The bay of Aghia Anna, once a famous nudist beach, is no longer nudist. The beach where some contributors first took the plunge is now, alas, backed by hotels, and the unnoticed track at the back of the beach is now a tarred road with a regular bus service. However, all is not lost: go round the point at the south end of the beach: the section immediately around the point (bus-stop "Paradiso") is nudist (this is the northern end of Plaka).

Getting off the bus, head towards the little chapel that is to the left of the bay. Drop down over the hill to Plaka which must surely be one of the best beaches in the Cyclades. A word of warning about the chapel: the Captain has received the following observation (lightly edited) -

"If you like being naked from Friday to Sunday afternoon in the middle of crowds of Sunday-dressed families going to church for baptisms, marriages or orthodox ceremonies, then Aghia Anna beach will welcome you!!! People attending or leaving the church use the wooden path which is the limit between the beach and the bush behind … We did not feel at ease there … apart from when you are swimming, the number of dressed spectators from the church is superior to the sunbathers on the same part of the beach. Go elsewhere!"

Respect is important and should be exercised in every aspect of society. As very regular users of this beach, there is mutual acceptance and respect for those wishing to practise in Church or on the Beach or Both. As on other Greek islands, the Captain asks for proper respect for the religious sensitivities of our hosts. The general rule is to, at the very least, stay out of sight of intending worshippers in all such places. It might be wise, if you can, to check on the date of the local saint's day.

The section surrounded by rocks immediately under the chapel is known as the "BeachWithMuchShame" usually predominantly nudist (although proportions can drop in high season). The beach is clothes-optional immediately to the south but becomes more and more textile as you pass in front of the Paradiso taverna.

2000 August: Another contributor's family visited for their sixth holiday in the vicinity of the clothes optional beach at Aghia Anna. The part that they normally used was in the section below the church on the hill to the north of the beach and to the south of the harbour of Agia Anna. When they arrived the Greek and Italian holiday season was in full swing and a large part of the beach was occupied by textiles. They were relieved to find that the section nearest to the cove was still predominantly naturist and textiles and naturists shared the beach harmoniously. A strong feature is a safe swimming area formed by a rocky outcrop that provides shelter from waves.

This little Beach "BeachWithMuchShame" is occupied each year by an elderly single man who has become very possessive and selective. Because of the lack of sand there are limited places to lay so he reserves places for his friends by placing sun umbrellas in favoured locations, engaging half the Beach.

2018 October: I was informed that one person who arrived when there was plenty of available space was told "there is no room". This is wrong and unfair on other sunbathers. — We are two elderly German women and we were shouted at by this very rude English man when we were there. We moved.

2019 July:  The horrible man mentioned is still here and acts as if he owns the Beach, giving out sun umbrellas, expecting cans of beer or produce in lieu of payment. Two elderly Australians who live in the main town have taken it upon themselves to personalize this little beach to portray a sense of ownership: maybe they are hoping to turn this into a business venture. They can be most possessive which is why most people use the upper beach.

One report describes this little bay as a naturists' paradise. However, some reports suggest fewer nudists than a few years ago.

2001: Another report has this section as 100% nudist couples.

If you wish to enjoy a predominantly beach holiday you might consider taking accommodation in Agia Anna or in one of the rooms/apartment complexes that go from the Paradiso Taverna to Plaka beach and beyond. Particularly good facilities are in Stella Apartments, which is between the Paradisos and the Maragas camp site (also well organised). There is an excellent small supermarket and bakery outside the Maragas campsite.

There are adequate Greek restaurants in Agia Anna and an excellent Italian restaurant about 200 metres to the south of Maragas. The bus service from the Maragas Campsite to Naxos Town (Chora) is very good with buses at 30 and sometimes 15 minute intervals from 07.50 to 01.30. This provides easy access to the town which has a wide variety of restaurants, shops and historical interest. There is a Roman Catholic Cathedral with Mass at 09.30 on Sundays.

One curiosity just between the nudist beach and the main Aghia Anna beach (but away from the nudist area) is "Shark Rock". The Captain was astonished to see just how realistic it is. This rock, in the shape of a shark's head, juts out from the headland towards the sea. People amuse themselves by placing stones in the eye sockets and in the mouth to depict teeth.

From Paradisos until the Three Brothers taverna the beach is entirely textile with many bars and cafes plus the usual stretches of sunbeds and umbrellas which seem to be proliferating yearly. Right beside the Three Brothers taverna is the largest nudist area in later years with sunbeds and umbrellas.

2005 Augst: A report said this beach was 90% nude. The best part of the beach, near the rocks, was a bit overcrowded, but early in the morning or in the evening it is wonderful.
A report covering the entire summer says that naturism continues to be practised at the northernmost tip by the small church southwards until about 50m from the Paradisos Taverna. During early and late season nearly all the occupants were nude - that is, from early May until early July and from the beginning of September until late October. During July and August the beaches become packed with mainly Greeks and Italians who seemed less tolerant of nudists although in this area it is still generally accepted.

2006 August and September: the beach was much as described above. The beach was well used, with mainly naturists, mixed age and sex, some single men, but a very good atmosphere. The section immediately by the rocks was predominantly naturist, less so going towards to Paradiso Taverna.

2007 July: it was much the same: absolutely wonderful, plenty of nudists, couples, single people, gay and straight, textiles and nudists mixing, no one seems to mind. Nudists walk along the beach; no-one raises an eyebrow. Best beach so far that my contributors had visited.
In June it was still clothes-free and popular without being overcrowded. Even in late August it was 100% nude.

2010 August: The area between the Paradiso bus stop and the small chapel on the hill to the right as you get off the bus was almost entirely clothing-optional when I visited. Most of the clothed people seemed to be part of a clothing-optional family. Getting into the water usually requires scrambling over rocks, although there are a few sandy / pebbly areas where you can put your towel. The water is wonderfully clear and, as long as it isn't too windy, the swimming is great.

2012 June: Both the main beach North of Paradisos taverna and the small rocky bay were 90% naturist. About 30 or 40 people every day. June felt like very early season, not sure what it would be like in August. (The food at the Paradisos is highly recommended).
June:  We stayed at Maragas Camping which is well organised and clean. They have some great open-air showers in both the men's and women's toilet blocks.  In June the campsite was lovely and almost empty, but looks like it could get a bit busy & noisy in August.

2014 - 2016: Agia Anna beach still nude (July 2016) and nice, although some fully dressed local men were there walking along the beach and staring at nudists. More than 20 nudists plus some dressed couples, relaxed atmosphere. Late summer 2016 a fire destroyed the Parasol store and part of an adjacent Juniper tree.
September 2014 and June 2016: Exactly as described - naturists began immediately at the end of the umbrellas at the Paradisos bus stop NW for the full length of this little beach. Sunbeds and umbrellas for hire and close to 100% nudist. Board walk behind made for easy access from this bus stop & from Aghia Anna part.

2015:  This year, whether due to the close proximity of the little church or the presence of a local man with learning difficulties who upsets many, the gay naturists prefer to go further south between Plaka and an area known as Orkos.

2016 July: As described, the nudist area is mostly the southern part of the rocks and the beach immediately after up to the Paradisos tavern. Almost all people there nude or topless. Every morning there were more than 15-20 people.
June: Beach mostly rocks. Overhead Drone activity. Just a few very elderly people there.
March: Photo's show that Winter storms have depleted much of the sand.

2017 July: As described, the nudist area is mostly the southern part of the rocks and the beach immediately after up to the Paradisos tavern. Almost all people there nude or topless. Every morning there were more than 15-20 people.
June: Beach mostly rocks. Overhead Drone activity. Just a few very elderly people there.
March: Photo's show that Winter storms have depleted much of the sand.

2018 March: - This lower part of the Beach has lost the little sand remaining from last year and consequently a rocky cove. As you might expect in March it was cold and uninviting especially with an unsavoury group of wild campers around a fire amongst the seaweed. Fortunately the upper beach is still intact. After a brief first swim of the year (water temp. 14C) we retreated for a swift Raki.

June: Strong South winds reclaim much of the lower beach sand back into the sea thus mostly rock and also as a consequence getting in and out of the water can be dangerous particularly if it coincides with the wash from a passing ship. I saw such an incident where a woman needed rescuing. The old eccentric man who has personalised this cove got quite irate when some Italian tourists took his stones. Saw rabbits in the Juniper shrub, Lizards on the Beach trying to chase off a flea-ridden Hedgehog, various birds and Turtles close to shore.

2021 August-September: 95% nudist from the rocks (near the small chapel) to the Paradiso tavern. Come early to get a spot in the little cove. Good atmosphere on this beach, mix of all ages, genders, sexual orientation, couples and small groups.

June-August: I cannot believe some of the previous comments stating Agia Anna is not a naturist beach any more. From June to August we've been visiting this sandy and beautiful beach every now and then and it was always mostly naturist. As you move away from the taverna and get closer to the rocks at the bottom of the hill with the small church, the crowd is mostly gay male, but not only. Great spot to enjoy the sunset with some commodities around, some tavernas and a small supermarket.
August: Visited many times. It is a well established nudist beach with easy access, frequented by both couples and singles.
Early October: Great nudist beach and rocks. Very well frequented, even busy. Virtually 100% nude with full range of ages. Excellent swimming and diving off the rocks. Some very sociable folks makes for a nice experience.

2024 June: Almost entirely nude from the Paradiso taverna onward, with a few nudes south of the taverna also. A near-perfect beach with clear water, a relaxed vibe. the taverna is fabulous, with excellent traditional Greek food served on the beach and a couple of welcome tamarisk trees for shade. I last visited this part of Naxos in 1992, and it has scarcely changed in the past 30 years.

Early August: A very good naturist attendance on the section between Paradiso tavern and the end of the beach. We went morning and evening, and we could see the naturist area had grown during the day.