It's all Greek to me!
- Kate O'Dowd
- Nov 19, 2024
- 5 min read
Mama Mia...here we go again...A guide to my two favorite islands,
Greece has MANY many many islands- with estimates ranging from 1,200 to 6,000...Reading that can make it a very daunting decision where to go and live out your Mama Mia fantasy. I'm here to tell you about my two favorite islands.
Pro tip- Go in September! Less busy, just as warm! It is windy season so beware that- but hey! A little wind never stopped no body!
Naxos and Milos!
Naxos is the largest island in the cyclades. It is the perfect home base if you are hoping to possibly hop and see the ever so famous Mykonos and Santorini. Although I say- no need! Naxos has it all and more. It is also directly across from Paros which is a quieter island if your mind is made up to island hop.
Milos is referred to as the "belly button" of the Mediterranean with its central location, and it is home to the most vibrant, quaint and lovely fishing villages.
Naxos has more sandy beaches and little towns, Milos has more rocky fun coves, fishing villages and. intriguing water way history.
What I did- start in Naxos and then ferry to Milos (only one ferry goes a day and it took over half the day)
For starters you will fly into Athens and then you have the decision to take a little hopper flight or take a ferry. I vote the plane route, it's quicker and the views are impeccable.
The Naxos airport is tiny, like take what you are imagining then shrink it even smaller.
Pro tip- have your rental car booked prior they will then pick you up at the airport and bring you to where they keep the cars.
Pro tip- Rent a car from Princess rent a car. They are all super sweet there, it is located at Princess Hotel which is 7 minutes from the airport. It's very nice to rent not in the very busy and hectic one way street central town.
Where to stay-
In town- Nissaki Beach Hotel
(this hotel has a delish restaurant on the water- great for dinner)
I recommend looking into home rentals (air bnb/ Vrbo) though near/ on Plaka Beach (15 minutes from town, very long and beautiful stretch of sandy beach)
Activities to do-
In town- (The biggest town/ the port town..Chora to be specific!)
-Walk up to the Temple of Apollo (5 ish minute walk up), it gives grand views of Chora and the sea...if your okay with braving the crowd, go during sunset!
-at the base of the temple is Naxos Apothecary which has food and nice little tinctures
-Castro: walk along the little alley ways up to the castro- when I was there, there was an art exhibit going on in the castro so you could look at paintings and the sea! There are all sorts of little stores within the walls!
-Lithos: enjoy a Greek salad on one of the prettiest streets
-Oniro wine bar: For a lovely dinner and a rooftop viewing of sunset
-Tereza's Greek concept store is right by the wine bar and is very cute with heaps of evil eye jewelry, candles, rings etc.
-Chou chouro: profiterole store, you get to choose what flavor, toppings etc.
-Swing: fun rooftop bar
-Go to the Open Air Cinema (right outside of Chora)
Activities to do beyond town-
Fun Road trip- written in order of which you will encounter if coming from Chora! (Feel free to break this up into little mini day trips!)
-Ango Sangri: temple of Demeter (2 hour hike-including awe time)! It is a loop- to actually enter the temple of Demeter it is 4 euros, the temple is closed on Tuesdays and the last entrance is at 3:30pm
-Damalas: tiny town with a little pottery shop (you can take pottery lessons here!)
Pro tip: stay parked at the pottery shop and then walk 3 minutes into the little town (the roads are so small you won't want to drive) and a few steps into town you'll see a traditional olive oil press within an old house (the signage is great!)
-Halki: cute little town, this one feels like more of a TOWN!
Pro tip: Park in the free lot across from the Halki cafe
Eat at Paravas in a lovely courtyard, stroll into the shops--> specifically Eros y Alma (pressed flower jewlery) and mapmaipr (a store with homemade stone carvings)
Want to see even more! Hike around following the Chalki-Moni Trail
-Aperiranthos: marble town! Very cute town, everything is in Greek and everything is amazing from the food to the shops.
---> Right before you hit this town there's a lovely spot called Rotanda which has great food and looks out at the mountains
Of course: Do a boat day, I recommend going through Naxos Catamaran!
Also a must: -Hike Mt. Zas!
Pro tip- do this early in the morning and then get lunch in Rotanda
Milos
Pro tip- Avance car rental at the airport are great! This airport is slightly bigger and getting a car directly at the airport is most easy!
Where to stay-
Thiopetra villas! This can be found through booking.com! The owner is very friendly! The villas are only a 20 minute walk to Plaka (The cutest town!) Breakfast is included which is delish, and there is a gym!
There are two separate homes connected by a pool. One home is a two bed and one is a three bed. If you have a big group, rent the whole place out!
Or if your traveling with a smaller group- R0oms at the Milos Cove are lovely!
Activities to do-
-Adamas is where the ferry port is but...Plaka is where it is AT! Plaka is the cutest Greek town!
In Plaka:
-Marvos Xoiros (black hog) is a great spot for lunch!
-Mosaic is a happening rooftop for dinner and drinks
-Enjoy all the many amazing local shops
-Walking up to the Plaka Castle is a must for sunset! Everyone claps as the sun goes down, it is very surreal!
You can walk to catacombs as well! Very cool
-Visit Milos's only winery! Kostantakis! You get to see where they keep their bottles (in a natural cave!) and get to taste many different kinds of wine, made right on island!
-Take a boat tour to Kleftiko! Only accessible by boat! You'll learn all about the rich pirate history that the island of Milos has!!! The boats also drive past Klima- which is cool to see the colorful fishing village from the water! (Klima is also a great place to visit from your car!)
-Spend sunrise at Sarakiniko: The moon beach! White jagged rocks along the coast...
-Drive to Tsigrado and walk down the ladder to a small little coved beach
-Keep driving down to Sirocco Volcanic Restaurant: where they will cook your food in volcanic sand!
Must do:
-Firopotamos: a lovely fishing village on the coast, where you can leap off rocks into the sparkling sea!
-Enjoy dinner at Medusas, a delicious spot that is right on the water
From Naxos sandy beaches, to Milos rocky coves- all I can say is My, My, My How can I resist ya?!?!
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