Hi - my husband and I will be spending 5 nights in Naxos in mid-September. Our hotel is in Chora, but I wanted to spend 1 day visitng the villages on the other side of the island. We don't like to drive on vacation, so was looking into taking a guided group/private tour, and wanted to see if anyone has any recs? Also looking into trying to see some of the spots utilzing the bus, so would love to hear anyone who navigated the sites that way. Thanks!
Posted by
France Southwest
2676 posts
I made this map with some information about Naxos.
It includes all the main villages on the island and other points of interest. There's also a Day Trips/Tours section where you'll find contact details for local travel agencies.
There are also two sections, BUS LINES & BUS STOPS, for the 10 bus lines and their main stops (check the boxes to display them on the map).
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1d7GZMjFODUlB8lf7EPSXQRwu-YXaKxw&usp=sharing
Have fun!
The bus schedule for summer 2025 is available here:
Posted by
OP
25 posts
@JoLui - this is so helpful. Thank you so much!!!!
Did you find the buses to be pretty reliable?
Posted by
France Southwest
2676 posts
The buses are reliable, but although the bus schedules are more frequent and extended during high season, their main use is for islanders. And islanders don't visit the villages.
If you get off a bus to visit a place, you may have to wait 2, 3 hours, or more (under the sun) to catch the next bus .
So, for sightseeing, I'd say reliable: Yes, efficient: No.
The best way to get around the island is undoubtedly to rent a car. You start exploring at the time you want, stopping wherever you want for as long as you like.
If you don't have a driver's license or have a good reason not to rent a car, you can also take an organized tour, it's reliable but more expensive and less flexible.
Posted by
OP
25 posts
@JoLui - that all makes sense. I will look more into the tours. Thanks again!
Posted by
308 posts
We are having five nights in Naxos in October, also staying in Chora and wanting a day to visit the villages.
Because we are Australian, we don't want to hire a car and spend the day figuring out how to drive on a different side of the road, so we will book a private tour.
I haven't booked yet, but Naxos Cultural Tours is looking really good and their prices are fairly reasonable for what you get.
We are thinking of doing the Best of Naxos tour as it covers most things.
Posted by
SF Bay Area
969 posts
We will have 5 nights in Naxos in June. We will probably rent a car for one day, but I've also been looking at the following, all recommended by forum members or on the Matt Barrett Naxos page:
https://www.naxosbustransfer.com/
https://alexander-boat.gr/en/timetable-naxos-delos-mykonos.html
Posted by
France Southwest
2676 posts
When searching for "villages tours," keep in mind that it can be very hot, so also look at catamaran day trips with stops at secluded beaches (don't forget your swimsuit!)
An example:
https://zastours.com/day-trip-from-naxos-to-paros-and-south-or-north-of-naxos
Posted by
OP
25 posts
@DebH & BarbaraN: thanks so much! I will look into these and search the Matt Barrett page.