A Practical Guide to Plaka Beach, Naxos’ Most Beautiful Stretch of Sand
Plaka Beach might be Naxos at its dreamiest: long white sand, clear blue water, beach bars, sunset tavernas and quieter corners if you know where to look. Here’s how to visit, where to swim, eat and stay, and what to know before you go.
UPDATED MAY 2026
We spent a lot of time on Plaka Beach during our month on Naxos.
Early morning swims before anyone else arrived. Late afternoon dips when the light turned golden. Long walks along the southern stretch where the farmland still meets the sand. Beach club days at Tortuga. Simple afternoons floating in the clearest water we've seen anywhere in Greece.
It’s easy then to understand why we think Plaka is our favourite beach in Greece. Not just Naxos - Greece.
The beach runs for several kilometres along the western coast, backed by dunes, with a mix of established beach bars and newer, more contemporary venues at the northern end and almost nothing at the southern end - just sand, water and the occasional turtle. That's the version we came back to most.
But development is creeping in, slowly. The farmland at the south end won't stay untouched forever. The beach bar strip is getting busier and more polished each season.
But for now, Plaka still has enough of both worlds to satisfy everyone - a proper beach club day in the afternoon and an empty morning swim before the rest of the world shows up.
This is our guide to Plaka Beach, including where to eat, drink, swim and stay, and everything else worth knowing before you go.
LOVE OUR PHOTOS? Edit like us with our European Summers Preset Packs, and mobile video filters, inspired by the warm hues and vibes of summers spent in Europe
PLAKA
BEACH
SNAPSHOT
DON'T MISS | Morning swim on the southern stretch, Tortuga for lunch, sunset dinner at Paradiso Taverna, snorkelling off the rock reef, paddleboarding
BEST FOR | Beach lovers, couples, those who want the best of both worlds
BEST TIME TO VISIT | May and September for the quietest, most relaxed experience. July and August are busy but the beach is big enough to handle it
ON WINDY DAYS | The meltemi can make the northern end of the beach uncomfortable in July and August. Head to the southern undeveloped stretch which is more sheltered
HOW TO GET THERE | Bus from Chora - €2.10, around 20 minutes. By car, 20 minutes from Chora, 5 minutes from Agios Prokopios. Parking is limited in peak season
WHERE TO STAY | Ammothines Cycladic Suites (luxury) · Naxian on the Beach (mid-luxury) · Annio Boutique Studios (budget)
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK | Tortuga, Nomad Naxos, Tohu, Paradiso Taverna
WHAT TO SEE & EAT AT PLAKA BEACH, NAXOS
LAZE AT THE BEACH BARS, OR ON THE BEACH
As Australians, paying for a beach still feels slightly wrong. But Naxos does beach clubs well, at prices that feel almost reasonable compared to Mykonos or Santorini.
The stretch of bars along Plaka's northern end is genuinely good — relaxed, well-designed and worth a full day of your time.
Our picks:
TOHU | hammocks, sofas, cushions right on the sand. Southeast Asian beach club energy on a Greek island, which somehow works completely. Excellent vegetarian food and classic cocktails done well. One of our most-returned-to spots on the beach.
NOMAD | set up by the founders of the popular 520 Bar in Chora, Nomad sources produce from their own small farm and local Naxian suppliers. Slightly more upscale than Tohu but with food and cocktails that justify it - the cocktails in particular are among the best on the island.
CEDAR CAFE | the most laid-back option, set under leafy trees away from the main strip. Eclectic menu, good smoothies and a completely unhurried pace. The Plaka original.
SAVAYA | the newest addition to the Plaka strip and one of the more polished options. Modern Asian-fusion menu, including poke bowls, bao buns, and good cocktails, in a stylish beachfront setting. A welcome alternative on days when you want something other than Greek cuisine. Slightly pricier than the others, but the quality matches.
If beach bars aren't your thing, the undeveloped southeastern stretch of Plaka is entirely free - no bars, no sunbeds, no one trying to sell you anything.
We spent most of our mornings there, swimming among turtles and fish in water that felt like it was made for exactly this purpose.
CHILL & EAT ALL DAY AT TORTUGA
Tortuga sits right in the middle of Plaka Beach and is, simply, the best beach club on the island.
The design is tribal-chic and genuinely considered, not the generic beach club aesthetic that's everywhere in Greece. Sunbeds with canopies sit right at the water's edge, and the view across Plaka from here is as good as it gets.
The food is what sets it apart from everything else on the strip. We worked through most of the menu across multiple visits and can vouch for all of it. The seabass ceviche with citrus (€15) was the standout starter. The sautéed scallops with kakavia sauce (€20) ran it close.
The grouper spaghetti cooked in fish broth, garlic, ginger and chives (€29) is the dish we still talk about. Beach snacks start from €10, the club sandwich is solid, and the guacamole with watermelon is strange and excellent.
The cocktail menu was developed with one of Athens' better bars and tastes like it.
Sunbeds run €30 per set, including towels and water. The food prices are what you'd expect for this quality.
Neither will break the bank by Cycladic standards.
THE DETAILS
Where |Tortuga Naxos, Plaka Beach
Opening Hours | Daily: 8 am - 11 pm
Tips | Prepare to spend €€€!
GO SNORKELLING OFF PLAKA BEACH
On the calm days, when the meltemi is quiet and the sea is flat, the water off Plaka is genuinely worth exploring from below.
A large rock reef runs along most of the beach - good for spotting fish in the clear turquoise water, and on lucky days, turtles. We spotted them regularly on the southern stretch in the early mornings.
Nothing like Australia or Belize, but beautiful in its own right and well worth an hour with a mask on.
Pick up snorkelling gear from any mini-market in Plaka or Chora before you head down.
Best conditions | Early morning before the meltemi builds - the water is flattest and clearest before midday in summer
ENJOY A SUNSET DINNER UNDER THE TREE AT PARADISO TAVERNA
Sit under the tamarisk tree, order whatever looks good and stay until the sky goes dark. That's the entire plan for a Paradiso evening, and it's a very good one.
Paradiso is technically in Agia Anna, a short walk along the beach from the Plaka strip, and has been here since 1978, when the beach was still largely deserted, and access was difficult.
The setting is the whole point: beachside tables, uninterrupted views west over Paros as the sun sets, a local band playing traditional music on the better evenings.
The food is honest, traditional Naxian cooking - the beetroot salad and papoutsakia are consistently praised, the fresh fish is reliable, and the local wine does exactly what it needs to do.
Arrive before 7:30 pm to get a beach table and catch the full sunset. Book ahead in peak season.
THE DETAILS
Where |Paradiso Tavern, Maragkas
Opening Hours | Daily: 9 am - 12 am
Tips | Arrive before 7:30pm for a beach table and the full sunset. Book in advance in July and August.
GO PADDLEBOARDING
On the calm days, when the meltemi is quiet and the sea is flat, paddleboarding along the Plaka coastline is one of the better ways to spend a morning.
The reef runs along most of the beach, and the water is clear enough to see straight through - turtles, fish, rock formations all visible from above.
It's an easy way to explore the beach from a completely different perspective, and considerably more peaceful than the main strip once you've paddled a few hundred metres south.
Plaka Watersports hires out paddleboards along with a full range of other water activities - wakeboarding, waterskiing, tubing, canoes and more. Check current prices directly on their website.
THE DETAILS
Where |Plaka Watersports, Naxos
Opening Hours | Daily: 8 am - 11 pm
Cost | €20 per hour
Tip | Go early morning for the flattest water and best visibility — the meltemi typically builds from midday in summer
GRAB ICE CREAM AT MITATOS
We had ice cream from Mitatos every single day we spent on Plaka Beach. That's the whole review.
The only ice cream shop on the beach, Mitatos makes everything by hand from fresh milk - proper gelato, generous portions and flavours that are considerably better than a beach shack has any right to produce.
The pistachio is the obvious order in Greece. The black vanilla was the one we kept coming back to. Cookies and cream are exactly as good as you'd expect.
Bourbon vanilla, banoffee and Ferrero Rocher are all worth rotating through across a longer stay.
THE DETAILS
Where |Mitatos Ice Cream, Plaka Beach
Opening Hours | Daily: 8:30 am - 1 am
Cost | Around €2.50 per scoop. Go the cone over the cup
PLAN YOUR VISIT TO PLAKA BEACH
WHERE IS PLAKA BEACH, NAXOS?
Plaka is on the southwestern coast of Naxos Island, around 15 minutes south of Chora and a few minutes south of Agios Prokopios.
It's one of the longest beaches on the island, several kilometres of white sand with views across to Paros, and despite its reputation, still largely undeveloped, particularly toward the southeastern end.
WHERE TO STAY ON PLAKA BEACH
OUR TOP PICK | Naxian on the Beach — boho-chic design hotel right on the beach, attached to Tortuga
BEST LUXURY | Ammothines Cycladic Suites — the finest stay on the beach, steps from the water
BEST MID-RANGE | Dream On Plaka — laid-back Cycladic design, relaxed atmosphere, great value
BEST BUDGET | Annio Boutique Studios — steps from the beach, clean and comfortable, genuinely affordable
For the full breakdown of every option on Plaka and across the island, our Where to Stay on Naxos guide covers everything.
PLAKA BEACH FACILITIES
No public toilets or showers on the beach - you'll need to use facilities at a beach bar or head back to your accommodation.
Bring your own water if you're spending time on the quieter southeastern stretch, where there are no shops or bars within easy reach.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT PLAKA
May and September are the sweet spots. The sea is warm, the beach is manageable, and prices are noticeably lower across accommodation, food and sunbeds.
July and August are when the meltemi winds peak - strong northerly winds that can make a beach day genuinely uncomfortable on exposed stretches.
Blowing sand, choppy water and a constant wind in your face. The beach is also at its busiest and most expensive during this period.
The shoulder seasons give you the best version of Plaka: warm, beautiful and quiet enough to actually enjoy it.
HOW TO GET TO PLAKA BEACH
Due to its popularity, Plaka Beach is super easy to get to, with a range of transport options making a trip to the beach simple from Chora town, or Agios Prokopios.
RENTING A CAR ON NAXOS
By far our most recommended form of transport on Naxos, a rental car will help you no end on Naxos. Naxos is huge with so much to see, and if you have your own set of wheels, especially an air-conditioned set, it will make your life so much easier.
Compared to other Greek Islands such as Santorini, Car rental on Naxos is actually quite affordable, especially during the shoulder seasons.
Expect to pay around €25 - €50 per day for car rental on Naxos.
Plaka Beach has plenty of parking for those with a car, especially in the south-east, which is mostly deserted.
SCOOTER OR ATV
For those on a budget, hiring an ATV or scooter might be a better option to get to Plaka Beach, as it will allow you to park almost anywhere, as well as navigate the sometimes manic summer traffic.
There are plenty of places to rent scooters on Naxos, however, we recommend Naxos On the Road.
Note that to rent a scooter in Greece you'll need to show proof of a motorbike license.
LOCAL BUS
Buses are by far the cheapest mode of transport on Naxos, and the network is pretty good and reliable, especially between Chora and Plaka (and return).
Line #1 is the bus you’ll need to take (there aren’t many, so don’t stress), and it will take around 20 - 30 minutes, depending on the summer traffic (which can get bad around Agios Prokopios).
Most tickets between major hubs generally cost around €2 (the most we paid was €2.50 for a ticket). Tickets for the Naxos bus service need to be bought prior to boarding and can be found at tourist markets throughout the Island.
See the Naxos bus timetable here
We used these buses frequently, and they’re decent, efficient, and sometimes a little busy in the peak months, so you may find yourself standing at some points. They run frequently, although the timings are sometimes a little limiting when you want to pack lots of Naxos's best things to do into a single day.
During the peak of summer, we'd recommend getting to the bus stop early and being prepared to queue for a while (it can also get pretty pushy!).
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN GREECE
Honest take: if something goes wrong, a medical emergency, a missed ferry, a scooter accident on a coastal road, travel insurance is the difference between a stressful story and a catastrophic one.
After 10+ years of full-time travel, here's what we use and recommend:
FOR TRAVELLERS | World Nomads offers travel insurance for independent travellers and intrepid families. Their policies offer coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Get a quote from World Nomads →
READ | Our ultimate guide to travel insurance
PLANNING A TRIP TO GREECE SOON?
Make the most of your time on Naxos with our essential Greece travel guides.
EXPLORE NAXOS
WHERE TO STAY ON NAXOS
Where to Stay on Naxos Island — hotels, villas and apartments across every budget and neighbourhood
MORE CYCLADES
PLAN YOUR GREEK SUMMER WITH OUR USEFUL GUIDES
Some of the links in this guide to Plaka Beach are affiliate links.
If you choose to purchase using these links, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please know that by using these affiliate links, you're directly supporting The Common Wanderer to stay wandering, the running costs of the site, and our ability to provide you with free content to help you on your travels.
That, and you're officially a legend.
