A Short Guide to Plaka, Naxos' Most Beautiful Beach
Plaka beach, Naxos’ best beach and one you’ll likely spend hours at, enjoying the alluring waters and vanilla sand.
Our Plaka Beach guide includes all you need to know to enjoy your stay.
Plaka beach, on the Cycladic island of Naxos, is like a dream - endless soft, white sand, clear blue sea, upmarket beach bars and relaxed restaurants.
It’s here that all your Greece summer dreams become reality - long, lazy days on the beach, by the most crystal clear water you’ve ever seen, yet without the obnoxious crowds and prices, you’re accustomed to in Mykonos or Santorini.
After spending over a month on Naxos, we can safely say Plaka beach is our favourite on the island as you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
In the morning, you can be all alone, swimming amongst turtles and fish on the southern stretch, and in the afternoon you can sit at an upmarket beach bar, enjoying the finest seafood and cocktails on the island, from your own beachside cabana.
Plaka might feel a little more refined than other beaches on Naxos, which is to be expected with a beach so beautiful, however, it still maintains a certain unspoiled feeling to it, especially the southeastern side, where farmland still meets the beach.
Unfortunately, the unspoiled nature of Plaka is likely to change soon, as development rears its ugly head - but in the meantime, enjoy this beach for what its worth.
This is our guide to Plaka beach, we share our tips on the best things to do in Plaka, as well as advice on where to eat, activities to enjoy, amenities to expect, and transport connections.
Love our photos? They were all edited using our Europe Preset Pack, which you can purchase here!
PLAKA
BEACH
SNAPSHOT
WHERE | Plaka Beach, Naxos Island
HOW TO GET THERE | 20 minutes from Chora town, 5 minutes from Agios Prokopios
THINGS TO DO | Relax at the beach bars, eat at Tortuga, paddle boarding, sunset dinner
WHERE TO STAY | Naxian on the Beach
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK | Tortuga, Nomad Naxos, Tohu, Paradiso
WHERE TO STAY ON PLAKA BEACH
We’ve put together our favourite accommodation on Plaka Beach, (plus where to stay on Naxos), for all budgets:
LUXURY
AMMONTHINES CYCLADIC SUITES | Only a step away from the beach paradise of Plaka, Ammothines Cycladic Suites is a synonym for luxurious seascape. The modern facilities and upscale services add to the hotel’s allure and make it one of the top destinations for those wondering where to stay on Naxos for a high-end experience. Suites are spacious and elegant, with plenty of natural light and mesmerizing sea views.
BOOK | Ammothines Cycladic Suites
NAXIAN ON THE BEACH | Our fave place to stay on Naxos, this Boho-chic hotel is located right on Plaka Beach. Naxian on the Beach is for Millennials who love sleek, modern design. Also attached to Tortuga restaurant and bar.
BOOK | Naxian on the Beach
MID-RANGE
DREAM ON PLAKA | Earthy tones of a traditional Cycladic décor blend with artistic curves, providing aesthetic vibes with a touch of luxury. The overall mood is laid-back and stress-free, setting the tone for your stay here.
BOOK | Dream On Plaka
BUDGET
ANNIO BOUTIQUE STUDIOS | Just steps away from Plaka beach, Annio boutique studios are the perfect accommodation on Naxos if you're looking to stay on a budget with a touch of luxury.
BOOK | Annio Boutique Studios
READ MORE | Where to stay on Naxos Island
BOOK | Alternatively, search all accommodation on Naxos here.
WHAT TO SEE & EAT AT PLAKA BEACH, NAXOS
LAZE AT THE BEACH BARS, OR ON THE BEACH
Is there a more European summer pastime than renting an overpriced sunbed, on an average stretch of sand, and lazing about in the sun all day? We think not!
Thankfully, Naxos actually does beach clubs well. Sure, they’re still kind of expensive (although, about 1/4 of the price of Mykonos!), but the beaches, cocktails and quality of food sure make up for it.
The best beach clubs in Naxos can be found on Plaka, where the long stretch of perfect white sand is dotted with many boho-chic restaurants and bars, offering sunbeds and cabanas at the water’s edge. Thankfully, Mykonos prices don’t apply here (yet), so an affordable and comfortable day out at the beach is possible.
Our favourite beach bars on Plaka beach include:
TOHU | As chilled as they come, Tohu bar has all the South East Asia feels - hammocks, sofas, pillows, right on Plaka beach. We spent many days here, enjoying the stunning beachside while eating some of the best vegetarian food on the Island. Also, the classic cocktails such as Aperol Spritz, Pina Colada and Mai Tai were exceptional
NOMAD | Set up by the founders of the popular 520 Bar in Chora, Nomad is slightly more pretentious, but with food and cocktails to boot - seriously, the cocktails here are the best on the Island, made with passion and the best ingredients. The bar design is simple boho-Mediterranean, and the chilled tunes make Nomad perfect for a long day at the beach.
CEDAR CAFE | A more relaxed, eclectic and bohemian affair than the others listed, Cedar cafe is a Plaka beach original that is perfect for those wanting to chill to the max. Set under leafy trees, enjoy the breeze while enjoying their eclectic menu and delicious smoothies
If beach bars aren’t your thing, and you’d prefer to enjoy a stretch of sand without others around, the undeveloped southeast of the beach is perfect.
On this part of Plaka beach, there are no beach bars, meaning the gorgeous stretch of sand is yours without a fee. We spent many a morning swimming in these waters and can assure you it is our favourite stretch of beach in all of Naxos.
CHILL & EAT ALL DAY AT TORTUGA
Our favourite was Tortuga, located right in the middle of Plaka beach, perhaps the best stretch on Naxos.
Tribal-chic design meets minimalism, Tortuga feels like Greece’s version of popular Balinese clubs, and the atmosphere is super relaxing.
What sets Tortuga apart from the rest of the Plaka beach bars is the food, which is absolutely exceptional, with the dining experience among the best we’ve had anywhere, let alone in Greece.
The focus is on fresh, modern Mediterranean food, utilising the best of Naxian cuisine - we sampled everything on the menu (it was for work, trust us!) and can recommend the seabass ceviche with citrus flavours (€15), the sauteed scallops with kakavia sauce (€20), and the grouper spaghetti cooked in fish broth, garlic, ginger and chives (€29).
There’s also a beach snack menu that starts from €10; the club sandwich is delish, and the guacamole with watermelon is a taste sensation.
The cocktail menu is extensive and designed in collaboration with one of Athens’ best bars - so we recommend enjoying one or two over the day.
The beachside sunbeds are super comfortable, with the canopy helping block out the midday sun, and the actual beach and water are achingly beautiful.
THE DETAILS
Where | Tortuga Naxos, Plaka Beach
Opening Hours | Daily: 8 am - 11 pm
Tips | Prepare to spend €€€!
GO SNORKELLING OFF PLAKA BEACH
On the calm days, when the Meltemia winds are relaxed and sea flat, there’s nothing better to do at Plaka beach than snorkel straight from the beach edge.
While the array of reefs and wildlife doesn’t match those of Australia or Belize, the underwater world here is still beautiful, with an array of fish able to be spotted, and if you’re lucky, turtles.
Curiously, there’s a large rock reef that runs along most of Plaka beach, which is a great place to spot wildlife in the clear, turquoise waters.
Grab your snorkelling gear from any mini-market in town.
ENJOY A SUNSET DINNER UNDER THE TREE AT PARADISO TAVERNA
Greece is synonymous with sunsets, and Plaka beach does them very, very well.
If you're looking for a unique sunset experience on the Naxos, a sunset dinner at Paradiso taverna is where you need to be.
Situated on the beach, under the prettiest tree and twinkling fairy lights is the most picturesque restaurant on the island.
It’s a truly magical experience as you watch the sky turn pink, purple, and gold pastel tones as the sun sets west over Paros Island while tucking into a ridiculously good meal and a glass of Greece’s finest red wine, listening to a local band playing traditional music.
It really is one of those bucket-list moments, so we recommend booking in advance, especially during the summer period.
THE DETAILS
Where | Paradiso Tavern, Maragkas
Opening Hours | Daily: 9 am - 12 am
Tips | Book in advance
GO PADDLEBOARDING
Enjoying the myriad of watersports options is one of the best things to do on Naxos.
The Island is famous for its windsurfing season, which comes alive in the middle of summer during the Meltemia months. However, outside this windy period is our favourite time, as the calmer winds allow for perhaps the best watersport activity (we’re biased!), paddleboarding.
We just love getting out on the calm waters and exploring the picturesque Plaka beach coastline from the water. There are a number of rock formations and reefs off the coast, as well as many turtles that make these waters home, so we recommend hiring a paddleboard and going exploring.
While paddleboarding might look hard, once you get the hang of it, it’s super easy for almost all ages.
We recommend hiring your gear from Plaka Watersports, which have a great range of watersport gear for affordable prices. If paddleboarding isn’t necessarily your thing, you can hire a canoe, or try your hand at waterskiing.
THE DETAILS
Where | Plaka Watersports, Naxos
Opening Hours | Daily: 8 am - 11 pm
Cost | €20 per hour
GRAB ICE CREAM AT MITATOS
Gelato might be an Italian thing, but Greece runs a close second
Mitatos is the only ice cream shop on Plaka beach, but don’t let that fool you - they make handcrafted, flavoursome ice cream at affordable prices, perfect for anyone who has an afternoon craving for a delicious, cool snack. Like us, every day we spent on Plaka beach.
Flavours we enjoyed were the pistachio, expertly flavoured and perfect for a holiday in Greece, black vanilla, which was outstanding, while the cookies and cream were as decadent as you’d imagine. One thing to note, though, is that the portions are huge... so be prepared.
Other flavours we recommend are bourbon vanilla, banoffee, Ferrero Rocher, and the staple, Belgian chocolate.
Each scoop is around €2.50, available in both cones and cups (go the cone to save on plastic pollution!)
THE DETAILS
Where | Mitatos Ice Cream, Plaka Beach
Opening Hours | Daily: 8:30 am - 1 am
PLAKA BEACH ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
WHERE IS PLAKA BEACH, NAXOS?
Plaka beach is located on Naxos Island, around 15 minutes south of the capital, Chora.
The southwestern coastline of Naxos is popular with tourists due to its array of stunning, long, white, sandy beaches. One of the largest beaches on the island, Plaka has sweeping views across to Paros Island, making it one of the most picturesque beaches in all of the Cycladic islands.
Despite its reputation as one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece, it still remains quiet, peaceful and (mostly) undeveloped.
PLAKA BEACH FACILITIES
Unfortunately, there are no public amenities on Plaka beach, so if you’re in need of a toilet or shower, you may have to wait until you get back to your accommodation, unless you want to stump for a private beach bar or resort.
We also recommend bringing your own water to the beach, especially if you’re in the southeastern part of Plaka, as there are no shops and limited bars.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT PLAKA
Naxos is also prone to the summer northern winds (called Meltemia), which can make the most popular parts of the island, including Plaka beach, extremely windy.
During our visit in June and early July, we enjoyed both sides of the wind - most days in June were calm and wonderful, however as the weather warmed, the winds increased.
The Meltemia peaks around July and August and while it doesn’t detract from the beauty of Plaka beach, it can make a day relaxing at the beach or beach bars on the Plaka quite uncomfortable. Think blowing sand, choppy waves, and constant wind blowing your hair every which way.
On top of the Meltemia winds, Plaka beach (and surrounds) gets super busy during this time. Because of the influx of domestic and international tourists to Plaka beach, prices increase dramatically for things like food, drinks and sunbeds.
That’s why we suggest visiting Naxos between late April - early June, and mid-September - October - otherwise known as the shoulder season.
During this time, the days are still long and the weather and sea are warm, but the crowds are smaller and more manageable, making the island extremely pleasant.
What's more, the price of accommodation, food and drinks are cheaper during the shoulder period - and you’re helping reduce the environmental impact while extending the tourism season to locals
HOW TO GET TO PLAKA BEACH
Due to its popularity, Plaka beach is super easy to get to, with a range of transport options making a trip to the beach simple from Chora town, or Agios Prokopios.
RENTING A CAR ON NAXOS
By far our most recommended form of transport on Naxos, a rental car will help you no end on Naxos. Naxos is huge with so much to see, and if you have your own set of wheels, especially an air-conditioned set, it will make your life so much easier.
Compared to other Greek Islands such as Santorini, Car rental on Naxos is actually quite affordable, especially during the shoulder seasons.
Expect to pay around €25 - €50 per day for car rental on Naxos.
Plaka beach has plenty of parking for those with a car, especially in the south-east, which is mostly deserted.
SCOOTER OR ATV
For those on a budget, hiring an ATV or scooter might be a better option to get to Plaka beach, as it will allow you to park almost anywhere, as well as navigate the sometimes manic summer traffic.
There are plenty of places to rent scooters on Naxos, however, we recommend Naxos On the Road.
Note that to rent a scooter in Greece you'll need to show proof of a motorbike license.
LOCAL BUS
Buses are by far the cheapest mode of transport on Naxos, and the network is pretty good and reliable, especially between Chora and Plaka (and return).
Line #1 is the bus you’ll need to take (there aren’t many, so don’t stress), and will take around 20 - 30 minutes, depending on the summer traffic (which can get bad around Agios Prokopios).
Most tickets between major hubs generally cost around €1.80 (the most we paid was €2.50 for a ticket). Tickets for the Naxos bus service need to be bought prior to boarding and can be found at tourist markets throughout the Island.
See the Naxos bus timetable here
We used these buses frequently are they’re decent, efficient, and sometimes a little busy in the peak months, so you may find yourself standing at some points. They run frequently, although the timings are sometimes a little limiting when you want to pack lots of Naxos's best things to do into a single day.
During the peak of summer, we'd recommend getting to the bus stop early and being prepared to queue for a while (it can also get pretty pushy!).
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL IN GREECE
Responsible, sustainable travel is what we’re all about here at TCW HQ, and this is especially true when we travel to places suffering from climate change and plastic pollution, such as Greece.
Disappointingly, we encountered quite a bit of plastic pollution during our Greece trip — a sad reality of our planet today! — so we feel it’s super important to share a few tips on how you can minimise your overall impact while still having the Greek holiday of your dreams.
DON’T BUY BOTTLED DRINKS | Please, for the love of the ocean: DO NOT BUY SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BOTTLES! When you see a bunch of plastic bottles bob past you in the open sea, you’ll understand why. Buy one of these amazing bottles instead
TRAVEL DURING SHOULDER SEASON | Shoulder season is the time before and after the peak season when things are quieter, cheaper, and more enjoyable (especially in the Med!). Travel then to reduce over-tourism, and extend the season for local operators
OCEAN-FRIENDLY TOILETRIES | Everything that goes down the boat drain ends up in the ocean, try and make sure all your toiletries, sunscreen, shampoo is as ocean-friendly as possible! Solid bars are a great place to start (see below to buy some eco-friendly toiletries).
DO YOUR OWN CLEANUPS | See rubbish on the beach, forest or town? Pick it up, and dispose of it properly. If every traveller helped out during their holiday, the beaches, oceans and forests would be a much happier place for it
DON’T USE PLASTIC BAGS | Pack a reusable tote and use these to carry your snacks, drinks, or new souvenirs instead
LEAVE NO TRACE | Limit your consumption of plastic, and opt for sustainable / zero waste alternatives instead. Pack a reusable water bottle, bring your reusable coffee cup, and if you can’t sip your cocktails without a straw, bring a metal or bamboo one along instead. And never leave a trace...
BE ANIMAL-FRIENDLY | Observe sea creatures from a distance, don’t pick up wildlife like starfish or urchins, or grab onto turtles, dolphins, etc. If an animal wants to interact with you, it’ll approach you 🙂
SUPPORT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY | Visit a locally owned taverna for a meal, buy which means both supporting the local economy and community, and also giving you a real authentic experience. This is something we’ve appreciated about both our MedSailors trips!
ICE CREAM CONE | bonus tip - eat your ice cream in a cone, rather than a cup and plastic spoon for the ultimate plastic-free indulgence!
READ | For more responsible travel tips, we also have this guide to reducing your plastic consumption on your travels, as well as this guide to the eco-friendly packing essentials we have with us on every single trip.
GREECE PACKING ESSENTIALS
Travelling through Naxos comes with a unique set of needs.
To help you have a comfortable, happy journey, we recommend bringing the following items with you:
REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE | THE BEST INVESTMENT WE’VE EVER MADE! We use the Grayl water purification bottles, which allow us to fill up from any water source, anywhere in the world (including train taps!)
A TOTE BAG | The humble tote is a versatile little lifesaver when on the road. They're plastic-free, small, easily foldable, and can pack a surprising amount! Check out this range of beautifully designed, personalisable totes bags here
BIODEGRADABLE WET WIPES | Keep clean without destroying the planet!
HAND SANITISER | This is not something we’d actually recommend normally, but we now live in Covid times... so this can be a bloody great investment
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ADAPTER | You’ll need a European plug to keep your gear going!
POWER BANK | Don’t get caught out without power for your devices
EYE MASK | For those annoyingly early European sunrises!
BIO-FRIENDLY TOILETRIES | Avoid damaging and chemical-heavy products and facial scrubs with microbeads altogether. We recommend Lush solid shampoo, conditioner and bodywash bars, ocean-friendly sunscreen (Stream2Sea), a mooncup is a great investment for “that” week and Lip balm for the sun
READ | check out our eco-friendly packing guide to travel through Greece consciously and comfortably
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN GREECE
If you can't afford travel insurance, you really can't afford to travel. As the current global situation has taught many people, things can go wrong anywhere in the world - and insurance is often the only way of mitigating any issues with minimal expense or stress for you.
For all travellers | HeyMondo - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel + medical insurance, an app with 24-hour medical support, and no out of pocket fees. *Get 5% off your policy by booking through our link here.
For digital nomads | SafetyWing - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel & medical, and policies can be purchased while already abroad.
Car Insurance | Insurance4CarHire - a great annual car insurance policy
PLANNING A TRIP TO GREECE SOON?
Check out these essential guides, travel tips, and more to help you plan your trip:
THE BEST OF NAXOS | Top things to do on Naxos, Where to stay on Naxos Island, Things to do in Chora Town, A guide to the pretty town of Halki, A guide to Plaka Beach, Agios Prokopios, How to get from Athens to Naxos
SANTORINI ATTRACTIONS | Our complete Santorini Guide, The best things to do in Santorini, A complete guide to Oia, Santorini, Exploring the stunning Ammoudi Bay, A guide to Megalochori Town, Our guide to hiking Skaros Rock, How and where to find the best Santorini sunsets, where to stay in Santorini, How to get from Athens to Santorini
EXPLORE PAROS | The best things to do on Paros, A guide to Naoussa town, A guide to Lefkes, A short guide to Parikia Paros, Where to stay on Paros, How to get from Athens to Paros Island
MYKONOS DREAMING | What to see and do on Mykonos, A Guide to Mykonos Town (Chora), How to get from Athens to Mykonos
GREECE SAILING | This is what it’s like to sail the Greek Saronic Islands with Medsailors
PHOTOGRAPHY | Love our photography? Wondering what gear we use to get all of our photos around the world? Click here to view our detailed photography gear guide, as well as our top travel photography tips!
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL | Responsible travel is important. REALLY IMPORTANT. Learn our top responsible travel tips to help you, your family and friends travel more consciously around the globe
ECO-FRIENDLY PACKING ESSENTIALS | Don’t leave home without our favourite eco-friendly travel essentials
PLAN YOUR GREEK SUMMER WITH OUR USEFUL GUIDES
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