After visiting 8 different Greek islands, I've observed some different island classifications.

You have overrated, overcrowded islands like Santorini and Mykonos. There are islands so big they could almost be their own country like Crete, Corfu, and Rhodes (throw Cyprus in there as well since it is its own country). Let's not forget the party islands like Ios and Zakynthos.

While in Greece however, I found another category: the unsung islands still filled with tourism infrastructure. These had everything that the other islands offered at reasonable prices, and they were typically friendlier, less crowded, and just as beautiful.

Islands like Milos and Paros fall into this category. But it also included my personal favorite, Naxos.

I traveled to Naxos with my friend Casey–it isn't an easy island to travel solo. We only spent 48 hours there, but it had everything we could have wanted.

Beautiful Beaches

Naxos is full of them.

Naxos has the longest beachfront of any island I visited and one of the longest in Greece. It stretches for over 20 kilometers!

I'm not a big beach-goer, but I laid down at Plaka Beach and didn't want to get up for hours. Something about the sand kept nudging me to relax further and further.

Casey and I both fell asleep and nearly missed our bus back into town.

The coastline also made for a spectacular run during the 2nd day on the island. Naxos wasn't plagued with the same humidity as other Greek islands, making this an enjoyable experience rather than something I had to get through.

Cute Old Town

Every Greek island has an Old Town. But Naxos's was top-notch.

It had the dual benefit of being home to historical artifacts like the Temple of Apollo and boasting solid nightlife.

Maybe the mix of Greeks and travelers didn't want to dance as hard as Casey and I, but we still had a good time. I'd been in Greece long enough that I'd started to recognize some Greek music mixed in with common pop songs.

I could get lost in any Greek island Old Town any day, but Naxos's was particularly special.

The Best Island Food

From the cheap eats to a ball-out dinner, Naxos might've been my favorite island on food alone.

One restaurant we went to twice served gyros in a Cyprus pita (a little bigger and better in my opinion). It was the only place in Greece I found this and I didn't take it for granted.

Casey and I also decided to have one ball-out meal in Greece and found the perfect restaurant to do it in Naxos.

It was genuinely one of the best meals of my life. The saganaki was top-notch, and we had delicious seafood, a traditional Naxian dish, and a tasty dessert. We also received a free shot of mastika because the Greek service is the best in the world.

Somewhere in the middle of all that, I decided I was in love with this island.

Nature! That Isn't a Beach

Woah...

A hike on a Greek island? Why don't you relax instead?

That's maybe what the haters would say, but Zeus would probably strike them down at the thought.

Indeed, we were hiking Mt. Zas, the mountain where Zeus supposedly grew up and plotted to overthrow his father in Greek mythology.

It was a beautiful hike. Casey and I had to wake up a little early for it, but it was 100% worth it for this high-quality picture–the only picture we took together in 2 weeks of travel.

Jk.

Nevertheless, we had good weather thanks to Zeus, which led to a stunning 360-degree panorama of the island.

And of course, A Sunset

What is more Greek-islandy than a picturesque sunset? Nothing.

Actually one thing. Drinking Ouzo out of plastic cups while watching the sunset.

Casey and I sipped our typical Greek drink on our first night in Naxos while watching the sunset.

We avoided the crowds at the Temple of Apollo to experience the quieter version a few hundred meters back. Those sunset rookies never figured out that doing that allows you to see the sunset and the Temple simultaneously.

The result? An absolute win.

Conclusion

All-in-all, this island offered the most in Greece at the best price with the friendliest people. I'm sad I only gave it 48 hours, but I will doubtlessly be back.

Next time you're in Greece, give Naxos a shot!

And to my future wife, we are definitely giving this a shot.

Honeymoon maybe?