This summer, we embarked on a beach vacation to Greece and visited Naxos with kids and family. While researching the best Greek islands for families, Naxos kept coming up as a top recommendation. During our Greek islands hopping adventure, we decided to focus mainly on Naxos, along with visits to Ios and Santorini. Without a doubt, Naxos with kids was the best choice for a perfect summer beach vacation.
The Greek island of Naxos not only offered beautiful beaches but also a relaxed, authentic atmosphere—just as one would imagine for a perfect Greek island summer getaway. Of all the islands we visited, Naxos stood out as our favorite for a laid-back and fun family escape.
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Why We Chose Naxos for a Family Vacation with Kids
When planning our family summer vacation, we sought a Greek island that offered several key aspects for families:
- Family-Friendly Beaches: Naxos has a beautiful, swimmable beach with shallow, calm waters, just a short walk from the charming town center, Naxos Chora. Additionally, there are many more stunning beaches a short drive away, providing even more options for family fun.
- Quiet Atmosphere: The island offers a peaceful environment away from crowds, especially since no cruise ships visit, ensuring a tranquil experience with manageable crowds.
- Charming Town Center: The lively center of Naxos Chora is filled with local shops, cafes, picturesque whitewashed streets, and even a castle, making it ideal for family exploration.
- Compact Size: Naxos is easily navigable, allowing us to reach both the beaches and authentic villages effortlessly. The island also boasts an efficient public transportation system, making it convenient to explore without needing a rental car.
- Relaxed Experience: We desired a slower-paced vacation focused on unwinding and enjoying the beach atmosphere with our family. Naxos perfectly delivers this with its welcoming vibe, friendly locals, and beach facilities that provide attentive service right to your sun bed.
Where is Naxos Island?
Naxos Island is located in the Aegean Sea and is part of the Cyclades archipelago in Greece. It lies southeast of mainland Greece, situated between the islands of Paros and Ios, and is also close to the famous islands of Santorini and Mykonos. Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades, known for its beautiful beaches, rich history, and charming villages.
How to Get to Naxos with Kids
You can choose between the fast ferry or a plane to reach Naxos. There is an airport located near the central town of Naxos, known as Chora. However, it only serves domestic flights, so you’ll need to transfer in Athens for international flights.
For the fast ferry, you can board at one of two ports in Athens: Piraeus or Rafina. The ferry port on Naxos Island is conveniently situated in the center of Naxos Chora, providing easy access to the island.
We chose the fast ferry from Athens to Naxos, as it provides a more relaxed and family-friendly way to reach the Greek islands. It’s also a more affordable option than flying for a family. The ferry ride was a delight, offering spectacular views of the Aegean Sea and the Greek islands along the way. For more details about our journey, check out my post: “How to Get to Naxos?“
We purchased our ferry tickets from ferryhopper.com and simply just showed the online tickets when boarding. If you plan to take the ferry too, I recommend buying your tickets well in advance, as prices rise significantly closer to the summer months. You can check the timetables and prices for Athens-Naxos ferries through the link here.
Since we were staying in Naxos Chora, we easily reached our accommodation by walking from the ferry port through the town’s picturesque streets.
Where to stay in Naxos with kids
The best area to stay in Naxos for families is Naxos Chora, the island’s main town. It has a lively vibe and a beautiful beach within walking distance from the town center. Naxos Chora also offers a variety of restaurants and an authentic atmosphere, making it a delightful place to explore and enjoy with the kids.
While researching family-friendly accommodations on Naxos Chora, I stumbled upon the Maisonette at Naxos Center Houses, and it immediately caught my attention! Nestled in the heart of Naxos Town, this charming traditional Greek island house offered everything we needed for our family of four. With two cozy bedrooms, a spacious living and dining area, and a well-equipped kitchen, it felt like a home away from home.
The highlight, however, was the loft terrace, boasting breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea, the picturesque old town, the historic Naxos castle, and the iconic Portara. Waking up to those views each morning made it a truly unforgettable stay. Its central location meant we could easily explore the vibrant town, while still being close to family-friendly beaches and restaurants. It was the perfect spot for a relaxing yet enriching family getaway!
The Maisonette at Naxos Center Houses, has a Booking.com score of 9.1 based on over 170 reviews. It was a wonderful accommodation, and we couldn’t be more pleased with our choice.
- Check out the prices at Naxos Center Houses
- For other family-friendly hotel options in Naxos, click here.
Best beaches in Naxos for families
We absolutely loved the beaches of Naxos! This Greek island is truly the perfect destination for a beach vacation with kids. The sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters create an idyllic setting. Paros Island stretches across from Naxos’s western shores, acting as a natural breakwater, ensuring calm seas during our visit.
Agios Georgios Beach
Agios Georgios Beach is a stunning stretch of golden sand located just a short walk from the town center of Naxos (Chora). With its shallow, crystal-clear waters, it’s an ideal spot for families with young kids and toddlers, providing a safe environment for little ones to play and swim.
At Agios Georgios Beach, several seaside cafés and restaurants offer sunbed rentals with food and drink service directly to your sunbed. Prices generally range from €20 to €30 for two sunbeds and an umbrella. The food and drink prices were surprisingly affordable for a beachfront location (see the menu below).
We happily settled at one of these establishments during our vacation, enjoying a wonderfully relaxing time by the sea in Naxos with kids.
We absolutely loved Agios Georgios Beach—it was one of the best family-friendly beaches we have ever visited! In fact, I would even say it was a better option than the stunning white sandy beaches we visited in Sardinia with kids.
The charm of Agios Georgios lies not only in its crystal-clear, calm waters but also in its proximity to a lively town center, allowing us to enjoy both the beach and the local culture. While the beaches in Sardinia were undeniably beautiful, they were often more isolated, which made Agios Georgios Beach stand out as a perfect choice for our family.
Why Agios Georgios Beach is the perfect choice in Naxos with kids?
- The beach features soft, fine sand, and even the seabed is sandy, with crystal-clear waters.
- Paros Island acts as a natural breakwater, ensuring calm waters—ideal for a stress-free family day.
- The water is very shallow, and in some spots, it becomes even shallower further out, making it an excellent choice for families with young children.
- Sun beds and umbrellas are available for rent along the beach, with food and drink service directly to your sun bed for a comfortable, relaxing day by the sea.
- The beach is easily accessible with a short walk from Naxos Town center.
- Since Naxos has many beautiful beaches, Agios Georgios Beach remains relatively uncrowded and offers a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere.
Agios Prokopios Beach
One sunny day, we decided to explore Agios Prokopios and Plaka beaches using public transportation. While we didn’t take a dip at Agios Prokopios Beach, the bus ride offered a glimpse of its vibrant atmosphere. The beach boasts soft sandy shores, calm waters that deepen quickly, and a lively scene surrounded by numerous amenities. Renting two sun beds and an umbrella costs were around €15-20, making it a great option for families.
As we traveled, we passed several charming seaside tavernas that added to the scenic beauty of the coastline. These spots looked perfect for a relaxing meal with stunning sea views.
How to get to Agios Prokopios and Plaka beaches
Buses heading to Agios Prokopios and Plaka beaches depart from the ticket office located along the seafront next to the port in Naxos Town (Hora). We took Line 1, which connects Hora directly to the beaches, with tickets priced at just €2.20. The buses are air-conditioned and reminiscent of the classic intercity buses, ensuring a comfortable journey.
For up-to-date bus schedules and route information, you can visit the KTEL bus website.
Plaka Beach
Plaka Beach, often regarded as the most beautiful on the island, is truly stunning. The water is crystal-clear and wonderfully calm, perfect for those who love swimming in deeper waters. Just a few steps in, the sea deepens quickly, offering an ideal spot for a refreshing swim.
Along the long stretch of Plaka Beach, numerous small boutique-like hotels are lined up. The atmosphere is incredibly relaxing and tranquil—perhaps a bit too quiet for us, but just perfect for those who appreciate peaceful settings.
Places to Visit on Naxos Island
Beyond its stunning beaches, Naxos Island boasts some wonderful, authentic places to explore as a family.
- Naxos Chora: The main town on the island, Naxos Chora offers many attractions, including the ancient Portara, a historical castle, and delightful whitewashed streets perfect for wandering.
- Mount Zas (Zeus): As the highest point in the Cyclades, Mount Zas is a great destination for hiking enthusiasts. You can embark on a 5-mile round trip journey to reach the summit and enjoy breathtaking views. The mountain is named after Zeus, as it is believed to be his birthplace and childhood home according to Greek mythology.
- Chalki Village: This is the most charming village on the island and a must-see for those seeking an authentic Greek village experience.
If you’re looking to explore Naxos even further, the ‘Naxos Highlights Bus Tour‘ is a fantastic option. With multiple stops throughout the day, this tour offers the opportunity to visit impressive monuments, explore charming villages, and dive deeper into the island’s rich local culture.
Portara
Portara is the symbol of Naxos Island and the first thing you see as you approach the island by ferry. The enormous gate is actually the unfinished entrance to the ancient Temple of Apollo. This ancient gate, particularly popular for sunset visits, is within walking distance from Naxos Chora.
Portara, located on a small islet connected to the mainland, is easily reachable from Chora in just a few minutes on foot. Entry to Portara is free, and it can be visited at any time of the day.
Portara is particularly popular for its sunset views, and we couldn’t resist experiencing it ourselves. We found the largest crowd we’d seen on Naxos gathered at Portara during sunset—though it was still nothing compared to the throngs we later encountered in Santorini. The sight of the sun sinking behind the massive, ancient structure was simply spectacular.
At sunset, the view of Naxos Chora from Portara is also breathtaking. The man-made causeway leading to the site adds to the charm, with one side of the strait choppy and the other as smooth as glass, creating a mesmerizing and unforgettable scene.
Naxos Chora
Naxos Chora is the main town on Naxos Island and the first place you’ll encounter when arriving by ferry. The beachfront is a lively hub, lined with a variety of restaurants, bars, cafés, and tourist shops, making it the perfect spot to unwind after a day at the beach.
Enjoy a lovely dinner, stroll around for some shopping, or relax with a drink by the sea as the sun sets. You can also people-watch from a street-level bar or grab a quick gyro for a casual, satisfying meal.
As you venture into the side streets of Naxos Chora, you’ll uncover more authentic gems—basket weavers, cheesemongers, and charming tavernas with octopuses hanging in their windows. Nestled at the foot of Naxos’s castle, these streets are the perfect place to sit at a café, soak in the laid-back atmosphere, and enjoy the true essence of a Greek summer.
As you approach Kastro, the castle perched on a hill in Naxos Chora, you’ll find yourself wandering through narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses adorned with vibrant bougainvillea. This maze of charming streets perfectly captures the spirit of the Greek islands. Strolling along the cobblestone paths and making your way up to the castle’s highest point is an experience you won’t want to miss.
Kastro
Naxos Chora (pronounced Hora) is built on a hill, with Kastro, the Naxos castle, located at its highest point. Constructed by the Venetians, the castle has been a continuous settlement since 1207.
As you step through the imposing gates of Kastro, you’re immediately drawn into a captivating maze of streets. This area is filled with museums, churches, and monasteries just waiting to be explored.
We made our way to the castle’s highest point, where we discovered the historic Ursuline Monastery. Once a sanctuary for girls’ education, restricted to women, this cultural center now warmly welcomes everyone. Inside, you can visit the Archaeological Museum and enjoy a meal at one of Naxos’s finest dining spots, Avaton 1739.
Avaton 1739
Dining at Avaton restaurant was a truly delightful experience, especially with its panoramic views of Naxos Chora. With the port, sea, and stunning beaches all at our feet, it’s the perfect spot to relax and soak in the scenery.
We went for brunch and thoroughly enjoyed our meals at Avaton restaurant. The food was expertly crafted with a modern twist on traditional Greek flavors, and the attentive service made the experience even better. Set in a historic location with breathtaking views, Avaton is the perfect spot for an unforgettable dining experience in Naxos. Click here for the menu of Avaton restaurant.
Chalki Village
During our visit to Halki village, just a 30-minute bus ride from Naxos Chora, we were completely charmed by its authentic Greek island vibes. Wandering through the quaint, photogenic streets lined with traditional shops and art galleries, we felt as if we had stepped back in time.
Things to do in Chalki village
Although the village center is small, consisting of just two main streets, we loved exploring every corner and soaking in the local culture. First, we strolled around the whitewashed houses adorned with vibrant bougainvillea. Then, we visited the production site of Naxos’s traditional liqueur, Kitron, and even sampled a bit of it (but beware—it’s quite strong!).
Next, we explored the village’s art gallery, a unique spot filled with exquisite and delightful pieces.
The cozy cafés and tavernas in Chalki provided the perfect setting for a break, allowing us to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. We settled at a table on a colorful street, indulging in exquisite treats and Greek coffee, while the kids savored their granitas—a half-frozen drink bursting with flavor. For those visiting around mealtime, the lovely taverna under the vine-covered pergola in the small square looked like a fantastic spot to enjoy a delicious meal.
For those like us with more time to explore, a walk along the path lined with olive, fig, and various fruit trees toward the historic churches outside the village center is a wonderful way to experience the authentic ambiance of the southern Aegean region. Although the historic church was closed when we visited, walking along that path was mesmerizing and brought back beautiful memories from my childhood spent in neighboring countries.
In short, Chalki is a charming village that made me want to take a photo at every corner. It’s a must-see for anyone looking to experience the true essence of Greek islands life!
How to get to Chalki
We visited Halki using public transport, which was quite convenient. Buses to Halki village depart from the bus stop located by the port in Naxos Chora. Lines 2 and 6 connect Chora to Halki, and the ticket price is €2.60.
As we wrap up our adventures, I hope our time in Naxos with kids has inspired you. It was truly an unforgettable experience for me, and I would return in a heartbeat!
Have you been to any Greek Islands? I’d love to hear your recommendations for a fun summer family vacation!