🪪 The island at a glance
📍 Where they are
Paxos lies in the Ionian Sea, south of Corfu and opposite the coast of Epirus. It has no airport. The easiest way is to fly to Corfu and take a fast boat, which takes about an hour. There are also ferries from Igoumenitsa.
📍 Where Paxos is
Paxos lies in the Ionian Sea, south of Corfu and opposite the coast of Epirus. Paxos and Antipaxos are shown in red, and Corfu and Igoumenitsa, where the boats leave from, in green.
🗺️ The map of the island
Paxos is small and long, with hills covered in olive trees. On the east coast are the three little harbours: Gaios, the capital, Loggos and Lakka, at the northern tip. The west coast has tall white cliffs and caves. To the south, a narrow channel separates Paxos from Antipaxos.
🗺️ Map of Paxos
Gaios is on the east coast, Loggos further north and Lakka at the northern tip. The west coast has tall cliffs and caves. To the south, across the water, is Antipaxos. Tap each number to see what it is.
Map: Jean-Baptiste d’Anville (Public domain) · Wikimedia Commons
⚖️ Is it worth it? The pros and cons
Paxos is an island for boats, swimming and quiet holidays. It is not an island for parties or cheap holidays. Here is an honest picture.
📊 At a glance, from 1 to 5
👍 The pros
- A green island, full of olive trees.
- Three pretty little harbours: Gaios, Loggos, Lakka.
- Sea caves and cliffs on the west coast.
- The beaches of Antipaxos with water like a pool.
- Quiet and small, easy to get around.
👎 The cons
- No airport.
- Expensive, especially in August.
- The beaches of Paxos are mostly pebbly.
- Crowded in August with yachts and day trips.
⚓ Gaios
Gaios is the capital, a pretty harbour like a canal, sheltered by two islets. On the waterfront there are houses in soft colours, a square with cafés and tavernas, and the Folklore Museum.
In front of Gaios is the islet of Agios Nikolaos, with a Venetian fortress, and the islet of Panagia, with a monastery. On 15 August, for the feast of the Virgin Mary, there is a big festival with boats and music.
A harbour like a canal.
Cafés and tavernas.
Venetian-era houses on the water.
A stroll along the waterfront.
The islet with the monastery.
Photos: Hagai Agmon-Snir (CC BY-SA 4.0), Bogdan Giuşcă (CC BY-SA 2.5), Mageiamaya (CC BY-SA 4.0), Andriana Karbouni (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons
🫒 Loggos, Lakka and the olive trees
Loggos is a small fishing village with tavernas right on the water, and Lakka, at the northern tip, has a sheltered bay with blue water and small beaches. Between the villages, the whole island is covered in olive groves, with old dry-stone walls and footpaths.
A sheltered bay in the north.
Swimming in small coves.
Paxos is full of olive groves.
Photos: Mathias Fege (CC BY-SA 4.0), Jess Stubenbord (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons
Old footpaths link the villages through the olive groves. They are quiet and shady, and lead you to small churches and coves.
🌊 The sea caves and the west coast
The west coast has tall white cliffs and large sea caves, which you can only reach by boat. At the southern tip is Tripitos, a natural arch in the rock. From the cliff at Erimitis you will see one of the finest sunsets in the Ionian.
A natural arch in the sea.
Only by boat.
The sunset of Paxos.
Photos: Thomas Fabian (CC BY-SA 2.0), Poiesia (CC BY-SA 4.0), Mageiamaya (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons
In Gaios, Loggos and Lakka you can rent a small boat without a licence. It is the best way to see the caves and get to Antipaxos. If the wind blows from the west, stay on the east coast.
🏖️ Antipaxos
Antipaxos is a small island south of Paxos, with vineyards and few people. It is known for the beaches on its east coast: Voutoumi, with turquoise water and pebbles, and Vrika, with white sand and shallow water. Boats go every day from Gaios.
One of the finest in the Ionian.
White sand and shallow water.
By boat from Gaios.
Photos: Costas78 (Public domain), Bogdan Giuşcă (CC BY-SA 2.5), Jess Stubenbord (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons
- Voutoumi: turquoise water and pebbles, on Antipaxos.
- Vrika: white sand and shallow water, on Antipaxos.
- Mongonisi: an islet south of Gaios, with a beach and a taverna.
- Kipiadi: pebbles below a cliff, near Loggos.
- Harami: in the bay of Lakka, with shallow water.
🍽️ What to eat
The olive oil of Paxos is among the best in the Ionian, and you will find it everywhere. Try fresh fish and seafood at the tavernas of Loggos and Lakka, and Ionian dishes such as bourdeto, fish in a spicy red sauce. On Antipaxos you will find local wine.
📅 When to go
The best time is May, June and September: warm sea, a green island and fewer people. In August many yachts and day trips arrive from Corfu, and prices go up.
⛴️ How to get there from Athens
| How | Duration | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plane and fast boat | About 1 hour + 1 hour | Athens Airport → Corfu | The easiest way. |
| Bus and ferry | About 6–7 hours + 1.5 hours | Athens → Igoumenitsa | Cheaper, but a very long trip. |
From Ioulianou 50 you reach the airport on Line 1 to Monastiraki and then Line 3. For Corfu, read our guide to Corfu.
🗓️ Three days on Paxos
Gaios and Loggos
A walk in Gaios and its little harbours, and in the afternoon Loggos for a swim and a meal by the water.
A boat to the caves and Antipaxos
Rent a boat or take a trip to the caves of the west coast, Tripitos, and Voutoumi and Vrika.
Lakka and Erimitis
Morning in Lakka and its beaches, a walk through the olive groves, and sunset at Erimitis.
Frequently asked questions
Can I go for a day from Corfu?
Yes. Many boats from Corfu do a day trip to the caves, Gaios and Antipaxos. To really enjoy it, though, stay at least two nights.
Where should I stay on Paxos?
In Gaios, for boats, food and strolling. In Loggos, for peace by the water. In Lakka, for the bay and the beaches.
Do I need a car?
Not necessarily. There is a bus between the three villages, and you can rent a scooter or a boat. A boat is the best way to see the island.
How many days do I need?
Three to four days for the villages, the caves, Antipaxos and Erimitis.
— Kathy
