Day 5: Mykonos to Naxos

Today marked a big shift in my trip: Ed, my friend and travel buddy, was flying back home, and I was officially starting my solo adventure! I was a bit nervous about managing ferries and Greek buses alone, but after a few days of getting the hang of it with Ed, I felt pretty confident. The ferry system has been easy to navigate—there are plenty of ticket offices around every port, and they all offer the same routes at standard prices, so it’s a quick and hassle-free process. And while buses are busy this time of year, they’re frequent and affordable; finding a seat is usually the only challenge!

Ed’s flight was in the early afternoon, so I booked a ferry around the same time, which gave us a leisurely morning. We enjoyed breakfast, soaked up one last bit of sun by the pool, and reluctantly packed up our rooms. True to form, Ed, ever the adventurous type, decided to walk the few kilometres to the airport to save on a taxi. I opted for a cab to the port since it was too far to walk. However, this turned out to be the most stressful part of the day. The hotel couldn’t pre-book the taxi, and when they tried calling around 11:45, no one was picking up! My ferry was at 1 pm, so I was getting pretty anxious, with walking not an option on these narrow roads. Thankfully, a friend of the hotel owner offered to drive me down just in time, and I happily gave him a €10 tip for saving the day!

On the ferry, while storing my suitcase, I met two young British travellers who asked if they could stash their bag near mine to keep it secure. Since I was now flying solo, I jumped at the chance to make friends, helping them with their bags, and we headed up to find seats together. It turned out they were island-hopping the same route as me (with slight date overlaps). We hit it off and made plans to meet up later for dinner and drinks once we all settled in.

First view of Naxos town after leaving the ferry. This is looking north towards the Kastro and Apollo’s Gate (not visible).

Getting to my hotel wasn’t as straightforward as I’d hoped. Google Maps suggested a 1.7km walk that would take me along a dirt track by the beach. Unfortunately, the dirt path was fenced off halfway, so I had to backtrack and haul my suitcase along the beach instead. Most of the way, there were wooden slats to pull my case along, but where they ended, dragging it through the sand was no small feat! Eventually, I made it to the hotel, checked in, and was thrilled to find a lovely ground-floor room just steps from the pool and restaurant area. I rewarded myself with a quick swim to cool off, then went to freshen up for my evening in Naxos town.

Naxos town viewed from Apollo’s Gate.

Not-quite-sunset shots (apologies for the dirty lens in the first photo). Apollo’s Gate with Naxos town in the background of the second image.

I arrived in town a bit early, so I decided to check out Apollo’s Gate, snapping a few pictures. After that, I wandered back toward the harbour and found a cosy café to sit with a cold beer as I waited for my new friends. When they arrived, we strolled back in the direction of Apollo’s Gate and found a charming taverna for dinner. I went for a classic moussaka, which was delicious, and we shared some wine, chatting the evening away.

Afterwards, we found a nearby bar, grabbed a table, and played a few rounds of cards. I learned a new (and probably very unofficial) way to play Rummy, which I couldn’t seem to win, but it was a lot of fun! Finally, we headed back to our hotels, and I enjoyed a great night’s sleep in a comfortable double bed—ready for whatever adventures tomorrow would bring!