The best things to do on Paxos and Antipaxos
While visiting Paxos and Antipaxos, two tiny Greek Islands nestled in the Ionian Sea, our team of experts here at The Thinking Traveller want to ensure you are getting the most out of your holiday.
Consider us your personal travel guides as you peruse this helpful list of the most enticing activities of the islands, from enjoying the charming ambiance of our luxury villas on Paxos and Antipaxos to ambling down to the shore for a swim in the aquamarine ocean.
Our favourite things to do in Paxos and Antipaxos
While we love to explore the Greek Islands any time of year, come June, the weather on Paxos and Antipaxos is ideal. Daytime temperatures are in the mid-20s and it is warm enough to comfortably sit outside in the evenings (though maybe with a jumper for the breezier nights). The sea is swimmable, the beaches still relatively underpopulated and all is right with the world. By early summer, things to do on Paxos and Antipaxos become plentiful, with serenely inviting tides perfect for holidays spent waterside.
Throughout late summer and into October, the weather and temperatures are most alluring, welcoming visitors from around the globe. Why not spend your days exploring the idyllic villages on Paxos and admirably unpopulated beaches of Antipaxos?
Without further ado, here are our favourite things to do and see while relaxing on Paxos and Antipaxos.
1. Paxos villages
There’s no better way to spend your holiday in Paxos than by discovering the island’s blissful treasures - including acquainting yourself with its attractive villages. Gaios, Loggos and Lakka are the three largest villages and each has its own distinct charms.
The port of Gaios has a buzzing atmosphere in the summer months with a rather Italian feel — a hangover from the island’s Venetian days. Two islets guard the entrance to the harbour, making it a safe spot to moor a boat. The smaller is home to a monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which opens up to the general public for the festivities of the Assumption of the Virgin on 15 August. Meanwhile, the larger features the remains from an early fifteenth-century Venetian fortress.
Gaios is a great place to rent a boat for the day, and your time on shore can be spent enjoying the beach, tavernas and bars that spill out onto the streets and the selection of shops and boutiques.
Loggos, on the northeast coast, and Lakka, at the northern tip, are small, picturesque little harbours wrapped around their own bays. Life in both villages revolves around beaches and seafront tavernas and bars, and it is easy to while away hours just staring out to sea in such idyllic surroundings. In either village, it is easy to become so charmed that you find no amount of time spent by the crystalline waters of northern Paxos is enough.
Snuggled in between Loggos to Lakka is the picturesque cove of Monodendri Beach. This beautiful inlet features sunbeds and a beach bar, marvellously organised to make your excursion all the more memorable.
Enquire now to learn more about what to do on Paxos and Antipaxos.
2. Paxos and Antipaxos boat trips
Renting a little rib or motor boat for the day 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 over to Antipaxos.
Paxos features two coastlines: the east is gentle with placid waters lapping against pebbly beaches, while the west has a more rugged, weather-beaten look, with dramatic white cliffs, grottoes, sea stacks and tiny islets that can only be fully appreciated from the water.
Exploring Paxos and Antipaxos by hiring a small boat is the perfect way to unwind on holiday. Chartering a boat gives you the freedom to anchor in one of the many bays, beaches or inlets and explore the small Greek fishing harbours. You will have the chance to potter around the enchanting coastlines of the island or reach the other amazing small islands nearby.
Some beaches are best experienced by boat, such as Erimitis Beach. Tucked along the pebbled western coast of Paxos, the dramatic cliffs set over sparkling blue waters are worth seeing from all angles. Plan a day cruise to see this outstanding example of awe-inspiring nature lit by tangerine hues of sunset. The Blue Caves of Paxos and Antipaxos are also an ideal excursion. They can only be reached by sea, so securing a boat for a visit to these pristine monuments is a must.
3. Paxos walks
Paxos is crisscrossed by tracks and paths that have traditionally been the most popular way for 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 (some of which have a taverna or bar where you can stop off for a drink or lunch) await hikers, and there is no better way than to complete a full day of walking with a refreshing dip in the crystal clear waters of the sea.
Allow us to plan a personalised walking route for your villa stay.
Should you be interested in booking an island holiday to Paxos or Antipaxos, or a Think Experience while you are there, please don’t hesitate to contact our team of experts to make your enquiry. Call us at +44 (0) 203 603 4478.
From sunlit strolls into town for lunch overlooking the cerulean waters of the Ionian to boating in and out of the coastal caves, Paxos and Antipaxos enthusiastically await your stay. Allow us to help you curate the holiday of your dreams, complete with a stay at one of our panoramic villas on Paxos or Antipaxos.
Download our Paxos and Antipaxos itinerary
For more Paxos and Antipaxos inspiration, you can also download our free Paxos and Antipaxos travel itinerary.
