Naxos Island Greece
Naxos Island is the largest island in the Cyclades and it is one of the most beautiful and interesting of the Greek Islands. Located in the south Aegean sea, Naxos is midway between Crete and the Athens mainland.
Naxos has the cosmopolitan atmosphere of a modern tourist destination, but at the same time has kept its traditional lifestyle and its local culture. Hora (the main town) is a harbour and the administrative centre of the island. As well as the historic old town, it has a modern centre, which offers all kinds of facilities. There is a Health Centre, banks, good shopping and lots of restaurants, bars and cafes. It has a lively nightlife, not only during the summer months, like most islands, but all the year round.
The famous beaches on the south western side of Naxos provide endless stretches of golden sand and sand dunes and clear, blue sea for swimming. From Agios Prokopios all the way along the coast to Plaka, Pyrgaki and Agiassos, there are beautiful beaches. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available on many beaches, or visit the attractive area of Alyko, Hawaii beach, Glyfada or Orkos for smaller bays.
However to really get to know Naxos, you must visit the inland areas and the mountain villages, walk the paths which crisscross the island, smell the wild thyme, listen to the violin and the lute at one of the local festivals and be refreshed by the island's energy.
How to Get to Naxos
Getting to Naxos
With many direct international flights to Mykonos and Santorini, these are ideal islands to begin your Naxos visit.
Daily ferries and catamarans link these islands with Naxos and schedules can be found online at www.openseas.gr
Getting to Naxos Island by sea from Athens is another choice as there are frequent ferry services from Piraeus and Rafina ports.
Piraeus and Rafina are easily accessed from Athens International Airport with suburban rail, metro and bus links to Piraeus and frequent buses to Rafina, as well as taxis. The direct bus link from Athens Airport to Piraeus port is route X96, about 90 minute journey, or to the centre of Athens route X95, about 60 minute journey. There are 6 to 8 daily sea schedules to and from Mainland Greece and journey time depends on ferry / catamaran type. Getting here with high speed vessels will take 3.5 to 4 hours, while journey time with a ferry is 5.5 to 6.5 hours.
For more information about travelling from or to Athens airport, see the information here https://aia.gr/traveler/access-and-transportation/transportation/public-transportation/
Many other Greek Islands have ferry links to Naxos including Paros, Santorini, Mykonos, Ios, Sifnos, Milos, Amorgos and Syros.
Book all your ferry tickets online direct with our reliable local agency Zas Travel www.zasferries.com
Flying to Naxos
There are several flights per day between Athens and Naxos with 2 airlines currently offering this route.
Check www.aegeanair.com or www.skyexpress.gr for flights.
Private charter helicopters or flights are also available to and from Naxos, the surrounding islands and the mainland.