Island in South Aegean, Greece
Naxos
Largest and greenest Cycladic island: long sandy beaches, mountain villages, an easy-going old town and lower prices than Santorini or Mykonos. A car helps; beaches are spread out.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$1,910–2,810Comfortable, one person · €1,700–2,500Details
- Value for money48/100Better value than 47% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Aug, 27°CDetails
- Internet91 MbpsFixed broadband, Greece medianDetails
- Tap waterFilter or boilWater is mostly from wells and desalination and can taste salty; most people drink bottled water.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$56–101Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundKTEL Naxos busWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards accepted in most hotels and restaurants; carry cash for buses, small tavernas, bakeries and beach sunbeds.Details
Where to stay in Naxos
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Naxos Town (Chora) | Port, old town, restaurants, easy base without a car |
| Agios Georgios–Agia Anna | Beach stays, windsurfing and kitesurfing, cheaper guesthouses |
| Plaka–Mikri Vigla | Long beaches, kitesurfing and quiet southwest coast |
| Apeiranthos–Halki | Mountain villages, tavernas and hiking |
Apps that work in Naxos
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Viber and WhatsApp
- Ferryhopper: Compare and book ferries between islands
- Taxis: No ride-hailing apps. Use buses and taxis, or ask your accommodation to arrange transfers.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Greece.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards accepted in most hotels and restaurants; carry cash for buses, small tavernas, bakeries and beach sunbeds.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Most Greek bank ATMs charge foreign cards a few euros; Euronet costs more. Decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Round up or leave 5–10% in tavernas and cafés, ideally in cash; card tips often can't be added.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay widely accepted; IRIS bank transfers are for locals with Greek accounts.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (fingerprints and photo) instead of passport stamps.
- ETIAS is not running yet; the EU will announce its start date months in advance.
- Ferries from Turkey and Albania cross the Schengen external border, so expect full passport checks there.
Emergency numbers
Police 100 · Ambulance 166 · Fire 199 · Tourist police 1571 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from Telekom, Vodafone and Nova at Athens airport and phone shops; passport needed. EU SIMs roam at home rates. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Greece
Going to Naxos solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.