Find Your Perfect Beach in Naxos

Just 5-6 km southwest of Naxos Town, Agios Prokopios is one of the island’s top beaches, famed for a long stretch of golden-thick sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters. Its sheltered position gives relatively calm seas, especially near the northern end, making it excellent for swimming. The beach combines a lively section with beach bars, cafés, restaurants and amenities, and more relaxed ends where you can enjoy quieter stretches of sand.

Plaka is one of Naxos’s longest and most beautiful sandy beaches, stretching for around 4 km along the southwestern coast. With soft white/golden sand, turquoise clear water, and wide open stretches, it’s ideal for sunbathing, long walks, swimming, and relaxing. Parts of the south end feel more untouched and natural, while the more developed north end (near Maragas etc.) has beach bars and restaurants, giving visitors options between tranquility or more service.

Agia Anna Beach runs along Naxos’s west coast just south of Agios Prokopios, forming part of the island’s long sandy seaside resort strip. Fine sand dominates, with rock outcrops around the small port and water recorded as typically moderate rather than guaranteed calm. The beach is organised and its 2026 Blue Flag status is confirmed by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature. The verified amenity record includes sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, food, a beach bar and a taverna, together with family-friendly, snorkelling and water-sports markers. Roadside parking is the recorded arrangement. The northern stretch can feel breezier during Meltemi conditions, while the port-side end is more enclosed, but visitors should still use the day’s forecast. This is the Naxos beach, not either Agia Anna of Mykonos or Amorgos.

City beach on the south side of Naxos Town with predominantly fine sand and some rocky/pebblier patches toward the southern end. Water is usually clear and shallow for a long distance, making it popular with families. The bay is relatively sheltered from the prevailing northern Meltemi, so conditions tend to be calm; a lagoon area to the south hosts beginner-friendly windsurfing. Access is on foot from town or by paved road; multiple public parking areas sit near the beachfront. The shore is partly organized with rows of sunbeds/umbrellas run by cafés/hotels, plus beach bars and tavernas behind the sand. Public showers and toilets exist near the main organized zone. Cautions: gets very crowded in peak season; watch for windsurfers in the lagoon area and occasional small craft near the town harbor entrance.

Long west-coast strand south of Mikri Vigla and north of Alyko/Glyfada. Predominantly fine, light sand with clear, turquoise water. Generally open to the Aegean with exposure to the northerly Meltemi; conditions range from calm to choppy depending on wind, with small waves more likely on windy days. Access is by paved road; public bus services the area in season. Parking is mostly along the road or at venues behind the beach. Parts of the shoreline are unorganized, while several sections have managed sunbeds/umbrellas and low-key beach bars/tavernas. No widely reported lifeguard presence. Cautions: limited natural shade; wind/wave chop during Meltemi; facilities are scattered rather than continuous.

Long, mostly sandy stretch between Agia Anna and Plaka with crystal-clear, shallow waters. Partially organized with sections of sunbeds/umbrellas and plenty of free area. Generally open to the north Aegean (Meltemi) winds, so conditions vary from calm to choppy; expect moderate waves when winds pick up. Access is easy by road and local bus from Naxos Town; the coastal road here is partly unpaved with mainly roadside parking. Nearby cafés/tavernas and a camping complex provide food and services. Note: a nudist-friendly section is commonly reported near the small hilltop chapel south of Agia Anna; no confirmed lifeguard presence.

Mikri Vigla lies on the western coast of Naxos, about 11-18 km from Naxos Town depending on route. It offers fine white sand (combined with some dunes & headlands) and crystal-clear waters. The beach is especially popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers because of the steady winds, but also works well for families wanting a relaxed day by the sea. There are several accommodation units and tavernas nearby, so you can combine swimming with meals and longer stays.

Orkos Beach is a sandy stretch on Naxos' west coast, between Agios Prokopios and Plaka. The beach is backed by dunes and low scrub, with a steady westerly swell that makes the water wavy, appealing to swimmers who enjoy active conditions. A few sunbeds and umbrellas are available for rent, and a simple beach bar serves drinks and snacks. Parking is along the roadside near the access path. The beach is less crowded than neighbouring Agios Prokopios, offering a more relaxed atmosphere. Facilities such as showers and toilets are limited, so visitors should come prepared. The natural setting with dunes and sea grass gives it a wilder feel.

A quiet cove on the north side of the Stelida peninsula near Agios Prokopios. Shore is a sand-and-pebble mix with generally clear, calm blue waters in settled weather. The beach is exposed to the northerly Meltemi; conditions can become choppy and it’s best avoided when strong north winds blow. Access is by asphalt road with a short stretch of earth road at the end; final approach is on foot. Limited facilities: a few seasonal sunbeds/umbrellas may be set up; no reliable shade, services, or lifeguard. Parking is mainly along the access road and nearby shoulders. Take water and sun protection.