Santa Katerina

Santa Katerina Studios & Apartments occupies a quietly enviable position in Naxos Town — 200 metres from the long sandy arc of Agios Georgios beach and about 400 metres from the Chora's old market lane. It's a recently renovated property that blends Cycladic stonework, exposed wood, and rock finishes into something that reads as both local and considered. With a 4.9-star rating across 70 Google reviews, it consistently punches above its size for independent travellers who want a real base rather than a passing bed.

The property bills itself as a studios-and-apartments operation, which means it's designed around guests who intend to stay a few days, cook occasionally, and move at their own pace. Families, small groups, and couples all feature in the target mix — and the room range reflects that breadth.

What to Expect

Santa Katerina offers several room configurations, from Superior Double Rooms and Superior Double Studios to Two-Bedroom Suites, a Two-Bedroom Grand Suite, and a Penthouse One-Bedroom Suite with a view. The standout design feature across the apartments is the living room with fireplace — unusual for a beach-adjacent property and practical for shoulder-season visits when Naxos evenings cool quickly. Every unit includes a fully equipped kitchen, so you're not dependent on eating out for every meal.

The interiors lean into Cycladic style without being a pastiche of it: whitewashed walls alongside natural wood accents and stone detailing give the rooms texture and warmth. The renovation appears recent enough that finishes remain fresh and the overall feel is tidy rather than tired.

The rooftop garden studio is the most distinctive option in the lineup — a self-contained unit with outdoor space that likely offers views toward the beach or the old town's hillside profile.

How to Get There

Santa Katerina is at Saint George Beach, Naxos 843 00, coordinates 37.0988, 25.3777. From the Naxos Town ferry port, the walk takes roughly 10–12 minutes south along the waterfront promenade. If you're arriving by ferry with luggage, the port is well-served by taxis; the ride to St George Beach costs only a few euros.

By car, Agios Georgios is signposted from the main road entering Naxos Town from the airport. Parking in the St George area is generally easier than in the Chora proper, though it tightens in July and August. The island's KTEL bus connects the main bus terminal near the port to Agios Georgios regularly in summer.

Naxos Airport is approximately 3 kilometres south; a taxi from arrivals to Santa Katerina takes around five minutes.

Best Time to Visit

Agios Georgios beach is sheltered and family-friendly, which makes it popular from late June through August. If you're staying at Santa Katerina in peak season, book well ahead — a 4.9-rated property with kitchens this close to the beach fills early. May, June, and September offer cooler temperatures, fewer crowds on the beach, and the chance to appreciate the fireplace-equipped apartments for what they are rather than what they look like in a photo.

Naxos benefits from the meltemi wind in July and August, which keeps temperatures tolerable even in the height of summer, though it can make the beach blustery on some afternoons.

Tips for Visiting

• Book direct or early. With only a handful of suite configurations, availability at this rating level goes fast in summer. Contact the property at [email protected] or call +30 2285 025431.
• Use the kitchen. Naxos Town's market street (a short walk north) sells excellent local products — Naxian potatoes, graviera cheese, and fresh produce. A self-catering stay makes sense here.
• Ask about the penthouse view. If you're celebrating something or simply want the best outlook, the Penthouse One-Bedroom Suite is the unit to enquire about first.
• Walk to the beach early. Agios Georgios is only 200 metres away. Reaching it before 9am means you'll have choice of sunbeds and calm water before the beach fills.
• Use the property as a base. The hotel's location at the edge of Naxos Town gives you quick access to the Chora for evenings out, while the beach is directly on your doorstep for daytime.

What's Nearby

Agios Georgios beach itself offers water sports facilities — a useful bonus if you're travelling with children or want to add activity to a relaxed stay. The beach is sandy and gently shelving, making it one of the safest swimming spots on the island.

The Chora's old town (Kastro quarter) is about a 10-minute walk north. The Portara — the marble gateway of the unfinished Temple of Apollo on the islet of Palatia — is visible from the waterfront and reachable in under 15 minutes on foot from the property. The main commercial strip along the port has bakeries, supermarkets, tavernas, and cafes within easy walking distance.

For day trips, Naxos's interior villages (Halki, Apeiranthos, Filoti) are all reachable by car within 30–45 minutes, and the island's wilder west-coast beaches (Plaka, Agia Anna, Mikri Vigla) are a short drive south.