Asteria

Asteria — known on Instagram as Asteria's — is a bar and beach service operation at Mikri Vigla, one of the windswept stretches of coastline on Naxos's southwestern side. The venue handles drinks alongside sunbed and umbrella rentals directly on the sand, making it a practical base if you're spending a full day at Mikri Vigla rather than just passing through.

Mikri Vigla itself is a long, sandy beach backed by dunes and low rocky outcrops, facing the open Aegean. It's consistently windy — which is why the area draws kitesurfers and windsurfers — but that same breeze keeps the heat manageable in high summer. Asteria sits within that setting, providing a spot to order a cold drink without having to trek back to Naxos Town.

What to Expect

Asteria operates as a beach bar with sunbed and umbrella hire as its core offering. You can order drinks — expect the standard Greek beach bar range of cold beers, cocktails, coffees, and soft drinks — while settled on rented sun loungers on the beach. The atmosphere skews casual and relaxed, attracting both locals and visitors who've made the drive down to Mikri Vigla for the day. With around 1,100 Facebook followers and over 330 check-ins, it draws a steady crowd without being a large or flashy venue. Think straightforward beach bar rather than a full restaurant with an extensive food menu.

How to Get There

Mikri Vigla is roughly 20 kilometers south of Naxos Town along the west coast road. By car or scooter, take the main road south through Vivlos and follow signs toward Mikri Vigla — the drive takes around 25 to 30 minutes and offers good views of the Naxian countryside along the way. Parking is available near the beach. There is a public bus service from Naxos Town that covers the southwestern villages, but departure times are limited and a return bus in the afternoon is not guaranteed, so a hire car or scooter is the more reliable option for reaching Mikri Vigla on your own schedule.

Best Time to Visit

Mikri Vigla is reliably windy from late spring through early autumn, which is ideal if you want natural cooling on a hot day or plan to watch kitesurfers. Peak season runs July and August, when the beach fills up and sunbed spots at bars like Asteria get taken early. Arriving before 10am in summer secures a good position. For a quieter experience, late May, June, or September offer warm water, manageable crowds, and full beach services still running. The beach faces west, so afternoons bring direct sun right up to sunset — worth timing if you're staying for the evening light.

Tips for Visiting

• Bring cash; small beach bars on Naxos don't always accept cards reliably.
• The wind at Mikri Vigla can be strong enough to blow unsecured belongings off a towel — weigh down bags and keep valuables covered.
• Sunbeds go quickly on summer weekends; weekday mornings are significantly easier for securing a spot.
• If you plan to eat a full meal, bring food from Naxos Town or stop at one of the tavernas in nearby Kastraki or Vivlos before heading down to the beach.
• Follow Asteria on Instagram (@asterias_naxos) to check for seasonal opening updates before making the drive.

What's Nearby

Mikri Vigla sits adjacent to Kastraki beach to the north, which shares the same long sandy shoreline under a slightly different name — you can walk between them along the sand. The area around Kastraki also has a handful of small tavernas and accommodation options. Further inland, the village of Vivlos (also called Tripodes) is worth a stop for a coffee or a look at the traditional architecture before or after the beach. For kitesurfing or windsurfing rentals and lessons, several operators are based along this stretch of coast during summer.