What is driving like in Milos or Naxos?

Question

Not a fan of steep drives with drop offs. I prefer driving on flat roads with moderate elevation.

Obviously paved roads are fine but I’m not an experienced off road driver

78%

11d

We drove in Naxos last year and found it very straight forward. Somewhat mountainous of course, but nothing that felt challenging or unsafe at all.

vjmatty

10d

I have driven in both and found neither island to have treacherous or excessively steep roads. Keep in mind that about one third of Milos is not accessible without an ATV or other 4 wheel drive vehicle. For Naxos, if your hotel is immediately surrounding the castle in the main port city you may find parking difficult.

effit_WeWillDoItLive

10d

For Milos it really depends on where you go. The main roads and roads closer to the town centers are all paved (but sometimes narrow as is normal)but as you venture out to some more off the beaten path areas you will definitely hit some unpaved roads. I don’t remember any really steep drop offs but be prepared for some dirt roads if you are really exploring the island. Photo as an example of a road near Plathiena

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DeadliftsnDonuts

10d

Thank you so much!

crek42

10d

For Milos Look at Google maps and you’ll kind of be able to make out the paved roads. There’s only a few of them. Everything else is probably unpaved.

But in any case you’ll be totally fine. I barely drive manual and was able to survive.

One thing I’ve learned in Greece, if you’re using Google maps, and it tells you to take a road, and that road is unpaved/kinda sketchy, just keep going. It’ll correct itself.

id_ratherbeskiing

🍰

10d

Naxos is very chill, nice roads and plenty of guardrails. Milos has some spots where the roads are paved but there aren't guardrails. If you slow it down you'll be all good!

mekkab

10d

Don’t drive to Kalados/καλαντος on Naxos. Gets very high with minimal guard rails; just you and mountain goats.

The rest of the island is fine.

lemonorzo333

10d

You and mountain goats 😂

clingbat

10d

Driving in Naxos is fine. Was just there a few weeks ago for a few days with a Skoda Kodiaq we brought with us on the ferry which was arguably too large for the island but we were fine.

Wrong-Adagio-511

10d

I am also going to Naxos, will I be fine with a scooter only or do I need a car?

Acceptable-Tap9119

10d

Depends on what you want to do and how long you’ll be there. Naxos is a big island, so I’d recommend a car, but some people enjoy staying in the chora, booking a tour to take them to villages, or spending their time at the beach. I’d that’s you, you can get by without a car, especially if your stay is short.

Prudent-Form-5769

10d

Naxos is big island. It will be difficult on a scooter on a hot summer day.

Horror-Antelope4256

You’ll need an international drivers permit for a scooter on Naxos fyi

AoteZZ

10d

Naxos is easy with a car Milos has narrower roads, when busy lost of backing up/having to find passing spots.

mikeracioppi

10d

Milos was pretty easy to drive around. After day 1 I generally could get home without gps. You’ll be fine.

inaminateobjection

Just drove in Naxos for the first time - very doable, the only challenging area is in the main town if you’re trying to park close (better to just park on the outskirts and walk in). Depending on where you are staying, I’d say a car is a must have. Ideally the smaller the better, there are some tight squeezes in the smaller towns if you are going to explore. But all in all, very easy and recommended. Also stop signs in Greece seem to mean ‘slow down a bit’, not stop 😅