Paxoi – Sailing Destination with Unique Charm and Stunning Beauty
Paxi are two small Greek islands south of Corfu, and this is your travel guide for perfect holidays in these exotic islands. They are rather unknown to international tourists, but much loved by Greeks for their discreet charm and stunning beauty.
Where is Paxi in Greece?
Gaios Port in Paxos
What to see in Paxi?
Must-See Villages of Paxos
Island Hopping from Paxi
Paxi Beach Guide
Beaches in Paxos
Beaches in Antipaxos
Paxi – What to do?
How to get to Paxi?
Where is Paxi in Greece?
Paxi Islands (or Paxoi) sit on the northern side of the Ionian Sea just south of Corfu. Due to their popularity as a sailing destination and the many yachts mooring in the marina or around the incredibly beautiful coastlines, the islands of Paxi are becoming one of the hottest destinations among the Greek islands.
The whole picture is quite idyllic – crystal clear waters, beaches in tropical style, green inland, sea caves and traditional villages. Here all sizes and distances are small. The Paxoi islands, always a favourite spot for sailsmen to throw their anchor, are today a popular tourist attraction, but still loved by experienced travelers.
Overall, the best seasons to visit these tiny islands are early summer or September. That way you will avoid crowds at the beaches and restaurants.
Gaios Port in Paxos
What to see in Paxi?
Ariving at Gaios Port the first impressions will probably be beyond all expectations. This little town well hidden in the narrow waters between the main island of Paxos and the islet of Agios Nikolaos, just a few meters away, looks like a cinematic scenery. The houses, scattered along the waterfront, retain the traditional Ionian architecture and colorful as they are as they pose beside the deep blue sea, they create a unique picture.
Ionian Islands Tours
TICKETS & THINGS TO DO:
The small, but interesting Folklore Museum is worthwhile visiting. It is housed in a magnificent building from the 16th century. If you would like to visit the castle of Agios Nikolaos, built in 1423, on the islet by the same name, it is better to arrange with the local authorities beforehand.
Must-see villages of Paxos
Paxos has three picturesque villages with beautiful beachfront promenades, perfect for relaxing in the afternoon and dining in the evening. Gaios, the port of Paxi is lively with many private yachts and fishing boats mooring during the summer. Also, Lakka and Logos have marinas and colorful houses, with hotels, taverns, cafés, and bars giving a cosmopolitan feel to the island.
Island hopping from Paxi
Due to its proximity to Corfu and the coasts of the Greek mainland, Paxi is a perfect base for island-hopping.
Paxi Beach Guide
The beaches in the Paxi islands are hidden in small coves with crystal-clear turquoise water. Few of the beaches are organized with sunbeds, umbrellas and serving, but most of them are secluded so you may enjoy privacy.
Paxos (the bigger island) is first famous for its stunning beaches. The beautiful beaches have crystal-clear emerald waters, perfect for scuba diving or a swim. Even more, the smaller island of Antipaxos, opposite of Paxos is famous worldwide for its exotic Caribbean-like beaches. Throughout the day boats connect Paxos with Antipaxos from Gaios Port in Paxos, Greece.
Beaches in Paxos
Partly organized beaches
- Harami beach – Pebbled, family friendly, water sports, located 8 km north of Gaios. Well-organized with sunbeds and umbrellas.
- Monodendri beach – Pebbled, family friendly, located 9 km north of Gaios, close to Logos village. Partly organized with sunbeds and umbrellas.
Non-Organized beaches
- Logos beach – Pebbled, family friendly, located 7 km north of Gaios. It is a cluster of flower-decked houses on the north east coast overlooking a small fishing harbour. There are several mini-markets and a bakery, a couple of bars and a traditional coffeeshop.
- Levrechio beach – Pebbled, family friendly, located just south of Logos. It is an attractive shingle beach, this makes Logos a very busy place.
- Pounda beach – Pebbled, secluded, located 5 km north of Gaios. It has access along a track from the main road. The track branches south and down a very steep track to a long pebble beach at Kipiadi.
- Marmari beach – Pebbled, family friendly, located 5 km north of Gaios. It is set in a bay with shade from the olive trees that grow down to the shore. There are small coves in the area of which many can only be reached by boat.
- Kipiadi beach – Pebbled secluded, located 4 km north of Gaios. Accessible by boat and dirt road.
- Mogonisi beach – Sandy, family friendly, located 5 km south of Gaios. Nice taverns at the beach.
- Plakes beach – Pebbled, located 2 km south of Gaios
- Agios Nikolaos beach – Pebbled, narrow beaches, located in front of Gaios harbour. Go there by boat.
Beaches in Antipaxos
Non-organized beaches
- Voutoumi beach – Sandy, accessible by boat from Paxos
- Mesovrika beach – Sandy, secluded, accessible only by boat
When visiting Paxos it is a ‘must’ to visit Antipaxos, a very small island only 3 nautical miles from Paxos. Where Paxos mainly has olive trees, Antipaxos has grapes. The last years, this tiny island (3 km long and 1 km wide) has become very popular, specially because of its two “tropical” beaches, Vrika and Voutoumi where the waters are crystal clear and turquoise in colour.
Lefkada Tours
TICKETS & THINGS TO DO:
Paxi – What to do?
Boat trips around the islands
Visit and swim in the beautiful blue caves, see the stunning white cliffs of Erimitis and the natural wonder of Tripitos. Then onto the sandy beaches of Antipaxos, where the turquoise waters are simply out of this world! Lay back, relax, and enjoy the beach. The boat makes its way back to Logos via the East Coast dropping anchor at the beautiful half moon bay of Kipiadi for a quick swim and a little ouzo!
This is a great opportunity to see some of the world’s most beautiful scenery….all in one day.
Hiking the islands
The Paxi islands are great for hiking as well with its lush and green interior. You will find many old footpaths crossing the islands leading to small chapels and settlements. Find your own secluded beach and take in the stunning views from the hilltops to the blue sea. The best seasons for hiking are in spring and autumn when the weather is still rather cool.
Do remember your camera if you are visiting the villages of Paxos!
How to get to Paxi?
There is no airport in the Paxi islands, the nearest one is in Corfu. Corfu International Airport “Ioannis Kapodistrias” is receiving flights all-year-round from Athens, Thessaloniki, and Preveza as well as some European countries. Arriving at Corfu Airport you will need a taxi or public bus to reach the port and embark the ferry for Paxi.
You can also reach Paxi by ferry from Igoumenitsa on the Greek mainland, where the ferries are larger and can transfer vehicles as well, in which case the trip lasts an hour and a half. From Corfu the transfer lasts 30 minutes with a hydrofoil ferry.
