Paxos is the smallest of the Ionian islands. It is only 10 kilometers long and four kilometers across at its widest point and is located 11km from Corfu's southern tip. The pace of life is unhurried, and very relaxing, with genuine friendly Greek hospitality at its best. There are three main villages Gaios, Lakka and Loggos. It has a charming landscape of ancient olive groves, originally planted by the Venetians and covering about 80% of the island, dry-stone walled terraces, abandoned olive presses and old farmhouses. Pebbled beaches are scattered along the east coast, while the western side is marked by majestic white cliffs with jagged coves and deep caves. If you like walking there are many tracks through the olive groves and cypresses where you will find buildings and features of interest. There are organized walks around the island, a good way to explore this unforgettable emerald island. Paxos has three main towns, all located at natural anchorages:
Gaïos is the island's attractive capital, with a Venetian harbour, a ruined fortress and red-tiled buildings of pink, cream and yellow stucco. Guarding the mouth of the natural harbor of Gaios are two islands: The more distant island, with a lighthouse and pilgrimage church is that of the monastery of Panagia; pilgrims flock here on the Virgin's day, August 15, and in the evening return to shore and dance through the night in the streets of Gaios. St Nicholas Island forms a natural breakwater which leads to the inlet of Gaios harbour. Gaios Square is a very good place to sit at a cafe bar, soak up the atmosphere and watch the coming and going of a great variety of boats and travellers. Lakka, at the northern tip of the island is Paxos' second port. It is set in a gorgeous horse shoe shaped bay and flanked by high ground covered in olive and cypresses trees. The bay which is almost completely sheltered from the open sea is excellent for swimming, water sports and for mooring boats. Loggos is the smallest of the three main villages. It is a very quiet fishing village with a picturesque harbour fronted by tavernas and small bars. It's a great place to peacefully laze by day or drink and dine by night. Inland villages like Bogdanatika and Magazia have a Venetian air, and traditional tavernas. The near island of Anti Paxos is surrounded by some of the finest sea in the world. It's only 15 minutes away from Paxos and boats run frequently from Gaios, Lakka and Loggos during the summer. It covers four square kilometers and instead of the olive groves of Paxos there are many small vineyards looked after by the Paxos families, some of whom also have houses on Anti Paxos.
How to get there
Paxos has no airport, it can only be reached by ferry boat or by flying boat and is therefore unspoilt.
Through Corfu: Paxos is 10 miles from Corfu and 25 miles from Corfu town. It takes approximately 1 hour by sea taxi or rapid ferry, or 10 minutes by sea plane.
Route 1: Direct flights to Corfu. These are charter flights and are mainly one or two week package flights.
Route 2: Flying via Athens to Corfu. This is the best way for visitors from outside Europe. There are at least two connections a day between Athens and Corfu.
Through Preveza: This is an airport on the mainland near the Ionian coast. Flights via Athens or International charter flights to Preveza arrive most days of the week from many parts of Europe, from early May to late October. British charter flights are mainly from Gatwick and Manchester on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays; with one Heathrow flight on Sunday.It takes about 30 minutes by taxi to Levkas and then a sea taxi to transfer from Levkas to Paxos takes a further hour and a half.
From Athens: Helicopter flights can be arranged directly from Athens to Paxos.
