Gratsias Market

Gratsias Market is the go-to supermarket for the Alyko and Glyfada stretch of southern Naxos — the area most visitors reach after turning off the main coastal road toward the cedar forest and dune beaches. According to its own Facebook page, it was the first supermarket in the Polichni area, and it sits on the main road just before you reach the beach zones, making it a logical stop whether you're self-catering, stocking a cooler, or picking up supplies mid-beach day.

With a 4.5-star rating from over 170 Google reviews, it punches above the level of a basic convenience stop. The range covers everyday groceries, household essentials, and — based on social posts — traditional Greek pantry staples like olives, pickles, taramosalata, and packaged or loose halva, the kind of selection that suits both weekly shoppers and tourists putting together a beach picnic.

What to Expect

Gratsias Market functions as a full-service local supermarket rather than a tourist minimarket. You can expect fresh produce, packaged goods, drinks, and household products. Social media posts reference seasonal Greek specialties — during Clean Monday (the Orthodox pre-Lent holiday), the shop stocks ouzo, halva, and various mezze-style spreads, which suggests a commitment to local food traditions rather than a generic tourist-oriented inventory.

The shop also runs a loyalty points programme in partnership with AGYS Market, allowing regular customers to accumulate points and redeem them for household items — a sign this is a community-rooted business as much as a visitor convenience.

How to Get There

Gratsias Market is located on the main road through the Glyfada–Alyko coastal zone in the southern part of Naxos, at coordinates 36.9927°N, 25.3957°E. From Naxos Town (Chora), take the main southern road toward Agia Anna and Plaka, then continue south past Plaka toward Alyko. The market sits along the central road in the Polichni area, roughly signposted before the cedar forest and Alyko beach turnoffs.

• By car or scooter: The most practical option given the location. The surrounding area has road-side parking typical of rural Naxos villages.
• By bus: KTEL Naxos runs routes along the west coast toward the southern beaches in summer. Check current timetables at the Naxos Town bus station, as service frequency changes by season.
• On foot or by bicycle: Reachable from Alyko or Glyfada beach on foot, though distances along the road can be longer than they appear on a map.

Best Time to Visit

The market is open every day of the week from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM, which gives considerable flexibility. Early morning is the quietest window — useful if you want to stock up before a full beach day. Mid-afternoon tends to be busier, particularly in July and August when the Alyko area draws large numbers of visitors to its beaches and the naturist zone. If you're planning a large grocery run, weekday mornings in shoulder season (May–June or September–October) are the most relaxed.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead for specific items: Phone +30 2285 075220 if you're looking for something particular, especially out of peak season when stock levels may vary.
• Bring cash as a backup: Card acceptance is common in Greek supermarkets but not universal at smaller local shops; having euros on hand avoids any friction.
• Check for local products: Southern Naxos is known for its potatoes, cheese (graviera, arseniko), and kitron liqueur — local supermarkets in this area sometimes carry Naxian-produced goods you won't find in tourist-facing shops in Chora.
• Stock up before beach days: The Alyko cedar forest beach and nearby naturist beach have no kiosk or café on-site; Gratsias is effectively your last practical provisioning stop before those beaches.
• Follow on social media for seasonal offers: The Instagram account (@gratsias_market) and Facebook page post promotions and seasonal product arrivals.

What's Nearby

The market's location makes it the practical anchor for the southern Naxos beach corridor. Alyko beach — a long, partly shaded stretch backed by Aleppo pine and cedar trees — is a short drive or walk away. Glyfada beach is similarly close. The area also contains the Alyko wetlands, a coastal lagoon system that attracts birdlife and offers walking paths away from the sand. For a sit-down meal, the hamlet of Kastraki and several tavernas along the Alyko road are within easy reach by vehicle.