Agios Prokopios - the best organised beach
5 km south of Chora on the main coast road - a 10-minute drive, never more. Fine white sand, calm translucent water, and a full line of sunbed operators and beachfront tavernas. Buses reach Agios Prokopios frequently in summer so the beach gets busy by 11 am; drive here, park (free and plentiful at the south end), and claim your spot early. The water is shallow for 50 metres - ideal for children and weak swimmers. Voted consistently among the top ten beaches in Greece by TripAdvisor users; the accolade is deserved.
Agia Anna - compact, charming, with tavernas
7 km south and practically a continuation of Prokopios, separated by a small headland and the village of Agia Anna itself. Narrower strip of beach, denser concentration of fish tavernas and small hotels directly on the sand, and a tiny fishing harbour at the north end that you can walk to. The village road has several parking spots; arrive before 10 am in August or expect a walk. Good base if you're renting accommodation in the area - everything is within a five-minute stroll.
Plaka - long, uncrowded, beautiful
8 km south of Chora, Plaka is simply a longer, quieter, less-developed version of Prokopios - and better for it. The beach stretches for almost 4 km without interruption: broad enough to absorb a full August crowd and still feel uncrowded in the middle. The southern half is naturist-friendly by local convention. No bus reaches Plaka on a reliable schedule - a car or scooter is the practical way in. Ample free parking along the access road. Several low-key beach bars and a campsite at the north end. If you have children and want to split the day between swimming and exploring, Plaka and Prokopios are an easy back-to-back.
Mikri Vigla - windsurf and kitesurf capital
17 km south of Chora, Mikri Vigla is two beaches in one: the north face of the headland is a calm, crystal-clear cove perfect for swimming; the south face catches the full force of the Aegean meltemi and is one of Europe's top-rated kitesurfing locations. Between June and September you'll see 30–40 kiters in the air at any given afternoon. The access road is paved to the car park; from there it's a short walk down. ATVs and buggies can use the track that continues south - standard cars should stop at the parking area. There's a beach bar and a kite school, but no organised sunbeds - bring your own shade.
Alyko and Pyrgaki - the wild south
23 km south of Chora, Alyko is Naxos at its most raw. A protected cedar forest (the cedars are actually junipers, but Naxians call them cedar) runs down to three wild beaches with no facilities, no sunbeds, and sometimes no other visitors at all. The famous painted abandoned hotel sits in the middle of the forest - a grid of derelict rooms covered floor to ceiling in street art, one of the most photographed locations on the island. The access tracks here are unpaved soft sand. Standard cars should not attempt them. Our Suzuki Jimny and Polaris buggy handle everything easily. Pyrgaki, 3 km further, is a smaller wild beach facing due west - the ideal last stop for a south-coast sunset.