The 18 top islands for holidays in the summer 2025

John KarkalatosNovember 18, 2024

Are you looking for inspiration for your next summer holidays? Read in this article the top 18 greek islands that I have chosen based on the winning articles on greek and foreign travel websites and that are suitable for everyone from couples and families to groups of friends.

1. Sifnos

Sifnos

If the Cyclades wanted to return to their original image, as they were before the passage of tourism, then they simply have to look at Sifnos. Because only there are churches with blue domes, simple square houses, golden beaches and authentic good food in such a large proportion.

The picturesqueness is everywhere, from the much-photographed little church of the Seven Martyrs and the patron saint Panagia Chrysopigi to the postcard villages with the best being Apollonia which has elevated nightlife in the best background. But Sifnos has everything, Kastro the medieval capital, the fishing villages Vathi and Faros, Platys Gialos with the long sandy beach and the secluded cove Heronissos.

But that's not all. Every year it is praised internationally for its culinary heritage which owes it to Nikolaos Tselemendes, who wrote the first cookbook in Greece in 1910. Here forget the souvlaki and moussaka: chickpea croquettes and cooked capers are staples of the tavern. The pottery shops produce earthenware pots used for revithada (baked chickpeas) and mastello (lamb with red wine and dill).

The tavern Meraki tou Manoli in Vathi cooks the dishes slowly in a wood-fired oven, the Omega 3 in Platys Gialos makes delicious Sifnian dishes, the traditional Theodoros pastry shop in Artemonas offers the best almonds, pastries and halvado pies, while the Cantina in Seralia offers gastronomic dishes with local materials.

The hotels I recommend in Sifnos are:

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2. Milos

Milos

We first learn about Milos in the history books about the Aphrodite of Milos and then as a place, but the goddess gave something of her beauty to have such beautiful landscapes and such turquoise waters. Like the statue of the goddess, the sea has sculpted the soft stones creating a coastline with beauties that do not exist anywhere else.

And the coastline hides 70 beaches so beautiful they are natural attractions. Better known is Sarakiniko with a landscape as if it were on the bright side of the moon or Firopotamos with its incredibly bright waters. But the list is long and I single out Tsigrado, Fyriplaka and the unique Kleftiko one of the most beautiful seascapes in Greece.

The best activity in Milos is the boat trip to the inaccessible beaches which are the best anyway. You should definitely go to Kleftiko, the remote southern beaches as well as the uninhabited islet Polyaigos

The syrmata in Klima however are the most photographed spot in Milos, these colourful doors that are warehouses and parking lots for boats dug into the soft volcanic rock. If you're lucky you might see a fisherman going about his daily business there. The colourful boats and tiny houses wedged between the rocks and the sea are a backdrop like a painting.

In Plaka however, it is the best, a view that takes you around the whole of Milos and is well-known for the sunset with the sun sinking into the Aegean. My opinion is that it is one of the best in the Aegean and it competes with the sunsets of Santorini and Ios!

The hotels I recommend in Milos are:

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3. Ithaca

Ithaca

Although we learn about Ithaca in Homer's Odyssey as the homeland of the mythical Odysseus it somehow remains under the radar. And it is perhaps its reputation for Odysseus and his long-suffering journey that prevents us from seeing it as a summer destination where we can spend our holidays.

Because in addition to being the homeland of Odysseus, it is a verdant island adorned with picturesque villages with hillsides ending in beautiful bays with wonderful beaches. It is better known to boaters who travel the seas than to holidaymakers but they probably don't want to share the secret. That's why it's better a refuge for lovers and lonely.

The best activity is Ithaca boat cruise

From Kioni to Vathi all you will see are mind-blowing images. Picturesque harbours hugging sheltered bays with sailboats bouncing in the calm waters. In Vathi you will see the statue of Odysseus standing proudly on one side while he is rowing his boat on the other side, while in Kioni discover the very small beaches with turquoise waters that the village streets lead there.

Other villages worth a visit are the beautiful fishing village Frickes and Stavros where there is a bust of Odysseus and a representation of his palace by the Italian architect Bruno Mazzali. Places not to be missed are the Spavento cafe-bar in Kioni, the Ageri restaurant in Frikes and the Mylos bar in Vathi.

The hotels I recommend in Ithaca are:

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4. Tinos

Tinos

Every fifteenth of August comes into focus nationwide for the celebration of Panagia, an image and a celebration that goes beyond the island's reputation, but there are still many reasons to visit.

First and best, the marble villages created by the famous marble sculptors of Tinos. A great tradition that highlighted the greatest marble sculptors in Greece, Nikolaos Gyzis, Giannoulis Halepas, Dimitrios Filippotis, Antonios Sochos. In Pyrgos sculptured birds and flowers decorate every door while in Kardiani the taps, the fountain, the porticoes and the skylights are built with the stones and marbles of the area. At the Marble Crafts Museum you can learn about processing techniques and traditional tools, while you should definitely visit the house-museum of Giannoulis Halepas to see his works and learn about his life.

Second is its food culture: there are artichoke, caper and honey festivals. The Marathia restaurant with a field and a boat highlighted local ingredients in complex modern dishes. For a perfect meal in a perfect setting go for cuttlefish risotto and octopus caramelized in grape must at Thalassaki served on the pier of Ysternia, then watch the sunset from the Exomeria bar. Chorevtra in Kampos keeps alive the traditional cuisine of Tinos.

The best activity is tour on traditional villages

Thirdly, the surreal sunsets in the balcony villages in the Aegean Ysternia and Kardiani, an occasion to get to know these beautiful villages as well.

Tinos, although only 15 minutes from Mykonos, has miraculously managed to remain untouched and traditional, offering a unique experience in the Cyclades.

The hotels I recommend in Tinos are:

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5. Folegandros

Folegandros

Folegandros is well-known for the charming Chora and the Castle, which is one of the most photographed spots in the Aegean, but also the Panagia church with the zig-zag path, which is the ideal spot to admire the wild beauty of the sunset.

The tastes on the island are a journey themselves. At the Chic restaurant in the square, try dishes with local ingredients, cheese meatballs, aubergines stuffed with couscous, lemon goat, stuffed vegetables and their own cheeses. For the traditional matchata spaghetti at the Synantisi in Ano Meria. In Irini in Ano Meria also, for home-made food with meatballs, eggplant salad, suroto (local cheese) and kalasouna (traditional pie with suroto and onion). In Punda you can eat food with local ingredients in the wonderful courtyard. Be sure to try karpouzenia, the traditional sweet of the Cyclades. I also recommend the Astarti bar for racomelo along with local pasteli. All this is a tasty treasure that will accompany you with the best memories from Folegandros!

The best activity in Folegandros is a tour on the history and traditions of the island

The beaches are peaceful and with wonderful waters, accessible by boat or on foot through trails, so time for little adventures. The best are Katergo, Abeli and Livadaki.

The hotels I recommend in Folegandros are:

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6. Kefalonia

Kefalonia

We saw Kefalonia come out of obscurity with the film "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" with Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz in 2001 when it showcased its beauties through the romantic story of an Italian soldier and a Kefalonian woman during the italian occupation.

The earthquake of 1953 flattened all the villages except Fiskardo and Assos which, like colourful touches, are the only representatives of traditional architecture. In cosmopolitan Fiskardo, many famous people have come to try Tasia's dishes, including John Galliano and Jon Bon Jovi who tasted pasta with seafood.

An island full of colours, overgrown with beaches in all shades of blue. The most famous is Myrtos, white as milk, and one of the most well-known in Greece, but Antisamos and Fteri are not far behind. The list of the best beaches is long, some of them are Atheras, Alaties, Emblysia, Petani, Agia Efimia, Koutsoupia and Horgota.

The best activities in Kefalonia are visiting Melissani cave and the day trip to Ithaca

Argostoli may not be picturesque but the endless pedestrian street is worth walking. The Melissani lake cave is also a must.

For family holidays, Agia Efimia is an ideal destination that combines a wonderful shallow beach with tavernas.

The hotels I recommend in Kefalonia are:

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7. Naxos

Naxos

The most complete island of the Cyclades and this because it has everything you need from a holiday destination: from endless sandy beaches and picturesque villages to archaeological sites and local products. It is no coincidence that Herodotus described Naxos as "the happiest of the islands".

From the first picture from the ferry it seems that in Naxos the picturesqueness of the Cyclades meets ancient and medieval history. There are two sights that attract the eye. The ancient Portara, which is an unfinished temple dedicated to god Apollo, dominates the harbour and stands impressively on a promontory, while Chora with the castle is a medieval castle-state that was the seat of the Duchy of Naxos since 1207. Inside Chora is the old market with winding streets, small restaurants and bars, tourist shops and picturesqueness that has nothing to envy from Mykonos!

The list of things to do in Naxos is long. The beaches are endless miles with the best being Agios Georgios and Agios Prokopios while you will find many more on the west side of the island, some peceful and others crowded. Some of them are Agia Anna, Aliko, Kastraki, Mikri Vigla and Plaka.

Two interesting activities that I recommend are bus tour with guide to the sights of the island and the catamaran cruise for swimming and lunch

Apart from fishing villages, it is the only Cycladic island where we find mountain villages. The best known are Apiranthos and Filoti with byzantine, venetian and frankish roots and with distinct folk architecture. A visit there is a must as they have not been altered by tourism and what we see is authentic. So wander through cobbled streets with arches, picturesque squares, see towers and Byzantine churches and admire this different side of the Cyclades.

Naxos is suitable for all ages, for families, couples and adults. There are many options for nightlife without being a party island, while at the same time it is a quiet island, the beaches are suitable for children, it is large enough and one does not disturb the other.

The hotels I recommend in Naxos are:

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8. Patmos

Patmos

Here's an island on the list from Dodecanese, highly underrated because the Saint John Monastery exceeds its reputation, you'll usually find it on lists of Easter destinations titled as the island of the Apocalypse but this is not the whole reality.

The most beautiful thing in Patmos may not be the monastery, but the Chora which impresses with its beauty, it is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stands out for the mansions dating from the 16th century with the stone outlines on doors and windows, for the colourful details, the winding alleys, the beautiful squares and the view towards Skala, the port of the island. The hangouts of Chora are Astoivi and Stoa bar.

A lace island as it is hides many coves with peaceful beaches with Livadi Geranou and Psili Ammos being my favourites. The best activity however, is the day trip to the neighbouring inhabited and uninhabited islets, and this is because in Patmos there are such clusters of islands that will give you the opportunity to make marine explorations and discoveries.

The best activity is the private tour of Saint John Monastery and the Cave of Apocalypse

Most tourists visit Patmos by day boats from Kos but it is definitely worth a few extra days of attention.

The hotels I recommend in Patmos are:

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9. Syros

Syros

A 100% authentic island outside of mass tourism that gives a taste of real Greece. It does not need tourism and therefore has not been altered as the main occupation of the residents is the shipyards which, although they have an unpleasant appearance, are not representative of the island.

There you will not find the classic villages with white houses and whitewashed alleys. Colourful Hermoupolis has Italian influences with marble squares, princely mansions and a miniature replica of Milan's Scala.

Its maritime tradition has left a legacy of neoclassical mansions in Vaporia which impress with their ornate balconies, shutters and designs on the railings. It is the most beautiful district with alleys as if they came out of Siena, a combination of romance, Renaissance and Pompeii. However Ermoupoli is also impressive, built on twin peaks crowned with churches, one Orthodox and the other Catholic.

It is not famous for its beaches, the best are Vari, Azolimnos and Kini. It is also an island with a tradition on rebetiko singing as Markos Vamvakaris came from there and sang of its beauties.

But there are also many seaside taverns: at Ambela beach for fresh fish, at Iliovasilema at Galissa beach for sea urchin salad and rockfish soup. Allou Yallou in Kini for lobster with orzo. In Ermoupolis the best places to eat and drink are along Androu Street: Usyra where the chef makes pasta and tasty salads and Django Gelato for delicious smoked hazelnut ice cream and fig sorbet. Perhaps the nicest restaurant is Mazi with the yard decorated with bougainvillea and vine.

The hotels I recommend in Syros are:

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10. Spetses

Spetses

On the cosmopolitan island in Argosaronicos nobility and history can be seen in all its places. From the picturesque Dapia where the sea taxis are moored to the lighthouse in Palio Limani where boats of all types are packed for a place in the sheltered bay.

The day starts in Dapia where passenger boats constantly bring continuously visitors, continues with a walk to the lighthouse to see the traditional shipyards and ends with wild fun in Palio Limani. You can also add a cruise to the beach Agioi Anargyri, a carriage ride and see your favourite movies in the outdoor cinemas.

But now there is one more important reason to visit it. In recent years two Netflix blockbusters have been filmed, "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery" with the famous actors Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Kate Hudson, Kathryn Hahn, Janelle Monae , Dave Bautista and "The Lost Daughter" shot entirely in Spetses with Olivia Colman, Dakota Johnson, Jessie Buckley and Ed Harris.

So visit the locations where the two films were filmed and pose for your photos just like the former James Bond, Daniel Craig.

In fact, the choice of Spetses for "Knives 2" is not accidental, because the plot is inspired by Agatha Christie's mystery novels, so the backdrop of the film should be classic, referring to the beginning of the 20th century. We are used to seeing Daniel Craig through the role of James Bond in picturesque villages in Italy and France, so now is the turn of Spetses.

The hotels I recommend in Spetses:

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11. Hydra

Hydra

Unchanged for two centuries Hydra is as if time has stopped in 1800, before the Revolution when the mansions were built. It has no cars not because they are prohibited, as many think, but because the landscape is so rugged that there are no streets. Of course the donkeys that have the role of carrier could not be missing.

This atmosphere has helped many artists find their muse there. It started in 1957 with the film "The Child and the Dolphin" starring Sophia Loren and continued in 1962 with "Phaedra" with Anthony Perkins and Melina Mercouri. Already at that time many people of arts and letters stayed there, most famously being Leonard Cohen, a canadian singer, songwriter and poet.

Today there is an annex of the School of Fine Arts, an exhibition space in the old slaughterhouses and the Old Carpet Factory recording studio. There are also quite a few art exhibitions that take place in the summer. The artistic heritage of Hydra is now memorable to all by the Apollo Wind Spinner, a huge windmill by Jeff Koons in the old slaughterhouses.

The beaches are not Hydra's strong point, but a popular spot for diving is the rock of Spilia at the entrance of the port with the beach bar of the same name.

A really interesting activity is tour of the island's rugged coasts and swimming

If you wandering through the alleys you will discover the beautiful mansions with the most beautiful details being the doors and gates. Two more suggestions I have are to visit the statue of admiral Miaoulis to admire the view and walk to Vlychos beach to see the old bridge and eat at Enalion restaurant.

Of course, no trip to Hydra is complete without eating at the most popular restaurants, Sunset Salt & Senses and Omilos. Choose at that moment what suits you.

The hotels I recommend in Hydra are:

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12. Astypalaia

Astypalaia

One of the most impressive images of the Dodecanese is Chora of Astypalaia, it is so beautiful that it is better to admire it from afar. On one side stands the castle as if it were the icing on a white cake and on the other it spreads amphitheatrically around the sea.

The castle was founded in 1413 by Giovanni Querini who was given Astypalaia as a fief by the Venetian Duke of Naxos. It was destroyed in 1956 by an earthquake and now inside the castle there are only two churches, Agios Georgios and Panagia Evangelistria. The patron saint Panagia Portaitissa is outside the walls and is worth a visit.

The best places to eat are two. The Kolokytha restaurant for dishes with chlori, the traditional cheese of Astypalaia, and saffron. But the best suggestion is Maria in Vathi, a woman that cooks traditional food for you, but needs some help because she does everything by herself. You alone write the order, set the table and because it takes time to prepare the food, arm yourself with patience or go for a walk. The food is worth like no other. At the end you will also collect the dishes.

For drinks the best spot is the Castro bar with a magical terrace that seems to float above the ocean.

The most exciting activity in Astypalaia is a cruise to Kounoupes and Koutsomyti islands

The nearest beach is Livadi with several rooms for rent. The rest of the island is wild and has only a few beaches. The best are Steno beach with a very nice beach bar and Kaminakia with Linda's tavern which serves the best grilled goat in the Dodecanese.

Definitely go on a sea trip to the tiny islands Kounoupes to swim in the beach strip that connects them, and with a simple but nice beach bar and in Koutsomytis and Red Rock.

The hotels I recommend in Astypalaia are:

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13. Rhodes

Rhodes

Rhodes promises holidays on another level, with natural beauties, nightlife and history that will enchant you like no other destination. And just the fact that there was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world says a lot.

First of all get ready for a big trip back in time to the medieval walled city with the 11 gates, it is hard to believe that such an attraction exists and even harder that you find it in Greece and not in Europe. It was built in the 13th century by the Knights of the Order of Saint John and was completely restored during the Italian occupation, which is why its condition is excellent.

It is a whole city-museum with shopping streets, narrow streets, tourist shops, places to eat and drink. It also has a turkish quarter so it takes you on a journey to the east too. The Knights Street has been preserved unchanged since the Middle Ages and is the street where the knightly orders lived, that is why you will see their coats of arms in a row.

The activities I stand out are a visit in Lindos and to the neighbouring island Symi

The city tour brings you to the Grand Master's of the Knights palace to see what medieval palaces are like. Fully restored with impressive interiors that were inhabited by the supreme lord of Rhodes, an impressive courtyard with statues from the Italian occupation and an archaeological collection, all these will captivate your impressions.

Also a big attraction is Lindos which is something different, like a cycladic island with a castle on top and with the ancient temple of Athena Lindia, definitely a sight that combines Cyclades and Dodecanese. The view from there to the Aegean is breathtaking. In Lindos, the captain's houses and pebbled floors impress, while the main street is full of life and the nightlife is intense.

But the points of interest are endless. The most important are the Kallithea Springs, Faliraki for nightlife, Haraki, Kameiros, the picturesque Archangelos, Anthony Quinn beach and the long Tsambika beach. A visit to Panagia Tsambika is also a must.

The hotels I recommend in Rhodes are:

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14. Skiathos

Skiathos

An island that has it all is Skiathos, from lush green landscape and amazing sandy beaches to an old town and a lively nightlife.

Everything happens around the port where cafes and restaurants are lined up while the pine-clad islet Bourtzi adds a special tone. There somewhere begins Papadiamanti Street where several shops are concentrated and leads to the old town which is worth walking to discover its architecture.

It is worth visiting the house-museum of the writer Alexandros Papadiamantis from 1860 to learn about his life and work. Also the Skiathos House museum about the customs and traditions of the island.

A visit to Evangelistria Monastery, a true sanctuary, is also a must, where the first greek flag was woven. It has a very interesting museum with ecclesiastical relics and items of daily use from the life of the monks when it was in its heyday.

Its beaches are numerous and well-known. The most well-known are Koukounaries with golden sand and pine trees that reach the sea, Lalaria with its characteristic stone arch, exotic Tsougria on the islet and the wonderful Vromolimnos.

To eat I recommend Fonissa in a privileged location overlooking the sea with gourmet dishes from local ingredients, the Windmill and the Exantas restaurant in Megali Ammos.

But the most frequent reason we see Skiathos on TV is for the plane spotting activity at its airport as it is one of the few in the world where one can get so close to the flying giants as they land. A rather impressive as well as rare activity but also dangerous for this caution.

The hotels I recommend in Skiathos are:

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15. Antiparos

Antiparos

We would say that a small island in the shadow of Paros would be something insignificant and not worth visiting, but Antiparos surprises not only in its picturesqueness and natural beauty, but also in its options for accommodation, food and entertainment.

The central cobblestone full of cycladic beauty stands out in Chora with beautiful bougainvillea decorating every corner creating a setting full of magic. Inside Chora is the fortified settlement of the castle, a settlement within a settlement, from the 15th century where the movie Madalena with Aliki Vougiouklaki was filmed.

Sifneikos Gialos holds a magical sunset with the sun setting into the sea in a crimson setting, it is so nice that it has a cafe for people to enjoy the sight.

The beaches are amazing with the most beautiful Livadia on the islet Despotiko, a beautiful long beach with golden sand and an archaeological site that is slowly being restored. In Fokiotrypes you will go diving in a volcanic landscape, while in the Epitaphios sea cave you will pass under an arch like in the epitaph.

The cave of Antiparos is of great interest as it is considered one of the best in the world in terms of stalactites and stalagmites decoration. The rooms are huge and it has the oldest stalagmite in the world at 45 million years old.

To eat I recommend the restaurant Rakidio, the all day restaurant Yam, and the restaurant Anargyros.

The hotels I recommend in Antiparos are:

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16. Amorgos

Amorgos

Amorgos is well-known for three things. The first and most well-known is the "Big Blue" from the 1988 film that was filmed in Amorgos, and the film did not give this title to Amorgos, but on the contrary, Amorgos gave it to it. Because the big blue is found in Panagia Chozoviotissa Monastery where the Aegean takes on an abundant greek blue colour.

For the other two you have to visit the island to get to know them. You feel free, you don't care how you dress, what time it is, you do what you want simply because you want it without rules and formulas. The third is the slow pace that sets you, you are not in a hurry, you have enough time to waste and you can see things and yourself humanly.

Besides these, it is well-known for its local food, sweets and the drink psimeni, a lighter and sweeter Amorgian version of racomelo.

The holidays are going peacefully in Amorgos. You learn to use your legs, but literally because it is reputed to have the best trails in Greece. They are called blue trails because you can see the sky and the sea on all sides. It is also a pole of attraction for foreign tourists.

Chora is one of the most picturesque in the Cyclades with a lively nightlife with live music playing here and there. The sunset in Chora is pure magic especially from the windmills. Famous eateries are Arbaroriza and Transistoraki.

Its beaches are not large but they have pleasant waters and provide the opportunity for total relaxation. The sandy beach of Aegiali has all the amenities, beautiful sunsets and is ideal for children, Agios Pavlos is a tongue of pebbles that enters the sea while Mouros is a secluded nudist beach.

The hotels I recommend in Amorgos are:

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17. Symi

Symi

Little Symi has perhaps the most beautiful harbour in Greece. Neoclassical mansions in shades of apricot and peach rise like a mirage from the sea. Built by sponge and spice merchants in the 19th century the entire town is a monument.

Graphic and imposing with the 1881 clock welcoming boats to the port. What is needed is to find the best spots to admire the settlement from different angles and watch the boats coming and going in the port. Up on the hill, of course, the view gets even better.

Musts are a visit to the Monastery of Panormitis which is the patron saint of the Dodecanese and swimming at the beaches of Agios Georgios and Marathousta. It is also well-known for the Simian shrimp, although in the taverns you can enjoy all kinds of seafood. The restaurant whose dishes are guaranteed to be delicious is Tholos.

The hotels I recommend in Symi are:

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18. Paxoi

Paxoi

If there is one place in Greece that combines natural beauty with picturesqueness then it is Paxoi, the island well-known for seas in all shades of blue, even in a colour that I would describe as electric blue!

Although a small island its attractions are disproportionately many. The italian architecture settlements with their beautiful streets and picturesque harbours are located in sheltered bays offering a unique opportunity for food and coffee on the sea. A very nice place to enjoy this setting is the Taxidi bar in Longos with a patio overlooking the sea and a view of the sunset.

But the most important attractions are the magnificent natural formations: the jaw-dropping view of the cliffs from Kastanida, the natural arch of Trypitos, Erimitis beach with its vertical cliffs, the sunset over Galazio beach and also the sunset in Lakka at calm waters of the bay.

I can't describe the beaches in words, all I can say is that one is better than the other, the best of course are in Antipaxoi and Voutoumi fairly steal the impressions.

A must include is the tour of Paxoi and Antipaxoi to see the steep cliffs and swim in the blue cave.

The hotels I recommend in Paxoi are:

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