Agios Prokopios Beach

Voted the third best beach in Greece, and ranking in the top ten of a Europe-wide poll, Agios Prokopios beach remains one of the most popular beaches on the island of Naxos as much for its innate beauty as for its proximity to the island’s main town of Chora (Naxos town) and the ferry port.

Just a short drive, bus ride, cycle or stroll from Naxos town, Agios Prokopios beach is one of three on Naxos that holds a Blue Flag award for the purity of its waters, which drift between gem-like light blues and more brooding dark blues. Protected from the island’s sometimes strong winds, they are good for swimming, with gentle waves.

Made up of slightly coarser yellow sand then you might find elsewhere, the beach stretches for an impressive 1.5 kilometres in length, and also maintains a good depth before the sand begins to form a gentle dune system. Beyond, visitors will find a plethora of restaurants and cafes suitable for all budgets and ages, meaning you can make the most of your day on the beach. A good range of hotels gives you the chance to extend your stay overnight too.

Well organised, the majority of Agios Prokopios beach is laid out with sunbeds and umbrellas, while beach volleyball and banana boat rides are also easy to arrange. For those seeking out something a little more natural, the rockier northern end of the beach is free of such beach furniture and quieter as a result, though this makes it more attractive to the occasional naturist. Nearby, visitors can also explore an old salt pan, kokkini limni, which dazzles in the sunlight and attracts a range of bird species.

Parking on the beach can be tricky, particularly during the high season, making the regular scheduled public buses a favourite option for getting to and from its sands.