FAQ - Frequently asked questions

– The property is located right by the sea. The distance of the lower cottages (Liondári and Lemoniá) to the sea is 45 m, the distance of the upper cottages (Rodiá and Eliá) is 75 m. Between the sea and the front cottages lie the (unpaved) access road and two narrow terraces with vines and a few bushes or small trees. In front of the upper cottages lie additionally the front cottages (considerably lower) or the large pergola and about 20 m of property with open spaces and a few bushes and trees.

– While the coast near Agios Dimitris is mostly rocky, there is a small sandy beach right next to the property. The distance from the entrance of the property to the sandy beach is 60 m, plus an additional 40 m (cottage Liondári) to 100 m (cottages Eliá) on the property. The beach is located in the last bend of the road, just before the Holiday homes Azalas and the chapel of Agios Dimitris. “Our” sandy beach is very beautiful, but small. You descend to it from the road along a narrow path with an altitude difference of about 5 metres. In summer it is usually a bit wavy at the beach; however, swimming is almost always possible and there are no strong undercurrents. Of course, there are also many other beautiful beaches in the surrounding area.

– Yes, all cottages have a sea view, both from the veranda and from the (front) windows in the sleeping and living areas. The lower cottages lie at 14 m above sea level, the upper ones at 18 m.

– If you want to explore the island, it is of course better to rent a car. It is advisable to book the rental car right from the beginning of your stay, as there are car rental companies only in Naxos-town. We do not recommend to rent a motorbike because the roads are steep and winding, leading sometimes to accidents. We also advise against a squad – among other things because the nearest petrol station is on the other side of the mountains, about 15 km away. If you want to spend your time in the closer area, you can also stay with us without a car. You can come by taxi or by bus, in which case we will pick you up from the bus stop (in Moutsouna or Apiranthos). If you don’t have a car, we can help you with your shopping, drive you to Moutsouna, for example, or buy things for you when we go shopping.

– In summer, you don’t need a four-wheel drive to get to our holiday homes. The dirt road (the last 2.5 km) is usually smoothed during June or July. Since the road can still be a bit bumpy and stony in places, it is better to have a car with rather “high legs”. The usual rental cars are well suited. During the winter, the road gets worse depending on the intensity of the rainfall. If you come in winter or early spring, it is advisable to check the condition of the road with me shortly before the trip. It is very rare for the road to become completely impassable, and even then it is quickly fixed, as there are a number of year-round residents.

– We do not offer breakfast. In spring and early summer, we are happy to provide you with home-grown vegetables (depending on the harvest and possibilities). You can also get homemade bread, wine and oil from us – please feel free to ask. There are several taverns in Moutsouna (in 3 km distance) that are open all summer; they are closed in winter.

– There is a well-stocked mini-market in Moutsouna (in 3 km distance), which is open all day during the summer and for a few hours each day in winter. The nearest larger supermarket is in Chalki; smaller shops can be found in all the villages. For more unusual products or for the beginning of your stay it is advisable to visit one of the supermarkets in Naxos Town (for example, on the road to the airport and on the road leading out of town towards the villages). Local meat (and sometimes fish) can be bought in small shops in the villages; please feel free to ask us. (Please bear in mind that fish is very expensive in Greece.

– Yes, there is WiFi in all the cottages. The internet generally works reliably; sometimes the extenders in the houses do not connect properly to the router, but this problem usually resolves itself after a while (try plugging it out and in again after a while). The telephone connection is often not very good in the houses (depending on the provider); generally it’s better towards the sea.

– There is one washing machine that can be used by all the guests. It is located in a small room behind the lower cottages. Washing powder is available.

– There are no coffee machines in the cottages. You can make filter coffee (there is a thermos and funnel as well as filter bags) or Greek coffee or espresso with an espresso pot, or of course Nescafé.

– Bed linen and towels are provided. If you would like additional linen, e.g. extra towels for the beach or blankets to put on the mattresses if they are too hard for you, please let me know at any time. The kitchens are equipped with the essentials. In most cases, there is also a certain assortment of spices. If you are missing something, you are welcome to ask me at any time.

– Inflatable mattresses and similar items for swimming as well as parasols, are rarely usable in summer because of the wind. Unfortunately, I cannot provide stools or chairs suitable for the beach. We have a few snorkels that previous guests have left behind, but if possible you should better bring your own equipment. There are also a few children’s toys for the beach – please feel free to ask.

– On windless evenings, mosquitoes may be a bit bothersome on the veranda. The windows of the houses are fitted with mosquito nets; there are also mosquito nets for the beds (usually in a pillowcase on or next to the wardrobe). Occasionally, individual biting flies can be a nuisance on the beach or on the verandas, and in some years there can be many wasps in late summer; in autumn, on the other hand, many flies can appear before the first rains on windless days and try to enter the houses. We generally recommend to have the door shut as much as possible to keep out unwelcome guests of all kinds.

– We have several cats that like to make friends with our guests. Please keep in mind that the cats can be a bit intrusive and would be happy to sleep on your beds; if you do not want that, do not feed the cats and keep the front door closed if necessary. Please do not leave any food unattended on the porch – our cats might think it is meant for them.

– Heat: Naxos has the lowest temperatures of all coastal areas in Greece during the summer. Nevertheless, it is hot in July and August and often also in June and September. Normally, the temperatures lie a little over 30° Celcius, which is quite ok due to the low humidity and the almost constant wind. Sometimes it is really hot for a few days or, in the times of climate change, for a longer period, with temperatures of 35°C or more. At night it hardly cools down, and in the morning it usually heats up quickly, because our area faces east and is hit by the sun from early morning on. If you like heat, it is wonderful, but for people sensitive to heat, Greece is not a good destination in summer. If you come to visit us, you should also not mind wind – we are located in one of the windier areas of Naxos.

– Cold: In winter, temperatures lie usually between 10 and 20° Celsius; sometimes it can be below 10° for a longer time with a minimum temperature of just above freezing (it may snow on the mountains). The weather is usually mild and friendly and there are often long periods with little wind, but at other times a cool, piercing north wind can blow continually for weeks. The cottages are quite easy to heat with a fireplace and a small electric radiator; however, doors and windows are not well insulated, so there is often a chilly draft. During the coldest periods, we sometimes hang a blanket in front of the bedroom window and the door. A winter stay is very appealing and offers a completely different experience from the usual summer holidays; however, you should be prepared for the fact that in Greece “luxuries” such as continually warm houses and warm water are not as much taken for granted as you may be used to. As for the hot water, we have solar panels for heating the water; on cloudy days we can also use electricity.