The best beaches in Naxos

The most photogenic white-sand and turquoise-sea beaches, and also the most organized – with sunbeds, cafes, and watersports – extend south from Chora in a string down the coast. These beach towns are small and family-friendly rather than brash beach resorts, and ideal for children as they are sheltered from the fierce northerly winds. The beaches get quieter as you head further away from the Chora.

Agios Georgios, the beach of Naxos Chora, has blue flag status. Although the sand is not as fine and white as the beaches further south, it’s a short walk from all the action and pretty good for a town beach. A sheltered bay with languid water, spectacular sunsets over neighboring Paros, plenty of beach bars for your frappe/cocktail fix. Windsurfing is popular towards the southern end. In high season there’s a charge for the sunbeds, although you do get waiter service and some have lockers for your valuables, but there are plenty of free stretches of beach.

Agios Prokopios is known as one of the best beaches in Greece, if not the whole Mediterranean, for it’s 1.2km sweep of white sandy beach. There is a long stretch of sunbeds, with cafes and cocktail bars behind. The colors here are stunning. It’s just 5km – a short drive – from Naxos Chora. Head to the edges if you want a spot of sand to yourself.

Agia Anna is an extension of Prokopius, a 10-minute walk along the road. It’s a smaller beach and has a classy selection of restaurant and bars right on the beach.

Plaka is the next big beach along the coast and at 5km the longest beach on Naxos. Another with Blue Flag status, there is a long organized section but also plenty of dunes and empty beach. If Agia Anna and Prokopios are too busy for you in high season then Plaka is a good choice. The last section is popular with nudists.