Mikri Vigla Beach

Mikri Vigla Beach sits 17km south of Naxos Town on a narrow peninsula that juts into the Aegean. The beach splits into two distinct shores: the northern side (Parthena) faces the open sea and catches steady summer winds that make it the windsurfing and kitesurfing capital of Naxos; the southern side (Limanaki) tucks into a sheltered bay with calm, shallow water ideal for families and swimmers. Between them, a low headland with the old Mikri Vigla watchtower gives the spot its name—"little lookout."

What to Expect

Parthena Beach runs for roughly 500 meters along the windward coast. White sand, clear turquoise water, and a lineup of colorful kites and sails from May through October. Four windsurfing schools operate from the beach, offering gear rental and lessons. The wind typically builds from late morning through afternoon, side-shore from the northwest.

Limanaki Beach, on the leeward side, is quieter and shallower. The sand is just as fine, the water stays calm most days, and the bay is shallow for 20–30 meters out. A few sunbed concessions operate here in high season, but there's plenty of open sand. Behind the beach, low dunes and scattered cedar trees provide natural shade.

Just south of Mikri Vigla proper is Mikro Aliko, a wilder extension of the same coastline. No facilities, no buildings—just sand, dunes, and twisted cedar forest. The swimming is good, and the solitude even better.

How to Get There

From Naxos Town, drive south on the main coast road toward Agia Anna and Plaka. At the Plaka junction, continue south past Orkos Beach. After roughly 17km total, you'll see signs for Mikri Vigla. The road forks: left leads to Limanaki and the village, right leads to Parthena and the windsurf beach. Both have parking areas—Parthena's lot fills early in summer when the wind is up.

The KTEL bus from Naxos Town to Pyrgaki stops at Mikri Vigla village in summer, roughly 2–3 times per day. From the village, it's a 10-minute walk downhill to the beach.

Tips for Visiting

• Pick your shore: If you're here to swim or bring small children, head to Limanaki (south side). If you want to windsurf, kitesurf, or watch the action, go to Parthena (north side).
• Timing: Wind picks up around 11am and peaks mid-afternoon. Early morning or evening are best for calm water and fewer crowds.
• Sunbeds: Available on Limanaki; Parthena has fewer, most beachgoers lay towels near the dunes.
• Food: A handful of tavernas and cafés in the small village uphill. On the beach, one beach bar on Limanaki serves snacks and drinks.
• Explore Mikro Aliko: Walk south from Limanaki for 15 minutes to reach the cedar-backed dunes. No shade, no services—bring water.

Best Time to Visit

Mikri Vigla is excellent from May through October. July and August bring the strongest winds and the busiest windsurf scene. June and September offer warm water, lighter crowds, and wind that's still reliable most afternoons. The beach is swimmable year-round, but north winds in winter can make Parthena choppy and cold. Limanaki stays calmer.

What's Nearby

Sahara Beach lies just north of Mikri Vigla and is equally good for windsurfing, with a single windsurf center and long stretches of undeveloped sand. South of Mikro Aliko, the coast becomes rockier until you reach Kastraki Beach, another long white-sand stretch about 4km away. The village of Vivlos is 5km inland and has a supermarket, bakery, and a few traditional tavernas. The Byzantine church of Panagia Drosiani, one of the oldest on Naxos, is a 15-minute drive northeast in Moni.