Best beaches on Paxos, including Lakka bay

Paxos is not a big-sandy-beach island. Most of its coves are white pebble, the water is startlingly clear, and the best swims are often the ones you have to walk (or sail) a little way to reach. The good news if you are staying in Lakka is that two of the easiest, most family-friendly beaches on the island are right there in the bay. Here is how we would spend a week of beach days, starting on our own doorstep.

The beaches in Lakka bay: Harami and Kanoni

Lakka sits at the back of a deep, almost circular bay on the northern tip of the island, and it is sheltered from most winds. The water is shallow and turquoise for a long way out, which makes it ideal for small children, paddleboards and anyone who just wants to float.

Harami is the main beach, a short walk along a shaded footpath from the village, with drinks and food close by. Kanoni is next to it and usually a little quieter. Both can also be reached by boat, and in the evening you can wander back into the village for dinner without getting in a car.

Just outside the bay, Orkos (a short drive and a 5–10 minute walk south-east of Lakka) is a pretty white-pebble cove, and Plani, out near the lighthouse on the north-western point, has a wilder feel and good sunsets — better for strong swimmers than for toddlers.

East coast: Monodendri, Kipiadi and the coves near Loggos

The east coast between Lakka and Gaios has the island’s best run of beaches, all within a short drive of Lakka.

• Monodendri — about 1 km north of Loggos and one of the largest and most popular beaches on Paxos, with sunbeds, a bar and a taverna. Easy if you want a full day with everything to hand.
• Levrechio — just south of Loggos: a pebble cove with deep, clear water and a taverna on the beach, good for a swim followed by lunch.
• Marmari and Kipos — two small, secluded bays side by side, shaded by trees.
• Kipiadi — a long, mostly undeveloped stretch of white pebbles south of Loggos with very clear water. Bring everything you need; it is a favourite for exactly that reason.

Most of these are reached by parking up and walking down a path for a few minutes. Proper water shoes make pebble beaches far more comfortable, especially for children.

West coast: cliffs, caves and Erimitis

The west coast is a wall of white limestone cliffs, and most of it is only accessible by sea. If you hire a boat for a day you can swim in coves such as Avlaki and Galazio and nose into the sea caves. On land, the cliffs at Erimitis are the place to watch the sunset, as the rock turns orange in the last of the light; the beach below is reached by a steep path and is not one for little legs.

“The best swims on Paxos are often the ones you have to walk, or sail, a little way to reach.”

Mongonissi and Antipaxos

If you are craving real sand, head south. Mongonissi, on a little islet at the southern tip of Paxos, has a sandy beach with shallow water, sunbeds and a taverna — popular with families.

A short boat ride further south, Antipaxos has the beaches that end up on postcards: Vrika and Voutoumi, with fine pale shores, electric-blue water and tavernas above the sand. It is worth a whole day — see our Antipaxos day trip guide for how to get there from Lakka.

When to go, and a few beach tips

The sea is warmest from July to September, when it averages around 24–25°C, and still pleasant in June and October. In July and August the popular beaches are calmest early in the morning and after about 4pm, when the day boats head home.

• Go early in high season — the small coves fill up and parking near the paths is limited.
• Take water shoes, a mask and snorkel, and shade for the beaches without sunbeds.
• Leave the pebbles and shells where they are, and take your rubbish home with you.

Staying in Lakka means the bay beaches are a walk away when you do not feel like driving — check rates & availability for the villa above the bay.