Heyyyyy it’s me, BeSeeingTheWorldYo!
I just got back from this incredible trip to Greece… three years ago 😅 But I’m finally ready to tell you guys all about Naxos—a hidden gem of a Greek island in the Aegean Sea. Let’s get into it✨
I love traveling on the less-traveled paths of the world. For years, I’d dreamt of visiting Greece, inspired by the iconic Instagram shots of Santorini’s whitewashed cliffs and endless blue domed roofs. When I told my (then) fiancé I wanted to go to Greece for our honeymoon, my dreams came true even sooner than I’d imagined. You see, our friends invited us to join them on a Greek island-hopping trip just a few months later. Justin was all in, figuring we could experience Greece with friends and save our honeymoon for something even more epic (Tanzania blog coming soon??).
With Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos already on the itinerary with our friends, Justin and I craved something off the beaten path for our final solo leg of the trip. We landed on Naxos, an island that wasn’t even on our radar at first, because it was close to Mykonos but still felt undiscovered—aka not yet overrun by other basic travelers like me. Naxos ended up being the unexpected highlight of our Greek adventure.
Naxos is actually the largest Greek island by both size and population. Unlike its neighbors, Santorini and Mykonos, Naxos offers a reprieve from the crowds and wallet-gouging prices we encountered elsewhere. In Naxos, the coffee didn’t break the bank, allowing us to savor our daily dose of double espressos for a fraction of what we paid elsewhere. Justin’s still dreaming about those Greek iced lattes. Now, every year, he grabs a few at the Greek Festival down the street from us in San Francisco.
Here are my top Naxos highlights—the kind of moments I’m still daydreaming about:
- Marble Marvels: Say that five times fast! The very marble that was used on the ancient sites like the Acropolis we got to visit in Athens came from the marble quarries on Naxos. You’re literally walking on ancient history—honestly, it was a pretty epic way to end the trip. Plus, it made shopping and wandering around Naxos aesthetically pleasing.
- The Beach: Our little B&B sat just steps from the pristine beach at Agios Prokopios. One of my favorite things in life is waking up and falling asleep to the soothing sound of waves. Unlike the party-heavy energy of Mykonos, Naxos had a laid-back charm, perfect for families and slow, easy days by the sea. One evening, as we unwound before dinner, a group of teenagers played soccer in the fading sunlight. Golden hour there was a quiet reminder of life’s simple pleasures—a breathtaking view, a refreshing drink (Aperol Spritz not pictured above), and the warm glow of the setting sun.
- Wine Misadventures: One evening, while we were at a cozy local beach restaurant, we tried to order another half carafe of wine, but surprise! A full one showed up instead. At roughly $9 for the full carafe, who’s complaining? Not us! This serendipitous mistake only added to the evening’s laughter and charm. As we sipped our wine, we savored slices of delicious pizza and the stunning beachfront view.
- Temple of Apollo: The Great Door (Portara) is basically all what’s left of a giant temple to Apollo from wayyy back in the 6th century BCE. It’s weathered, ancient, and somehow still standing. Seeing it rising up against the endless Aegean blue made me feel small in the best way—like hey, life changes, but some things are just built to last.
🌍 Google Map of My Favorite Spots
Want to see all the amazing places I went? I dropped pins on everything I actually liked. ✨ Restaurants, views, activities, and all-around gems.
HEYYYY again. It’s me —BeSeeingTheWorldYo!
If you were watching my Insta Stories, you already got a front-row seat to the chaos, the views, and the ✨vibes✨. But now I’m bringing it all together right here—from jaw-dropping beaches to the hidden gems I stumbled on. Check it out! 💃🌍✈️
My journey to Naxos was a refreshing and affordable escape from the hustle and bustle of Mykonos and Santorini. The family-friendly atmosphere was welcoming. Time seemed to have slowed while we wandered around the island. Even Justin—who is hard impress when it comes to beaches—couldn’t hide his contentment with the beaches in Naxos.
But island hopping wasn’t without its challenges—the ferry system, while essential, put my Sea Bands to the test, and my motion sickness stuck around long after I got home (10/10 would still do it again though). Thankfully, my doctor helped me overcome my motion sickness – just in time for a trip back to the area for my friend’s wedding in Macedonia, the country that is north of Greece, this summer.
In all of my Greek adventures, from the historic streets of Athens to Santorini’s dreamy cliffs, Naxos stitched itself into a special place in my heart.
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