Naousa's tiny harbour, guarded by a half-sunk Venetian fort, might be the prettiest in the Cyclades — octopus drying in the sun, tables at the water's edge, bougainvillaea against whitewash. Superb sandy beaches fan out on either side: Kolymbithres with its sculpted granite, Monastiri for calm water. It gets lively in August; June keeps the charm and halves the queues.
Featured in Ten lovely beach towns for lazy harbourside evenings · Beach