Island Hopping Vibes: Chill Days on Naxos

Our island hopping holiday to the Cyclades was another dream come true, and I am delighted to share my tips. We spent the first five days on Naxos to acclimatise and relax. This was our second time on the island, and it was wonderful once again. Highly recommended if you want to enjoy sun, sea and sand.

Our stay at Sundunes Hotel was a real hit. This new hotel is exactly what you want on Naxos: stylish and super relaxed. Think: white with wood, boho details and a minimalist vibe that perfectly matches the island feeling and also myself. The rooms were spacious, light and had a nice large balcony with sea views. The staff were super friendly and helpful and so pleasant that they became friends. And the location? Fantastic! Sundunes is located directly on the beautiful beach of Plaka (Natura 2000 area) and has its own “secret beach” with comfortable beach beds. A wonderful place to relax.

Restaurants on Naxos

Eating on Naxos is a real treat – from cosy tavernas to the trendiest restaurants on the beach, everywhere has that relaxed island vibe. Apostolis in Chora was on my “to visit” list and luckily we were able to get a table. A super atmospheric place tucked away among the whitewashed alleys. Here you can enjoy pure, traditional dishes in a peaceful setting. A really lovely place and the food was delicious!

Plaka Beach has several gems: at Nikos & Maria, you can sit with your feet in the sand while the sun slowly sets – here, it's all about family tradition, hospitality and really good Greek food at a very affordable price. Caya is a trendy Italian restaurant with a laid-back boho vibe, stylish cocktails and delicious pizzas and pasta dishes. It's also a great place for a glass of wine during sunset. And along Plaka beach, you'll find many more nice restaurants such as Nomad, Psaraki, Paradiso Taverna and many more.

Tours on Naxos

If you want to see anything on the island, it's a good idea to hire a car. Driving on the island is easy. We rented a car for two days and drove to a number of villages and beaches. We visited the charming villages of Chalki and Filoti – both real gems! In Chalki, we strolled through narrow streets with colourful buildings covered in bougainvillea and a number of nice cafés and shops. Filoti had a cosy square under the plane trees. We were there on a Sunday, so the square was full of locals drinking coffee. It was lovely to see, and if you want, there are even more charming villages to visit. It got too hot for us, so we headed back to the beach.

Hawaii Beach was also on my list – a hidden gem with turquoise water and rugged cliffs. But what makes it really special is the old hotel ruin near the beach. The dilapidated walls have been transformed by various artists into a kind of open-air gallery, full of colourful murals and street art. Definitely worth a visit! And if you drive here from Plaka Beach, you'll also pass Mikro Viglia, a beach for surfing enthusiasts.

After Naxos, we took the Seajet to Syros. Read the blog about Syros here.

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