This Greek Island With Pristine, White Beaches Offers A Serene Escape Without The Crowds

There is a lesser-known island in Greece that attracts loyal repeat visitors. Reachable only by boat, Paxos (also known as Paxi) manages to pack dreamy white beaches, amazing food, and charming villages, in one small but perfectly formed package. After many regular island hoppers explore different locations on the Ionian Sea, their hearts are eventually set on Paxos — where many people keep coming back year after year. Located just south of Corfu, Paxos is easy to reach by ferry ... yet feels blissfully away from it all. Yet, it's not as crowded as other Greek islands and coastal locations can be.

As the myth goes, Poseidon, the god of the sea, whacked Corfu with his trident and broke off a piece for his beloved, Amphitrite. This piece was Paxos. Before gaining pop culture status as the setting for the popular Greek series "Maestro in Blue" that streams on Netflix, the island had a tumultuous past, changing hands between the Romans, Venetians, Russians, French, and the British, until finally in 1814 the Ionian Islands were folded into Greece. All these influences have been distilled into the culture and cuisine, giving Paxos its distinct flavor.

There are three main villages on the island: Gaios, Lakka, and Longos. The one-hour ferry from Corfu costs around $70 per person one-way, and runs several times a day, dropping you off at the main harbor in Gaios. The crossing is short enough to make a day trip out of it, although with everything that Paxos has to offer, it's worth it to plan for a longer adventure. There are a surprising variety of places to stay for a destination that feels so exclusive, from the five-star bohemian chic style of Torri et Merli starting at around $250 to Airbnb rentals for as low as $65 per night. May and September are great months to bag a bargain and still enjoy sunny weather if you are visiting Greece on a budget. In Gaios, you can rent a car, scooter, or boat to explore the rest of the island.

Heading north, you'll come upon Longos, a serene little fishing village with a few taverns and bars while the water practically laps at your feet. In just under 3 miles you get to Lakka, on the northern tip of the island, a comparatively larger fishing harbor with a similar vibe. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a leisurely meal and a little souvenir shopping.

Between the gentle eastern shore and the craggier west shore, there are olive groves with some of the oldest trees in Greece. Local growers allow the trees to grow freely rather than use stricter pruning methods, resulting in a smooth olive oil prized by connoisseurs. You can enjoy this liquid gold in the local restaurants and shops, as well as the artisanal soap made from the lower-grade oil.

Paxos features a large variety of stunning beaches with unbelievably crystalline water and alabaster-white fine pebbles. For creature comforts at your fingertips, Manadendri Beach is easy to reach by car, with a taverna and a cafe that also provide sun-bed and umbrella rentals. Located close to Longos, and just over four miles from Gaios, this beach is surrounded by shady trees, and as a bonus, you get free use of the pedalboats and paddleboards.

On the wilder side, the pristine Eremitis Beach on the west coast is set against dramatic white cliffs and is rated on TripAdvisor as the travelers' top choice in Paxos. Access is a bit of a hike, and the waves can pick up more than on the sheltered east side, but the spectacular sunsets are worth the trek.

When Poseidon hit Paxos, another little piece must have broken off, because just 3 miles offshore to the south lies the off-the radar jewel of Antipaxos (also known as Antipaxoi) This small island has a few houses, a couple of tavernas, vineyards, a winery, and gorgeous sandy beaches such as Vrika and Voutoumi. The perfect spot to get away from the crowds for a truly revitalizing break. Choosing which Greek island to visit could make or break your trip, but if it's good enough for the Greek gods, Paxos may become your favorite too.