Naxos horse riding is a ride on horseback through fields and bamboo paths to the sand of Saint George beach, with an option to swim with the horses. Day trips elsewhere on the Cyclades sit among our tours in Greece.
This page covers what Naxos horse riding includes, the routes from the beaches to the inland villages, how a session runs, the stables on the island, beginners and children, the cooler time of day, what to wear and the questions travellers ask.
What does Naxos horse riding include?
Naxos horse riding includes a horse or pony matched to your level and an instructor. You also get a helmet and a reflective jacket, and a ride over fields, bamboo paths and the beach.
The horse comes first. The Naxos Horse Riding Centre lists horses and ponies for all abilities. Its page names a gallop for experienced riders. A second operator says it matches you with a horse that suits your skill level, chosen from a wide selection.
Safety gear is included. One operator meets riders at a riding school just outside Naxos town. It lists a helmet and a reflective jacket among its equipment. Naxos horse riding there happens in groups of up to 10 people. A transfer is not included, but the operator sends a quote when you give your hotel details.
An instructor is with you. On the Naxos Horse Riding Centre tour, the instructor speaks English, Greek and Swedish. You learn about the island and its culture during the ride.
Naxos horse riding comes as a group ride or a private ride. The group ride goes at a walking pace with other riders, and the crew takes photos throughout.
The private ride adjusts the route and pace to your riding level, as long as it is safe. You get more time by the sea, and every photo is of you. The centre says it swims with the horses on that ride and gives you double beach time.
Where do Naxos horse riding routes go, from beaches to inland villages?
Naxos horse riding routes start at stables on the edge of Naxos town and at Plaka beach. They cross fields and bamboo paths to reach the sand at Saint George beach and Plaka. Other rides stay in the countryside.
The Naxos Horse Riding Centre is listed at Kokkino Spitia. Its group ride goes through fields and bamboo paths and passes parts of Saint George beach. Another club says its tours follow bamboo roads, with views of the mountains, on to the beach. Every tour there rides on the beach.
Naxos horse riding at Agios Georgios beach starts from a riding school just outside Naxos town. That operator calls it the town’s closest sandy beach. Its route leads to a peaceful part of the beach, even in summer. On the afternoon ride, you watch the sunset over the sea, with Paros across the bay.
Plaka is the second base. Naxos Horse Club sits on Plaka beach, 9 km from Naxos town. Its rides cross the beaches in the south of the island and the rural areas. On the way, you see the town and Mikri Vigla in panoramic view.
At Plaka, Naxos horse riding runs beside the sea at sunset. The alternative ride crosses fields, with views of the Orkos area and Naxos town.
Stamatis Horse Riding Centre runs Naxos horse riding around Agia Anna, Agios Arsenios, Mikri Vigla and the south-west coast beaches. Its tours use bamboo paths with views over the island. Wikipedia counts Agios Arsenios among the main villages of Naxos.
For inland Naxos horse riding, naxos.net places the riding schools on the edge of Naxos town and at Plaka beach. That gives easy access to the beaches and to the inland of the island.
The same page describes hooves clopping on the cobblestones of narrow streets in traditional villages. It also mentions a breeze scented with wild oregano and thyme.
Other pages add more country to Naxos horse riding. The Naxos Dream page on riding describes sandy paths along olive plantations. Greeka lists mountain paths and lush forests for a club at Kokkina Spitia. Each stable describes its own route, so ask your host which one you will ride.
How does a Naxos horse riding session run, step by step?
A Naxos horse riding session has four steps. You book, arrive at the stable, ride to the beach and ride back. The group ride goes at walking pace and lasts about 1 hour.
Step one is the booking. The Naxos Horse Riding Centre takes rides only by appointment. You choose the time and the type, group or private. The centre asks for the name, age, weight and experience of every rider. It takes payment in cash after the ride.
Step two is the arrival. A booking page for the Agios Georgios beach ride asks riders to arrive at least 15 minutes early. The meeting point is the riding school just outside Naxos town, and riders get a map pin after booking. The stable provides the safety equipment.
Step three is the ride. The stable matches each rider with a horse that suits the rider’s level. The Naxos horse riding group tour goes at walking pace with other riders and passes parts of Saint George beach. The instructor speaks English, Greek and Swedish, and the staff take photos on the way.
Step four is the way back. One visitor wrote that the group walked through the stable’s property, crossed the road, reached the beach and circled back. A private ride adds double beach time and a swim with the horses. It lasts about 1 hour for experienced riders who trot and canter, and about 1.5 hours at walking pace.
Which stables offer Naxos horse riding on the island?
Stables offer Naxos horse riding in two areas of the island. One is the outskirts of Naxos Town, and the other is Plaka beach. Naxos.net names both areas, and the stables’ own pages add the details below.
- Naxos Horse Riding Centre. Its website lists 20 years of experience, morning, afternoon and sunset rides, group rides of about 1 hour and private rides. The tour listing gives Kokkino Spitia as its place.
- Naxos Horse Club. It sits on the sandy beach of Plaka, 9 km from Naxos Town and 200 m from the bus stop. Riders arrive by car, motorbike or local bus, or the club sends cars or jeeps to the hotel. An instructor and an assistant lead rides of 1 to 2 hours, with views of the town and of the Mikri Vigla area.
- Naxos Horse Riding Club. Its website lists summer tours of two hours and of three hours, each twice a day. On the afternoon rides you see part of the sunset. In winter the club tailors a holiday that includes other activities.
- The club on Greeka. Greeka puts a Naxos horse riding club at Kokkina Spitia, just outside Naxos Town. Linda Barratt owns and runs it, and she trained in all disciplines in England. Its paddocks are open stables, and its horses range from ponies to ex race-horses. Rides run all day, as personal or group tours.
Reviewers on Greeka add detail about the club. One phoned on the same day. The club still found a place on the 5:30 PM tour of two hours. Another reviewer called the staff friendly and knowledgeable and said they kept the riders safe.
A booking page for the Agios Georgios beach ride names the Naxos Horse Riding Club as the operator. It lists small groups of up to 10 people. The page says skilled riders assist and accompany you throughout the session. It also calls Agios Georgios the sandy beach closest to Naxos town.
Each stable sets its own ride lengths. One Naxos horse riding session can last 1 hour at one stable and 3 hours at another.
Is Naxos horse riding right for beginners and children?
Yes. Naxos horse riding suits first-timers and children. One centre takes adults and kids aged 3 and over. Its group ride lasts about 1 hour at walking pace only, so first-timers stay at a walk.
That centre is the Naxos Horse Riding Centre. Its tour page lists the ride as suitable for all abilities. Travellers who reviewed it praise the calm horses and say beginners feel at ease. One reviewer notes that more than one staff member stays with you.
The private ride is flexible. The instructor adjusts route and pace to your riding level, as long as it is safe. A beginner who wants this ride at walking pace needs about 1.5 hours. An experienced rider who trots or canters needs about 1 hour.
When you get in touch, the centre’s own site asks for the name, age, weight and experience of every rider. The tour page lists English, Greek and Swedish as instructor languages.
Naxos horse riding at the club behind naxoshorseriding.com covers all abilities, from beginners to advanced riders. Every tour rides on the beach. Beginners get a pleasurable walk, and experienced riders get the chance to gallop. The club says its horses are well trained and help riders overcome fears. In winter it can also give lessons to children and adults.
Young children have their own animals at the Naxos Horse Club. It sets aside 2 ponies and 2 small donkeys (height under 1 metre). For children, Naxos horse riding there comes with trainers next to them and gear such as a helmet. The club says riding builds balance and confidence.
Greeka lists a club at Kokkina Spitia with horses for all ages and sizes. They run from ponies for children to ex race-horses for advanced riders.
Check the rules before you book. The Naxos Horse Riding Club runs an Agios Georgios beach ride. Small children cannot share a horse with a parent there. Riders above 100 kg cannot take part, and groups hold up to 10 people. The ride matches you with a horse for your skill level.
When is the cooler time for Naxos horse riding, and what do you wear?
The Naxos Horse Riding Centre marks its 10:00 morning ride as the recommended time and mentions a gentle morning breeze. Its afternoon ride starts at 18:00, its sunset ride at 19:00, and rides run by appointment only.
The operators name times, not temperatures. For Naxos horse riding, Wikipedia’s climate table for Naxos town lists an average July high of 27.1 degrees Celsius. August is 27.0, September 25.1 and October 21.9. The July record high is 37.9 degrees.
On its own site, the centre also lists a morning, an afternoon and a sunset ride. It says the morning light suits photos, and its crew takes photos during every ride. Greeka says the Kokkina Spitia club runs tours all day long, as personal or group rides.
The Naxos Horse Riding Club runs an afternoon ride at 18:00 on Agios Georgios beach. You watch the sunset over the sea, with Paros across the bay. In winter the club runs only one morning tour, at 11:00. Arrive at least 15 minutes early.
At the club behind naxoshorseriding.com, summer Naxos horse riding comes in 2-hour and 3-hour tours, each twice a day. Both afternoon rides show part of the sunset. In winter, the club can tailor a holiday that adds other activities.
For Naxos horse riding, the centre’s page says to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Bring sunscreen and water, but leave food and drinks off the ride. The Agios Georgios ride asks for comfortable trousers and closed shoes. It supplies a helmet and a reflective jacket.
What else do travellers ask about Naxos horse riding?
Is there a weight limit for Naxos horse riding?
Yes, and the limit depends on the stable. The Naxos Horseriding Center excludes people over 110 kg. A separate St George beach ride listing says riders above 100 kg cannot take part.
The Naxos Horseriding Center also excludes pregnant women and people with animal allergies. For Naxos horse riding, its own website asks for four details about every rider: name, age, weight and experience. Send them when you get in touch.
The St George beach ride matches each rider with a horse that suits their skill level.
Does the crew take photos during Naxos horse riding?
Yes. On the group ride at the Naxos Horseriding Center, the crew takes plenty of photos during the tour. On the private ride, all the photos are of you alone.
One traveller wrote that you do not need your own phone, because the crew takes the pictures for you. Another says the crew sent the photos before the visit ended.
How far ahead do you book Naxos horse riding, and what if the weather is bad?
Book before you go. The Naxos Horseriding Center says rides are only by appointment, and you pay in cash after the ride. The St George beach ride confirms availability within one day, then sends a payment link. It does not take payment on arrival.
One reviewer of a stable in Kokkina Spitia called on the same day. The team still found a place on the 5:30 pm tour.
You get a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more ahead. If bad weather cancels the St George ride for safety, you are first offered a new date. If you cannot or do not want to reschedule, you get a full refund.
Can the stable collect you for Naxos horse riding?
It depends on the stable. Naxos Horse Club sits on Plaka beach, 9 km from Naxos Town. It says it can provide two cars or jeeps to pick you up from your hotel.
You can also reach Naxos Horse Club by car, motorcycle or local bus. It is 200 m from the bus terminal.
The St George beach ride leaves the transfer out. The team sends a quote if you give your hotel details when you book. The Naxos Horseriding Center also leaves transport to the meeting point out. Ask about Naxos horse riding transfers before you pay.
After you book the St George ride, you receive a Google Map pin for the exact meeting point.
Can you swim with the horses during Naxos horse riding?
Yes, on the private ride. The Naxos Horseriding Center says the team swims with the horses and gives you double beach time. You also get special moments just for you.
The group ride goes at walking pace and passes parts of Saint George’s beach. The listing places the swim under the private ride only. One traveller wrote about a horse swimming in the sea during a Naxos horse riding tour.