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Greece: The Cycladic Island of Naxos – 5 nights
Island hopping in the emerald Aegean
Back to Routes
Lionas beach, Naxos
The temple of Demeter, Naxos
The Portara in the temple of Apollo, Naxos harbour
Naxos street
Hilltop chapel
At a glance
5 nights (Naxos only). See 'Prices' tab for what's included.
Suggested route pairing: Andros
How much walking?
Full days: Naxos 9-12 km per day, 3-4 hrs walking
Using shortening options: None, but you decide each day whether to choose an easy walk or a harder, or even opt out and go to the beach!
Sparkling seas, sun-washed villages, and ancient statues
The scenery on Naxos is splendid and the walking very fine – there is so much to explore on this lovely island. The sea, with its swimming opportunities, is always at hand, and we help you to find the best.
On Naxos you are based in or near Naxos Old Town, whose Venetian heritage is clear in the Kastro dominating the labyrinthine alleys, a cornucopia of little blue-and-white shops and restaurants. Courtesy of our enthusiastic taxi man Giannis (taxis to and from the Naxos walks are included in the basic holiday price), the best walking on the island is available to you. Visit the half-finished, ancient statues (Kouros) lying in a farmer’s field, the pretty villages of the interior (Apiranthos, Filoti and Chalki), and the beach at Lionas, where you can be royally lunched, and sleep the afternoon away after home-made honey raki and a swim. Walk to the temple of Demeter or ascend Mt Zas, the highest mountain in the Cyclades at 1000m, and get back in time for delicious filo pastries in the village bars.
Naxos option: 5 nights, but you can choose to stay longer and hire a car locally if you wish to explore more fully.
Minimum stays: Naxos 4 nights (July/August)
Note that access to Naxos is either by ferry from Santorini (2 hrs), Mykonos (1½ hrs) or Piraeus (6 hrs), or by daily flight from Athens only. Flight and ferry times may mean an overnight near the airport on either the outward or return journey. We advise you to discuss your flight plans with On Foot Holidays first before settling on the shape of the holiday.
Walked by On Foot staff: Simon, Mary, Harriet and Fi
Consider pairing this route with Andros (min 8 hrs via taxis and ferries to Naxos, Tinos, Andros – exact length of voyage depends on schedules) – for more details click here.
REVIEWS: For independent walker reviews of this route submitted to the Association of Independent Tour Operators visit AITO.com.
TRAVEL ADVICE: To find the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for UK citizens travelling to Greece, click here. Citizens of other nations will also find it useful, but should always check their appropriate local agency.
(filmed by Richard and Sarah Madden, using a Panasonic Lumix GH5 camera)
Route Highlights
NAXOS:
- The old town of Naxos and the Venetian Kastro
- The hill villages of the interior
- The temple of Demeter
- Lionas beach and honey Raki
- The ascent of Mt Zas and 360º views of the Aegean Islands
This route features the following characteristics and interests: Coast, Villages and farms, Archaeology, History
Things you should know
- Amorgos is a remote island in the Cyclades with long ferry journeys to reach it (especially from Athens, though Mykonos can be better).
- Plan your itinerary carefully and consider swapping the order of the islands if necessary.
- On Naxos, taxi transfers are included to access all walks.
- The best walking is in the shoulder season, but be warned – the choice of restaurants and other facilities also reduces.
We Recommend
Staying on and hiring a car to explore the rest of Naxos (including its archaeological sites) - or just lying on the beaches, swimming in clear blue sea and enjoying local food and wines.
Consider linking this route with our other Cyclades route, Andros (transfer via Mykonos - ask us for advice)
How much Walking?
Using shortening options: None, but you decide each day whether to choose an easy walk or a harder, or even opt out and go to the beach!
Generally well marked paths, though careful attention to our written route directions required. Remember you can opt out of walking any day, but shortening is less easy.
NAXOS: Easy-medium: Easy gradients except Mt Zas (1000m). Some narrow paths. Average cumulative uphill stretches (CUSs) 400m (200m – 800m) per day.
Acrophobia/vertigo warnings: Some walks are not suitable for the severely acrophobic, but options are available.
GPX file available for handheld GPS or smartphone App for all walking days.
Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information.
When to go?
The best months to walk: April, May and September
Other possible months: March, June, July, August and October
This is the only version of the route that is available in late March, as the walking is on Naxos only (the ferry service makes a visit to Amorgos impossible in this month). The season extends to the end of October (warm seas, normally calm weather), but remember July and August can be searingly hot. The locals say May is the best for the flowers, while we fancy a late October break when you really need one (although the island is beginning to close down for the winter so can be very quiet, with a limited choice of restaurants and other facilities). Please note though that before May you have to transfer via Athens, as Santorini and Mykonos close to international flights. In the summer months the heat may dictate that you spend more time on the beach than on the trails, but you should be able to get some walking in, if you take care (hats/sunscreen etc).
Start Dates
Weather Chart
Temperature and rainfall chart for Naxos
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival day
Listed below is a menu of walks available on each island. We hope to add to these as time goes by. The walks can be done in any order.
Arrival and departure details are not listed, and you should bear in mind that transfers by ferry can be quite lengthy and that overnighting near an airport may be necessary. See "Travel Information) for more details.
Day 2 - Agias Mamas to Chalki
A wonderful day’s walk that crosses Naxos’s most water-filled central part. After Pano (Upper) Potamia, you can decide whether to detour to Kouros to visit the ancient quarries and see the lasting remains of sculptures that didn’t quite make it. Continue to Chalki, enjoying amazing vistas to the sea and a dramatic, boulder-filled landscape as you pass around Kastro Castle, perched high on the peak above. It’s more bucolic as you head towards Tsikalario and beyond, with terraced farms and olive groves… Chalki, with its bars and cafés is journey’s end. Verdant, plentiful wild flowers and drama. A day of true contrasts. (Medium: 4½ hrs walking (allow 6 hrs), 13¾ km (8½ miles), CUSs 650m)
Day 3 - Koronos to Lionas Beach
Starting in the small village of Koronos and its labyrinth of alleys, this walk heads down to the remote beach at Lionas, following the course of the valley below. The ancient path leads you to a lonely, yet verdant part of Naxos, offering wonderful views of the mountains and their lunar-like landscapes. Be prepared to take longer than you plan as the friendly locals are sure to want to chat and show you the way. And Lionas Beach – journey’s end! Swim in the crystal clear waters before rewarding yourselves with a meal at the family-run Delfinaki restaurant where nearly everything you will consume will have been produced locally, including the honey raki. (Medium: 3 hrs walking (allow 4 hrs), 7½ km (4½ miles), CUSs 200m)
Day 4 - Mount Zas circuit
A breathtaking ascent of the highest mountain in the Cyclades (at a modest 1001m). The views from the top are spectacular and 360 degree, taking in seven islands, if the weather is clear. Do not attempt in bad weather or cloud, as the navigation near the top depends on good visibility. It’s a big climb but over in a couple of hours, and the descent is a pretty contouring path all the way back to Filoti for lunch. (Medium: 4½ hrs walking (allow 6 hrs), 10 km (6½ miles), CUSs 800m)
Day 5 - Apiranthos to Chalki
For GPS users only as some paths are indistinct. A day of three villages and some extraordinary engineering. The “Kalderimia”, or paved mule tracks, which linked the villages to each other and to their upland pastures and terraces from the 18th century to the 20th must have taken decades of labour to build, and have now fallen into disuse with the advent of the motor car. But we can still use them, and the Naxiots are slowly clearing them and renovating a few for our recreation. Today we “link” Apiranthos, Moni and Chalki by such routes, over a dramatic ridge top between the first two and down a beautiful valley for the second half. (Medium: 4 hrs walking (allow 5¼ hrs), 8 km (5 miles), CUSs 350m).
Departure day
Depart for home (could be an early start) or stay longer on the island, and maybe hire a car locally to explore the southern end.
Travel Information
ARRIVING BY AIR
The best “local” airport is Naxos (flights from Athens only), followed by Santorini and Mykonos (2-3 hr ferries to Naxos). Intercontinental flights use Athens – followed either by a 5 hr ferry or a 30 minute flight to Naxos. Note that with the exception of Athens and Naxos, flights tend to start in May and end in October. Outside this period walkers will have to go via Athens.
Morning arrivals at any airport should link up with an afternoon ferry, but it is important to check ferry timetables and transfer arrangements with On Foot before formulating the structure of the holiday, which may involve an overnight stay on one of the islands or in Athens. This is even more likely on the return from Amorgos (if staying there). It is best to build enough time into your holiday schedule to allow for this, then agree plans with On Foot.
Remember that a ferry journey, even a long one, can be seen as part of the holiday – the sight of Amorgos in the morning mist or the sunset over Naxos is memorable.
Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines’ websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.
For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner.
Getting to the start of the walk
The “normal” order is Naxos followed by Amorgos, but it is vital to discuss your travel plans with On Foot first. Please note that Amorgos is accessed by ferry only (none on Sundays).
It is not strictly necessary to pre-book ferries as there are ticket offices in every port. However, we have found pre-booking can really help with the ever-changing schedules as the companies will send regular updates by text. Schedules can be checked on www.zastravel.com or at www.gtp.gr but pre-book tickets with the ferry company directly so they can send updates.
All return journeys from Amorgos involve a change of ferry on Naxos (1-2 daily (not Sunday), 2-3 hrs), except for Piraeus (Athens) (see below).
NAXOS AIRPORT:
The airport is located a short local taxi ride from the town and port.
SANTORINI AIRPORT:
Taxis are normally available at the airport or can be called on arrival. Journey time to port approximately 20 minutes (around €30). Ferries to/from Naxos 3-6 daily, 1¼ hrs- 2¼hrs. Return from Amorgos via Naxos.
MYKONOS AIRPORT:
Taxis are normally available at the airport or can be called on arrival. Journey time to port approximately 20 minutes (around €30). Ferries to/from Naxos 2-3 daily, 1 hr – 1½ hrs.
ATHENS AIRPORT:
Metro to Piraeus port (one change) or direct bus, 1½ hrs, ~€12. Ferries to/from Naxos 2-5 daily, 3½ hrs – 5½ hrs. Return to Piraeus direct from Amorgos 1-2 daily (not Sunday), 8-9 hrs.
OR bus or local taxi to Rafina port 40 mins; high season ferries and hydrofoils to/from Naxos.
On arrival at Naxos port you may be met (Venetiko Apartments) and walked to the hotel, or local taxis are available from the rank (max fare €15).
On Amorgos, transfers from either Aegiali or Katapola ports are included in the basic holiday price.
Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers’ Pack.
Where You'll Stay
The standard accommodation on the two islands is homely and authentic, family run. Our standard hotel on Naxos, ANIXIS, is in the heart of the old town, and most rooms have a balcony. Nearby Hotel Grotta offers a good upgrade experience.
On Amorgos there is a choice of three very different accommodations. Askas provides a real family experience and is excellent value (they also do evening meals if you can’t drag yourself into the village!). Filoxenia is a professionally-run, modern hotel with lovely sea views. For those wanting a full upgrade experience, consider Yperia, with all the modern comforts you could need.
Night 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
Naxos Town – Hotel Anixis (B&B)
Hotel in the heart of the old town, with sea views from the breakfast area - most rooms with balcony.
Night 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 (Upgrade)
Naxos Town – Hotel Grotta (B&B)
A cheerful and welcoming hotel with views of the town and Temple of Apollo, and great breakfasts!
Naxos Town – Hotel Anixis (B&B)
Hotel in the heart of the old town, with sea views from the breakfast area - most rooms with balcony.
Website
Naxos Town – Hotel Grotta (B&B)
A cheerful and welcoming hotel with views of the town and Temple of Apollo, and great breakfasts!
Website
Prices
Total 5 nights in double/twin room, with 5 breakfasts; full Walkers Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support. Taxis to and from walks on Naxos. Transfers to and from Naxos, local buses and taxis not specified in the itinerary are excluded.
All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.
Single Room Supplement (SRS): From £160
Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From £255
Large Party Saving (LPS): Groups of more than 2 people (on an identical itinerary on the same booking and booked at the same time) – discount of at least £55 per person.
Maximum party size: 10
Add Ons
Additional nights in any accommodation, and upgrade hotels on Naxos: Contact On Foot Holidays
Sending Walkers Packs to addresses outside the UK: £20-£60 (per pack, location dependent)
Our local team
Christina Kouri
Christina left behind her life as a graphic designer and events organiser to start a new life in Naxos closer to nature. She spends her free time hiking, paddling or snowboarding, and also works for Sea Kayak Naxos, handling their logistics and communications. She speaks Greek and English.
