretches of white sand, turquoise waters, and plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas. It’s even been awarded Blue Flag Status! Plaka is also a great place to snorkel so grab your action camera and wonder at Greece’s colorful marine life.

If you’re looking to take a few trips out of Plaka then you can catch the bus to Agios Prokopios or Agia Anna. When it comes to food, you’ll have plenty of great dining options available including the Petrino Beach Restaurant, the 3 Brothers Restaurant, and Nikos & Maria Restaurant.

Not only that but there are several beachside bars along Plaka beach where you can grab a drink and relax. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy one of the area’s beautiful sunsets. 

Pros and cons of staying in Plaka

Pros
  • Home to Plaka Beach
  • Plenty of beachside tavernas and restaurants
Cons
  • Not many attractions here aside from the beach
  • Can get busy during the summer months

Best hotels in Plaka

6. Mikri Vigla

A stunning aerial view of Mikri Vigla Beach, one of the best beaches in Naxos, showcasing its golden sand and turquoise waters. The surrounding landscape includes whitewashed villas dotting the hills and the rugged coastline extending into the sea.

Mikri Vigla is situated just 2 km (1.2 miles) from Plaka Beach and is one of the best places to stay in Naxos if you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing holiday.

You’ll also find a couple of beachside tavernas and restaurants here including Mikri Vigla Restaurant, Kontos Taverna, and Victoria Cafe.

The only thing about staying in Mikri Vigla is that there aren’t really any attractions nearby. Although wind and kite surfing are extremely popular here!

However, if you’re looking for something else to do, then Plaka Beach is just a 30-minute walk away. You can also head to the island’s capital which is found nearby.

You can even take a trip out to Panagi Parthen Island which is located just off the coast of Mikri Vigla. There is a beautiful church standing alone on the island, and you’ll also find some great snorkeling opportunities here.

If you’re looking for a luxury getaway then you might be better off choosing another area to stay. Accommodation choices in Mikri Vigla are limited and primarily consist of studios, apartments, and cheap hotel rooms. However, this does make it one of the best areas to stay in Naxos for budget travelers. 

It’s also not a lively area, so if you’re after nightlife or late-night tavernas – I’d recommend staying in Chora instead which is only 11 km (6.8 miles) away.

Pros and cons of staying in Mikri Vigla

Pros
  • Quiet and peaceful
  • Great for watersports
Cons
  • Limited accommodation options compared to other areas in Naxos
  • No nightlife or lively atmosphere, so not suitable for people who are after this

Best hotels in Mikri Vigla

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