Naxos facts
Naxos is the largest island (430 Km² - 167sq miles) of the Cyclades island complex. It was the center of archaic Cycladic culture.
The island is divided into two municipalities: Naxos and Drymalia. The largest town and capital of the island is Naxos city, also called Hora, with 6,530 inhabitants (2001). The main villages are Filoti, Apiranthos, Vivlos, Agios Arsenios, Koronos and Glinado. Most of the over 60 villages on Naxos are mountainous.
Naxos has many beautiful beaches, such as those at Agia Anna, Agios Prokopios, Kastraki, Mikri Vigla and Agios Georgios. Naxos is the most fertile island of the Cyclades. It has a good supply of water in a region where water is usually inadequate.
Interesting information concerning Naxos you can find through the Greek Travel Pages (GTP) and Wikipedia.
The port of Naxos is located in Naxos city (Hora). All ferries arrive and depart from there. The coordinates of the port are: 37° 6'22.56"N - 25°22'25.69"E (Google Earth)
Useful info: Naxos Port authority tel. +30 22850 22300, Greek Tourist police: +30 22890 22482 (in Mykonos)
Travel times
Ferry from Piraeus to Naxos
- Catamarans & Hydrofoils from Piraeus: approx. 4 ½ hours
- Conventional ferries from Piraeus: min. 5 ½ hours - max 8 hours
- Catamarans & Hydrofoils from Rafina: min. 3 hours - max 3 ½ hours
Transportation in Naxos
There are plenty of Taxis and a fairly good bus network.
Busses
- Naxos busses (KTEL) Tel.: 0030-22850-22291
- Bus (KTEL) depot location: At the end of the pier at the port.
Taxis: Tel. 22850-22444
Naxos ferries schedule announcement
There are four, so called, "ferry schedule seasons":
- Winter ferry season 1st of November until 31 st of March.
- Spring ferry season 1st April - beginning of June.
- Summer ferry season beginning of June - mid September.
- Autumn ferry season rest of September - 31st of October.
Ferry connections and schedules for domestic routes, like Naxos, are usually announced by most shipping companies, a couple of weeks before the beginning of each season. There are some exceptions though, like Blue Star ferries, which announces schedules in the beginning of the year.
Athens to Naxos ferry schedule frequency during summer
- Morning: Daily at least 2 conventional ferries and 1 Hydrofoil.
- Afternoon: Daily both Hydrofoil and conventional ferries.
Information concerning Athens ports serving routes to Naxos you can find further down.
Ferry types operating routes to Naxos
Conventional car ferries
These vessels can be divided into two categories: the old ones and the modern ones.
The main differences between them are
- their cruising speed
- the quality of accommodation and services provided and
- the prices
They are usually very big vessels, which also carry vehicles. Their advantages compared to the High Speed vessels, like the catamarans, are that they are more seaworthy, offer more "relaxed" accommodation and cabins and the passengers have the possibility to sit outside and enjoy their cruise around the Greek islands.
Catamarans & Hydrofoils
These vessels are smaller and much faster than conventional ones. Only a few of them can carry vehicles. Their main advantage is that they go twice as fast.
Passengers are usually not allowed to sit outside even though there is some space on some of them. The accommodation inside is a little like a very wide airplane. The better the class, the wider the seat. There are no cabins.
Smoking is not allowed in any inside area of any ship.
Ferry connections to & from Naxos
- Piraeus (Athens main port) – click here for port information
- Rafina (N. East Attica coast) – click here for port information
- Lavrio (Athens secondary port - East Attica coast) - click here for port information
- Cyclades Islands: Amorgos, Andros, Donousa, Folegandros, Heraklia, Ios, Kea, Kimolos, Koufonissi, Milos, Mykonos, Paros, Santorini, Schinousa, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros, Tinos
- Dodekanissos Islands: Astypalaia, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kassos, Kos, Leros, Lipsi, Megisti, Nissyros, Patmos, Rhodes (Rodos), Tilos
- Crete: Heraklio
- North Aegean: Chios, Fourni, Ikaria, Lesvos, Limnos, Samos
- Northern Greece: Kavala
Note: Not all above connections operate throughout out the year.
Ferry to Naxos prices
Prices quoted below concern 2017, for the most popular routes, in economy class and are indicative. Same prices apply v.v. These prices are subject to change without prior notice.
| Athens - Naxos ferries | Ferry types | |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional ferry | Hydrofoil/Catamaran* | |
| Piraeus - Naxos ferry | approx. 36€/adult | approx. 60€/adult |
| Rafina - Naxos ferry | approx. 30€/adult | approx. 49€/adult |
| Cyclades - Naxos ferries | ||
| Santorini - Naxos ferry | between 14 and 21€/adult | approx. 43€/adult |
| Mykonos - Naxos ferry | approx. 9€/adult | approx. 38€/adult |
*Note: Hydrofoils/Catamarans usually operate between May and October.
