Best organised beaches on Paxos: sun beds, beach bars and the real Greek experience

Paxos has around 30 beaches. Most are quiet, unmarked coves of white pebbles with no facilities whatsoever, which is part of the island’s off-the-beaten-track appeal. But if you want a full day at the beach without packing your own lunch, dragging a cool box down a dirt track or lying on a towel draped over stones, then the list of suitable options gets considerably shorter. On Paxos, organised beaches, meaning beaches with sun beds, parasols and food and drink within reach, are the exception rather than the rule. This guide shows you which Paxos beaches to head to for maximum comfort.

First of all, the term ‘organised’ is standard across Greece: it refers to a beach where you can rent a sun bed, which is a welcome luxury since so many of the beaches consist of pebbles. The sun bed comes with its own parasol, and typically there is a bar or taverna on-site or nearby.

On larger islands this is almost universal. On Paxos, with its no-airport policy and absence of mass tourism, proper beach facilities exist at only a handful of spots. The upside is that even the most popular organised beaches on the island will never feel crowded.

At the southern tip of Paxos is the only sandy beach of the island. Mongonissi is connected to the main island with a small bridge that you can cross with your rental car. The water here is calm and relatively shallow, which makes it a popular choice for families with young children. The beach restaurant allows you to spend the whole day without needing to plan ahead. Mongonissi is 15 to 30-minute drive from most parts of the island.

Located on the east coast near Gaios, the island’s capital, Kaki Langada is one of the wider beaches on Paxos at roughly a hundred metres. Natural shade from trees, a beach bar during the summer season, and shallow water make it a practical stop if you are spending time in the south of the island. Not the most dramatic setting on Paxos, but uncomplicated and well-positioned.

North of Loggos on the east coast, Monodendri Beach consistently earns its reputation as the best-equipped beach on Paxos. The beach itself is made up of white pebbles, boasts clear water, and offers sun beds and parasols for hire. A handful of small bars and tavernas serve food and drinks. This beach draws a loyal crowd of returning visitors for good reason. The water is calm and the setting is sheltered, which suits both swimmers and those who simply want to read undisturbed for a few hours.

This beach is accessed through Glyfada Beach Villas & Restaurant, a small holiday park that sits directly above the beach. Once you’re on the beach, sun beds are available at a very reasonable price. And while you’re here, why not take advantage of the drinks and food brought directly to your sunbed by the park staff?

A few minutes’ walk from Monodendri, Glyfada Beach is smaller and even more sheltered.  Is has its own cold sulfur spring to one end of the beach, with medicinal properties. Here, pine trees provide natural shade during the hotter parts of the day.

With its lack of sunbeds and other facilities, this beach sees fewer visitors, which gives it a more private feel. For guests of Glyfada Beach Villas & Restaurant, this beach is effectively on the doorstep. Day visitors to this beach can access the facilities of the holiday complex, including two swimming pools, showers and sun beds, for a modest entry fee.

One of the main advantages of an organised beach is the proximity of a bar or restaurant. Instead of having to prepare your own lunch or having to pack everything up, you can just move from the sunbeds to the beach restaurant. At the beachside taverna of Glyfada Beach Villas & Restaurant, you can enjoy Greek lunch daily from 12:30 to 17:00. On Thursdays and Sundays the kitchen stays open until 21:00. The dinner taverna, set among the olive trees on the property, opens on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings from 19:00 to 22:30.

The food at this place is made fresh every day using Greek recipes and ingredients from the island and the region. This is the kind of food that’s perfect for a beach vacation: simple and honest. The food is worth taking your time to eat and enjoy, for example while enjoying a Mythos or a local wine. Non-residents are welcome; reservations can be made at (+30) 6981021799.

Spending a day at Monodendri or Glyfada Beach as a day visitor is one thing. Waking up there every morning is another. Offering a choice of seven villas ranging from intimate options for two to larger properties sleeping up to nine, Glyfada Beach Villas & Restaurant gives you direct access to two beaches, two swimming pools, a tennis court and two on-site restaurants. Even without a car or without plans you’ll have a great time here. Check availability on our homepage.