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If you have a few days to spend in Corfu, I highly recommend taking the time to visit the stunning islands of Paxos and Antipaxos. Paxos is a picturesque small island located just off the coast of Corfu, known for its charming atmosphere and beautiful landscapes.

From Paxos, you can easily catch a short boat ride to the nearby island of Antipaxos, where you can indulge in the most glorious beaches, characterized by their soft sands and crystal clear waters that invite you to relax and unwind.

HOW TO GET TO PAXOS

The fastest way to travel from Corfu to Paxos is by taking a high-speed boat, which typically takes about an hour to reach the destination. The enclosed boat departs in the morning from Port Corfu and makes its return in the evening, allowing you to enjoy an entire day exploring the beautiful islands of Paxos and Antipaxos. To secure your seats, you can book the ride online with Kerkrya Lines. The cost for a roundtrip ticket is 70 Euros (~$76 USD).

Once you get to the port of Paxos, you’ll want to make your way towards the small town of Gaios. You have the option to either walk there, which takes roughly 15 minutes, or you can opt for a quick taxi ride for 10 Euros (~$11 USD) if you happen to spot a taxi waiting at the port.

Additionally, there are various tours offered that travel from Corfu to both Paxos and Antipaxos. One of the popular choices is the Full Day Cruise to Paxos, Antipaxos, and Blue Caves. This tour has an impressive itinerary lasting between 7 to 12 hours with a live tour guide. If you want to splurge, there are also private boat tours available for a more personalized experience on the water.

HOW TO GET TO ANTIPAXOS

Water Taxi from Gaios 

The fastest and cheapest way to get to Antipaxos is by water taxi from Gaios. The water taxi makes two stops: first is at Vrika beach, followed by Voutoumi beach. The cost for a roundtrip ticket is 25 Euros (~$27 USD).

Make sure to have cash with you, as the service does not accept credit cards. If you happen to need cash, rest assured there are ATMs conveniently located by the port where you can withdraw money. You can pay for your ticket right on the spot when you board the boat.

The boats typically leave at 10 AM from the main square in Gaios and take approximately 15 minutes to reach the beautiful beaches. While we were informed that the boats start returning to Antipaxos around 2 PM, we noticed that some boats returned a bit earlier than that. It is good to note that the last boat from Antipaxos departs at 5 PM, so make sure to plan accordingly to enjoy your time on the island.

Boat Rental

For those wanting to explore more of Antipaxos, including the blue caves and the west coast of Paxos, you can rent a boat, either with or without a skipper. Rates start at 70 Euros depending on the season and the size of the boat.

If we had known that a boat rental was a viable option, we would have gone this route, as you do not need a special license to drive the small boats. Before setting out on your own, you receive a helpful demonstration from an experienced boat operator, ensuring you feel comfortable and ready. This allows you to explore at your leisure for the entire day.

HOW TO EXPLORE PAXOS AND ANTIPAXOS

As soon as you arrive in Paxos, I suggest taking the water taxi to Antipaxos as early as you can. Later in the day, the water taxis and the beaches can get quite crowded with visitors. Gaios is a very small town, so you will easily find the port with the water taxis waiting. We took the water taxi around 10:30 AM and there were several people waiting to board the boat. The boat filled up pretty quickly by the time we left.

The water taxi makes two stops; first at Vrika Beach and next at Voutoumi Beach. It’s about a 15-minute boat ride to Vrika and an additional 5 minutes or less to Voutoumi. Vrika is the more popular beach and most people choose to get off here. There are sun loungers and umbrellas available, as well as two tavernas serving fresh, grilled seafood.

As we had anticipated, this particular beach was notably far less crowded, allowing for a more relaxed atmosphere, and there were still many lounge chairs and umbrellas available for visitors to enjoy. Of course, it’s worth mentioning that the lounge chairs do come with a fee of 35 Euros (~$38 USD), and you should note that you are required to pay for two lounge chairs, as they are offered in pairs.

While cash is preferred as the method of payment, they also accept credit cards, but only if you choose to pay at the nearby Beach Bar and Restaurant Voutoumi, which is steps away from the beach itself.

We arrived at Voutoumi Beach around 11 AM and stayed here for a few hours soaking up the sun and taking in the stunning views that surrounded us. I made sure to swim in the unbelievably crystal clear water of the Ionian Sea, which felt refreshingly inviting.

I truly felt like I was in paradise as I swam happily in this idyllic and beautiful setting. For those looking to experience an even more spectacular view of the island, you can climb up the 152 steps that lead you toward the charming restaurant, Bella Vista Taverna.

If you wish to explore both beaches, it’s about a 20-minute walk between the two locations, so it’s not too far of a walk. However, since we had a baby with us, we opted to stay in one location to fully enjoy Voutoumi Beach.

At around 2 PM, we took the water tax back to Gaios and had lunch there. There are many cafes to choose from with outdoor seating and we chose to dine at Anesis Cafe. We had a lovely lunch with fresh juices, salad, kalamari and chicken gyros. Although this restaurant typically accepted credit cards, we encountered a minor inconvenience as their credit card system was temporarily down, so we had to use cash instead.

After lunch, we ventured out to do some sightseeing around Gaios and explored some quaint little markets that sold an array of clothing, jewelry, souvenirs, and more. My friend took the opportunity to do some shopping and bought a cute tote bag and a necklace. While wandering, I spotted a charming little ice cream shop, so, of course, I couldn't resist indulging in some delicious ice cream.

I truly loved exploring this little town. Even though I’m not particularly interested in the markets, I find myself far more fascinated by the old buildings and the enchanting alleyways they contain. Each structure has its own unique charm that adds to the ambiance of the town.

One of the most iconic buildings in Paxos is undoubtedly the church of the Holy Apostles. While the exact age of the church remains a mystery, it is believed to date back as early as 1686.

Around 4:15 PM, we began our walk back to the port, keeping in mind that the high-speed boat headed back to Corfu was scheduled to leave promptly at 5 PM.

TIPS AND FINAL THOUGHTS

The biggest tip I can give to fellow travelers is to make sure you bring plenty of cash with you. In total, I spent about 60 Euros in cash for various necessities, including the taxi, the water taxi, and lunch. If you plan to shop at local markets or smaller stores, you might want to carry even more cash with you to ensure you can make your purchases without any issues.

I found that, although some stores did accept credit cards, their credit card systems were often down, which left us needing to use cash anyway for most transactions.

Another significant tip is to wear tons of sunscreen. I applied sunscreen, but it turned out to be nearly not enough, as my back ended up quite burnt by the end of the day. My shoulders were especially burnt since I was walking around with just my bikini top. It’s a good idea to cover your upper body as much as you can to avoid serious sunburn.

Overall, I absolutely loved my time in Paxos and Antipaxos and would 100% recommend making the journey to these beautiful islands if you are visiting Corfu. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

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