Naxos Ferries
Everything you need to know about ferries to and from Naxos — the Chora port, routes across the Cyclades, and how to plan your island-hopping itinerary from the largest Cycladic island.
The port: Naxos Chora
Naxos's ferry port sits right on the waterfront of Naxos Town (Chora), the island's main settlement. The quay is a five-minute walk from the central plateia and most hotels. The iconic Portara — the great marble gateway of an unfinished Temple of Apollo — stands on a small islet at the harbour mouth and is the first thing you see arriving by sea.
All scheduled passenger and car ferries use this port. The harbour handles both large Blue Star conventional ferries and SeaJets high-speed catamarans, and can get busy in July and August when multiple boats arrive simultaneously.
Routes from Naxos
Naxos sits near the centre of the Cyclades chain, which makes it one of the best-connected islands in the group. From here you can reach:
- Piraeus (Athens) — the main trunk line, served by Blue Star Ferries and SeaJets.
- Paros — a short hop of 30–45 minutes, the most frequent inter-island connection.
- Ios and Santorini — southward on the classic island-hopping route.
- Mykonos and Tinos — northward, useful for returning to Rafina or the airport.
In peak summer there are multiple daily departures on most of these legs.
Island character and what to do ashore
Naxos is the largest and most self-sufficient of the Cyclades — and, unlike Santorini or Mykonos, it has a real local agricultural economy. The mountainous interior produces cheese, potatoes, citrus and Kitron liqueur. The long sandy beaches on the west coast (Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, Plaka) rival anything in the Aegean. The old Venetian Kastro in Chora and the scattered marble quarries and Byzantine chapels in the hills reward a longer stay.
Planning tips
Book Piraeus–Naxos ferries at least two weeks ahead in July and August, especially if you want a specific sailing time or need a cabin on an overnight leg. The car deck fills faster than the passenger decks. High-speed services can be cancelled in strong meltemi winds, which are common in July and August — if you have a tight connection, choose a conventional ferry and add buffer time.
Ports & terminals
- Naxos FerriesView on map →
Ferry routes from here
Frequently asked questions
- Which port do ferries use on Naxos?
- Naxos Town (Chora) port, right on the waterfront below the Portara. It is walking distance from most of the town's accommodation and restaurants.
- How long is the ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Naxos?
- High-speed catamarans take around 3.5 hours; conventional ferries take roughly 5–6 hours and carry cars.
- Can I island-hop from Naxos to Ios or Santorini?
- Yes — Naxos is well connected southward to Ios and Santorini, and northward to Paros, Mykonos and Tinos. High-speed catamarans cover the short inter-island legs in 30–90 minutes.