Naxos on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Yes, Naxos is one of the easiest Greek islands on a budget. Plan on about €65 per person per day (bed €30, food €20, sights €10, transport €6).
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €30 | €60 | €150 |
| Food & drink | €20 | €35 | €70 |
| Sights & tickets | €10 | €30 | €60 |
| Local transport | €6 | €20 | €40 |
| Per person, per day | €66 | €145 | €320 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Naxos day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walk to the Portara, the marble gateway of an unfinished temple, at sunset
- Explore the lanes of the Kastro, the Venetian old town above Chora
- Swim at Agios Georgios, Agios Prokopios and Plaka beaches
- Hike up Mount Zas, the highest peak in the Cyclades
- Wander the marble-paved village of Apiranthos
- See the giant unfinished kouros statues at Melanes and Apollonas
Cheap eats
- Gyros pita: about €3.50–5
- Naxos potatoes and graviera cheese at a taverna: about €6–10
- Souvlaki plate: about €10–14
- Bakery pies (spanakopita, tiropita): about €2.50–4
- Local yoghurt with honey: about €4–6
Where to sleep for less
Rooms in Chora's new town cost about €50–90 for a double in summer; camping near Plaka and Agios Prokopios is cheaper.
Getting around cheaply
KTEL buses run frequently from the port to the west-coast beaches and less often to the villages. A scooter or car for a day covers the interior. Conventional ferries from Piraeus are cheaper than fast boats.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Portara and the Kastro (free)
- Lunch: gyros pita (about €4.50)
- Afternoon: bus to Plaka beach and swim (about €4 return)
- Evening: taverna dinner in Chora (about €15)
- Total: about €25–35 plus your bed (about €30), so roughly €55–65
More ways to save
- Travel in June or September for lower rooms and warm sea.
- Carry a refillable bottle and buy large water bottles at supermarkets.
- Book a room with a kitchenette for breakfasts.
- Visit the Vallindras distillery's free tastings in Halki.
- Share a rental car with friends for village days.
- Use deck class on ferries.
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Common questions
Can I visit Naxos on a budget?
Yes, at about €65 a day with a room in Chora, buses and tavernas.
Do I need a car in Naxos?
Not for the west-coast beaches, which have buses; a car helps for the mountain villages.
What is free in Naxos?
The Portara, the Kastro, the beaches, Mount Zas and the kouros statues.