Naxos - help with beach recs please

We stayed in Chora near the beach but didn’t actually swim there. It is a very shallow beach and populated with young children. We ate on the beach and walked on the beach so glad we stayed there anyway.

Chora is a great central location but if your interest is primarily going to the beach, I would concur that there are better beaches. We actually went to Naxos for the beaches but ended up spending only one afternoon at the beach as we found so many other things to do.

If you're worried about what you'll find on the beaches of Naxos, be aware that all the beaches near Naxos Town, Ag Prokopios, Ag Georgios, and Ag Anna, are invaded by sunbeds and crowds in the summer. It's a real disaster.
For two years, there have been protests trying to preserve these natural spaces at least a little, with a citizens' movement called "Save the Beaches of Naxos."

These beaches already looked like this a few years ago:

https://youtu.be/5jpUsSm0CeA

On Naxos, if you move a little further away from what is, for me, a nightmare, and head south, you'll find miles of (relatively) unspoiled sandy beaches. It's this whole area along the west coast:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/jFejz2Ds6LakK2QHA

And it's where we like to go, even if we don't spend even 10% of our time on the beaches.
Obviously, there won't be any souvenir shops, no jewelry or clothing stores, but a few tavernas/restaurants, a bakery, and one or two mini markets. Tamarisk trees for shade and a beach towel as a sunbed.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/n2MkCt2JBNvuWjTQ7

Oh, I almost forgot. Yes, it's much better with a car, but there is a bus that runs. Line 1 to Mikri Vigla and line 3 to Pyrgaki.

To go further South , you'll have to walk...or swim :))

We’ve stayed in Chora three times now , but now returning for third time to Agia Propokios/ Anna ( they are right beside each other so you can just walk from one to other ) .
Beach is much nicer ( St. George’s beach is now quite crowded and if you like to actually swim be prepared to walk and walk and walk in knee high water before it gets deep enough , great for toddlers and families with small kids though )

Also we loved the Arts Cafe which had live music from international artists! More like a jazz club than a bar - and it’s smack dab beteeen the two areas .

@BethFL - thank you for the info!

@JoLui - thanks for the maps and I have been warned about the crowds. Trying to strike a balance between having enough to do in the area and not being swarmed:)

@pat: thank you for the tip - will definitely check out Arts Cafe!

In Mid-September, AG GIorgios beach in Naxos will be nicely emptied out, and it's SO pleasant to stay there... when you want to go to a far beach, stroll along the waterfront and catch a bus by the port to Plaka beach, which by then will also be very pleasant. There's also a bus stop in Ag. Giorgios, back from the beach; ask your hotel... and in September, plenty of room n the bus. The crowding phenomenon is mainly between late june and very early September.

@janet - that's so good to know about the buses. Thanks!

From someone whose visits to Naxos have been in Mid-late may, or mid-September ...Another note (From a swimmer) about St. George (ag Giorgios) beach. Yes, it's shallow at the shoreline & you must wade out, but no rush... a leisurely wade, about 100 yards & it's waist-deep & then whoops, big drop-off. I do love staying just off the sand there, for a morning dip... or after a day of hiking or exploring leaves me hot & perspiring, also nice to splash around a bit before a nap, and then out to dinner.
For beach time of 4-5 hours, I get a bus out to Plaka Beach... it has about 4 stops along the length, and you just tell the driver which one. Earliest one I've used is at Aegean-Land (Hotel), because they've got a nice changing-room/restroom area just off the sand, and nice sun-loungers that (at least in May & the fall) are free for use when you buy refreshments. Farther along, if you want to linger for a a sunset drink at their tables right on the sands at the water's edge, ask for the stop Nearest to Nikos & Marias. Also 100 yards from there, THE justly-praised "modern Greek" restaurant ... but u may want to "get dressed" & come back -- not a swimsuit venue.
At Ag. Giorgios, if you're not planning a long stay, you needn't rent sunbeds/umbrellas... just stroll along and check out the cafes that are right ON the sands, look for ones that have nice leanback "campchair" seatiiing, and plunk yourself there for the price of a a coke or an ice-cream. The family groups with school-age children atre mainly from early june - Sept 1... but on either end, you get lots of Swedes, Norwegians etc with toddlers. Fun watching them stagger around with sandpails at the water's edge. My favorite thing.

When I mentioned "modern greek Restaurant" I Omitted the name - Petrino's.

@janet - thank you so much for all of these helpful details! And I just looked up Petrinos and it looks wonderful - and appreciate the attire tip:)

We stayed in Agia Anna and our bed was literally 10 feet from the sand and 50 feet from the water.

This was during a really small window during Covid in June 2021 and crowds were extremely small, but even then the beach was very crowded.

Luckily, our accommodation featured private sunbeds between the room and the water. I could see how that beach could get to be a bit much during busier times but it was incredible when we were there. Great setting, clear cool water. Amazing.

Naxos Town is only about 20 minutes away. Driving there is terrific. In fact, in a car you could easily reach a large number of wild beaches. If you're game, I would have you get a car, find a place in Agia Anna (or any along that stretch), make a day-trip up to Apareinthos (start early and include Temple of Demeter and/or Chalki or Apollonas statues). After lunch drive to Panermos. There, take the awesome little 90-minute boat ride (stunning! But limited, book ahead). On the way back, stop at the Panorama Cafe with a view towards the west.

There is a row of rental car offices on the street that takes you from Naxos port to St. George's beach. When I am there, I always just walk into one of those places my first night and ask if they have a car for the next however many days. They usually say, "yes", but if not they will call another for me (happened once). And then I arrange to have it ready at 10 am or so the next day by filling out the forms then and there. Importantly, the person who handles your rental will know everything about the island and will gladly point out any and all kinds of things for you on a paper map. Pretty much every single great thing I've found on Naxos was first circled on a map for me by one of them. Beaches, caves, mountains, hikes, fabulous mountain villages, incredible food.

Agree with will on some things, not on others. Ag Ann in September may be more enjoyable... but having given it 3 tries, I have not recommended it except out of season. The main part of the beach is quite nararow and booked solid with tavernas, no space between, with music playing nonstop. On 2 tries in Mid-may, the beach was So packed with chairs there was no place to lay a towel. When one walked to far left or right for more space, the entry to water less pleasant. on Ag Giorgios, much wider beach area before hotels or cafes. And PLaka... miles and miles of sand -- alas from June to Sept 1, now being encroached by (illegal) 4-posters in some places... but a few stops farther, no... and in Septemer, back to normal.

As for car rentals, I aagree, have rented from 3-4 all with good results. 2 things to note, however (1) if you need automatic shift, you may have to ask around, or email an inquiry ahead of time... and those with automatic may be larger car than you want/need (2) Greeks eat late & stay up late, so in the Morning, they are slow getting started. Had a car reserved for 9 am, but counter clerks were just on 1st cup of coffee, groggy& slow... it was after 10 by time we got car. Since cars rented on a 24-hr basis, if you plan a long day of exploring, sugest you pick up car the night before, any time between 7 - 9. Park it in nearby free lot or by your hotel, then the next day after you have your breakfast, it's ready to go!. Then after your driving day, drop it off before dinner.