Diagram by Greece Trips. Free to reuse with credit - CC BY 4.0.
North of the headland, the beach catches the meltemi head on, which is why the island’s kitesurfing and windsurfing schools are based there. South of it, Parthena beach is sheltered, sandy and calm.
Walking between them takes a few minutes over the rocks, which makes this the answer for a group that cannot agree.
The windward side
Long sand, shallow water, and reliable summer wind. Schools rent kit and teach beginners through the season, and the bay fills with kites on a good day.
For swimmers it is choppy and the sand blows when it is strong. For anyone learning a board sport, it is the best-known spot on the island.
The sheltered side
Parthena is the opposite: a curve of sand with cedar and dune behind it, calm water, and far fewer people than the beaches closer to town. There are seasonal loungers and a taverna or two, and long stretches with nothing.
Between them, the rocky point itself is good snorkelling in calm conditions.
Where it fits
Mikri Vigla is south of the main west-coast beach run, past Agia Anna and Plaka, which means fewer day-trippers and more space. It is about twenty minutes from Naxos Town by car, with seasonal buses down the coast.
Further south, the coast continues through Kastraki and Alyko to the cedar forest, which is the emptiest stretch on the island. Best beaches in Naxos covers the whole run.
Last checked August 2026. Schools, buses and seasonal facilities change - see our editorial policy.
Common questions
Why are there two beaches at Mikri Vigla?
A rocky headland divides the coast: the northern side faces the wind and is used for kitesurfing, the southern side is sheltered and sandy.
Is Mikri Vigla good for kitesurfing?
It is the island’s main kitesurfing beach, with schools and rentals through the summer season on the windward side.
Can you swim at Mikri Vigla?
Yes, most comfortably on the sheltered southern side at Parthena, which is calm when the northern beach is choppy.
How far is Mikri Vigla from Naxos Town?
About twenty minutes by car down the west coast, with seasonal buses.
Is Mikri Vigla busy?
Less than the beaches nearer town, and the sheltered side keeps space even in August.
Next
Read best beaches in Naxos, Agia Anna, or where to stay in Naxos.