How many days in Paxos? 4 days of olive groves, sea caves and Antipaxos
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Paxos is a small island south of Corfu, about 10 km long, covered almost entirely in old olive trees, with three harbour villages on the east coast and tall white cliffs on the west. There are no big resorts and few sandy beaches; the point is swimming from rocks and boats, walking between olive groves and eating by the water. Give it four days: one for Gaios, one for Loggos and Lakka, one on a boat along the cliffs, and one on Antipaxos.
Short answer
Three days covers Gaios, Lakka, Loggos and a boat to the sea caves. The fourth adds Antipaxos, whose two pale-sand bays are the best swimming in the area.
The 4-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Gaios and its islets
Morning. Walk the waterfront of Gaios, the main village, where the harbour is a narrow channel between the town and the islet of Agios Nikolaos, with a ruined Venetian fort among the pines. Water taxis cross in a minute or two; check whether the islet is open to visitors when you go.
Afternoon. Swim from the rocks south of town or rent a small motorboat (no licence needed for small engines; about €80-130 a day plus fuel) to potter around the islet of Panagia, with its monastery church, and the coves of the south-east coast.
Evening. Dinner on the square in Gaios, €20-30 per person with wine. Order fresh fish, bourdeto (spicy fish stew, shared with Corfu) and local olive oil with bread.
On 15 August, the feast of the Panagia, boats carry people to the monastery on Panagia islet, and Gaios celebrates late into the night. Book rooms well ahead.
Day 2: Loggos and Lakka
Morning. Take the bus or a taxi about 7 km north to Loggos, the smallest harbour village, with houses around a tiny bay and an old soap factory chimney on the water. Swim at Levrechio or Marmari, pebble beaches a short walk away.
Afternoon. Continue 3-4 km to Lakka at the northern tip, a sheltered horseshoe bay with clear shallow water. Walk out to the lighthouse on the headland, about 30-40 minutes return, or swim at Kanoni and Harami beaches at the mouth of the bay.
Evening. Stay in Lakka for sunset drinks and dinner on the harbour, €20-35 per person, then a taxi back to Gaios (about €20-25; book ahead in summer).
There are few taxis on the island and they are busy in the evening. Ask your taverna or hotel to book your return in advance.
Day 3: The west-coast cliffs and sea caves
Morning. Join a round-island boat from Gaios or Lakka (about €20-35 per person) or take your own rented boat along the west coast in calm weather. The cliffs drop straight into the sea, with caves including Ipapanti and the rock arch of Tripitos.
Afternoon. Back on land, walk an olive-grove path inland from Magazia, the island's central village, along old dry-stone walls and past abandoned olive presses. The island has many marked paths; most loops take 1.5-3 hours.
Evening. Drive or take a taxi to the Erimitis cliffs on the west coast for sunset above the white rock face, then eat at a village taverna inland.
The west coast catches the afternoon wind and swell. Go round the cliffs in the morning, and never take a small boat into the caves in rough water.
Day 4: Antipaxos
Morning. Take one of the shuttle boats from Gaios to Antipaxos, about 20-30 minutes away (around €10-15 return in season). The island is almost uninhabited, with vineyards and a handful of houses.
Afternoon. Swim at Voutoumi and Vrika, two bays with fine pale sand and very clear water, joined by a short path over the headland. Each has a taverna above it; lunch is about €20-30.
Evening. Take the last boat back (usually late afternoon; check the time when you arrive) and have a final dinner in Gaios or Loggos.
Antipaxos fills with day-trip boats from Corfu between about 11:00 and 15:00. Take an early shuttle and you have the beaches almost to yourself for the first hours.
Only have 3 days?
With 3 days, combine Loggos and Lakka with the round-island boat on Day 2 and keep Antipaxos for Day 3. You lose the olive-grove walks and the Erimitis sunset.
Got extra days?
Extra days go to the walking paths of the interior, a second day on Antipaxos, or Parga on the mainland, reached by summer boats in about 1 hour, before ending in Corfu Town.
Where to stay in Paxos
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Rooms above Gaios | Cheapest beds, ferry quay and buses close by. | €60-100 |
| Mid-range | Gaios | The ferry port, boats to Antipaxos and most tavernas. | €100-180 |
| Mid-range | Lakka / Loggos | Quieter harbours with swimming at your door. | €100-200 |
| Comfort | Villas in the olive groves | Stone houses with pools, best for a week with a car. | €200-500 |
Getting around
Paxos has no airport. Fly to Corfu and take a fast boat to Gaios, about 1 hour to 1.5 hours, or a ferry from Igoumenitsa on the mainland, about 1.5-2 hours. Check current timetables, which change each season and depend on the weather. On the island, a single main road links Gaios, Magazia, Loggos and Lakka; the bus runs a few times a day. A small car or scooter costs about €35-60 and €25-35 a day in summer, and a motorboat without licence €80-130 plus fuel. Many visitors base themselves in one harbour and use boats rather than roads.
What to eat in Paxos
Paxos food is Ionian: fish, olive oil and slow-cooked dishes in the style of nearby Corfu. Look for bourdeto and bianco (white fish cooked with garlic and lemon), sofrito (veal in wine and garlic) and pastitsada, and local olive oil, which the island has produced for centuries. Fish and lobster are priced by the kilo (often €60-90/kg for good fish); ask first. A taverna meal with wine costs €20-35 per person; prices are higher than on the mainland because almost everything arrives by boat.
Best time to visit
Late May to June and September are the best months: highs of 25-29°C, warm sea and easier ferry space. July and August bring yachts from all over the Ionian, full harbours and higher prices. Many hotels and tavernas close from November to April, and winter boats depend on the weather.
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | €40 | €80 | €180 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €45 | €90 |
| Sights & tickets | €10 | €25 | €45 |
| Local transport | €10 | €25 | €50 |
| Total per person, per day | about €85 | about €175 | about €365 |
Approximate 2026 prices; transport assumes buses, taxis or a shared scooter or boat, and the Corfu ferry is extra. Greece charges a per-room, per-night climate resilience fee, higher from April to October.
Before you go
Common questions
Can you do Paxos as a day trip from Corfu?
Yes, many boats from Corfu do Paxos and Antipaxos in a day, with a short stop in Gaios and a swim off Antipaxos. You see very little of the island that way. Staying three or four nights lets you swim before the day boats arrive, walk the olive groves and eat in the harbours in the evening.
Are there sandy beaches on Paxos?
Few. Most Paxos beaches are pebble or rock, with very clear water; Lakka has the closest thing to a sandy bay on the main island. For pale sand, take a boat to Voutoumi and Vrika on Antipaxos, about 20-30 minutes from Gaios.
Do I need a car on Paxos?
No. The island is small and one bus route links the harbours, and boats and taxis cover the rest. A scooter or small car is useful to reach the west-coast cliffs at Erimitis, inland villages and the walking paths, but parking in the harbour villages is limited in summer.
How do I get to Paxos?
Fly to Corfu, then take a fast boat to Gaios, which takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, or travel by ferry from Igoumenitsa on the mainland. In summer there are also boats from Parga. Book ferries in advance in July and August and check timetables close to your date.
How this guide was made
Compiled by TonyPlan from official tourism, transport and attraction sources and on-the-ground travel knowledge. Prices are approximate for 2026 and change with season; anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.
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