The late, great Anthony Bourdain once referred to the Greek island of Naxos as a “blank slate.” I couldn’t agree more.
A member of the Cyclades, Naxos is often overlooked in favor of its more famous cousin, Santorini. Having visited both islands multiple times, I’d argue that you’re better off skipping Santorini in favor of Naxos, which offers a truer taste of Greek life.
As Bourdain alluded, this island is where Greek culture comes alive, with locals who have never left the island, restaurants where you can watch as your meal's ingredients are pulled from the garden, and the chance to not just visit Greece, but really experience it.
Here are five reasons why I always recommend it over Santorini.
In this article
Naxos Has the Most Beautiful Beaches in the Cyclades
Locals will tell you that some of the best beaches in Greece are on Naxos. Having been to more than 20 Greek islands myself, I fully agree.
The long sandy beaches on Naxos are postcard-perfect and have significantly fewer crowds than islands like Mykonos or the piping-hot black-sand beaches of Santorini.
Agios Prokopios is perhaps the most popular beach on the island, and for good reason. The sandy shores stretch 1.5 km and offer amenities such as sunbeds for rent, as well as restaurants and bars.
Other favorite beaches on the island include Plaka Beach, Hawaii Beach, and Agia Anna Beach.
The Island is Home to a Wide Variety of Terrain
At 429 square kilometers (just under 166 square miles), Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades, and it's home to a variety of terrain that the other Cycladic islands don’t have.
In addition to grand beaches, Naxos boasts mountains such as Mount Zas, and many mountainous villages. Visiting them is easily one of my favorite things to do when in Naxos.
You’ll find them scattered throughout the island, and one of my most treasured memories was attending a traditional festival called a Panagiri (a festival honoring a saint) in the small village of Koronos, which is tucked deep within the mountains.
While there, I met a resident who has lived on this island their entire life and has never been to its beaches. That’s because villages like Koronos, and others across Naxos, have retained a deep sense of authenticity with locals like the one I chatted to who never leave their homes. It results in a culture and community that you’d never find in the tourist-saturated confines of Santorini.
You’ll Find Strong Value
While a longtime favorite with Greeks, Naxos hasn’t been subject to the same effects of mass tourism like Santorini.
As a result, you’ll find fewer people and higher-quality experiences for a lot less money than you’d spend on the islands of Mykonos and Santorini.
In Santorini, research shows a visitor is likely to spend anywhere between €500–€885 per day on travel costs. Conversely, you’re more likely to spend between €260–€455 per day in Naxos.
Having visited both islands, I can confirm from firsthand experience that the money you spend in Naxos will stretch further for an equal or greater experience than you’d have in Santorini.
Greeks Love Naxos
If your travel style is to live like a local, you should follow the Greeks’ lead. And you won’t find them in Santorini. They’ll be in Naxos instead.
When I was a graduate student, I participated in a program called Heritage Greece, which aimed to reconnect Greek-Americans with their homeland. As part of this program, I was sent to Naxos to experience a taste of true, authentic Greek culture.
While there, I quickly realized I wasn’t among tourists, but Greeks.
Unlike Santorini, when you walk around Naxos, you’ll hear Greek before English. If you’re a traveler who wants to experience the true nature of a Cycladic island, Naxos is one of the best places to do so.
Naxos Has More Things to Do
While Santorini is great for capturing Instagram-worthy shots, I think there’s far more to do in Naxos.
The varied terrain of Naxos makes it easy to hike mountains, try kite surfing, visit ancient ruins like the iconic Temple of Apollo, swim at stunning beaches, and get lost in small local villages all on one island.
While Santorini offers tastes of these activities, it doesn’t make them available at the same scale as Naxos. Plus, the activities you are able to do in Santorini often leave you in shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, while doing any of the same things in Naxos will feel less crowded and stressful.
The Shortcut
Naxos delivers a more authentic Greek island experience than Santorini. Villages like Koronos are home to locals with a strong sense of culture, many who've lived their whole lives there and never left.
Naxos beaches are objectively better than Santorini's hot (and crowded) black-sand beaches.
The island offers a variety of activities, with hiking, ancient ruins, water sports, and mountainous villages all in one destination.
You'll get more value for your money thanks to fewer tourists and high-quality experiences. Daily costs run about half of Santorini's, roughly €260–€455 versus €500–€885 for a comparable trip.
