Paxos

Small quiet beaches and ancient olive groves.

This small Ionian island has clear-water beaches, centuries-old olive groves, and three traditional villages along its eastern coast. Local fishermen still work from its harbors.

5
out of 5

Paxos, a small island south of Corfu in the Ionian Sea, invites you to walk among olive trees, swim in bright blue waters, and explore villages with Venetian-style buildings. The island has no airport, and ferries arrive only from Corfu or the Greek mainland, keeping daily life simple. Hills covered with centuries-old olive groves slope down to pebble beaches including Levrechio and Kipiadi on the eastern shore. Rent a small boat to see sea caves along the western cliffs or take a 15-minute ride to Antipaxos, where shallow bays have water so clear you can see the sandy bottom.

How to Reach Paxos

You can take a ferry or hydrofoil from Corfu Town or Igoumenitsa on the mainland. The fastest option is the Flying Dolphin hydrofoil from Corfu to Gaios, which takes one hour. Flights to Corfu International Airport run regularly from European cities, and taxis from the airport reach the ferry port in 20 minutes. Between May and October, ferries run multiple times a day, but from November to April, schedules become limited. Book tickets in advance during summer to secure a spot.

Villages to Visit

Gaios, the main port, wraps around a narrow harbor with two small islands nearby. One holds a whitewashed monastery, the other a stone fortress from the Venetian era. Walk through streets lined with pale yellow and blue houses to reach the main square, where cafes serve Greek coffee and honey pastries. Lakka, in the north, has a circular bay with a small museum displaying an old olive press and waterfront restaurants serving grilled fish. Loggos, the smallest village, has colorful buildings around a small harbor with seafood tavernas and a quiet vibe. All three villages have shops renting boats and organizing trips to nearby beaches.

Beaches and Coastline

The eastern side of Paxos has pebble beaches you can reach on foot or by bicycle. Levrechio and Marmari have gentle waves and olive trees growing close to the water’s edge. Monodendri and Kipiadi draw swimmers with their deep, clear water. On the western coast, tall limestone cliffs rise above the sea, carved into caves such as Tripitos and Ortholithos that you can enter by boat. Antipaxos, a short ride from Gaios, has two sandy beaches—Vrika and Voutoumi—where the water shifts from light blue to deep green.

Things to Do

Rent a motorboat for the day to explore the coastline on your own, or join a group tour to find smaller coves. Walk marked trails through olive groves, some planted during Venetian rule when each tree was counted for tax records. Visit the Church of the Analipsi in Gaios, a pink-stone building with a bell tower overlooking the harbor. In July and August, the Paxos Festival holds concerts and plays in venues like the old schoolhouse in Loggos. Snorkel or dive near the western cliffs to see underwater rock arches and schools of fish.

Food and Restaurants

Family-run tavernas in Gaios, Lakka, and Loggos cook Ionian dishes with Italian influences. Order sofrito, thin slices of veal simmered in garlic and white wine, or bourdeto, a stew of scorpionfish in tomato sauce with paprika. At Bouloukos in Loggos, try octopus grilled over charcoal or tomatoes stuffed with rice and herbs. Vassilis in Gaios serves dishes like shrimp with feta and grilled eggplant with yogurt sauce. For breakfast or coffee, Averto in Gaios has strong espresso and shaded outdoor tables surrounded by potted plants.

Planning Your Trip

Come between May and October for sunny days and reliable ferry connections. Buses run between Gaios, Lakka, and Loggos three times a day, but renting a scooter lets you stop at beaches and viewpoints. Stay in guesthouses with terraces overlooking the sea or rent a villa with a kitchen through a local rental office. Bring shoes with thick soles for walking on pebbles and uneven trails, and keep cash on hand—some shops and tavernas don’t take credit cards. Follow the island’s quiet pace: many businesses close from 2 PM to 5 PM, and dinners start after 8 PM.

Average temperatures during the day in Paxos.
February
12°
Mar
15°
Apr
18°
May
23°
Jun
27°
Jul
30°
Aug
30°
Sep
27°
Oct
22°
Nov
17°
Dec
13°
Jan
12°

What people say about Paxos

5
People
5
Food
4
Spaces
5
Value
5
Safety
5

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