Kitesurfing in Plaka Beach Naxos

No-Wind Days: What to Do Around Plaka Beach Naxos

Plaka Beach is an excellent base for a kitesurfing trip with non-kiters or a family holiday on Naxos. When the Meltemi takes a break, the long sandy beach becomes perfect for swimming, SUP or simply enjoying a lazy day beside the Aegean. Beachfront tavernas and cafés are scattered along this part of the coast, while nearby Agia Anna and Agios Prokopios provide even more places to eat, swim and relax. For families or a non-kiting partner, this means there is plenty to do without having to spend the entire day waiting at the kite spot.

One of the first places to explore is Naxos Town, or Chora, only a short drive north of Plaka. Behind the harbour, narrow whitewashed lanes climb through the old town towards the Venetian Kastro, passing small shops, cafés, restaurants and historic buildings. Towards sunset, walk across to Palatia islet and the famous Portara, the enormous marble gateway remaining from an unfinished 6th-century BC Temple of Apollo. It has become the symbol of Naxos and is one of the island's classic places to watch the sun disappear over the Aegean.

A full no-wind day is a great opportunity to leave the coast and discover the mountainous interior of Naxos. Villages such as Chalki, Filoti and Apeiranthos reveal a completely different side of the island, with stone and marble houses, narrow lanes, Byzantine churches, traditional cafés and shady village squares. The mountain villages of Naxos can easily be combined into a day-long road trip. Chalki sits among olive groves in the fertile Tragea valley, Filoti spreads across the slopes beneath Mount Zas, while marble-paved Apeiranthos is one of the island's most distinctive traditional villages.

History lovers should make time for the Sanctuary of Demeter at Sangri. Located in the countryside near the village of Sangri, the sanctuary contains an unusual ancient temple constructed almost entirely from Naxian marble in the 6th century BC. The archaeological site and nearby collection provide an interesting glimpse into ancient Naxos and can easily be combined with a drive through the villages and agricultural landscapes of the island's interior.

If you prefer hiking, head towards Mount Zas and the Cave of Zeus. Rising to 1,004 metres, Mount Zas is the highest mountain in the Cyclades and one of the best hiking destinations on Naxos. According to Greek mythology, the young Zeus was raised in a cave on the mountain, while archaeological discoveries show that the cave was used from the Neolithic period through Roman times. The trail towards the cave passes through wild thyme, scrub and mountain scenery, with increasingly impressive views across Naxos and the surrounding Aegean islands. During summer, start early and carry plenty of water rather than tackling the exposed mountain during the hottest part of the afternoon.

Naxos also has an extensive network of old paths connecting villages, valleys, Byzantine churches and ancient sites. If a no-wind day calls for something active without climbing Mount Zas, the hiking trails of Naxos include easier routes through the island's fertile interior as well as more demanding mountain walks. Many of these paths were once the main routes between villages, making hiking a particularly good way to discover the traditional side of Naxos away from the busy beaches.

Food is another excellent reason to explore beyond Plaka. Naxos is one of the most fertile islands in the Cyclades and is particularly known for its potatoes, local cheeses such as graviera and arseniko, lamb and goat, honey and the citrus-based Kitron liqueur. The culinary traditions of Naxos are closely connected to the island's farming villages, so a no-wind afternoon can easily become a drive through the interior with stops for local cheese, coffee and a long taverna lunch before returning to Plaka for sunset.

For anyone planning a kite trip to the Cyclades and wondering what else there is to do, Plaka offers a particularly good balance between beach life and exploring a genuine Greek island. You can spend a calm morning swimming at Plaka, discover mountain villages and ancient sites during the afternoon and finish the day in Naxos Town. With hiking, history, traditional food and plenty of activities for a non-kiting partner or family, a kitesurfing holiday in Naxos remains worthwhile even when the Meltemi decides to take a few days off.