Hawaii Beach, Naxos: The Red Cliff Cove in the Aliko Cedar Forest, 18.5km From Chora, With a 1960s Abandoned Hotel Full of Murals Above and Koufonisi Island Directly Opposite

Greece | Aliko | Naxos, Cyclades

The sandy shoreline is only about 10 metres wide before it runs into a deep red cliff that rises another 10 metres before meeting the cedar forest. To be fair, it looks nothing like Hawaii, but it is super cool and very different from most beaches you will visit in Naxos or Paros.

In the peninsula of Aliko, near the cedar forest, there are small coves with beautiful sandy beaches and turquoise waters. One of them is so-called Hawaii. The beach is surrounded by dunes and cedar trees and it is a popular destination for people who want to be away from organised beaches and bustling places, as well as for naturists. The sandy beach with the turquoise waters in combination with the rocks and the dunes that create successive small “private” beaches make the beach unique while the sunset is enchanting and worth seeing. The beach is 18.5 km from Naxos Town and is right across the island of Koufonisi.

The specific character of Hawaii: it is not a long beach. It is a series of small private-feeling pockets between red rock and cedar forest — the 10-metre sandy strips that reconfigure depending on how far you walk. The “Hawaii” name was given by locals who found something unexpectedly exotic about the red cliffs and dune cedar combination.

Getting There: 18.5km From Naxos Town, Route Via Kastraki and Aliko, Dirt Road Final Section, Park Near the Abandoned Hotel

To get there you have to follow the route Chora–Glynado–Tripodes (Vivlos)–Kastraki–Aliko–Hawaii. There is a parking lot near the abandoned buildings of Alykos.

From Naxos Town (Chora), take Line 3 bus towards Pyrgaki. The bus ride takes approximately 45 minutes and the fare is around €3.10. Get off at the Alyko bus stop and walk approximately 10 to 15 minutes towards the beach to reach the cedar forest.

By car, drive south following signs for Alyko. The drive takes about 25 to 30 minutes. Once in Alyko, follow signs to the cedar forest and beaches. Parking is available near the entrance to the forest, but it can be limited during peak season. Parking is free.

Go there in the morning — if you go early enough there is no one and it is wonderful, and you also enjoy the shade offered by the natural cliff.

The Beach: 10m Sandy Strip Under Red Cliffs, No Facilities, Wind Can Bring Waves, Popular With Naturists

Hawaii Beach is one of the most secluded yet stunning beaches on the island. The beach itself is breathtaking — golden sand stretches between tall red cliffs and clear turquoise water. The setting feels untouched and wild. It offers a peaceful escape from the busier, organised beaches on the island. The cedar trees surrounding the area add a touch of green and natural shade.

The wind caveat: one day there was a lot of wind and therefore waves — watch out for everyone’s safety! The southwest-facing position of the Aliko peninsula means that wind from that direction produces waves on Hawaii even when the rest of Naxos is calm. Check conditions before committing to the drive.

The naturist character is specific: the beach is popular with naturists. The Kedros beach to the north is 100% naturist — Hawaii has fewer but is also used by naturists.

The Cedar Forest: 1,000 Acres of Protected Juniper on the Kouroupia Peninsula

The forest is situated in the area “Alyko” on the southwest side of Naxos island. It is a great and unique forest in Greece, of junipers (cedars), which covers almost the entire sandy peninsula of “Kouroupia” cape, with an extent of 1,000 acres.

The tree is technically a juniper (Juniperus phoenicea) rather than a cedar, but the local name kedros (cedar) has become the accepted name for both the forest and the adjacent beach (Kedros Beach). The forest’s designation as a protected natural area is the legal basis for the absence of commercial infrastructure on the beaches within it.

The Abandoned Hotel: Started 1960s, Never Finished, Now a Street Art Gallery on the Cliff

The abandoned hotel construction started in the 1960s, but was never finished, likely due to logistical or financial difficulties. Over the past few decades, local artists have begun using the hotel as a canvas for creative murals and graffiti art. The paintings are intricate and beautiful — definitely not amateur work — and you should take a minute before hiking down the beach to walk around and see the different murals.

The abandoned hotel ruins are directly above the beach parking area — the specific stop on the approach to Hawaii that is worth the 10-minute exploration before descending to the sand.

Koufonisi Island: Directly Opposite, One of the Prettiest Small Cycladic Islands

Koufonisi — the small flat island visible from Hawaii Beach directly across the water — is one of the most celebrated small islands in the Cyclades: 900 metres wide, known for its crystalline shallow lagoon, its seafood, and its summer party atmosphere. Day trips from Naxos Town reach it in approximately 1.5 hours by ferry.

Hawaii Beach on Naxos is the red cliff cove in the 1,000-acre Aliko juniper forest 18.5km from Chora — 10-metre sandy strip under 10-metre red cliffs, no facilities (bring everything), arrive early for the cliff shade, the abandoned 1960s hotel with murals above the parking area, wind can produce waves (check forecast), naturist-friendly, Koufonisi island directly opposite, and the Kedros naturist beach 20 minutes north through the forest.

Drive the dirt road. Walk through the murals. Descend to the red cliff.