Agios Prokopios

Beach

Beach · Naxos, Greece 37.0743°N 25.3506°E

Why you should go

Ninety seconds on Agios Prokopios

Time needed

Up to a full dayHours of shallow swimming

Best time

May, SeptemberBusiest July and August

Access

Bus stop by sandMay suit wheelchair users

From Naxos Town

How do you get to Agios Prokopios from Naxos Town?

By bus or by car. The beach is 5 km from Chora, and buses run every 30 to 40 minutes from the morning until late at night. Buy tickets in advance at the ticket office, as none are sold on board.

Children

Is Agios Prokopios good for kids?

Yes. The water off the beach is calm and shallow, which suits families with small children, and the long shallows make it easy to wade and float close to the shore.

Snorkelling

Can you snorkel at Agios Prokopios?

Yes. Snorkelling works straight from the shore, and some fish and other sea life show in the clear water. Mini markets in town sell masks and snorkelling gear, so there is no need to pack them.

Plan a slow day of swimming here, a short bus ride south of Chora. The beach is long enough to choose between a line of bars with sunbeds and a quieter, unorganised stretch by the chapel.

What makes it special

Agios Prokopios is a wide sweep of coarse golden sand on the west coast of Naxos, backed by sand dunes. The water is clear and shallow near the shore, and its colour shifts between turquoise, blue and deep blue.

The shallows run a long way along the beach, so you can float, wade and swim for hours. The beach has earned a Blue Flag several times and has been listed among the best in Greece and in Europe.

Behind the dunes, between the beach and the road, lies a saltpan called kokkini limni, the red lake. Its water has a pink tint, and herons often visit, so walk over for a look before or after your swim.

Visiting

Shops line the eastern side of the beach: mini markets, tavernas, cafes and car and motorbike rental desks, all a short walk from the sand.

At the southern end, five or more bars set out sunbeds and umbrellas and serve food and cocktails, so settle there if you want drinks close by. For quieter, unorganised sand, head for the stretch by the chapel of Agios Prokopios, which gives the beach its name.

When you have had enough sun, follow the shore path south to Agia Anna, about 20 to 30 minutes on foot.

Tips

If you drive, the main car park is the large open area near the red lake, between the beach and the road, and there are more spaces at points along the shore.

In peak season that main area fills fast, so try the spaces at the quieter end of the beach by the chapel instead.

Know before you goVisitors report no public toilets or showers on the beach itself, so plan to use the facilities at one of the beach bars.