Paxos Island Holidays: Complete Guide to Visiting Greece's Smallest Ionian Island with Transportation Tips, Beach Exploration, Local Cuisine and Day Trip Ideas
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In this article, I’ll tell you about Paxos Island and why it’s worth visiting during your holiday in Corfu. I’ll also describe how to get to Paxos Island from Corfu by ferry and through organized tours.
Additionally, I’ll talk about the available options for active recreation on the island, including beach exploration, visiting the town of Gaios, trips to Antipaxos Island and the Blue Caves, and gastronomic experiences.
The most important things about Paxos island
In this article I wrote about Paxos island — whether it’s worth visiting, what there is to see, how to get there, which nearby places to visit, and more. Since the article turned out to be quite lengthy, I’ve put together a short summary of the key points to help you organise your trip to Paxos. If you’re short on time, this information may be enough — but if you have time to spare, I recommend reading the full article to find out everything you need for an unforgettable trip to Paxos and the neighbouring islands.
1. Paxos island: what is it known for and why do tourists come here?
Paxos is famous for its crystal-clear waters shimmering in every shade of turquoise and emerald. These waters are perfect for swimming, diving, and other water sports. The island is dotted with small, secluded coves with sandy beaches and crystal-clear water — each with its own unique charm, offering visitors the chance to enjoy a peaceful retreat. Olive trees cover much of the island, and Paxos olive oil is considered one of the finest in Greece.
Paxos is a very popular destination for day boat trips, offering relaxed and unhurried rest, an authentic atmosphere, diverse landscapes, and a high standard of service. I’d personally recommend making time to see the Blue Caves, the neighbouring island of Antipaxos, and Paradise Beach. Incidentally, we discovered this island entirely by chance while looking for tours in Corfu on GetYourGuide.
2. How to get to Paxos island from Corfu?
You can reach Paxos from Corfu from two points: from the New Port of Kerkyra (where all ferries arrive) and from the port of Kavos, located at the very southern tip of Corfu.
The speedboat to Paxos takes just over an hour. Tickets cost 10 euro one way. The company runs two sailings per day in each direction, with three on Mondays.
3. Neighbouring Antipaxos and the Blue Caves on Paxos itself: what can you see on the island and nearby?
On Paxos itself, tourists are almost always taken to the Blue Caves, located in the Kastelina area on the western coast of the island, where limestone cliffs and green crystalline waters create a mesmerising landscape. The famous caves “Nausica,” “Agios Nikolaos,” and “Blue Eye” are the natural habitat of the Mediterranean monk seal. Most tours with local guides also include, in addition to the trip to Paxos, a visit to the neighbouring Antipaxos.
Antipaxos is a small island located right next to Paxos. It is often called the “sister” of the larger island — and for good reason. Antipaxos is renowned for its incredibly beautiful beaches with snow-white sand and crystal-clear water. Particularly famous is Vrika Beach, often called one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. Its blue water and soft sand create the feeling of a tropical paradise.
I would particularly recommend looking at these tours:
Private tour to Paxos and Antipaxos on the boat Fiori, with an English-speaking guide, lasting 8 hours. During the tour you’ll also be able to see the Blue Caves, swim in the coves, and go diving.
Price for a group of 10 adults — 1,200 euro (tours run from April to October); included in the price: skipper, snacks, bottled water, beer, soft drinks, diving equipment, and SUP boards. Fuel is paid separately (around 350 euro per group).
Private tour on the boat “Victoria” to Paxos and Antipaxos with an English-speaking guide, lasting 8 hours. You’ll be able to swim in the clear sea, go diving, and visit the Blue Caves.
Price for a group of 10 adults — 1,200 euro (tours run from April to October); included in the price: skipper, snacks, bottled water, beer, soft drinks, diving equipment, and SUP boards. Fuel is paid separately (approximately 350 euro per group).
4. Where do people travel to Paxos from?
There are actually several options from different towns. For example, the following tours depart from Corfu town:
- Full-day cruise to Paxos, Antipaxos, and the Blue Caves lasting 8–11 hours, with an audio guide and live guide. Price for 1 adult — 55 euro.
From Parga (mainland Greece), the following tour departs:
- Full-day tour to Paxos island with a visit to the Blue Caves, with a guide. Price for 1 adult — 50 euro.
From Lefkimmi (Corfu island), tours also run:
- Speedboat tour of Paxos, Antipaxos, and the Blue Caves with an English audio guide. Price for 1 adult — 55 euro.
5. Is it better to visit Paxos independently?
Travelling independently obviously gives you freedom and saves money (debatable, once you factor in all the downsides and complications). But it also means booking tickets yourself, finding the right transport and the correct stop, and covering part of the route on foot — all of which becomes even harder without English.
All the main sights are relatively close to one another, so a tour boat or coach will easily get you to any point. On top of that, getting to the Blue Caves independently is quite difficult, whereas on a tour you can enjoy their beauty without any hassle. So if, like us, you value travel time (of which there’s never enough) and want your holiday to go smoothly, it’s better to choose a group or private tour for your trip to Paxos island.
Paxos Island: what Poseidon's island is all about and why it's worth visiting during your Corfu holiday
The small island of Paxos is the smallest of the seven Ionian Islands. It’s located eleven kilometers from the southern tip of Corfu. The island is famous for its “Blue Caves,” which attract numerous tourists.
The beauty of this place is simply incredible — huge vertical cliffs of cream color, with intricate inclusions of darker and lighter shades, and the sea below, whose color cannot be conveyed in words. Caves are formed in the rocks, though they look more like large grottoes, and some of them can even accommodate a small excursion boat.
The place is very attractive and fairy-tale-like. On Paxos Island, there are three main settlements: Gaios, Lakka, and Loggos. In Gaios, you can see a monument erected to Georgios Anemogiannis, a hero and fighter for independence, participant in the Greek War of 1821-1832.
The town of Gaios is very small, and it somehow reminded me of Fiskardo in Kefalonia
How to get to Paxos Island from Corfu
You can reach Paxos Island from Corfu from two points: from the new port of Kerkyra (where all ferries arrive) and from the port of Kavos, located in the very south of Corfu.
We lived closer to Kerkyra, from which high-speed passenger vessels of two companies operate to Paxos: Kamelia Lines and Flying Dolphin.
The vessel of Kamelia Lines company, which we took, represents a Thai variant of a high-speed ferry, which I call a “sea bus” — a long enclosed boat with seats in two rows of three, like on an airplane.
At the stern, there’s a small open space with benches for those who like to travel in fresh air or smoke. The cabin is air-conditioned, though we weren’t lucky — the air conditioner was broken, only the fan worked, so we had to sit at the stern. Good thing we came early and got seats.
The boat was packed to capacity. The journey to Paxos takes 1 hour and 15 minutes according to the schedule. In reality, it took an hour and a half.
Ticket price for the boat is 10 euros one way. The company operates two trips per day in each direction, on Mondays – 3 trips. Check the current schedule on the company’s website.
The Flying Dolphin company’s vessel is a hydrofoil boat.
It goes faster, only 50 minutes, but ticket prices are twice as expensive. Also, this company’s schedule is more convenient.
Boats depart from Corfu’s new port from the pier next to the Domestic Terminal. It’s located at a large roundabout intersection.
The offices of both companies, where you can purchase tickets, are located across the road. The boats arrive in the town of Gaios on Paxos at the so-called “new port,” which is about 800 meters or 15 minutes at a leisurely pace from the central waterfront.
From the central waterfront, boats depart to Antipaxos, as well as excursion boats around the Ionian Islands (of which Paxos is also part), with stops at the “Blue Caves.” If you’ve come for one day, you’re unlikely to be able to visit both the beaches and take a tour around the islands (or you can, but in a rush), so we chose the beach for ourselves!
May be useful: If you want to visit both the beaches and take a tour around the islands leisurely and without rushing, I recommend checking available hotels on Paxos via this link.
All boats to Antipaxos arrive at Voutumi Beach and depart as they fill with people (in my estimation, about every 15 minutes). The boat holds approximately 15 passengers. Travel time is about 15 minutes.
Such boats from Paxos Island to the neighboring Antipaxos Island run constantly, so getting to the island won’t be a problem
On the way there, we got a good captain who organized a small tour along the coast of the islands at low speed, stopping for photography, so the journey there took about half an hour.
On the way back, another captain rushed straight ahead at full speed, leaving us breathless, but we arrived in just 10 minutes.
The round-trip fare (with no possibility of bargaining) is 14 euros, children pay a symbolic 1 euro. You can return on any boat.
To Antipaxos, boats run until approximately 2:00 PM, and they start picking people up from the beach from 1:30 PM until 6:30 PM. As I mentioned, all boats arrive at Voutumi Beach, as it’s the only one with a miniature pier.
Thanks to the clouds, we watched an incredibly beautiful sunrise all the way! And it wasn’t hot
Where people usually travel to Paxos from – and whether it’s better to go independently or choose a tour
In my view, tours are the better choice here. Everything is already organised, the itinerary is planned in detail, and you also get the chance to see the Blue Caves on the western coast of Paxos (whereas the port of Paxos, where ferries arrive, is on the eastern coast of the island, and you’d have to find your own way to the caves). On top of that, tours give you the opportunity to see the neighbouring island of Antipaxos (and it is truly beautiful and well worth the attention).
Transport on tours is as comfortable as it gets, and with some local guides you can discuss the itinerary (for example, adding beach visits), learn about the places you see, and discover far more than you would travelling independently.
Countless tours depart from the city of Kerkyra (Corfu island) – independent travellers also start their journey from there. A great example is a luxury yacht cruise to Paxos and Antipaxos, lasting 7–8 hours.
The trip, designed for groups of up to 25 people, offers a combination of relaxation, adventure, and breathtaking scenery. The programme includes visits to Lakka Beach, the Blue Caves, Vrika Beach, and the village of Gaios (where you can eat and rest).
Price per adult – 55 euro (these cruises run from May to September). Included in the price: an experienced captain and crew, the boat trip, life jackets, diving equipment, snacks, and water.
From Lefkimmi (Corfu island) there is a speedboat tour to Paxos, Antipaxos, and the Blue Caves.
Tours run from April to October; price per adult – 55 euro. Included in the price: the boat with a guide and an on-board bar.
The trip lasts 7 hours, is conducted under the supervision of an English-speaking guide, and all tourists receive an audio guide (in English or Greek) for convenience.
During the tour, visits to the Blue Caves of Paxos and its wild nature are planned, with the opportunity to swim in crystal-clear water or simply relax on the beach.
From Parga (on the Greek mainland), many tours also depart. A good option, for example, is a full-day cruise to Paxos island, during which you can explore the village of Gaios and enjoy stunning views of the two islands of Panagia and Agios Nikolaos.
The tour lasts around 8–10 hours and costs 50 euro per adult (tours run from April to October). A transfer to/from Parga can be arranged for an additional fee.
What else to do on Paxos Island
Paxos is the smallest island in the Ionian Sea, with an area of only 25 km². However, even on such a small island, there’s plenty to do. We’ve compiled a selection of the most interesting activities available on Paxos.
Explore beaches and bays: description of the best places for relaxation
The beaches on Paxos Island are famous for their picturesque bays and crystal-clear water. The most popular is Monodendri — a pebble beach surrounded by blooming greenery. A small café and equipment rental point operate on the coastal area.
Beach lovers seeking solitude will enjoy Loggos Beach, located in the cozy village of the same name.
Actually, the beach is a strip of sand from the water’s edge about three meters wide, then large pebbles, I’d even say boulders, then grass, and finally a tavern in the background
Mongonissi is a magnificent sandy beach surrounded by olive groves. Here you can spend a wonderful day by the sea or rent a catamaran or boat and go for a short sail.
Harami Beach, covered with white pebbles, attracts tourists with its numerous cafés and restaurants located on the coast.
The water on the island is very clean and transparent, boats seem to float through air
The most optimal time to visit the beaches is from 10 AM to 1 PM, as from noon onwards they become quite crowded. Visiting the islands on weekends is also not recommended, as local residents from Corfu, Igoumenitsa, Sivota, and Parga flock here in droves, some by public transport (ferries), others by private vessels (boats), resulting in a “soup” of people on the beach and a “soup” of boats of all sizes in the sea, from inflatable to three-masted schooners.
Take a walk through the island's capital - the town of Gaios
The capital of the island is the small town of Gaios, with a population of only about 1,000 people. Despite its capital status, life in this town is calm and measured. The town has preserved many buildings constructed in the 19th century that are worth attention.
Walking through the town, you can see many interesting buildings and ancient churches, particularly Agia Apostoli, which houses the rarest frescoes. Additionally, you can learn more about Paxos culture by visiting the Folklore Museum, which features a large collection of furniture, ceramics, dishes, and clothing.
Take a cruise to Antipaxos and visit the Blue Caves
The Blue Caves of Paxos Island are a place of unique beauty on the western coast of the island. They differ in length, size of entrance arch, and depth, but all are amazingly beautiful and extremely “photogenic.”
Paxos Island is located not far from the southern tip of Corfu. Just about ten kilometers on a fast boat — and before you, in all their splendor, vertical cliffs appear, composed of multi-ton layered blocks.
But Greece wouldn’t be Greece if a legend about the origin of Paxos hadn’t been invented here. It says that God Poseidon struck the edge of Corfu with his trident, broke off a piece from it, and dragged it into the sea. There, on the new island, he built a marble palace for his beloved Amphitrite.
The Blue Cave looks very majestic, sailing past it, it attracted the eye by itself
Approaching the Blue Caves, you gradually begin to believe the legend. The sea at their entrance shimmers with all known shades of blue and turquoise, sparkles, reflecting on the vaults of the grottoes, splashes invitingly, inviting you to plunge into its coolness.
One of the caves can be entered directly by vessel — it’s so large, while others look more like deep niches — you can swim in them yourself. The largest cave is called Ypapanti. It’s believed that this is where Poseidon built that very marble palace. And although you won’t see a fairy-tale palace, of course, the impressions from visiting the Blue Caves will remain for a long time.
May be useful: All tours to the Blue Cave on Antipaxos Island are available via this link.
When we were inside, the cave offered a very beautiful view of the sea itself and the local landscape
Places on Paxos and nearby that guides typically include in their tour programmes: our thoughts on whether they’re worth visiting
Paxos and its surroundings offer tourists a wealth of interesting places to visit. Local operators generally include visits to the Blue Caves, the ancient town of Gaios, olive groves, local wineries, and Vrika Beach (on Antipaxos island) in their programmes. Our thoughts on what’s worth seeing are below:
- If you don’t mind tourist crowds and want to see a natural wonder with your own eyes, visiting the Blue Caves is worth it (but it’s better to go in the morning or evening when there are fewer people).
- If you’re interested in local culture and food, visits to the olive groves and wineries will also be worthwhile.
- If you’re looking for a secluded beach, Vrika on Antipaxos is unlikely to fit the bill.
For those who want to visit Antipaxos island, I strongly recommend the following tours:
1. Full-day cruise to Paxos, Antipaxos, and the Blue Caves from Corfu.
Price per adult – 55 euro; tours run from April to October.
This is an 8–11 hour tour accompanied by a guide (English, Greek, German). Tourists also receive an audio guide supporting many languages, including Polish and English.
The programme includes exploring the Blue Cave by boat, as well as a stop for swimming and time in Gaios.
Included in the price: multilingual audio guide on board, guide services, on-board bar, experienced captain and crew, transfer (meeting in the town centre), free Wi-Fi on board.
Towels and food on board are paid separately.
2. Full-day cruise to Paxos with a stop at Gaios port, Antipaxos, and the Blue Caves.
Tours run from April to October; price per adult – 60 euro.
The price includes the return boat trip, an experienced captain and crew, and a multilingual guide. Food, drinks, and towels are paid separately (or you can bring your own).
During the trip you can swim and snorkel at Voutomi Beach on Antipaxos, admire the views of Corfu Old Town, see 2 stunning blue caves on Paxos island, stroll through the picturesque town of Gaios, and finish with lunch at a restaurant overlooking the sea.
The trip lasts around 7–12 hours and is accompanied by a multilingual guide. Tourists also receive an audio guide.
3. There is also a rather expensive private tour on the boat “Victoria”, during which you’ll visit Paxos and Antipaxos.
The trip is accompanied by an English-speaking or Greek-speaking guide; price for a group of 10 adults – 1,200 euro (minimum booking for ten people).
Included in the price: captain, snacks, bottled water, beer, soft drinks, snorkelling equipment, SUP boards, and a wireless/Bluetooth speaker.
The cruise also includes diving, SUP boarding, and swimming in picturesque coves.
Lunch at a local restaurant is paid separately, as is fuel (approximately 350 euro per group).
There are in fact many more tours available, and many of them include not only Paxos but also Antipaxos (which is a wonderful combination). You can find and choose a suitable option here.
The Blue Caves are one of the highlights of Paxos, so if you definitely want to visit them, choose one of the following tours (in my view, these offer the best balance of comfort, experience, and price):
1. A wonderful boat cruise to the Blue Caves of Antipaxos and Paxos from Corfu.
Price per adult – 60 euro (tours run from April to October); included in the price: transfer, boat trip, and multilingual guide. Drinks, snacks, and towels are paid separately.
During the trip you’ll see Paxos and Antipaxos, as well as the legendary Blue Caves. There will also be free time for shopping or swimming in the beautiful village of Lakka. The trip is accompanied by a multilingual guide and also includes an audio guide.
2. Another full-day trip from Corfu to Paxos island with the Blue Caves.
Price per adult – 58 euro (a transfer can additionally be booked separately). Tours run from April to October. The price covers only the boat trip with a captain; food and drinks are paid separately (or you can bring your own).
During the cruise there is the opportunity to go diving and swim in the open sea, as well as stroll through the picturesque village of Gaios or Lakka. There is also the chance to see the Kanoni peninsula and Mon Repos Palace, and Vatomi Beach.
3. For lovers of comfortable travel, there is a private (though expensive) yacht cruise to Paxos, Antipaxos, and the Blue Caves departing from Corfu, lasting 8 hours.
Transfer and an English-speaking driver are included. During the cruise you’ll explore the sea caves and learn about their history, with the opportunity to go diving.
Price for a group of 5 adults – 4,150 euro (830 euro per person); minimum booking is for five people (but I think if your group is smaller, you could still pay this amount to charter the yacht with captain and crew).
These yacht tours run from April to October; the price includes transfer, a luxury yacht with skipper and crew, diving equipment, all rental and accommodation costs at visited locations, Wi-Fi on board and a Bluetooth speaker, a fridge stocked with wines, juices, soft drinks, snacks and fruit, local cocktails throughout the cruise, lunch at a traditional taverna on Paxos island, and fuel costs.
You can find (and immediately book for your preferred date) all sea tours to Paxos island with an additional visit to the Blue Caves here
Gastronomic experience
As on any Greek island, Paxos has its own culinary preferences and traditional dishes.
A special place on the table is occupied by Bourdeto — fish prepared according to the signature Ionian recipe. It’s stewed in a large pot with paprika, garlic, and tomato paste. The result is a simple but tasty and spicy dish.
You can try Savoro: fish is rolled in flour and fried. Then vinegar, black raisins, and rosemary are added to the oil in which the fish was fried. The resulting thick sauce is served with fish in traditional clay dishes.
The pride of Paxos cooks is the signature liver pie, pre-stewed in white and red wine. The filling also includes rice, graviera cheese, parsley, and eggs.
Local events and festivals
To better understand the character of Paxos, you need to attend at least one festival. Every year in June, island guests can attend a festival with an emphasis on contemporary music.
And in September, a festival with a classical repertoire and foreign participants takes over. As for religious holidays, the largest is held in honor of St. Gaios. It falls at the end of June and is accompanied by street celebrations. On this day, additional ferries to Corfu are launched.
In mid-summer, you can attend the Neroladya festival — guests are offered to listen to music and taste olives and wine for free.
Souvenirs: what to bring from Paxos Island
Paxos doesn’t consider tourism as its main source of income. Huge olive groves grow on the island, and excellent oil is still produced. This famous product can be bought in charming traditional village shops, where various wines, cheeses, and souvenirs are also available.