The Best Bars on the Greek Island of Naxos

Enjoy high-end cocktails and spirits in the heart of Chora of Naxos. Right on the waterfront, you’ll find Naxos on the Rocks Bar, an eco-friendly hotspot offering a wide range of cocktails, spirits and soft drinks served with reusable metal straws. Sit back and watch live sports on the big-screen TV, enjoy some shisha or sing along to your favourite karaoke hits into the early hours of the morning. Recommended by local insider Ellie Dumper

Nothing screams happy hour in Naxos more than a delicious sangria and refreshing Greek salad (both local favourites) while taking in sweeping ocean views at 520 Cocktail Bar Restaurant. If you’re looking for a spot to grab some morning grub before a day of visiting the island’s ancient temple ruins, scuba diving or simply sunbathing on the golden sands, this trendy spot is it. Attentive waiters and quick, efficient service make 520 a hidden gem and a must for everyone visiting Naxos. It’s also the perfect place for people-watching, and who doesn’t enjoy that? Recommended by local insider Ellie Dumper

Sunset gazers and lovebirds should flock to the Ocean Club, where you’ll find jaw-dropping sunsets, superb service, chill music and an endless list of stiff cocktails and local wines. If you have a tough time choosing the perfect cocktail (or two), the servers are happy to help, providing some recommendations on must-try dishes and the perfect tipple for your taste buds. It’s the ideal spot for late-night revellers looking to grab a nightcap past 11pm (after all, they stay open until 9am). Recommended by local insider Ellie Dumper

Looking for that special locale to celebrate an anniversary, birthday or another occasion? Toro Cocktail Bar is inviting, with a relaxing atmosphere, chic boho decor, fantastic cocktails and prime seating to watch the sun go down on one of Greece’s most idyllic islands. Toro doesn’t open its doors until 8pm, making it ideal for a late celebratory dinner or post-dinner cocktail hour. It’s a popular hangout for both residents and visitors, so it’s a good idea to get there early to grab one of its coveted high-top seats. Recommended by local insider Charlie Bush

While you won’t find much of a gay scene in Naxos, Babylonia makes up for that. Named the “only gay bar in the village”, it has one of the best balcony bars on the island overlooking the Aegean Sea. The bar’s quirky paintings and photos (try to spot the picture of the Queen Mother knocking back a drink) and mood lighting add to the evening’s fun, relaxed mood. While the bar may say that it opens at 8pm, be aware that sometimes it doesn’t open until 11pm (we’re on island time, after all). Recommended by local insider Charlie Bush