Secret Beaches of Paxos and Antipaxos: Cliff Coves, Sea Caves and Boat-Only Bays
Paxos' west coast is a wall of white cliffs and sea caves with almost no roads down to the water, and Antipaxos has coves no water taxi stops at. That's where the island's emptiest beaches are.
Most are easiest by hired boat, which you can rent in Gaios, Loggos or Lakka. Signed-in visitors get a step-by-step getting-there guide on each beach's page.
1. Erimitis
The newest beach on Paxos appeared in the late 2000s, when part of the west-coast cliff collapsed. A dirt road and a steep path of about 15 minutes, with rocky steps at the end, lead down to pebbles and turquoise water under the white cliffs.
Good to know: Keep away from the foot of the cliffs, and wear proper shoes for the last steep stretch.
Erimitis: crowds, parking & wind today →2. Achai
Pebbles and flat rocks for sunbathing next to a set of connected sea caves on the west coast, which make for great snorkelling. You can only get there by boat.
Good to know: Only go into the caves on a calm day.
Achai: crowds, parking & wind today →3. Avlaki
A west-coast bay with pebbles at one end and the reef of Agrilas, popular for swimming and diving. Come by boat, or walk the fairly steep kilometre down.
Good to know: Bring a mask for the reef.
Avlaki: crowds, parking & wind today →4. Galazio
A shingle cove carved out of the cliffs on the far side of the island from Gaios, known for the colour of its water. Boat only; it pairs well with Avlaki, just to the north.
Good to know: The west coast is open sea: go on a calm morning.
Galazio: crowds, parking & wind today →5. Orkos
Just south-east of Lakka, a short, comfortable footpath leads down to a cove of white pebbles and very clear blue water. There's nothing there, so it's usually quiet.
Good to know: Bring food and water: there are no tavernas.
Orkos: crowds, parking & wind today →6. Glyfada
A quiet pebble cove north of Loggos, between busy Monodendri and Lakkos. A steep footpath leads down from the road, but many people simply come by boat.
Good to know: Wear proper shoes for the path.
Glyfada: crowds, parking & wind today →7. Rodovani
A small, isolated white-pebble cove on Antipaxos' north-west side with calm, clean water, far quieter than Vrika and Voutoumi. Come by private or hired boat, or walk the overgrown 15-minute path from the main road; there's a small cave to the left.
Good to know: Round the north tip of Antipaxos from Gaios, in the morning before the wind.
Rodovani: crowds, parking & wind today →8. Sarakiniko
Remote and wild, on Antipaxos' south-west coast: a deserted cove reached by boat or a walk of about 45 minutes across the island.
Good to know: Don't land here on a windy day.
Sarakiniko: crowds, parking & wind today →9. Agni
On Antipaxos' east coast, south of the little harbour at Agrapidia, a string of quiet coves (Agni, then Skidi) are sheltered from the midday breeze. No tavernas, no water taxis: just the boats that find them.
Good to know: A good lunch stop on a boat day round Antipaxos.
Agni: crowds, parking & wind today →