Beaches & villages
The largest, greenest and most self-sufficient of the Cyclades - and where Zeus is said to have grown up.
Beaches
Agios Prokopios
Agios Prokopios is the long, fine-sand beach 5 km south of Chora. Most visitors here pick a small automatic car for beach hopping - the road into Chora is busy in summer.
Best vehicle for Agios Prokopios
Hyundai i10
Ideal for beach-to-beach hopping
Agia Anna
Agia Anna sits at the southern end of the Agios Prokopios beach. Quieter, more local, with a working fishing harbour. Free delivery here too.
Best vehicle for Agia Anna
Hyundai i10
Ideal for beach-to-beach hopping
Plaka
Plaka is the long, less-developed beach beyond Agia Anna. Free delivery, easier parking, beachfront tavernas.
Best vehicle for Plaka
Hyundai i10
Ideal for beach-to-beach hopping
Stelida
Stelida is the hill above Agios Prokopios full of villas and the new Wyndham resort. Steep streets - small automatic recommended.
Best vehicle for Stelida
Hyundai i10
Ideal for beach-to-beach hopping
Mikri Vigla
Mikri Vigla is the wind-blasted south-west beach famous for kitesurfing. Long unpaved access roads make 4x4 SUVs a great choice. About 17 km from Chora.
Best vehicle for Mikri Vigla
Hyundai Kona Automatic Turbo
For paved coastal routes
Mountain Villages
Filoti
Filoti is the gateway to Mount Zas, Cave of Zeus, and the Tragea olive valley. A small automatic car handles the climb easily.
Best vehicle for Filoti
Hyundai i10
Built for mountain village roads
Apeiranthos
Apeiranthos sits at 600 m altitude, 28 km east of Chora. Marble streets, museums, balcony tavernas. The Filoti–Apeiranthos drive is the iconic Naxos road trip.
Best vehicle for Apeiranthos
Hyundai i10
Built for mountain village roads
Apollonas
Apollonas is 35 km from Chora, an hour's drive on winding mountain roads. Worth it for the unfinished giant Kouros and a quiet seafood lunch. Any car will do.
Best vehicle for Apollonas
Hyundai i10
Built for mountain village roads
Chalki
Chalki is the prettiest of the inland villages, lined with restored neoclassical mansions and the historic Vallindras citron distillery. 16 km from Chora.
Best vehicle for Chalki
Hyundai i10
Built for mountain village roads
Chora
Chora is Naxos's main town: the Portara, the marble pedestrian streets, the harbour-side tavernas. Free delivery to any hotel, Airbnb or villa within Chora.
Best vehicle for Chora
Hyundai i10
Compact and easy to park in Chora
