Naxos

Naxos – What you should know

Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades and the only one with meaningful agriculture — Mount Zas, at just over 1,000 metres, captures enough moisture to keep valleys green while neighbouring islands stay bare. Climatically it remains extremely dry nonetheless: May to October together bring 18 mm, and July and August effectively nothing.

The defining feature is the meltemi, the strong northerly of the Aegean. It blows most reliably in July and August and makes the 29°C bearable, which would otherwise feel considerably hotter. For windsurfers and kiters, the bay of Mikri Vigla is one of Greece's best spots as a result — though the same wind can be a problem for ferry connections and west-coast beach days.

The swimming season is long: the sea reaches 25°C in August and is still 22°C in October. May and June are the finest months for everything except swimming — 23–27°C, the island still green from the winter rains, and the paths between the mountain villages of Apiranthos and Chalki walkable before the summer heat arrives. Winter is mild at 14–16°C, but many businesses close.