Day 7: Folegandros to Naxos

Friday, 19th July 2019

Today was the day we bid farewell to the tranquil charm of Folegandros and set our sights on our final destination: Naxos. Calling it excitement would be an understatement—I was practically buzzing! Naxos holds a special place in my heart as one of my absolute favourite Greek islands, and I couldn’t wait to share its magic with my girlfriend, who had never been. Still, leaving Folegandros wasn’t easy. Its laid-back vibe and unforgettable memories would stay with me for years to come.

Our ferry was set to depart at 11:30 a.m., but with tickets still to collect, we started the morning with a mission. After packing up, we headed to Pounta for one last, leisurely breakfast under the sun. By 10:45, we were back at Polikandia, where their ever-generous team whisked us to the port in a complimentary minibus.

With tickets in hand, we had just enough time to explore the sleepy port town of Karavostasis. A short stroll brought us to a shady spot to wait for the ferry, the excitement mounting as the minutes ticked by. This was to be the longest ferry ride of our trip, looping us back through Santorini with stops at Ios and Koufonissi before finally reaching Naxos. But the seas were calm, the beer on board cold and plentiful, and the hours seemed to glide by.

As the ferry docked, Naxos greeted us with its signature blend of bustling energy and seaside charm. We quickly found the minibus from Naxos Resort Hotel—our home base for the next six nights—and climbed aboard. With no other passengers to delay us, we were whisked off immediately, the short drive taking us to Agios Georgios Beach, just south of Naxos Town.

The hotel welcomed us with its inviting pool and pristine location, steps from the beach. While the room itself left something to be desired—it was small, dated, and struggled to cool in the summer heat—it was more than adequate for our stay. And after all, who stays in their room on Naxos? The pool was calling, and we couldn’t resist.

By late afternoon, the sun began its slow descent, and we reluctantly tore ourselves away from the pool to freshen up for the evening. As we strolled into Naxos Town, we made a few stops at car rental agencies, securing a compact car for a single day to explore the island. One of my must-dos was the hike up Mount Zas—a memory from last year’s trip that I was eager to relive and share.

Dinner found us at Dal Professore in the harbour area, where we indulged in a delicious, if slightly pricey, meal. With our appetites satisfied, I led my girlfriend through the labyrinthine streets behind the harbour, winding our way up toward the historic Kastro. The narrow alleys, filled with shops and charm, felt like stepping into a postcard.

We couldn’t resist stopping for a few late-night drinks before finally returning to the hotel, our legs weary and our hearts full. As we sank into bed, I couldn’t help but smile—our Naxos adventure was just beginning.