Naxos port is one of the easiest ports in the Cyclades to arrive at. It sits right on the waterfront of Naxos Town, also called Chora, so you walk off the ferry and straight into the town, with the Portara, the great marble gateway of the Temple of Apollo, standing on its islet at the harbour mouth. The bus station, taxi rank and car hire offices are all a few steps from the quay. Naxos is also a major ferry hub, with boats to Athens, the neighbouring Cyclades, the Small Cyclades and Crete. This guide covers the port layout, getting to your hotel or beach, the ferries that sail from Naxos and tips for a smooth arrival.
Naxos port at a glance
Naxos port is on the waterfront of Naxos Town, with the bus station, taxi rank and car hire offices right opposite the ferry quay.
- Location: the harbour of Naxos Town (Chora), on the west coast
- Bus station: directly across from the port, tickets from the KTEL office only
- To Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna: bus for 2.10 euros, or a taxi for about 12 to 18 euros
- Ferries: Athens, Paros, Mykonos, Santorini, Ios, Amorgos, the Small Cyclades and Crete
- Naxos Airport: about 4 km south of the port
Where Is Naxos Port?
The port is the harbour of Naxos Town, on the west coast of the island. Ferries tie up along the main quay, which runs out from the northern end of the waterfront. Just beyond it, a causeway leads to the small islet of Palatia and the Portara, the unfinished doorway of a temple begun in the 6th century BC, which is one of the best known landmarks in Greece and a lovely place to watch the sunset while you wait for a late ferry.
Unlike Santorini or Mykonos, there is no separate ferry port outside town. The seafront promenade, lined with cafés, tavernas and shops, starts right at the end of the quay, and the old town and the Venetian Kastro rise behind it.
Getting From Naxos Port to Your Hotel
Walk
- Hotels in Naxos Town
- Old town a few minutes away
- Flat seafront
- Best for Chora stays
KTEL bus
- Station opposite the port
- Buy tickets at the office
- Beaches and villages
- Best on a budget
Taxi
- To the west coast beaches
- Rank by the ferry pier
- Few taxis on the island
- Best with heavy luggage
Hire car
- Collect as you arrive
- Book ahead in summer
- Naxos is a big island
- Best for exploring
Bus From Naxos Port
The main KTEL bus station sits on the harbour front directly across from the ferry port. One important thing to know is that on Naxos you cannot buy a ticket from the driver. Tickets must be bought at the KTEL office at the port before you board. Buses run to the west coast beaches, such as Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka, and inland to the mountain villages. See our Naxos bus timetable for the full schedule.
| From Naxos port to | Bus fare | Bus time | Taxi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, Plaka | 2.10 euros | 10 to 20 minutes | About 12 to 22 euros |
| Mikri Vigla and Kastraki | 2.10 euros | About 25 minutes | Ask the driver |
| Halki | 2.80 euros | About 25 minutes | Ask the driver |
| Filoti | 3.20 euros | About 35 minutes | About 25 to 32 euros |
| Apeiranthos | 4.10 euros | About 50 minutes | Ask the driver |
| Apollonas | 7.10 euros | About 75 minutes | About 60 to 75 euros |
Taxis and Car Hire at Naxos Port
The taxi rank is right by the ferry pier. Naxos is the biggest island in the Cyclades but has a limited number of licensed taxis, so after a large ferry arrives in summer the wait can be long. Booking ahead helps. Many car hire companies have offices along the harbour front, and most will meet you at the ferry with your car if you book in advance. Our Naxos taxi guide and getting around Naxos page have more detail.
Ferries From Naxos Port
Naxos sits in the middle of the Cyclades, so it has some of the widest choice of ferries of any island. Blue Star Ferries, Seajets, Fast Ferries, Golden Star Ferries and Small Cyclades Lines all call here. Naxos is also the main gateway to the Small Cyclades, the cluster of tiny islands to the south east that includes Koufonisia, Schinoussa, Iraklia and Donousa.
| Naxos to | Fastest ferry | Slower ferry |
|---|---|---|
| Paros | 25 to 30 minutes | 45 to 50 minutes |
| Mykonos | 35 to 40 minutes | About 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Ios | 35 to 40 minutes | 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Koufonisia | 35 to 45 minutes | Up to 2 hours |
| Schinoussa | About 1 hour | About 1 hour 50 minutes |
| Tinos | About 1 hour | 1 hour 40 minutes to 1 hour 55 minutes |
| Santorini | About 1 hour 5 minutes | Up to 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Amorgos (Katapola) | About 1 hour 10 minutes | 3 hours or more |
| Donousa | About 1 hour 10 minutes | Up to about 3 hours 45 minutes |
| Syros | About 1 hour 15 minutes | 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours |
| Folegandros | About 2 hours 30 minutes | About 4 hours 35 minutes |
| Heraklion, Crete | About 3 hours | About 3 hours 25 minutes |
| Milos | About 3 hours 40 minutes | About 6 hours 20 minutes |
| Piraeus (Athens) | About 3 hours 20 minutes | About 5 hours 30 minutes |
| Rafina (Athens) | About 4 hours 15 minutes | Up to 5 hours 50 minutes |
Our Athens to Naxos ferry guide and how to get to Naxos page cover the journey from Athens in more detail.
Naxos Port to the Small Cyclades
Naxos is the jumping off point for the Small Cyclades. Fast boats reach Koufonisia in 35 to 45 minutes, and the slower local ferry, run by Small Cyclades Lines, calls in turn at Iraklia, Schinoussa, Koufonisia, Donousa and Amorgos. This little ferry is a lifeline for the islands and a lovely, unhurried way to travel, but it is small and can be cancelled in rough weather, so leave some slack in your plans.
Facilities at Naxos Port
| Facility | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Ticket offices | Ferry company and travel agency offices along the harbour front |
| Bus tickets | The KTEL office at the bus station opposite the port |
| Food and drink | Cafés, bakeries and tavernas all along the seafront, a short walk from the quay |
| Money | ATMs on the seafront in Naxos Town |
| Car hire | Many offices on the harbour front, and delivery to the ferry if you book |
| Waiting | Little shade on the quay itself, so wait in a café until your ferry is in sight |
Tips for Using Naxos Port
- Buy bus tickets at the KTEL office. Drivers on Naxos do not sell tickets on board.
- Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before your ferry. The port is compact, but the quay gets busy when several boats sail close together.
- Wait in the shade. Sit in a seafront café and walk to the quay when your ferry appears.
- Book taxis and hire cars ahead in summer. The island has few taxis for its size.
- Visit the Portara. It is a 5 minute walk from the ferry quay and perfect for a late ferry at sunset.
Frequently Asked Questions About Naxos Port
Where is Naxos port?
Naxos port is the harbour of Naxos Town, also called Chora, on the west coast of the island. You walk straight off the ferry onto the town waterfront.
How far is Naxos port from Naxos Town?
The port is in Naxos Town itself. The seafront, old town and many hotels are only a few minutes on foot from the ferry quay.
Is there a bus from Naxos port?
Yes. The KTEL bus station is directly across from the port, with buses to the west coast beaches and the mountain villages. Tickets must be bought at the KTEL office, not from the driver.
How much is the bus from Naxos port to Agios Prokopios?
The bus from Naxos Town to Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka costs 2.10 euros and takes about 10 to 20 minutes.
How much is a taxi from Naxos port?
A taxi from the port to Agios Prokopios costs about 12 to 18 euros, to Plaka about 15 to 22 euros and to Filoti about 25 to 32 euros.
Can I hire a car at Naxos port?
Yes. Many car hire companies have offices along the harbour front, and most will meet you at the ferry with your car if you book ahead.
How far is Naxos port from the airport?
Naxos Airport is about 4 km south of the port, around a 10 minute drive.
Which islands can I reach by ferry from Naxos?
Naxos has ferries to Paros, Mykonos, Ios, Santorini, Amorgos, Syros, Tinos, Folegandros, Milos and the Small Cyclades, as well as to Athens and Heraklion in Crete.
How long is the ferry from Naxos to Paros?
High speed ferries take about 25 to 30 minutes, and conventional ferries about 45 to 50 minutes.
How do I get from Naxos to Koufonisia?
Fast ferries from Naxos reach Koufonisia in 35 to 45 minutes. The slower local ferry, run by Small Cyclades Lines, takes up to 2 hours and stops at other Small Cyclades islands on the way.
How long is the ferry from Naxos to Athens?
High speed ferries to Piraeus take about 3 hours 20 minutes and conventional ferries about 5 hours 30 minutes. Ferries to Rafina take from about 4 hours 15 minutes.
How early should I arrive at Naxos port?
Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before your ferry. The port is small and easy to find your way around, but the quay gets busy in summer.
Final Thoughts
Naxos port is about as easy as Greek island ports get. You step off the ferry into town, the buses and taxis are across the road and the Portara is waiting at the end of the harbour. Buy your bus ticket at the KTEL office, book a car or taxi ahead in summer and use Naxos as your base for hopping to Paros, the Small Cyclades and beyond. Before you travel, check our guide to the Naxos weather, and if you are flying in, see our Naxos Airport guide.
