Agia Anna Beach

Agia Anna is a sheltered, kilometer-long stretch of fine golden sand about 6 km south of Naxos Town, just beyond the busier Agios Prokopios beach. The water stays shallow for dozens of meters, the bay faces southwest, and a line of beach bars and tavernas sits steps from the shore.

What to Expect

The sand is soft and pale, the sea a gradient from turquoise at the edge to deeper blue beyond the swim zone. You'll find organized sections with sunbeds and umbrellas (typically €8–12 per pair), plus long stretches of open beach where you can drop a towel for free. The water is calm most days thanks to the bay's shape, and it stays knee-deep well past the point where most swimmers lose interest in walking. Families with young children cluster near the center where three or four seasonal beach bars offer freddo espressos, cold beer, and basic snacks. A small fishing harbor sits at the north end, and a short rocky headland divides Agia Anna from Agios Prokopios to the north.

How to Get There

From Naxos Town port, head south on the coastal road toward Agios Prokopios. Continue past that beach's southern end and follow signs for Agia Anna village. The drive takes 10–12 minutes. A marked parking area sits behind the beach; it fills by mid-morning in July and August, so arrive before 10:00 or accept a roadside spot. In summer, local buses from the port stop at Agia Anna roughly every 30 minutes from 09:00 to sunset. The walk from Agios Prokopios beach is about 15 minutes along the shore or the back road.

Tips for Visiting

• Morning calm: The bay is glassy before 11:00. Afternoon winds pick up most days but rarely make swimming unpleasant.
• Bring cash: Some tavernas take cards, but the beach-bar sunbed operators prefer cash.
• Shade by 14:00: If you skip renting an umbrella, the tamarisk trees behind the northern stretch offer patchy shade from early afternoon onward.
• Skip the peak: Mid-July to late August sees the organized sections nearly full by noon. May, June, and September offer the same sand and sea with half the density.
• Footwear optional: The sand is fine enough that most people skip water shoes, though the occasional shell fragment appears near the tide line.

What's Nearby

Agia Anna village sits directly behind the beach—a loose collection of small hotels, studios, and minimarkets. Taverna Gorgona and Taverna Faros both serve grilled fish within sight of the water. For more options, Agios Prokopios is a 10-minute walk north and offers twice the restaurant density. Plaka Beach stretches another 3 km south along the same coastline, narrower and less developed than Agia Anna, accessible via a back road or a long beach walk at low tide.

Best Time to Visit

Late May through early October sees calm seas and water warm enough for long swims (22–26°C). September offers warm sand, fewer umbrellas, and better sunset light than midsummer. Locals swim into late October if the wind holds off. Outside the May–September window, most beach bars shut down, but the beach itself remains accessible and scenic for walks.