The Best Bars On The Greek Island Of Naxos

After a day of wandering the quaint cobblestone alleys along the Venetian castle and sun-bleached, sandcastle-like homes of Naxos, you’ve probably worked up quite a thirst. If you’re looking for the best spots on the island to soak up ocean views while sipping a refreshing cocktail, Culture Trip’s insiders reveal where the locals go for a little island fun.

1. Naxos on the Rocks Bar

Bar, Cocktails

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

2. 520 Cocktail Bar Restaurant

Cocktail Bar, Restaurant, Cocktails, Greek

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

3. The Ocean Club

Cocktail Bar, Cocktails

Restaurant on the beach in Naxos, Greece

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

5. Babylonia

LGBTQ Bar, Cocktails

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

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.