Paralia Alyko

Paralia Alyko sits on Naxos's southwest coast, about 18 km south of Naxos Town. It's actually two adjacent sandy coves separated by a small rocky headland, both framed by low dunes and a protected cedar grove that runs inland. The water is shallow and bright turquoise, the sand is pale, and the backdrop includes the shell of an abandoned hotel complex from the 1970s—now just a relic slowly being reclaimed by the landscape.

What to Expect

The main cove faces west and stretches roughly 150 meters. The sand is soft and golden, the shore slopes gently, and you can wade out 20 meters and still stand waist-deep. The smaller northern inlet is rockier at the edges but offers more shelter from the meltemi. Neither beach has facilities—no sunbeds, no umbrellas, no taverna. You'll share the sand with a handful of people who made the drive, a few camper vans parked in the scrub, and occasional naturists at the far ends. The cedar forest behind the beach is part of a protected Natura 2000 zone; walking through it on the marked paths takes 10 minutes and offers shade and the scent of resin.

How to Get There

From Naxos Town, head south through Agios Prokopios and Plaka, then continue past Kastraki and Pyrgaki. After Pyrgaki, the paved road deteriorates into a rough, unpaved track—passable by car but slow and dusty. Follow signs for Alyko; the final 2 km bounces over ruts and stones. Park in the informal dirt lot near the abandoned hotel. From there, it's a 5-minute walk down a sandy path to the main beach. The northern cove is another 3 minutes along the shore.

Tips for Visiting

• Bring everything: water, food, shade (beach umbrella or tent), and a cooler. There is no shop or café.
• The road requires a careful driver and a car with decent clearance. Scooters manage it, but it's not comfortable.
• The abandoned hotel is fenced and unsafe—don't enter. It's a popular photo subject from the outside.
• Arrive before 11:00 to claim a shaded spot under the cedars or to set up your own umbrella before the sun is overhead.
• Pack out all trash. This is a protected area with no bins.

Best Time to Visit

May and June offer calm seas, moderate heat, and almost no one else on the beach. July and August bring steady wind in the afternoons—good for cooling off, less good if you want flat water. September keeps the water warm (24°C) and the wind lighter. Avoid rough-weather days in winter and early spring; the track becomes impassable when wet.

What's Nearby

Pyrgaki Beach is 4 km back along the main road and has a taverna and sunbeds if you need to break the remoteness. The cedar forest trail connects to longer hiking routes through the Alyko wetland and coastal scrub, though signage is minimal. The village of Kastraki, 10 km north, has minimarkets and a few family-run tavernas.