Fontana

La Fontana is a small studio property in the Grotta area of Naxos Chora, the island's main town. It sits roughly 500 metres from the Venetian Kastro and close to Grotta beach — a position that gives you walkable access to the old town's marble-paved lanes, the port, and the waterfront tavernas without putting you in the thick of the summer-evening crowds.

With a guest rating of 4.6 on Google (62 reviews) and a 9.0 on at least one booking platform, it punches above its three-star classification in terms of guest satisfaction. The property is best suited to independent travellers who want a self-sufficient base rather than a full-service resort.

What to Expect

La Fontana's studios are individually fitted with a private bathroom, flat-screen TV, and a fully-equipped kitchenette — useful if you want to shop at the morning market in Naxos Town and eat in some evenings rather than dining out every night. Studios have direct or side sea views, which in the Grotta neighbourhood means you're likely looking out toward the open Aegean rather than an interior courtyard.

The property is listed as offering 24-hour reception, air conditioning, and an airport shuttle, which removes some of the logistical friction common with smaller island properties. There is also a bar on site. It is explicitly a studio complex rather than a large hotel, so guests expecting multiple on-site restaurants, a pool complex, or conference facilities should look elsewhere.

How to Get There

By ferry: The Naxos port (Hora ferry terminal) is a short walk from the Grotta area — roughly 10–15 minutes on foot along the waterfront. La Fontana can arrange an airport shuttle, so contact the property directly when booking if you're flying into Naxos National Airport (JNX), which is about 3 km south of Chora.

By bus: KTEL Naxos buses connect the main bus station near the port with villages across the island. From the bus terminal it's a short walk north along the harbour to reach Grotta.

By car or scooter: Naxos Town has limited parking near the old town, but Grotta is slightly away from the most congested central streets. A car is useful if you plan day trips to the interior villages (Halki, Apeiranthos) or the long western beaches (Plaka, Alyko).

Best Time to Visit

Naxos has one of the longer tourism seasons in the Cyclades. May, June, and September are the practical sweet spots: temperatures are warm, the famous Meltemi wind is manageable, and Naxos Town is lively without being overwhelmed. July and August are peak season — studios book up early and Grotta beach draws larger crowds. For a quieter stay with lower rates, October still offers comfortable swimming weather and far fewer visitors.

Tips for Visiting

• Book well in advance for July and August, particularly if you want a studio with a direct (rather than side) sea view.
• The kitchenette makes it worth stopping at the central market in Naxos Town — the island produces its own cheese (graviera, arseniko), potatoes, and citrus, all worth stocking up on.
• Grotta beach is a short walk from the property; it's a town beach rather than a remote strand, but the water is clear and it's convenient for an early-morning swim before the day heats up.
• Ask the property about the airport shuttle timing when you book — Naxos National Airport serves mainly domestic and some seasonal European routes, and taxis can be scarce on busy ferry days.
• La Fontana is on the northern edge of Naxos Town, which means the Portara (the marble gate of an unfinished Temple of Apollo on the islet of Palatia) is reachable on foot in around 10 minutes via the causeway from the port.

What's Nearby

The Kastro, Naxos's Venetian-era fortified hilltop quarter, is about 500 metres from the property. Inside it you'll find the Archaeological Museum of Naxos, the Catholic cathedral, and winding alleys that feel largely unchanged since the medieval period. The main Naxos Town waterfront — lined with cafes, ouzeris, and shops selling local spirits (Kitron, the island's citron liqueur) — is a 10–15 minute walk south. For beaches beyond Grotta, Agios Georgios is another 10–15 minutes south of the port, and the long stretch toward Agia Anna and Plaka begins a few kilometres further.