We are traveling to Greece in August - we know it will be hot and crowded but this is the time we are able to travel : ) We are a family of four (two kids ages 19 and 22). We like to explore towns on foot, take easy/moderate hikes, swim/beach time/SUP, eat great food and try local experiences (wine tours, cooking classes, etc.) We will be spending 4 nights in Naxos and four nights in Santorini. We have hotels booked already and we are wanting to book some excursions/activities in advance that will hopefully be fun for the whole family. We are open to small group guided tours and we can rent a car if appropriate. TIA for any advice/ideas/recommendations!
Posted by
118 posts
I can only speak to Naxos as I haven't been to Santorini. You will definitely want a car for getting around the island efficiently. There are car rental agencies close to the ferry port in Naxos Town. Since you're going in high season I would reserve ahead of time - you might not find any cars available if you leave it until you arrive.
I preferred the less crowded beaches farther down the coast from Naxos Town, which was too busy for me, but your kids might like the in-town vibe.
For easy/moderate hikes, try this one: https://www.earthtrekkers.com/naxos-village-trail-melanes-myli-kouros/. Do NOT do the Mount Zas hike unless you want a very strenuous experience.
If you have the budget, Philema Food Tours are fabulous! https://philema.tours/
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5717 posts
That's about three days too many in Santorini, in my opinion. But okay. No good beaches there at all.
For Naxos, our family of four just went to the beach every day. No car. Just walked over, ate all our food by the beach. Done. We really loved it.
Posted by
France Southwest
2845 posts
I created this map that might help you find activities and information about Naxos:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1d7GZMjFODUlB8lf7EPSXQRwu-YXaKxw&usp=sharing
Regarding hikes, the Chalki and Seven Villages hikes are easy for all ages and partly shaded (an important factor in August).
The two possible hiking routes on Mount Zeus are a little more difficult but doable by anyone in good physical shape and with good footwear, provided you start early in the morning.
Anyway, with only 4 nights (3 days), you'll have to choose between hikes, beaches, tastings, village tours, boat trips, sightseeing, etc .
You'd need at least a week to get a glimpse of Naxos, and of course, you'd need to rent a car.
You can often organize your own tours if you spend a little time doing some research beforehand.
Speaking of tours, I admit to being completely stunned by Philema Tour's exorbitant prices. For example, a half-day tour of Naxos Town in July costs €571 per person!! Naxos regulars on this forum will be surprised.
Posted by
342 posts
My goodness, I just looked at the prices for Phelemas food tours - over €571 for two for a half day!!!!
We have booked a whole day with a private driver through Naxos Sun Tours for only €300. This is looking like a great bargain in comparison.
Posted by
France Southwest
2845 posts
If I were in Naxos I would organize this half day tour for you for less than 100€ with a comfortable profit margin (only in cash, of course!)
Posted by
Maryland
14 posts
JoLui-thank you for the Google map! It’s amazing. I’m going to Naxos in October and it will be so helpful to help us plan some activities and see where points of interest are located relative to each other.
Posted by
118 posts
The food tours aren't cheap. But they're a special experience, IMO. If it's not worth it to you, or out of budget, it's not going to make or break your trip.
Regarding the Mt. Zas hikes, I think it comes down to what you consider difficult. Our group on Naxos was all very fit and in good shape, and we found the hikes challenging. There is nothing easy/moderate about them, so if that's what you are looking for it's not a match.
Posted by
Vermont, USA
807 posts
We traveled to Greece two summers ago with another couple and all of our kids, plus a couple of additional friends in tow. We were 4 parents in our 50s/60s and 8 kids ranging in age from 17 to 28.
We were on Santorini for two nights, a very short stay. It was super hot and super crowded, so the two nights were just right for our jet-lagged group. We mostly stayed at our lodgings, which had a pool and a drop-dead view of the caldera. We also (in smaller groups) did a couple of excursions via taxi to Oia for exploring/photos, and we walked along the cliff path and poked around the shops. I think chilling in the pool was the favorite activity for the kids.
We were on Naxos for 5 nights and loved it. We rented a large house in a smaller village, again with a pool. We had 3 rental cars and spent the days exploring the island in small groups. The kids really liked wandering the Chora and also going to the beach; we spent a day on Plaka, plus several evening walks on other beaches. A group did the Mt Zas hike; they started early in the morning before it got too hot and did not find it that challenging (but we are a pretty active, in-shape bunch).
Grocery shopping was also fun for the kids. Honestly, I think their favorite part of being on Naxos was swimming in the pool at the end of the day while noshing on Greek snacks, cooking up some dinner with their grocery store/butcher shop/bakery finds, watching the neighbor's goats over the fence. They liked the experience of being in Greece as much or more than any actual sightseeing or planned activities.
Here is a link to my trip report if you want more details. Santorini and Naxos were our first two stops.
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
1581 posts
I have been away so am late on this thread.
You can spend a day just wandering the maze of back alleys of Naxos town leading up to the Venetian era Kastro. No need of a car that day.
St George beach is about a 10 minute stroll along the headland from Naxos town. Its a good beach with lots of tourist infrastructure.
As mentioned the area around Chalki village is good for hiking. The area around Melanes is also good for hiking and a couple of 6th century Kourous statues still lying in the marble quarries. You do not need a car to get to these areas as the local KTEL bus system is good. Having said that a rental car gives you maximum flexibility when touring. I would rent a car.
We took a Phelemas food tour several years ago when they first started. It was a great experience and included cheese making and a dinner at a local farm. Back then is was about 150 euros for two people. I decided I could not continue recommending them due to their new price.
Here are a few images of Naxos.
Naxos town 2024 https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720318203165/
Trip around Naxos https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157634605629689
Hike around Chalki https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157712247853233
Visit to Aparanthos village. https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720318196100/
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
463 posts
Two years ago we, a family of four, two kids age 22, did a five(?) hour small group sailing trip on Santorini with several swimming stops and lunch served. Viewing the caldera from the water and swimming it's waters was a wonderful experience we all enjoyed. An even better experience on Naxos was a six hour kayaking trip with Oceanus Kayaking (now called SeaKayakNaxos) again with a lunch stop. We really enjoyed both experiences and would highly recommend.