A Paxos & Antipaxos Itinerary: 7 Days Between Two Ionian Gems

Neither island has its own airport, so access is via Corfu International Airport (CFU), followed by a ferry or hydrofoil crossing to Gaios, or via Preveza/Aktion Airport (PVK) on the mainland, with a ferry from Igoumenitsa as an alternative route.

Paxos is small enough to get around easily, but a boat is worth arranging for several days of this itinerary regardless.

• Boat rental or private charter: The main way to reach Antipaxos and to explore Paxos's coastline, gentle in the east, more rugged in the west
• Chauffeur or car hire: Effortlessly move between stops in your own private vehicle
• Walking routes: Paxos is criss-crossed by old mule tracks, worth having a walking guide or map in hand for, since routes aren't always obvious
• Kayaking guides: Worth booking ahead for the west coast excursion, given the terrain involved

• Day 1: Time in Gaios and an Afternoon at Mongonissi Beach
• Day 2: The Joys of the Sea
• Day 3: Lesser Visited Antipaxos
• Day 4: A Kayaking Adventure and Sunset at Erimitis
• Day 5: Exploring by Foot and A Hilltop Lunch in Magazia
• Day 6: Loggos and Lakka
• Day 7: A Day Trip to Corfu Town

Start in Gaios, the main port on Paxos, with its summery buzz and quite an Italian feel, a hangover from the island's Venetian days. Two small islets guard the harbour entrance, making it a safe place to moor a boat. A morning walk along the seafront is always a pleasure, and we recommend you soak up the morning vibe with a frappé coffee, watching the fishermen returning with their catch (you can buy fresh fish directly from their boats) and the locals going about their daily business.

Gaios also has some excellent independent boutiques, selling all manner of items from handmade sandals and quality linen clothes to contemporary works of fine art.

In the afternoon, head to Mongonissi, on the island's southeastern tip and the only sandy beach on Paxos. Shallow water, lidos, water sports facilities and a couple of cafés and tavernas make it particularly well suited to families. Come evening, return to Gaios, where tavernas and bars spill out onto the streets for a properly convivial atmosphere.

Renting a little boat for a day or two is de rigueur on Paxos and an excellent way to get to know the island, stopping off for swims in secluded bays or even crossing to Antipaxos. The east of Paxos is gentle, with placid waters lapping pebbly beaches: the west has a more rugged, weather-beaten look that can only be fully appreciated from the water. To experience all this in style, opt for a day out on one of our private skippered charters.

Antipaxos is rightly known for the inspiring beauty of Vrika and Voutoumi, its two idyllic beaches, but there are a few other sandy coves around its coastline that most people never see.

The first is to be found below the lighthouse on the southeastern tip, and there are a couple of others in the southwest that are great for snorkelling and, at certain times of the year, seal-watching.

For a more active day, we recommend a three-hour kayaking excursion along the west coast. With your expert guides on-hand, you’ll discover dramatic white cliffs, sea stacks, tiny islets and secret grottoes and you’ll paddle under the famous Tripitos Arch, a 20m-high sea- and wind-sculpted stone formation spanning the crystalline waters of the southwest.

In the evening, stay on the west coast for Erimitis Bar, which sits atop the cliffs of Paxos’ west coast. After an unforgettable sunset aperitif, you’ll be treated to a gourmet dinner under the stars with the moonlight shimmering on the sea down below. If it’s romance you’re after, this is hard to beat.

Paxos is criss-crossed by mule tracks and paths that not so long ago were used by most locals to get around. Today, walkers can take advantage of these ready-made routes and explore the island’s beautiful countryside on foot. Shady woods, fabulous sea views and sleepy villages await hikers, and there’s no better way to complete your walk than with a refreshing dip in the sea.

Let the walk lead you to Magazia. There you’ll find a simpler, gentler atmosphere, welcoming locals, and some excellent tavernas. Our favourites in Magazia are Averto, with its relaxing garden and views of the sea and the Greek mainland, and Steki Tou Pappou (Grandfather’s Place), which occupies a historic building and serves traditional cuisine on a gorgeous stone terrace.

Loggos, on the northeast coast of Paxos, and Lakka, at the northern tip, are picturesque little harbours wrapped around idyllic bays. Life revolves around the villages’ beaches and their seafront tavernas and bars, but there are other things to do as well. There’s a lovely sunset walk from Lakka past the lighthouse and down to the beautiful beach of Plani.

Loggos, meanwhile, hosts the annual Paxos Festival, a summery mix of concerts, exhibitions and other events. One last recommendation: head to Loukas bakery in Loggos, for some delicious bread baked in a wood-fired oven.

Close the week with a crossing to Corfu. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007, Corfu Town is one of a kind. Its picturesque, pedestrianised streets, floral piazzas and fine Italianate and 19th-century British buildings are a true pleasure to stroll around and we recommend you spend at least a day there, perhaps adding on some time before or after your villa stay or heading over on one of the frequent hydrofoil crossing.

Two impregnable Venetian fortresses are unmissable, and the Museum of Asian Art and the Church of St Spiridion are both worth the detour. For a more considered visit, a private boat transfer and a guided tour are both worth arranging in advance. Read our full Corfu itinerary if you’d like to extend your stay on this remarkable island.

Seven days moves through a genuine cross-section of Paxos and Antipaxos, their harbour towns, their hidden coves, and a day trip beyond, but it's a starting point rather than a fixed route. A Villa Specialist can adjust the order, the pace or the focus to suit how you'd rather spend the week.

Get in touch with a Villa Specialist to begin shaping your own version of this trip.