The island of Paxos is one of the Ionian islands. It is a small and green island of about 25 km2 with a population of 3000 people. The shores of Paxos are rocky and white and there are caves along the turqoise waters of the coast. The eastside consists mainly of hills and the west side of the island has dramatic cliffs and beautiful vistas. The inland of Paxos is green with many olive trees (200.000 in total and plenty of really old ones), pine trees and fields with grapes that are used for making local wine. There are only a few farming and fishing villages. The olive trees that grow here in large numbers are still a major part of the island's economy.

Paxos has no airport of its own. The nearest airport for Paxos is on the island of Corfu and the journey from Corfu to Paxos takes about three hours time. Paxos is quiet, up market and also a bit more expensive than most of the other islands in the Ionian Archipelago.

The capital of the island Paxos has about 800 inhabitants and is called Gaios Town. It is situated in a bay that is protected by two islets (Agios Nikolaos and Panagia). These two islets are covered with pine trees and shelter Gaios from the sea and the wind. The islet of Panagia has a small church and a lighthouse on it and on Agios Nikolaos island there are remains of a 14th century Venetian fortress (called "Kastro"). From Gaios there are excursion boats to these two islets and to the small island of Antipaxos (south of Paxos) where you can find some nice sandy beaches. Paxos itself also sees a lot of visitors that make a daytrip from Corfu and from Parga (on the mainland). Once these daytrip boats have arrived on Paxos the island capital Gaios Town gets quite busy. This lasts until the excursion boats go back home and the tranquility returns again.

Although many of the buildings on the island of Paxos were destroyed in an earthquake in 1953, most of the attractive buildings in the harbour of Gaios have survived. It is a charming little village with red-tiled houses, a square with a kafenion and a couple of shops, a bus station and a small pebble beach. In the harbor stands the green statue of Constantinos Canaris, a hero of the Greek resistance. The busses from the capital will take you north to the coastal villages of Longos and Lakka, with its Byzantine church. Both of these villages have a beach. Gaios Town has two ports: the old port is for the excursion boats and the caiques (traditional wooden boats) and the new port just outside the town is for the larger ferries. This is because the "canal" in between the island of Paxos and the islets in the bay is too narrow. The ferries connect Paxos with the island of Corfu, and with Piraeus (Athens), Igoumenitsa (the major port of western Greece) and Parga on the mainland.

Lakka is the second largest village on the island and has about 400 inhabitants. It's in the north of the island in a beautiful and sheltered horseshoe shaped bay which is surrounded by pine trees. Here it is very safe to swim in the sea. Around Lakka there are many olive trees and cypresses. In the harbor of the village lie fishing boats and yachts and there is plenty of choice in outdoor cafes, restaurants and taverns. There are also a few supermarkets and a bakery. In and around Lakka are many beautiful beaches. Lakka is about 8 km away from the main town Gaios and is easily reached by taxi or bus.

The village of Loggos lies on the northeast coast of Paxos in between Lakki and Gaios. The distance to the main town is about 4 km. Loggos with its 200 inhabitants, is slightly smaller than Lakki, but you will still find a number of supermarkets and a bakery here. This fishing village has a cozy and colorful harbor with a number of dining options. Both north and south of Loggos are several beautiful beaches. Like Lakka the village of Loggos is also served by regular busses.

Paxos has plenty of beaches in different sizes. Most of these beaches are on the more sheltered east coast of the island and consist of pebbles or a combination of pebbles and sand. Some of these beaches can only be reached by boat, but others can be reached by car or on foot. The west coast has fewer beaches and these beaches can only be reached by boat. On only a few of the beaches of Paxos you can rent parasols and sunbeds, on almost all the others you can find shade under a tree.

North of Gaios is the small and sheltered pebble beach of Kaki Langada. During the high season there is a cantina on the beach where you can buy a drink, during other periods you have to bring your own water. South of Gaios there are a couple of coves where you can go into the water.

Harami and Kanoni Beach are the two beaches inside the bay of Lakka. They are pebble beaches (although Harami is more sandy) but as soon as you get a little bit further into the water the pebbles change to sand. The white pebbles on the bottom of the sea give the water a beautiful turqoise colour. These beaches are shallow and so they are popular with families. On the beaches are trees where you can find some shade. From Lakka heading south towards Loggos you will get to the beaches of Monodendri and Glyfada. Monodendri beach is the more popular one and it has facilities. Here you can also practise watersports. Glyfada Beach is more quiet and can only be reached over a steep path down. Nort of Lakka liggen there are two other beaches: Planos and Achai Beach.

Kipos and Marmari Beach are two beaches close to the village of Loggos. They are situated in small coves and there are trees on the beach for some shade. Kipos and Marmari Beach can only be reached on foot or by boat. A 5 minutes walk south of Loggos will bring you to the beach of Levrecchio, where there is a taverne. It's a popular beach and it can get quite busy, especially during the high season. Even further south along a track from the main road are the beaches of Pounda and Kipiadi. They are pebble beaches and more quiet. Kipiada is quite long.

Mongonissi Beach is a sandy beach which is situated in the south of the island. It is artificial in such away that the place where the beach is was created by blowing a hole in the cliffs and filling it up with sand. Mongonissi is situated 5 kilometer south of Gaios. It used to be an islet, but it is now connected with the island of Paxos. The water is shallow and the beach of Mongonissi is situated in a protected bay, so it is very child friendly. There are trees on the beach for shade and there is a taverne where you can get a drink and something to eat. The bay of Mongonissi is one of the safest anchorages in the area and so there is also a mooring for yachts. Around Mongonissi Beach there are more pebble beaches and coves.

A series of caves on the west coast of Paxos, called the Blue Caves. These caves can only be visited by boat trip.

The island of Antipaxos can be reached by excursion boats. Only about a 100 people live here. The island has good beaches and there are a lot of vines.

Set on a pine-covered bay, 1.5 km from the village of Gaios, Paxos Beach Hotel boasts a private beach, a seawater swimming pool and a mini golf course. Decorated in natural tones, rooms at Paxos Beach have a furnished balcony with views to the Ionian Sea. Each room comes with air conditioning, a satellite LCD TV and a refrigerator. Sun beds and umbrellas are offered both at the swimming pool and on the private beach. The hotel also features a tennis court and a table-tennis table.Free Wi-Fi is offered in public areas. American buffet breakfast is served daily by the pool. Mediterranean dishes made with fresh ingredients are prepared at the hotel's restaurant. Refreshing drinks and light meals are served at the pool bar. In the village of Gaios, guests can find traditional taverns and seaside cafes. Daily cruises to the charming island of Antipaxos also depart from Gaios port. Free on-site parking is possible.

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Surrounded by lush greenery and only steps from Harami Beach, this family run hotel offers a small pool with pool-side bar and sunbathing terrace, and spacious rooms with private balcony. Each of the air-conditioned rooms of the hotel Amfitriti offers view of both mountain and sea. All of them have a kitchenette with refrigerator and a TV. Right in front of the hotel, guests will find the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea, which is equipped with sun beds. Lakka is just 150 metres away

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