Budget-friendly alternative to Corfu that’s hundreds cheaper & fans claim has ‘better beaches’

NESTLED in the heart of the Aegean Sea, there's an island dubbed a more affordable and quieter alternative to Corfu.

"Underrated" Naxos is the largest island of the Cyclades, and it has everything from some of the Med's finest golden sand beaches to thousands of bars and restaurants.

4

4

4

Why Naxos?

In contrast to well-known tourist destinations such as Corfu and Mykonos, Naxos provides a more reasonably priced and authentic Greek island experience.

Very different from its neighbouring islands, Naxos's slower pace of life and reduced tourist density allow visitors to enjoy the island's natural beauty and cultural diversity without the hassle of large crowds and expensive accommodation.

---

SUN READER HOLIDAY TIPS: Give us your best tip for an underrated UK place and you could win a £100 Amazon voucher

---

The island has always been agriculturally self-sufficient and managed to resist tourism until the 1980s—and still refuses to succumb to its excesses.

Goats outnumber the island's 20,000 residents four to one, and shepherds continue to trek over the mountain trails.

Naxos is also a top pick for sports lovers, as it's great for windsurfing and kitesurfing, thanks to the windy areas of Glyfada e Kastraki.

Sports don't end there, though, as you could also dabble in watersports, horse riding and more.

What is it like in Naxos?

Chora is the capital city, but most people call it "Naxos Town". The town is often described as the perfect blend of modern city and ancient Greek features.

The "Portara" is the gateway to the Temple of Apollo, and it's the first thing you'll see when arriving by ferry.

According to legend, the Tyrant Lygdamis began construction on the Temple of Apollo's gate in 522 BC, but it was never finished.

Meanwhile, the Venetian Castle, built in 1207, the Archaeological Museum, and the Catholic Cathedral are must-sees for understanding the island's history.

Once inland, you'll find plenty of shops, restaurants, taverns, bars and local hangouts.

This area is also home to the famous Old Market Street, where you'll find traditional restaurants and taverns, and it gets jam-packed after sunset.

During the summer months, there are also concerts and exhibitions taking place almost every week.

The Old Market is also a great place for a Greek night out, as it boasts more than 500 cocktail bars.

Pints of local beer cost around 4€ (£3.50), while imported beers are around 5€ (£4.90) - which is significantly cheaper than in the UK.

The waterfront area is particularly famous and a must-visit at sunset. It's called "Paralia" and is also known as one of the most romantic places on the island.

Although there's plenty to explore all day, Naxos is renowned for its fine golden sandy beaches.

From coast to coast, visitors will be amazed by the protected beauty of these beaches.

If you'd like to stay closer to Naxos Town, St. George Beach is one of the best places to visit. It's also surrounded by bars and restaurants.

However, for those looking to move around, there's plenty to explore.

Just over three miles from Naxos, you'll find the famous Agios Prokopios beach, which is known as one of the "most beautiful" beaches in Greece, thanks to its deep turquoise waters and untouched white sand.

Further away, Mikri Vigla is the hotspot for kiteboarding and windsurfing enthusiasts. It consists of two beaches: Parthena and Sahara, both with crystal-clear water and not usually too busy.

When is the best time to visit Naxos?

Like most Greek islands, Naxos shines during spring and summer, when temperatures can hit highs over 30C.

The island enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and moderate winters.

The months between May and October have temperatures between 20C and 30C, which makes it the ideal time of year to enjoy outdoor activities like swimming, snorkelling, and relaxing by the seaside.

However, the shoulder seasons are great for exploring Naxos's historical value, as it is easier to walk around without the scorching sun.

Temperatures rarely fall below 12C in Naxos, even during winter - so it could be considered an all-year-round destination, depending on what you're after.

However, it's worth noting that many attractions and events might not run outside of the spring and summer seasons.

What are the best deals to visit Naxos?

Thanks to its unspoiled landscape that makes it so unique, Naxos doesn't have an international airport.

However, the island is easily reachable by ferry from most of its neighbours, including Mykonos and Corfu.

There aren't many package holidays available, but there are plenty of hotels, flights and Airbnb - so booking separately won't cause any issues, and you'll have more freedom on the length of your holiday.

Flights from the UK to Corfu are usually the cheapest way to reach Naxos, as we've spotted some return flights from £62 this summer.

Those who don't fancy taking the ferry could also fly to Athens, as there are direct flights from Athens to Naxos and take approximately 40 minutes.

Here are some of the best stays we've found:

• 7 nights at La Perla Hotel in Naxos, Greece - from £336 per room (£168pp)
• 7 nights at Agios Prokopios Hotel in Naxos, Greece - from £338 per room (£169pp)
• 7 nights at Plaka Hotel I in Naxos, Greece - from £253 per room (£126.50pp)
• 5 nights at Galaxy Hotel in Naxos, Greece - from £430 per room (£215pp)

Alternatively, we've also found homes on Airbnb starting from just £30pp a night, while apartment stays are a bit pricier, coming in at around £50pp a night.

What else do I need to know about Naxos?

Naxos is one hour ahead of the UK and is easily accessible by ferry from most islands in the Aegean Sea.

The official language is Greek, but English is widely spoken in most tourist areas.

The local currency is the Euro, with £10 equalling around 11.70€.

There are currently no entry requirements for Brits visiting Naxos.

However, their passport must be issued less than ten years before the date of entry and valid for more than three months after they plan to leave.

Brits can stay in Naxos for up to 90 consecutive days without needing a visa.

For more bargains, European holiday park breaks on sale from £6pp a night in May – with huge waterparks, pools and private beaches.

Meanwhile, TUI launched a huge sale with discounted holidays from £249pp to Turkey, Spain and Bulgaria.

And we've also found all-inclusive beach holidays to Greece that cost from just £336pp in May and June, including your flights.

_{Prices correct at the time of publication.}

4