Plaka Beach

Located on the west coast of Naxos Island, Plaka Beach is a four-kilometer-long golden sand beach, making it one of the longest beaches on the island.  This immensely popular beach is around eight kilometers from the town of Naxos, near many other famous beaches, including Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna.  It has a spectacular backdrop of rugged cliffs, lush vegetation, sand dunes, wildflowers, and many oceanfront buildings, including beachfront bars, several hotels, apartments, and studio units, creating a picturesque setting along the Aegean Sea.

Plaka Beach, Naxos Greece, does not have lifeguards but offers many amenities, including shaded areas, umbrellas and sunbed rental facilities, showers, changing rooms, a beach equipment rental facility, restaurants, beach bars, taverns, hotels, and nearby vacation homes.

Plaka Beach offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, hiking, boating, walking, and photography.  If you plan to go into the water, the shallow waters near the shore make it a safe destination for families with children.   It is a perfect spot for windsurfing due to its frequently windy weather.  In addition, visitors can enjoy many water sports by renting paddle boards and boats.  Hikers can enjoy the nearby hiking trails, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity.  Plaka Beach is often considered an unofficial nude beach, especially towards the far southern ends.  The beach is known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, rocky formations, and panoramic views, making it a photographer's delight, and there are many famous spots for taking the best Plaka Beach photos.  Plaka Beach is known for being a quieter and more relaxed beach experience compared to the other lively party beaches on the island.  Dogs are allowed if they are on leash, which is open from sunrise until sunset.

Plaka Beach, Naxos, offers an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Plaka Beach is easy - the beach has a few parking spots near Plaka Beach, 843 00, Greece, which provide easy access to the beach.

The Temple of Apollo (which is described in more detail below) was originally built in the 6th century BCE and was intended to be dedicated to the god Apollo - the god of archery, music, light, prophecy, the arts, and healing.  The temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times, including because of an earthquake in 330 BC; it survived until AD 390, when the Roman emperor Theodosius I ordered the pagan temples and iconography to be destroyed, including statues and artwork.

There are many attractions near Plaka Beach.  The Temple of Apollo - also known as Portara - is an iconic landmark of Naxos Island, located on the islet of Palatia, connected to Naxos Town by a narrow causeway.  Today, what remains of the temple is a huge marble gate that stands 59 meters tall and 28 meters wide and comprises four marble parts weighing about 20 tons each.  Presently, it has become a symbol of the island, providing an interesting insight into ancient Greek architecture.  Bazeos Tower is a 17th-century tower built in the Venetian architectural style with thick stone walls, small windows, and a defensive layout to protect the island against pirate raids.  Presently, the tower has been transformed into a cultural venue, hosting various art exhibitions, performances, and festivals.  Naxos Port is the main gateway to Naxos Island that offers regular ferry services to and from other Cycladic islands, including Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, and Athens.  It is a lively area, lined with cafes, taverns, and shops, where visitors can enjoy beautiful sea views while walking along the promenade. 

The Archaeological Museum of Naxos has a gallery that showcases an interesting collection of artifacts, including Cycladic marble figurines, floor mosaics, pottery, bronze tools and weapons, sculptures, inscriptions, and marble sculptures from the Archaic and Classical periods that offer a glimpse into the island’s ancient history and Cycladic culture.   If you are looking for another nearby attraction, the Cave of Zeus is a significant mythological site positioned on the western side of Mount Zas and is believed to be the place where Zeus, the king of the Olympian gods, spent his childhood.  The cave is accessed through a small gate leading to a magnificent chamber that is 115 meters high and 75 meters wide and features impressive stalactites, stalagmites, and many archaeological findings from various historical periods. 

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Plaka Beach.  Thalasea Bar Restaurant Mikri Vigla Naxos serves amazing salads, soups, pasta, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  Tohu Beach Bar Restaurant is a beachfront restaurant that serves delicious salads, meat, poultry, and seafood dishes. Yazoo Summer Bliss is an upscale restaurant that serves incredible Greek dishes, including salads, soups, seafood, poultry, and meat dishes.  3 Brothers Restaurant serves amazing salads, seafood, and poultry dishes.  If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant nearby, Hippocampus Club Restaurant serves incredible salads, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.

If you are looking for a nearby Plaka Beach hotel, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Naxos Imperial Hotel Beach Resort is 15 minutes away by car and offers many amenities, including three outdoor pools, a spa, hot tubs, a playground, a fitness center, and restaurants.  A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star Medusa Beach Resort and Suites, which offers many amenities, including an outdoor pool, hot tubs, massage services, and a restaurant.   Another moderately priced option is the 4-Star Archon Seaside Retreat, which has a few amenities, including an outdoor pool, a garden, and kitchens in all rooms.  A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star Mikri Vigla Hotel, which offers several amenities, including an outdoor pool and a restaurant.  If you are looking for another affordable hotel, Golden Sand Naxos offers many amenities, including an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a terrace, and a dining room.