Naxos from Mykonos is an easy ferry hop of 35 minutes to 1.5 hours across the Cyclades, with frequent summer sailings making it a great day trip or longer stay to see the largest Cycladic island’s beaches, ancient Portara and mountain villages. This guide covers the ferry options, times, costs, what to see and tips for the trip.
Naxos is one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips in the Mykonos travel guide, complementing the day trips guide. The sections below cover it in full.
How do you get from Mykonos to Naxos?
You get from Mykonos to Naxos by ferry, a short hop of around 35 minutes on a high-speed catamaran up to about 1.5 hours on a conventional ferry, with up to 7 daily sailings in summer operated by SeaJets, Blue Star Ferries and Fast Ferries. Tickets start from about 30 euros, and the route runs roughly March to November.
Getting from Mykonos to Naxos is quick and easy, as the two Cycladic islands lie close together and are well connected by ferry. The crossing is a short hop, taking from around 35 minutes on the fastest high-speed catamaran up to about an hour and fifteen minutes to ninety minutes on a slower conventional ferry, depending on the vessel and any stops. The route is busy and frequent in the season, with up to seven daily sailings in summer, operated by major companies including SeaJets, Blue Star Ferries and Fast Ferries, using a mix of high-speed catamarans and conventional car ferries. The service runs seasonally, roughly from March to November, with the most sailings in the July and August peak. Ticket prices start from around 30 euros one way, with high-speed and premium seats costing more. Ferries depart from the New Port at Tourlos, about 2.5 kilometres north of Mykonos Town, and arrive at the port in Naxos Town. Booking ahead in peak season is wise, as popular sailings sell out, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos ferries. It makes an easy day trip.
Can you do Naxos as a day trip from Mykonos?
Yes, Naxos is an easy day trip from Mykonos thanks to the short, frequent ferry. Taking an early morning sailing, around 09:45, and returning on a late afternoon or evening ferry gives roughly 7 to 8 hours to explore Naxos Town, the Portara and a beach. Book ahead in summer and check the day’s return times.
Naxos works very well as a day trip from Mykonos, one of the easiest island-hopping excursions thanks to the short crossing and frequent sailings. By taking an early morning ferry, with the earliest often leaving mid-morning and reaching Naxos roughly half an hour to fifty minutes later, and returning on a late afternoon or evening sailing, you can enjoy roughly seven to eight hours on the island, enough to see the main highlights at a relaxed pace. In a day you can explore the charming Naxos Town, the Chora, with its Venetian Kastro and waterfront, walk out to the iconic Portara, the giant marble doorway of an ancient temple of Apollo on the islet by the harbour, and spend time on one of the long sandy beaches near town, such as Agios Prokopios or Agios Georgios, with lunch at a taverna. To make it work, book the early ferry over and a confirmed return, and crucially check the specific day’s return times in advance, as schedules vary; aim to be at the port early. For a fuller experience of this large, varied island, an overnight stay is rewarding, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos to Naxos. Naxos has much to see.
What can you see and do in Naxos?
In Naxos you can see the iconic Portara marble gateway, explore Naxos Town’s Venetian Kastro and lanes, relax on long sandy beaches like Agios Prokopios and Plaka, visit mountain villages such as Halki and Apeiranthos, and see ancient kouros statues. Naxos is the largest, greenest and most varied Cycladic island, rich in history and nature.
Naxos, the largest island in the Cyclades, offers a wonderful variety of sights and a more authentic, less glitzy feel than Mykonos, rewarding a visit. The unmissable landmark is the Portara, a colossal freestanding marble doorway from an unfinished ancient temple of Apollo, standing on the islet of Palatia by the harbour and especially magical at sunset. Naxos Town, the Chora, charms with its hilltop Venetian Kastro, a maze of whitewashed and Venetian-era lanes, a waterfront of cafes and an old market. The island is famed for its long, sandy, often uncrowded beaches near town, such as Agios Prokopios, Agios Georgios, Agia Anna and Plaka, among the best in the Cyclades. Inland, Naxos is green, mountainous and fertile, dotted with traditional villages like Halki, with its old distillery and tower, and the marble village of Apeiranthos, plus Byzantine churches, ancient kouros statues lying in the hillsides, and Mount Zas, the highest peak in the Cyclades. This blend of history, beaches, mountains and authentic village life makes Naxos a rich contrast to Mykonos, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos versus Naxos. A few tips help the trip.
What tips help for the trip to Naxos?
For the trip to Naxos, book ferry tickets ahead in summer, take an early sailing for a full day, check the return times carefully, and arrive at the Mykonos port early as it gets busy. Consider an overnight stay to see more, hire a car or scooter in Naxos to reach beaches and villages, and bring beach gear and water.
A few practical tips ensure a smooth and rewarding trip from Mykonos to Naxos. Book your ferry tickets in advance for the busy summer season, as popular sailings, especially in July and August, sell out, and reserve both the outbound and return legs. For a day trip, take an early morning sailing to maximise your time, and check the specific day’s return ferry times carefully, building in a buffer rather than relying on the very last boat. Arrive at the New Port at Tourlos in good time, at least 45 minutes before departure, as it gets busy in summer with queues. To see more of the large island, consider staying overnight or longer, which lets you explore beyond Naxos Town. On Naxos, hiring a car, quad or scooter, or using taxis and local buses, helps you reach the best beaches, the mountain villages and the inland sights, as the island is big. Bring beach essentials, sun protection and water, and wear comfortable shoes for the town and Portara. With a little planning, Naxos is a superb addition to a Mykonos trip, set out alongside the guides to the New Port and island hopping. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
What are the best beaches in Naxos?
The best beaches in Naxos are the long, sandy, shallow stretches south of Naxos Town: Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and the vast Plaka, among the finest in the Cyclades, plus the quieter Mikri Vigla, popular for windsurfing, and remote Alyko with its cedar forest. They are calmer, sandier and less crowded than many Mykonos beaches.
Naxos is famous for some of the best beaches in the Cyclades, a major reason to visit from Mykonos, with long sweeps of soft golden sand and shallow, calm, turquoise water. The headline beaches lie along the west coast south of Naxos Town and are easily reached: Agios Prokopios, a long, organised, blue-flag beach with fine sand and clear shallow water, is consistently rated among Greece’s best; neighbouring Agia Anna is a sandy, family-friendly beach with tavernas and rooms; and beyond them stretches the vast, spectacular Plaka beach, a long ribbon of pale sand and dunes that stays relatively uncrowded and natural, with both organised and free sections. Further south, Mikri Vigla is a beautiful double bay popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers thanks to the wind, while the remote Alyko is known for its unspoilt cove and a rare cedar forest behind the sand. Compared with Mykonos, Naxos beaches are generally sandier, calmer, cheaper and far less crowded, with a more laid-back feel. On a day trip you can easily reach Agios Prokopios or Agia Anna near town, while a longer stay lets you explore the wilder southern beaches, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos beaches. Timing the trip well helps.
When is the best time to visit Naxos from Mykonos?
The best time to visit Naxos from Mykonos is the season of May to September, when the ferries run most frequently and the weather and sea are warm. June and September offer warm days and fewer crowds, while July and August are busiest. Take an early ferry for a full day, and book ahead in the summer peak.
Timing matters for a trip from Mykonos to Naxos, both for the ferry schedule and for enjoying the island. The ferry route runs seasonally, roughly March to November, with the most frequent sailings, up to seven a day, in the summer, so May to September is the prime window when getting there and back is easiest. Within that, June and September are arguably the sweet spot, with hot, sunny weather, a warm sea, the islands in full swing and somewhat fewer crowds than the absolute peak, making the beaches and Naxos Town more relaxed. July and August bring the hottest weather and the most sailings but also the biggest crowds, the highest prices and the strongest meltemi winds, which can occasionally disrupt ferries, so book everything well ahead. The shoulder edges of spring and autumn are quieter and milder, pleasant for sightseeing if cooler for swimming, with fewer sailings to plan around. For a day trip, take an early morning ferry to maximise your time on Naxos and a confirmed late-afternoon or evening return, checking the day’s specific schedule. Visiting in the warm season, ideally June or September, and starting early gives the best experience, set out alongside the guide to when to visit. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Mykonos to Naxos ferry take?
The ferry from Mykonos to Naxos takes around 35 minutes on the fastest high-speed catamaran, up to about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1.5 hours on a conventional ferry, depending on the vessel and stops. Up to 7 daily sailings run in summer, operated by SeaJets, Blue Star Ferries and Fast Ferries.
Is Naxos worth a day trip from Mykonos?
Yes, Naxos is well worth a day trip from Mykonos thanks to the short, frequent ferry. An early sailing and a late return give around 7 to 8 hours to see the Portara, explore Naxos Town and enjoy a beach. For its many beaches, villages and mountains, an overnight stay is even more rewarding.
What does the Mykonos to Naxos ferry cost?
Ferry tickets from Mykonos to Naxos start from around 30 euros one way, with high-speed catamarans and premium seats costing more than conventional ferries. Prices rise in the July and August peak and closer to departure, so booking ahead in summer secures the best fares and availability on this popular route.