Plaza Beach

Plaza Beach Hotel occupies one of the more coveted positions on Naxos: directly in front of Plaka Beach, the long, fine-sand stretch that runs south from Agia Anna along the island's western coast. The hotel is in the Plaka settlement near Ag. Arsenios, roughly 8 km south of Naxos Town, and the beach is a matter of steps from the front entrance — not a five-minute walk, not across a road, but genuinely immediate.

The building follows traditional Cycladic design: whitewashed walls, clean lines, and the kind of low-rise architecture that keeps sight lines open to the Aegean. With a rating of 4.4 across more than 546 Google reviews, the property consistently earns marks for its location and the quality of its on-site facilities.

What to Expect

The headline amenity is the 200sqm swimming pool, which is large enough that guests aren't competing for space even in July. A jacuzzi and a sauna are available for guests who want to wind down after a day on the beach, and a gym rounds out the wellness side of things. The pool bar serves cocktails, giving you the option to stay poolside rather than venture out for a drink.

Rooms are finished in a style consistent with the Cycladic architecture — think pale tones, clean furniture, and balconies oriented toward the sea or the pool. From those balconies you get the western-facing Aegean sunset that Naxos's coastline is known for, without having to go anywhere.

The hotel's restaurant focuses on Mediterranean dishes, drawing on the kind of straightforward Greek cooking — fresh seafood, olive oil-based preparations, local produce — that the Cyclades do well.

Plaka Beach itself is one of the longest beaches on Naxos, with shallow, clear water and soft sand that stays reasonably firm underfoot. It's popular but long enough that it never feels cramped, and the northern end near Agia Anna tends to be livelier while the southern stretches, closer to the hotel, stay quieter.

How to Get There

By car or rental vehicle: From Naxos Town, take the coastal road south through Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna, continuing to Plaka. The drive is about 20 minutes. The hotel is signposted along the Plaka beachfront road.

By bus: KTEL buses run from Naxos Town bus station to Plaka during the summer season, with stops along the coastal route. Check the current timetable at the Naxos Town station on the port waterfront, as schedules change between shoulder and peak season.

By taxi or transfer: Taxis from Naxos Town to Plaka run roughly 10–15 minutes depending on traffic. The hotel can arrange transfers on request — contact them directly via phone or email before arrival.

Parking: The area around Plaka Beach has roadside and informal parking. Guests staying at the hotel should confirm parking arrangements directly with the property.

Best Time to Visit

Plaka Beach and the hotels along it are at their busiest from late June through August, when the meltemi wind picks up in the afternoons and provides some relief from the heat. The wind can also stir up surf on exposed beaches, though Plaka's orientation gives it some shelter.

May, early June, and September offer quieter conditions: the sea is warm, the crowds are thinner, and room rates are generally lower. October is workable for a beach holiday on Naxos, though some poolside services may scale back.

For the best light and the least foot traffic on the beach itself, mornings before 10am are ideal.

Tips for Visiting

• Book directly through the hotel website (plazabeachhotel.gr) or by phone — direct bookings sometimes carry advantages over third-party platforms.
• Bring cash for the beach: Some of the independent sun-lounger operators along Plaka Beach are cash-only.
• Ask about room orientation: Sea-facing balconies face west and catch the sunset; pool-facing rooms are typically quieter in the evenings.
• The meltemi wind: From mid-July onward, afternoons can be windy on this stretch of coast. Mornings are consistently calmer if you want flat water for swimming.
• Nearby villages: Agia Anna is a 10-minute walk north and has tavernas, small supermarkets, and a harbor — useful if you want to eat outside the hotel without getting in a car.
• The sauna and gym are less obvious draws at a beach hotel but genuinely useful for guests doing longer stays or island road trips.

What's Nearby

The immediate area around Plaza Beach Hotel is anchored by Plaka Beach itself, but a short drive or bike ride opens up the southern part of Naxos's west coast. Kastraki Beach lies just south of Plaka and tends to be even quieter. Heading north, Agia Anna has a small protected harbor and a cluster of waterfront tavernas. Naxos Town — with the Portara, the Kastro, the covered market, and the main ferry port — is about 20 minutes by car, making it feasible as a half-day excursion rather than a full commitment.

The inland villages of the Tragaea plateau (Halki, Filoti, Apeiranthos) are around 30–40 minutes by car and offer a complete change of scenery: marble-paved lanes, Byzantine churches, and local distilleries producing Naxian citron liqueur.