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Antipaxos Greece: Best Beaches Guide 

Welcome to your ultimate guide to Antipaxos, Greece. I’ve had the pleasure of exploring this stunning island first hand. In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about Antipaxos, from its popular beaches to hidden gems.  

Whether you’re seeking crystal-clear waters, a peaceful retreat, or a taste of local wine, Antipaxos offers an unforgettable experience. Join me as we dive into the best beaches, how to get there, where to stay, and why this charming island is a must-visit.  

In a hurry?  Best beach on Antipaxos 

mesovrika beach
Gorgeous Mesovrika Beach on Antipaxos

The question of what is my favourite beach on Antipaxos is a hard one, as all the beaches are incredibly beautiful.  Each beach has its own charm and appeal. 

However, if you want to go to just one beach on Antipaxos I suggest you visit Mesovrika.   There are no organised facilities here, just pure joy to be had in one of the cleanest blue seas I’ve ever plunged into. 

How to get to Antipaxos, Greece 

vrika life ring with view through to beach
Vrika Beach, Antipaxos

Getting to Antipaxos involves a delightful boat trip from Paxos, which also has it’s own stunning beaches

During spring and summer, daily water taxis and tourist boats depart from Gaios port on Paxos, heading to stunning Vrika and Voutoumi beaches on Antipaxos.  

These trips are quick, around 15 minutes, and cost approximately €25 for a return ticket

Alternatively, a local ferry, cheaper at €1.50 per person, runs several times a week, though it docks at Agrapidia harbour, requiring a short hike to the beaches.   

Another option is to book a tour from Corfu that takes you to both Paxos and Antipaxos.  It’s a great choice if you have limited time. 

Antipaxos beaches 

Voutoumi Beach 

voutoumi antipaxos
Voutoumi Beach, Antipaxos

Location: north east of Antipaxos 

Type of beach: organised 

One of the most popular beaches on Antipaxos, Voutoumi delivers if you’re seeking a classic white pebble beach with gorgeous blue sea.   

There’s also a beach bar set a short way back from the beach.  Plus, you can walk up a very long set of stairs, or take the road, to get to Bella Vista, a bar with one heck of a view across the bay. 

The downside of Voutoumi’s beauty is that you will have to share it with all the day trips and tours.  Sharing is caring though and who can blame anyone else for wanting the same slice of this heaven. 

Vrika Beach 

vrika beach view
An early morning view of Vrika Beach

Location: north, at the end of Antipaxos 

Type of beach: organised 

This is the first beach you’ll likely come to if you’re travelling on the tourist boat from  

Paxos.  And what a beach it is.  The first thing I was struck by was the jewel like blue of the water.  It’s seems unreal.  The water is shallow to start with, so you can stroll along the shore. 

vrika beach
Vrika Beach, Antipaxos

As I stayed on Antipaxos, I had the privilege of swimming at Vrika in the early morning before anyone else was in the water.  It really was just me, one man and his dog.  It’s an experience to treasure. 

If you base yourself at Vrika you can pay for sunbeds and an umbrella (€10 each) or grab a spot on the sandy section at the southern end of the beach, although there is no shade.   There are also a couple of beach restaurants here to fill up at.  Look out for the local cats. 

cats at vrika beach
Local cats taking full advantage of the facilities at Vrika beach

How to get to Voutoumi from Vrika Beach 

During my stay on Antipaxos I walked between Vrika and Voutoumi multiple times.  The walk takes around 30 minutes and is all on a concreted path.  I only saw two other people on the walk.   

Although it’s a short walk, it does go uphill so it’s good to do it in the cooler part of the day and make sure you have water with you. 

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Mesovrika Beach 

woman in sea at mesovrika beach
Me enjoying the incredible water at Mesovrika Beach

Location: north east of Antipaxos 

Type of beach: wild 

Ahh, my favourite beach on Antipaxos, Mesovrika.  This beach is, quite frankly, bloody gorgeous.  It’s totally wild, with no facilities, so bring everything you need.  Although, having said that, it’s only a few minutes from Vrika, so you if you can be bothered to move you can go to the beach bars there. 

Located between Vrika and Voutoumi, Mesovrika has the wow factor.  The first time I visited, I had to laugh it was so ridiculously beautiful.  The shape of the bay meant the water was flat as a pancake and an intense turquoise.   

As this beach is not one that the taxi boats moor at, there was no one else on it.  I couldn’t quite believe it.  Sure, there were boats bobbing further out in the sea but within the large marked off swimming section there was literally not another soul.  I splashed about, jumped off the rocks and had a thoroughly good time.   

Rodovani Beach 

rodovani beach antipaxos
Not another soul on the beach at Rodovani

Location: north west, at the end of Antipaxos 

Type of beach: wild 

Another close contender for the best beach on Antipaxos.  Rodovani beach only comes in second, as it’s much harder to find if you’re coming from Vrika or Voutoumi.   

 I was fortunate to be staying near to the wild path down so got to visit  more than once. 

Rodovani is a less well known beach on Antipaxos and is just as gorgeous.  There’s a large expanse of white pebbles and with no facilities taking up space and no taxi boats stopping here, I was able to explore the beach by myself.   

man in water at rodovani cave
‘Mi Amor’ exploring the cave at Rodovani Beach, Antipaxos

To the left of the beach, there’s a small cave which you can swim into, or walk along the rocks and peer over the top. 

There is a small amount of shade provided by the trees and rocks at the far side of the beach. 

Some day tours do stop at Rodovani for a swim and there were a few yachts anchored in the bay on my first trip.  

The next time I visited there were no boats and no other people, due to the wind having got up and the waves being very choppy.   The weather had whipped the sea up into an ever more deliciously decadent blue. 

How to get to Rodovani Beach by foot 

rock stack rodovani beach
Rodovani Beach

The footpath to Rodovani is not marked, so you will need a map. I’ve created a map below to show you the starting point. 

Take the unmarked turning off the main concrete road that runs across Antipaxos, like a spine down the island. 

You’ll know if you’ve reached the correct path, as it turns to the right of a property called Rodovani cottage (with a red gate). 

From here, you have to fight your way through overgrown plants and follow the path as it twists and turns across rocks and downwards.   There were a lot of spider webs and spiders, so if that’s an issue, this is not the path for you. 

One section passes through an area shaded by trees and then as you get closer to the beach you can stop and take in the wonderful view of the sea and the rocky coast below. 

Keep following the path down and  after around 15 minutes you’ll come out on to the glorious beach.   The wild walk down through the undergrowth really makes this beach feel like you’ve stumbled upon a desert island (despite the super yachts). 

Pro Tip: as you enter the beach from the path, place a marker to make it easier to find the start of the path when you want to return. 

Sarakiniko Beach 

old fishing boat at sarakiniko beach
Fishing boat at Sarakiniko Beach, Antipaxos

Location: south west of Antipaxos 

Type of beach: wild 

Sarakiniko Beach is located significantly further away from the popular beaches in the north of Antipaxos.  However, it’s still possible to walk here in around 45 minutes. 

There is nothing here except abandoned boats and fishing paraphernalia and the beach feels even wilder than Rodovani.   If I was being picky, I’d say this beach is slightly less appealing than the others on this list, but it’s still a lovely spot. 

I was told that ‘Sarakiniko’ is named after the Saracen pirates, which is why you’ll find other beaches called ‘Sarakiniko’ around Greece. 

Hidden Beach 

hidden beach antipaxos, Greece
The hidden beach

Location: south east of Antipaxos 

Type of beach: wild 

At the southern end of Antipaxos you can walk to a hidden beach.  Follow the map to the Akra Ovoros Lighthouse.  As you walk all the way around the stone lighthouse walls, the path continues and heads in a northerly direction again, through a forest area, and comes out at the hidden cove. 

antipaxos lighthouse
Akra Ovoros Lighthouse, Antipaxos

When I visited there was a huge yacht taking up the whole of the bay, with mooring ropes attached all the way across from one side of the bay to the other.  So I didn’t spend long at this beach, but instead returned to the lighthouse and followed the other pathway that leads out to the very end of Antipaxos.  From here you can see the even smaller Greek islets of Daskalia. 

Where to eat and drink 

drink on table at vrika beach, Antipaxos, Greece
Drinks at Vrika Beach

Beach bars and restaurants on Antipaxos 

There are four beach bars and restaurants on Antipaxos.  With the exception of Bella Vists, they tend to close in the evening so if you’re staying in Antipaxos don’t go down there in the evening expecting them to still be open. 

Spiro’s Taverna (Vrika) 

spiros taverna and beach sunbeds
Spiro’s Taverna, Vrika

Located as soon as you step off the boat from Paxos onto Vrika Beach, this is a popular spot for Greek food.   

Cedrus Beach Bar (Vrika) 

A wonderful place for lunch or just ice creams.  Staff were friendly and although the food was not the best Greek food I’ve ever had, there was nothing wrong with it. 

Bella Vista (above Voutoumi) 

man with drink at Bella Vista. in front of view of voutimi
Taking a sundowner at Bella Vista, Voutoumi, Antipaxos

This may just be one of the most beautiful places you can take a sundowner.  High prices so we stuck to just drinks and appreciating the unique view of Voutoumi Beach below. 

Beach Bar and Restaurant (Voutoumi) 

Another laid back place on Antiapaxos to refuel and refresh.  Situated a little way back from the beach front, this is a good place to go to get out of the heat of the sun. 

Cook up a storm 

There aren’t any shops on Antipaxos so if you’re staying on the island you need to bring food and drink with you.  

Many rentals will have a bbq as part of the set up, so you can make the most of it and cook up your own meals using fresh Greek ingredients. 

It only takes 15 minutes to get to Paxos on the cheap local ferry which runs several times a week, so if you need to top up on supplies you could use that to get back over the shops on Paxos.  Don’t rely on it completely though, as the weather can impact boat crossings. 

Can you stay on Antipaxos? 

Yes, you can stay on Antipaxos, and I’ve had the pleasure of spending a few amazing days on the island. Although accommodation options are limited compared to Paxos, the island boasts several villas and guesthouses, perfect for a tranquil getaway.  Book your accommodation well in advance due to very limited availability. 

I stayed in this rustic cottage, perfect for a tranquil and secluded getaway amongst the olive groves and vineyards. 

Staying overnight allows you to explore more of the island, enjoy its lesser-known beaches, and visit popular spots for a peaceful swim early in the morning or after 5pm once most day trippers have left. 

Is Antipaxos worth visiting? 

Man sitting on rocks, Rodovani beach, Antipaxos Greece
Take a break at Rodovani Beach on Antipaxos, Greece

Absolutely, Antipaxos is worth visiting. The island is famed for its mesmerizing blue waters that are perfect for swimming and snorkelling. It’s an ideal destination to escape the hustle and bustle, offering a peaceful retreat amidst stunning natural beauty.  

Additionally, Antipaxos is renowned for its wine production, with lush vines adding to its charm. Whether you’re relaxing on a secluded beach or sampling delicious wines, Antipaxos provides a memorable and rejuvenating experience. 

Antipaxos is easy to visit from Corfu, where there are plenty more beaches and unique things to do, like a trip to the replica Corfiot village of Danilia, which has been used as a filming location for tv and movies.

Does anyone live on Antipaxos? 

The official number of residents on Antipaxos varies but is put at between 20 to 50. Some home owners use the houses as summer houses and spend the rest of the year elseshere. I walked across most of the island, from end to end and only came across two cars on the road over several days.   

In the early mornings I saw staff who work at the beach restaurants arriving at the island by boat. 

Can you walk around Antipaxos? 

Apart from a brief shock from seeing a snake as it slithered away (I have a phobia), I enjoyed walking around Antipaxos. 

If you just want a short walk, you can stroll between Vrika, Mesavrika and Voutoumi very easily, as the pathway is all concrete.  

But to really see and feel more of what Antipaxos is all about, take a hike across some of its hidden pathways.   None of them are really signposted so you’ll need a map and a good sense of adventure.  Plus some hiking trainers or boots (see my earlier comment about the snake).   

As I set foot across the island, I explored several pathways with only a vague sense of where they might end up.   Cutting through the abundant flora, a range of sweet smells drift on the air.  Walking around the hidden pathways is not for the fainthearted but it’s rewarded with the chance to reconnect with your senses without the distraction of others, or the noise and pollution of traffic. 

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2 Comments

  1. Thank you for your amazing research and review!!

    We will be staying in the same cottage in 20 days!

    We will be reading all your articles thank youuuuu

    1. Thanks so much for your comment. Have an amazing time! By the way, if you like cats, look out for the little black and white one – it came to visit the terrace regularly 🙂

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