Margaret of Naxos is in Agios Prokopios, a seaside village in south-west Naxos, just south of Naxos Town. The long sandy beach, with clear water and tavernas beside the sand, is the focus of the area: days are spent swimming, having coffee and dining by the water, with little traffic on the roads.
Further south are the beaches of Agia Anna and Plaka, with dunes and open horizons, while a little farther away is Mikri Vigla, known among windsurfing enthusiasts. Naxos Town, 4.2 km away, stretches around the Venetian castle, with narrow lanes and ouzeris by the harbour. At the harbour entrance stands the Portara, the marble gateway of a temple to Apollo that was never completed. The island’s airport is 1.4 km away, and Naxos Town harbour is the hub for ferry connections. In the evening, the tavernas and bars along the harbour front fill with people, and a walk through the castle’s lanes is well worth taking at sunset.
For a day away from the beach, a hire car or scooter can take you to the island’s mountain villages, such as Halki and Apeiranthos, or to the Temple of Demeter at Sangri. The best time for swimming is from May to October; the meltemi often blows in July and August, while in September the sea remains warm and there are fewer visitors.