Where to Stay in Naxos
Last updated: October 2026
On Naxos, the big choice is town life or a beach on your doorstep, and the good news is you can have both.
Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades, but most visitors stay in a fairly small area: the main town, Chora, and the string of sandy beaches that runs south from it down the west coast. Agios Georgios is the town beach. Then come Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka, each a little further from town and a little quieter. Agios Georgios is a short walk from the bus station at the port, and the others are on the main summer bus route, which is why Naxos is one of the easiest Greek islands to enjoy without a car.
This guide covers the five bases most people choose between, with who each suits, the honest downsides, how you’ll get around, and some real places to stay in each. We checked every property on its own website and at least one other current source in October 2026.
No booking links, no commissions. We link to each property’s own website. Book direct or wherever you like.
Quick answer: where to stay in Naxos
First visit or no car: Chora, or Agios Georgios on the edge of town. The port, the bus station, restaurants and a sandy beach are all within walking distance.
Beach holiday: Agios Prokopios or Agia Anna for long sandy beaches with tavernas, on the bus line to town.
Families: Agios Georgios for its shallow, sheltered beach next to town, or Agia Anna for an easy beach-village stay.
Couples and quiet: Plaka, for a long, wild-feeling beach and a more relaxed pace. A car helps.
Atmosphere: the old town and Kastro quarter of Chora, if you don’t mind steps.
Naxos areas compared
| Area | Best for | Honest downsides | Beach on the doorstep? | Need a car? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chora (Naxos Town) | First-timers, food, ferries, evenings out | Town noise; old-town lanes are steep with steps | Agios Georgios and Grotta are walkable | No |
| Agios Georgios | Families, no-car trips, beach plus town | Built-up and busy in August | Yes (sandy, shallow) | No |
| Agios Prokopios | A classic beach holiday | Resort feel; a bus or taxi to town | Yes (long, sandy) | No (on the bus line) |
| Agia Anna | A relaxed beach village, families | Fewer evening options than town | Yes (sandy) | No (on the bus line) |
| Plaka | Couples, long walks on the sand, quiet | Spread out; fewer shops; breezier | Yes (long, sandy) | Useful |
How we describe price bands: Budget means simple rooms, studios or small family-run hotels, among the cheaper options on the island. Mid-range means a comfortable hotel or well-kept apartment, often with a pool or breakfast. High-end means boutique or luxury places with suites, pools, spas or beach service. These are relative bands and a rough guide only, not prices. Rates everywhere climb steeply in July and August, so check current rates on each property’s own site before booking.
Prices, timetables and opening seasons change; check before booking.
Chora (Naxos Town): the best base for most first-timers
Chora is the island’s capital and port. It has a long waterfront of cafés and tavernas, an old town of narrow lanes climbing to the Venetian Kastro quarter, and the Portara, the marble gateway of an unfinished ancient temple, on its islet by the harbour. It’s busy in the evening and stays alive outside summer.
Who it suits: first-time visitors, food lovers, anyone without a car, island hoppers with early or late ferries, and visitors outside high summer.
Pros:
- You can walk off the ferry to your room, and the bus station is by the port.
- The widest choice of restaurants, bars and shops on the island.
- Agios Georgios beach is a short walk away, and the small Grotta beach is on the north side of town.
Cons:
- Rooms on the waterfront or busy lanes can be noisy at night.
- The old town and Kastro are steep, with steps, and cars can’t reach most lanes. Ask how close a taxi can get.
- For the big sandy beaches, you’ll take the bus or drive.
Getting around: buses leave from the station near the port for the west-coast beaches and the villages inland. Taxis wait by the port.
Places to stay in Chora
Panorama Hotel
Budget to mid-range. A small, family-run hotel high in the old town near the Kastro, with 13 rooms and small suites and a roof terrace looking over the harbour. Guests love the welcome and the view. The catch is the climb: it’s reached by narrow lanes and steps, so it isn’t for heavy luggage or anyone who struggles with stairs.
Hotel Grotta
Mid-range. A family-run hotel (the Lianos family) on the slope above Grotta on the north side of town, with sea and sunset views towards the Portara. It has an indoor spa pool, hamam and sauna, and a homemade breakfast. It’s a few minutes’ walk to the centre, uphill on the way back.
Anapollo Boutique Hotel
Mid-range to high-end. An adults-only boutique hotel in Chora, about 350 m from Agios Georgios beach and within walking distance of the old town and port, with a pool area. A good choice for couples who want a pool and a quiet base but still want to walk to dinner.
Agios Georgios: beach and town in one
Agios Georgios (Saint George) is the sandy bay on the southern edge of Chora. The beach is long, shallow and sheltered at the town end, with tavernas, cafés and sunbeds along it. You can walk to the old town and port in a few minutes.
Who it suits: families with young children, no-car travellers, and anyone who wants a beach in the morning and town in the evening.
Pros:
- Shallow, calm water at the town end, which is great for small children.
- Walkable to everything, including the port.
- Lots of family-run hotels and studios.
Cons:
- It’s built-up and can feel crowded in July and August.
- The southern end of the beach is more exposed to the wind and popular with windsurfers.
- Rooms on the beachfront road can be noisy.
Getting around: walk to town and the port. Buses to the other beaches leave from the port station.
Places to stay in Agios Georgios
Soula Hotel
Budget. A friendly, family-run hotel and hostel about 20 m from the beach and a couple of minutes’ walk from Chora, with rooms, family rooms and kitchenettes. Recent reviews praise the location, cleanliness and the free port transfers; the trade-offs are basic bathrooms and some street noise.
Korali Garden Hotel
Budget to mid-range. A family-run hotel with rooms and apartments around a garden and pool, about a 10-minute walk from Agios Georgios beach and within walking distance of the port and town centre. A good-value pick for families who want a pool.
Glaros Petit Hotel
Mid-range to high-end. A small, adults-only boutique hotel about 20 m from the sand and 350 m from the town centre, with sea-view rooms and a breakfast buffet. It’s one of the best-reviewed small hotels in town. Standard rooms are compact, so consider a suite for a longer stay.
Agios Prokopios: the classic beach base
Agios Prokopios is about 4–5 km south of Chora: a long beach of light, coarse sand and very clear water, with Blue Flag status in 2026, and one of the island’s most popular. Behind it there’s a small resort of hotels, studios, tavernas and beach bars, with the old salt pans to the north.
Who it suits: beach lovers, couples and groups who want sand on the doorstep and town a bus ride away.
Pros:
- One of the island’s best beaches, with plenty of tavernas and sunbeds.
- On the main bus line between Chora and Plaka.
- A wide range of hotels, from studios to five-star.
Cons:
- It’s a resort strip rather than a village, so it lacks Chora’s character.
- Busy in July and August, and the beach bars can be loud by day.
- For an evening in town, you’ll need the bus or a taxi.
Getting around: buses run along the coast to Chora and on to Agia Anna and Plaka in summer. You can walk to Agia Anna along the shore.
Places to stay in Agios Prokopios
Liana Hotel
Mid-range to high-end. A beachfront hotel directly facing Agios Prokopios beach, with sea-view rooms and apartments, a spa and gym, and the Symposium restaurant. Some room types are semi-basement, so check the room description before you book.
18 Grapes
High-end. A five-star boutique hotel of 18 rooms and suites, about 200 m from the beach, run by a Naxian winemaking family. It has two-level pools, a spa, a fitness centre and some rooms with private pools or hot tubs. A splurge, set slightly back from the sand.
Virtu Suites
High-end. Suites right on Agios Prokopios beach. It’s the pick if you want to step from your room onto the sand. The Hellenic Chamber of Hotels lists it as open all year; if you’re travelling in winter, confirm with the hotel that it’s open for your dates.
Agia Anna: a relaxed beach village
Agia Anna runs straight on from Agios Prokopios. It has a small harbour with fishing boats, a sandy beach that continues south towards Plaka, and a village feel, with tavernas, mini-markets and family-run hotels.
Who it suits: families, couples and anyone who wants a quieter beach base than Prokopios, still on the bus line.
Pros:
- Sandy beach, tavernas and shops on foot.
- Calmer than Agios Prokopios, with a small-harbour atmosphere.
- Easy walks along the coast to Prokopios and Plaka.
Cons:
- Fewer evening options; most people go into Chora for a big night out.
- The beach in front of the village is much shorter than Plaka’s long stretch of sand.
Getting around: on the summer bus line to Chora and Plaka.
Places to stay in Agia Anna
Hotel Agia Anna
Mid-range. A family-run hotel a few steps from the beach, welcoming guests since 1986, with sea-view rooms, a buffet breakfast and private parking. A solid, no-fuss choice in the middle of the village.
Annita’s Village Art Hotel
Budget to mid-range. A family-run hotel near the beach with a pool and garden, decorated with works by the owner, Annita. It has double rooms and apartments, including two-room apartments, which work well for families. Breakfast is optional.
We only list two places in Agia Anna. A third we looked at, Iria Beach Art Hotel, is on the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels register, but its own website didn’t load when we checked, so we’ve left it out.
Plaka: a long beach with room to breathe
Plaka is the long sandy beach south of Agia Anna, several kilometres of fine sand backed by dunes, with beach bars, tavernas and places to stay spread along it. The northern end, next to Agia Anna, is the most developed; further south it gets wilder and quieter.
Who it suits: couples, beach walkers and anyone who wants space rather than a scene.
Pros:
- It’s so long that you can almost always find space, even in August.
- Quieter and more relaxed than Prokopios.
- Some of the island’s nicest beachfront hotels.
Cons:
- Spread out: you may have a walk to a shop or taverna.
- Breezier than the beaches nearer town on meltemi days.
- The southern end is far from bus stops, so a car or scooter is useful.
Getting around: in July and August 2026 the coastal bus ran between Chora and Plaka every 30 minutes, and most services end at Plaka; ask your hotel which stop is nearest. A car makes it easier to explore further south and inland.
Places to stay in Plaka
Acti Plaka
Budget to mid-range. Studios and two-room apartments a few steps from Plaka beach, each with a balcony or veranda, plus a swimming pool. Self-catering and simple, it’s a good fit for families and longer stays.
Ammothines Cycladic Suites
High-end. Family-owned suites on Plaka beach with a pool and pool bar, a restaurant, beach beds for guests and a garden of olive trees and vines. Recent reviews are excellent; the main complaint is value, as it’s expensive in peak season.
Naxian on the Beach
High-end. Ten couples-only suites across a small road from Plaka beach, with guest sunbeds and the Tortuga beach bar and restaurant. Guests praise the location, food and staff; some say the rooms could do with a refresh and have little storage.
Other bases worth knowing
- Stelida: the headland between Agios Georgios and Agios Prokopios, with hillside hotels and villas and wide sea views. Good with a car.
- Mikri Vigla and Kastraki: further south down the west coast. Mikri Vigla is known for windsurfing and kitesurfing; Kastraki is quieter still. You’ll want a car.
- The mountain villages: Halki, Filoti and Apiranthos, in the green interior, are lovely for a night or two of walking and village life, but they’re a drive from the beaches.
For more on the island’s villages, beaches and walks, see our Naxos travel guide.
Best base for…
| If you’re… | Stay in | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A first-timer | Chora or Agios Georgios | Port, buses, restaurants and a sandy beach, all on foot. |
| Here for the beaches | Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna or Plaka | Long sandy beaches on the doorstep and on the bus line. |
| Travelling without a car | Chora, Agios Georgios or Agios Prokopios | Walk to the port, or take the frequent summer bus. Agia Anna also works. |
| A couple | Plaka, or the old town in Chora | Plaka for quiet beach days; Chora for atmosphere and dinners. |
| A family | Agios Georgios or Agia Anna | Shallow, sandy beaches and easy logistics. See Naxos with kids. |
| Visiting in shoulder season | Chora | The town stays lively when beach places close. |
Still choosing between islands? Compare Naxos with its neighbour in Paros vs Naxos, or plan both with our 10-day Paros and Naxos itinerary. Also weighing up Milos? See Naxos vs Paros vs Milos.
Getting around from your base
Buses: KTEL Naxos buses link Chora with the west-coast beaches (Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka) and with the villages inland. In July and August 2026, buses to Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka ran every 30 minutes from early morning until after midnight; by early October the last ones left Chora at about 11pm, and some routes stop altogether outside summer. Check the current timetable on the KTEL Naxos website or at the bus station by the port.
Car or scooter: you don’t need one for Chora or the main beach strip. A car is worth it for a day or two to see the mountain villages, the quieter south and the east coast. If you’re bringing a car on the ferry, read Greek island ferries for beginners first.
Taxis: there’s a taxi rank at the port. In high summer, book a transfer through your hotel if you’re arriving late.
On foot: you can walk between Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka along the shore. For car-free island ideas, see Greek islands without a car.
Booking tips and getting there
- Getting to Naxos: ferries run from Piraeus every day, all year, taking from about 3 hours on high-speed boats to 5–7 hours on conventional ferries, and there are seasonal sailings from Rafina. There are also short flights from Athens. All ferries arrive at the port in Chora.
- Book early for July and August, especially family rooms and beachfront places.
- Check the opening season. Many beach hotels close in winter. The Hellenic Chamber of Hotels lists Hotel Agia Anna as open April–October, and Korali Garden, Liana and 18 Grapes as open May–October, while Hotel Grotta is listed as open all year. Check the others directly if you’re travelling outside summer.
- Ask about steps. Chora’s old town and Kastro are full of them.
- Match your base to your evenings. If you want to eat in Chora every night, a hotel on Plaka means a bus or taxi each way.
We used the same approach for our where to stay in Sifnos guide, if Sifnos is also on your list.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Naxos?
For most first-time visitors, Chora (Naxos Town) or Agios Georgios on its edge. You can walk to the port, the bus station, restaurants and a sandy beach. For a beach holiday, choose Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna or Plaka.
Is it better to stay in Naxos Chora or Agios Prokopios?
Stay in Chora for restaurants, evenings out, easy ferries and walking everywhere. Choose Agios Prokopios for a long sandy beach on your doorstep, with the bus to town for evenings.
Where should you stay in Naxos without a car?
Chora, Agios Georgios or Agios Prokopios, which are all walkable to the port or on the frequent summer bus line. Agia Anna also works well. Plaka is on the bus route, but parts of it are a long walk from a stop.
Where should families stay in Naxos?
Agios Georgios, for its shallow, sheltered beach right next to town, or Agia Anna for an easy beach-village stay on the bus line. Look for family rooms or apartments, and book early for summer.
Is Plaka or Agia Anna better?
Plaka is longer, wilder and quieter, which suits couples and beach walkers. Agia Anna is a small beach village with more tavernas and shops on foot, which suits families and people without a car.
How many nights do you need in Naxos?
Four nights is enough for Chora and the beaches. Six or seven lets you add the mountain villages and a day trip. With a week, you could split your stay between Chora and a beach base.
Do I need to book Naxos accommodation in advance?
Yes for July and August, especially family rooms and beachfront hotels. In May, June, September and October you’ll have more choice, but the best-value rooms still go early.
Sources and useful links
- Hellenic Chamber of Hotels: hotel register
- KTEL Naxos: bus timetables
- Discover Cyclades: Piraeus–Naxos ferries
- Ferryhopper: Athens–Naxos ferries
We don’t take commissions from any property on this page, and we link to each one’s own website. Opening seasons, bus timetables and ferry schedules change. This independent guide is for research and inspiration, so check current details before you travel.