Agia Anna Beach
Golden sand, turquoise water, and a working fishing jetty
About
Agia Anna stretches roughly 800 metres of golden sand along the western coast of Naxos, where the water shades from pale turquoise at the shallows to deeper blue further out. A working fishing jetty anchors the southern end, giving the beach a lived-in, village character that sets it apart from purely resort strips. Tamarisk trees line the back of the beach, offering natural shade and a windbreak against the summer Meltemi. Beachfront tavernas and a water-sports centre keep things lively from morning to evening, and the shallow entry makes wading in effortless for all ages.
How to get there
From Naxos Town it's a 10-minute drive south; buses run every 30 minutes and take about 17 minutes, dropping you close to the sand. Small free public parking lots sit near the beach, but roadside spots fill early — arrive before 09:00 in July and August if you're driving. There's no entry fee to the beach itself, though you'll need to rent a sunbed to use the organised section.
Who it's for
For couples
Couples who enjoy a mix of activity and ease will find the beachfront tavernas ideal for a long lunch, and the short drive to the Portara at sunset makes for a genuinely memorable evening away from the beach.
For families
The shallow entry and safe swimming conditions make Agia Anna one of the more relaxed family beaches on Naxos, and the on-site water-sports centre gives older kids plenty to do while younger ones splash in the shallows.
Our take
Feet in the sand, eyes on the screen
Agia Anna is a solid, no-nonsense beach that earns its popularity honestly: golden sand, safe turquoise water, easy access, and a fishing jetty that reminds you this is still a working village. Swimming is safe and the shallow entry is genuinely welcoming. The Meltemi can make conditions choppy in peak summer, so keep an eye on the sea before venturing far out. The honest caveat is July and August — sunbeds blanket the entire beach by mid-morning and the atmosphere tips from lively into overwhelming. Come in June or September and you'll get the same golden sand and turquoise water with room to breathe. Skip in August if solitude matters to you.
What to do
The Portara — the iconic marble gateway of an unfinished 6th-century BC Temple of Apollo — is just 3.5 km away on a rocky islet connected to Naxos Town, and it's unmissable at sunset. Agios Prokopios Beach, 2 km north, is a Blue Flag sandy beach that tends to be calmer and slightly less packed if you want a quieter swim. The Naxos Archaeological Museum, 4 km away in town, houses Cycladic figurines and island finds inside a Venetian-era building worth an hour of your time. Laguna Beach Park is 2.1 km away for more structured water-based fun.
The working fishing jetty at the southern end — especially at golden hour with boats in the foreground and turquoise water behind — is the standout frame.
The tamarisk tree line along the back of the beach creates natural dappled-light portraits in the late afternoon. For a wider landscape shot, the northern end of the beach at sunrise gives you the full golden sand sweep before the sunbeds arrive.
Where to eat
Akrogiali sits right on the beach at 0 km — hard to beat for a post-swim meal with your feet practically in the sand. Deoudas, 0.2 km away, specialises in Greek cuisine and fresh seafood, while Taverna I Avlí and Step By Step are both within a 0.2 km stroll for relaxed sit-down meals. Fotis is a short 0.5 km walk if you want to explore slightly further.
Where to stay
Castello Studios is right on the beach at 0 km, making it the closest option for early-morning sand access. Santana, Dolphin Studios Agia Anna, Something Else, and Hotel Studios Aspasia are all within 0.1 km — a genuinely short walk to the water for any of them.
Photography
The fishing jetty at the southern end frames a classic shot at golden hour, with colourful boats against the turquoise water. Early morning — before the sunbeds fill in — gives you the cleanest wide-angle view of the full 800-metre golden sand arc.
Good to know
Sunbed rental is required to use the organised section of the beach — bring cash and claim your spot early, because by mid-morning in July and August sunbeds cover virtually the entire beach. If you're visiting in peak summer, aim to arrive before 09:00 or consider coming in June or September instead. The Meltemi wind can kick up choppy conditions in peak summer, so check conditions before heading out on a paddleboard or into the water. Camping is not permitted anywhere on the beach.
Map
Nearby places
Akrogiali
Step By Step
Taverna I Avlí
Deoudas
Fotis
Castello Studios
Santana
Dolphin-Studios Agia Anna
Something Else
Hotel (Studios) Aspasia
Laguna Beach Park
Ancient Aqueduct
Tunnel Entrance of Ancient Aqueduct of Flerio
Portara (Temple of Apollo)
Naxos Archaeological Museum
Agios Prokopios Beach
Things to see around Aghios Arsenios
Portara (Temple of Apollo)
Iconic marble gateway of an unfinished 6th-century BC temple on a rocky islet connected to Naxos Town.
Naxos Archaeological Museum
Housed in a Venetian-era building, displaying Cycladic figurines and finds from across the island.
Agios Prokopios Beach
Blue Flag sandy beach immediately north of Agia Anna, calmer and slightly less crowded.
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
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Photo credits
Sources and licenses for the photos shown above.
- Photo 1 — freeblue_kostas · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 2 — G Da · source · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Photo 3 — Vanbasten 23 · source · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Photo 4 — Vanbasten 23 · source · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Photo 5 — Forbes Johnston from Winchester, UK · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 6 — Nicksy58 · source · CC BY 2.0