Paxos · Beaches
Paxos is not an island of long sandy strands. Its east coast is a string of small pebble coves under the olive trees, with water so clear you can see your shadow on the bottom; the west coast is cliff, reached only by boat. Sand is rare: you find it at Mongonisi in the south and, above all, across the water on Antipaxos, whose bays at Vrika and Voutoumi are the most famous swims in the area. Many coves have no road to the shore, only a path through the olives or a boat, which keeps them quiet even in August.
Our favourites
PebblesEasy-going
A crescent of pebbles just south of Loggos, framed by cypresses and olive trees, with calm water and a taverna close by.
A short walk south from Loggos harbour
Walk over from Loggos in the morning and back for lunch on the harbour.
Loggos & the east coastStay in Loggos
Fine pebblesEasy-going
A quiet, shallow bay with a wooded headland on the east coast near Loggos, good for a lazy swim away from the harbour bustle.
On foot along the coast from Loggos, or by boat
Loggos & the east coastStay in Loggos
Pick your kind of day
Sand & pebblesOrganised
The main beach of Lakka, on the western side of the round bay, with shallow, sheltered water, a few sunbeds and the anchored yachts out in front.
A few minutes' walk from the village along the shore of the bay
Swim early, before the boats that anchor in the bay start their engines.
Lakka & the northStay in Lakka
PebblesOrganised
A long pebble beach on the east coast between Lakka and Loggos, named after a 'single tree', with olive groves to the water and a beach bar.
By a lane off the main road between Lakka and Loggos
Lakka & the northStay in Lakka
PebblesWild
A wild pebble beach on the west coast at the foot of white cliffs, with no facilities and some of the clearest water on the island.
By boat, or by a steep, rough path down from the olive groves
Take a motorboat on a calm day; the path is hard work on the way back up in the heat.
The interior & the west cliffsStay in The west-coast caves & Ortholithos
SandOrganised
A small sandy beach at the southern tip, on the narrow neck by Mongonisi islet, with sunbeds, a taverna and calm, shallow water.
By road from Gaios, about 10 minutes, or by water taxi
Gaios & the south-eastStay in Ozias & Mongonisi
SandEasy-going
White sand and pale turquoise water in a sheltered bay on the east coast of Antipaxos, with a taverna above the beach.
By boat from Gaios, about 20–40 minutes
Take the first boat of the morning to have the sand almost to yourself.
AntipaxosStay in Antipaxos
Fine pebblesEasy-going
The bay that put Antipaxos on the map: white pebbles shelving into water of an unreal turquoise, with tavernas on the slope above.
By boat from Gaios, or a twenty-minute walk over the headland from Vrika
Book lunch at a taverna on arrival, then swim until it is ready.
AntipaxosStay in Antipaxos
Wind and sea change by the day. On windy days swim on the sheltered side of the island, and watch for red flags.
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