Greece is a beautiful country that’s well worth travelling to. It has many stunning towns, beaches and villages that attract millions of visitors every year. However, the issue very often is overtourism, especially during the busy summer months. Luckily, there are still some spots that offer a slightly less crowded experience than Mykonos or Santorini.
One of them is Naxos, a relatively peaceful Greek island with beautiful beaches, friendly locals and plenty to do. Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades and often gets overlooked by tourists heading to the more famous islands nearby. According to reviews on TripAdvisor, many people say it’s the best island to visit in August if you want to avoid the big crowds.
One visitor wrote: “Naxos is amazing in August! If you hate crowds like on Santorini or Mykonos, come here.
“The beaches are beautiful and not packed. The main town (Chora) is charming and feels real.”
Another added: “While other islands are crazy busy, Naxos is calm and welcoming. We explored old ruins, went windsurfing, and ate at lovely local places. It’s big enough to explore but still feels cozy.”
A third simply commented: “We loved Naxos this August! It was perfect. We almost went to Mykonos or Santorini, but Naxos was a much better choice.”
According to TUI, Naxos sees average daytime temperatures of 28C in August.
It’s hot and sunny almost every day, with very little rain. The sea temperature is usually around 25C, which makes it ideal for swimming, snorkelling or paddleboarding.
The island is known for its sandy beaches like Agios Prokopios and Plaka, quiet mountain villages, ancient ruins and fresh local food.
Visitors can explore the famous Portara temple (Temple of Apollo), go hiking, or try water sports like windsurfing and kitesurfing.
According to travel blog FindUsLost, Naxos also feels more relaxed than Mykonos or Santorini.
There are fewer cruise ships and big tour groups, which means restaurants and beaches are usually quieter, even in the middle of summer.
You can’t fly directly to Naxos from the UK, but it’s relatively easy to reach.
You can fly with Ryanair, Aegean Airlines or Sky Express to Athens, then take a short flight or a ferry to Naxos.
Ferries also run from Mykonos, Santorini and other nearby islands, according to Trip.com.
As one visitor summed it up: “Don’t bother with Mykonos or Santorini in August if you want a real, less crowded Greek experience. Naxos is the best island for August.”