Alyko Beach, Naxos: Cedar Forest, Hidden Coves and Practical Tips
Alyko is a small peninsula on the southwest coast of Naxos, about 18 km south of Naxos Town and only a few kilometres past Mikri Vigla. It is known for something you rarely find in the Cyclades: a cedar forest that runs down to the sand, with shade, dunes and a string of quiet coves with clear turquoise water. This guide covers the beaches, the forest, what happened to the famous abandoned hotel and how to get there from Mikri Vigla.
Key takeaways
- Alyko lies about 18 km south of Naxos Town and roughly 6 km south of Mikri Vigla, just past the beaches of Kastraki and Glyfada.
- Its cedar forest covers about 800 stremmata (around 80 hectares) and is one of the largest and densest in Greece, so the trees give natural shade right next to the sand.
- The area includes several coves, among them the main Alyko bay, Hawaii, Kedros and Mikrolimano, all with fine sand and no organised beach facilities.
- The unfinished hotel covered in murals, a landmark for decades, was demolished from the end of 2025 as part of restoring the protected area.
In this article
Where Alyko is
Alyko (also written Aliko) sits on the southwest coast of Naxos, about 18 km south of Naxos Town. Driving south from Mikri Vigla, the coast road passes Kastraki and Glyfada before reaching the Alyko peninsula, roughly 6 km away as the crow flies. It is one of the easiest day trips you can make from Mikri Vigla beach.
The last stretch of road before the beaches is a dirt track, generally passable with a normal car when driven slowly. There is space to park around the dunes and the cedar trees.
The beaches of Alyko
Alyko is not one beach but a group of small bays with soft white sand and clear water, separated by low rocks and dunes. The best known are:
- Alyko bay: the main cove, small and sheltered, with turquoise water and cedar shade behind the sand.
- Hawaii: the most famous beach of the area, loved for its colours and photographed by almost everyone who visits.
- Kedros: a quieter beach, known as nudist friendly.
- Mikrolimano: a small, secluded cove next to the main bay.
- Agios Georgios: another sandy bay within the cedar area.
None of these beaches are organised, so do not expect sun beds, umbrellas or lifeguards. That is exactly why people love them: the water is clear, the sand is soft and the setting feels wild, even in summer.
The cedar forest of Alyko
The cedar forest is what makes Alyko special. It covers about 800 stremmata, around 80 hectares, and is considered one of the largest and densest cedar forests in Greece. The trees grow on the dunes right behind the beaches, so on a hot day you can swim in the sea and then rest in natural shade a few steps away.
The whole area is protected. Walk on the existing paths, keep off the fragile dunes, do not light fires and take all rubbish with you. The forest has survived decades of pressure from development, and it depends on visitors treating it with care.
What happened to the abandoned hotel
For decades, the most photographed sight at Alyko was the shell of an unfinished hotel inside the cedar forest. Construction stopped in the mid 1970s after a long legal fight to protect the area, and the concrete walls were later covered with murals and graffiti by artists from around the world.
Demolition of the building began at the end of 2025, as reported by Kathimerini, to restore the protected landscape. If you have seen photos of the murals online, do not plan your visit around them: Alyko today is about the forest, the dunes and the sea.
How to get to Alyko from Mikri Vigla
- By car or scooter: the easiest option. Follow the coast road south from Mikri Vigla past Kastraki and Glyfada, then take the dirt track down to the beaches.
- By bus: the KTEL line that serves Mikri Vigla continues south to Kastraki, Alyko and Pyrgaki. Check the current timetable before you set off, as frequency changes through the season.
- By bike: possible for fit riders on a cooler day, but there is little shade on the road itself.
Our guide on how to get to Mikri Vigla explains the bus lines, car rental and taxis in more detail.
Tips for a day at Alyko
- Arrive early in July and August, when the coves fill up by late morning.
- Bring water and snacks. There are a few tavernas in the wider area, but none right on the small coves.
- Wear sandals for the paths and the hot sand on the dunes.
- Bring a mask for snorkelling around the rocks between the coves.
- Stay for the late afternoon light, when the cedars and the dunes look their best.
Alyko pairs well with a swim at Kastraki on the way back, or with an evening walk on the cape of Mikri Vigla. See our list of things to do in Mikri Vigla for more ideas close to home.
Frequently asked questions about Alyko beach
Where is Alyko beach in Naxos?
Alyko is on the southwest coast of Naxos, about 18 km south of Naxos Town and roughly 6 km south of Mikri Vigla, just past Kastraki and Glyfada.
Is Alyko beach organised?
No. The beaches of Alyko have no sun beds or umbrellas. The cedar trees behind the sand provide natural shade, and there are a few tavernas in the wider area.
Is there shade at Alyko?
Yes. The cedar forest grows right behind the beaches, which makes Alyko one of the few beaches in the Cyclades with natural shade next to the sand.
Can you still see the graffiti hotel at Alyko?
The unfinished hotel with the murals was demolished from the end of 2025 to restore the protected area, so the murals are no longer part of a visit.
Sources
- Greeka, Aliko beach (Hawaii and Kedros)
- Exploring Greece, Alyko beach in Naxos
- All Over Greece, Alyko beach and cedar forest
- Kathimerini, On Naxos, a demolition that took two decades
By the team at Studios Kontos, Mikri Vigla, Naxos. We write about what we live every day on the island.
