- Day 11: Naxos, Mykonos and Home
- Day 10: Agia Anna last full day
- Day 9: Naxos Agia Anna
- Day 8: Heading back to Naxos
- Day 7: Visiting Kato Koufonissi
- Day 6: Koufonissi Pori Beach
- Day 5: Koufonissi
- Day 4: Naxos Plaka Beach and St George Beach
- Day 3: Naxos Hiking Mount Zas
- Day 2: Mykonos to Naxos
- Day 1: Mykonos and Delos
- Planning the 2018 trip
My final full day of the trip began with an early start and a plan: a morning walk to Mischa Beach Bar on Plaka Beach, about 4.5 km from my apartment. I set off just before 8 AM, enjoying the cool morning air and the peacefulness of the island waking up around me. The soft sand along much of the route added a little challenge to the walk, giving my calves a good workout. It took about 45 minutes, and by the time I arrived, I was ready to relax.
Mischa’s was still gearing up for the day, so I couldn’t grab food or coffee right away, but the upside? I had my choice of sun loungers. I stretched out, alternating between reading and soaking up the morning sun.
By 10 AM, the bar opened, and I made a beeline for some much-needed sustenance: a cappuccino and a couple of pastries. The coffee was excellent, though the pastries were just okay—edible, but not memorable. The vibe became less serene as more people began to arrive—mostly families with energetic kids. Craving a quieter spot, I decided to move on and see what I could find closer to Agia Anna.
At the far end of the beach, I stumbled upon a charming spot called Peppermint, a pool bar attached to an apartment complex. It was blissfully calm, so I grabbed a lounger by the pool, ordered some water and a Coke, and soaked in the laid-back atmosphere. By lunchtime, though, my stomach was rumbling after the light breakfast. I packed up again and wandered back to Banana, my go-to spot. This time, I had a satisfying ham and cheese toastie, followed by a decadent waffle topped with strawberry and caramel ice cream. Delicious!
Feeling recharged, I braved the afternoon heat for the walk back to the apartment. Sweaty but content, I dropped off my bag and headed straight to the pool for a cooling swim. While there, I struck up a conversation with a couple of girls who had just arrived from Paros. It was their first time on Naxos, so I happily shared tips on the best beaches, and restaurants, and how to get around. It was nice to have some company, and before we parted, we agreed to meet later for drinks in town.
After some downtime in my room, I freshened up and headed into town, messaging the girls to coordinate dinner plans. They were open to suggestions, so I recommended Avli, where I’d had a fantastic meal on my first night. They loved the choice, and this time, I went for a garlicky chicken and penne pasta dish—absolutely delicious.
Post-dinner, we wandered over to Banana for some wine and spent the evening laughing and swapping stories. The hours slipped by effortlessly, and when it was finally time to call it a night, we strolled back to the apartment and said our goodnights.
It was the perfect blend of relaxation, good food, and new connections—a memorable way to wrap up an incredible trip.