Naxos is everything Santorini isn't -- wide sandy beaches, green mountains, ancient temples, and a Venetian old town that feels lived-in rather than staged. The ferry takes under two hours, making it a realistic (if long) day trip from Santorini.
In this guide
Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades, and it has a completely different character from Santorini. Where Santorini is volcanic, dramatic, and intensely touristic, Naxos is fertile, relaxed, and has enough interior to feel like you've left the Instagram Cyclades behind. The island produces its own food (Naxos potatoes, cheese, and citron liqueur are famous throughout Greece) and has a Venetian castle, ancient temples, and some of the best beaches in the Aegean.
A day trip to Naxos from Santorini gives you a taste. An overnight stay would give you more. But if Santorini is your base and you want a change of pace, this Naxos trip delivers.
How Do You Get There?
Ferries run daily from Santorini's Athinios port to Naxos.
Get ferry times, compare prices, and book at Ferryscanner.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 79 km (43 nautical miles) |
| Fast ferry | 1 hr 15 min (SeaJets) |
| Standard ferry | 1 hr 45 min - 2 hours (Blue Star Ferries) |
| Ticket price | 30-80 EUR one way (depends on operator and class) |
| First ferry | Around 06:45 |
| Last return | Around 19:30-20:00 (check seasonally) |
Booking tips: - Book the earliest morning ferry to maximise your Naxos day trip. The 06:45 departure gets you there before 09:00. - SeaJets is faster but more expensive. Blue Star is slower but more comfortable (larger ship, outdoor deck). - Book return tickets at the same time. Don't gamble on buying at the port -- popular return ferries sell out. - Athinios port is 25 minutes from Fira by bus. Allow time for the connection.
What Can You See and Do?
The Portara (Temple of Apollo)
The first thing you see when your ferry approaches Naxos: a massive marble doorway standing alone on a hilltop peninsula, connected to the harbour by a causeway. This is the Portara, the gateway of an unfinished Temple of Apollo from the 6th century BC. It's Naxos's most photographed landmark and it's free to visit.
Walk up from the harbour (5 minutes). The view through the doorway frames the sea perfectly, especially at sunset -- though you probably won't be here at sunset on a day trip.
Naxos Town (Chora)
The main town wraps around the harbour and climbs up to a Venetian castle (the Kastro). The waterfront has tavernas, cocktail bars, and ferry ticket offices. Behind it, narrow streets with whitewashed walls, marble doorsteps, and balconies dripping with bougainvillea lead up to the castle.
The Kastro is the old Venetian quarter at the top of the town. It's quieter than the harbour area, with stone archways, a Catholic cathedral (Naxos has a Venetian/Catholic heritage alongside the Orthodox), and panoramic views. The Archaeological Museum inside the Kastro is small but worthwhile.
Naxos Town has a completely different feel from Fira or Oia. It's a working town -- locals buying groceries, kids playing in the squares, cats sleeping in the shade. After the self-conscious beauty of Santorini, it's refreshingly normal.
Beaches
Naxos has some of the best beaches in the Cyclades -- long, sandy, and with proper sand (golden, not volcanic black). The closest to town:
- Agios Georgios -- The town beach. Walking distance from the harbour. Sandy, shallow, good for families. Organised with sunbeds.
- Agios Prokopios -- About 5 km south of town. Often rated among the best beaches in Greece. Fine white sand, crystal water.
- Plaka -- A few km further south. Long, wide, less developed. A stretch of sand that keeps going.
Buses run from Naxos Town to the southern beaches regularly in summer. A return trip to Agios Prokopios takes about 15 minutes.
The Interior (If You Have Time)
Naxos's interior is surprisingly green -- valleys with olive groves, villages built around Venetian towers, and mountain trails. Highlights include:
- Apeiranthos -- A marble-paved village in the mountains, sometimes called the "marble village." About 30 km from town.
- Halki -- Former capital of Naxos, with old mansions and the Vallindras Citron Distillery where you can taste the local citron liqueur.
These are better suited to a two-day visit or a rental car than a rushed day trip. If you have the time, they're worth it.
How Should You Plan Your Day?
A realistic itinerary for a day trip from Santorini to Naxos:
- 06:45 -- Ferry from Santorini (Athinios)
- 08:30 -- Arrive Naxos. Walk to the Portara (5 minutes from the harbour).
- 09:00 -- Explore Naxos Town -- Kastro, old town streets, Archaeological Museum
- 10:30 -- Bus to Agios Prokopios beach (15 minutes)
- 10:45-14:00 -- Beach time and lunch at a beachside taverna
- 14:30 -- Bus back to Naxos Town
- 15:00 -- Coffee and shopping in the harbour area
- 16:00 -- Final stroll, pick up Naxos cheese or citron liqueur as souvenirs
- 17:00-18:00 -- Ferry back to Santorini
This gives you about 8-9 hours on the island -- enough for the Portara, the town, a beach, and a proper lunch. Not rushed, but not leisurely either.
What Should You Know Before Going?
- A Naxos day trip from Santorini is feasible but tight. You'll spend about 3-4 hours on ferries (round trip) and have 7-9 hours on the island. If you have the flexibility, an overnight stay is better.
- Book return ferry tickets in advance. The popular late-afternoon returns fill up in summer.
- Naxos is bigger than you think. Don't try to see everything. Pick the town, one beach, and the Portara. That's a full day.
- Local buses are reliable in summer. They connect the town to the main beaches on a regular schedule.
- Prices on Naxos are lower than Santorini for food, drinks, and accommodation. Enjoy the comparative value.
- Bring cash for buses and smaller tavernas, though most places in town accept cards.
- The wind can be strong. The Meltemi affects ferry schedules and beach comfort. Check the weather forecast before booking.
When Is the Best Time to Go?
June and September -- Best ferry schedules, warm beaches, fewer crowds.
July-August -- Hot and busy, but the most ferry options. Book well in advance.
May and October -- Ferries run less frequently. The beaches are quieter and the town is more relaxed.
Winter -- Ferries still run (Blue Star operates year-round) but schedules are limited. Naxos is a year-round island with a local population, so the town functions even off-season.
Naxos is 79 km from Santorini. Fast ferry takes 1 hr 15 min. Tickets from 30 EUR one way. Allow a full day for this day trip to Naxos.
Planning more adventures on the island? Browse our complete guide to the best day trips from Santorini.
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