If you’re dreaming of an island escape, with crystal-clear turquoise waters and pristine beaches, there’s one European destination that has been hailed as an affordable Maldives alternative
This beautiful Greek island has been spotlighted as a Maldives alternative – and it’s a fraction of the price(Image: Getty Images)
The Maldives is one of those bucket-list destinations, thanks to its remote island location, turquoise lagoons, sugar-white sand beaches, and luxurious resorts with overwater bungalows in the Indian Ocean. It’s certainly paradise, promising an exclusive escape, but with a trip to the Maldives costing anything from £2,000 up to a whopping £11,000 for a week’s getaway, it’s not always possible.
But that doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice an island escape with those unspoilt, tropical scenes and pristine shores. In fact, a few destinations have been hailed as excellent alternatives to the Maldives, and they’re a fraction of the price. One particular island oasis can be found in Europe, just three hours from the UK, and it still offers balmy rays of up to 23C in October.
Just south of Corfu is the beautiful Greek island of Paxos, with crystal-clear blue waters and boutique holiday villas. It remains blissfully unspoilt and is a much quieter part of Greece than Santorini and Mykonos, offering a tranquil island retreat, similar to what you might experience in the Maldives, but without the long-haul flight and hefty price tag.
In addition to its turquoise waters, Paxos has smooth white-shingle beach coves, elegant pastel-coloured Venetian architecture, olive-tree-clad hills and white limestone cliffs. It’s often been named one of the most beautiful islands in Greece, while a travel expert told Travel and Leisure that it’s one of the top nine destinations that “looks like the Maldives”, with a harbour that fits only sailing vessels and small boats, which “protects the water’s clarity”.
Offering a little slice of paradise, the island’s main port town, Gaios, has a pretty Venetian-style waterfront lined with restaurants and cafés overlooking the serene waters, along with winding streets and a plethora of charming shops. While this is a slightly busier part of the island, it retains its relaxed ambience without the crowds, set against picturesque scenes.
Of course, there are plenty of beaches to explore while visiting Paxos, with sheltered coves set against dramatic white limestone cliffs, the largest being Paralia Monodendri, whose waters could easily compare to those in the Maldives. For an extra slice of paradise, the sister island of Antipaxos, just 3km south of Paxos, has often been hailed as the “Maldives of Europe”, thanks to its shallow, vibrant, clear turquoise waters and white-sand beaches.
Antipaxos is reachable by a water taxi or shuttle boat from the town of Gaios; just be sure to check availability when it’s outside of peak summer months. Meanwhile, to soak up the sun during an island escape on Paxos, there’s a ferry service available from the island of Corfu, following a three-hour direct flight from UK airports, with flights starting from as little as £15 one-way, according to Skyscanner.
While it requires a flight and a short ferry trip, it could be well worth it to experience an idyllic island escape, without breaking the bank. Plus, it undoubtedly beats a long-haul flight of more than 10 hours that is required to reach the Maldives from London.
On what weather conditions to expect in October while visiting Paxos, TUI shared: “During the day, temperatures are typically warm and range from 18°C to 23°C. The sun shines for reasonable periods, and while humidity is present, it is generally manageable. This provides comfortable conditions for outdoor activities and exploration.” Sounds good to us!
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