Paxos, or Paxoi, and its sister Antipaxoi are two tiny islands just south of Corfu. The beauty of these islands is their simplicity. Paxoi is covered with about half a million ancient olive trees and with tiny coves of crystal clear waters, this is where you come to really get away from it all. Paxos has three main towns, all located at natural anchorages: Gaios, Lakka and Loggos. Lakka is at the northern tip of the island is set in a horse shoe shaped bay and flanked by high ground covered in olive and cypresses trees. The bay is almost completely sheltered from the open sea which makes it excellent for swimming and for mooring boats.
Paxoi, (despite its size) has over 30 beaches to choose from. Some of these are: Alati, Arkoudaki, Balos, Charami, Glyfada, Kaki Lagkada, Kamini, Kanoni, Kipos, Kipiadi, Kloni Gouli, Lakkos, Levrechio, Marmari, Monodentri, Orkos, Plakes, and Soulalaina There are no sandy beaches though. The west coast is mainly sheer cliffs, but the eastern coast is full of small pebble bays which shelve gently into crystalline waters. Some can only be reached by motorboat, which is the best way to explore the local coastline. The cave at Kastanida is the most impressive at 600 ft high though the largest is at Grammatiko. All are worth a visit. Quieter spots can be found further to the south.
AntiPaxoi covers four square kilometres and instead of the olive groves of Paxoi there are many small vineyards. Antipaxoi is very popular with tourists because of its beaches of soft sand and Caribbean-hued waters, such as Voutoumi, Vrika and Mesovrika and emerald green waters. There are no shops on the island, or people, only small houses which are used mainly at weekends. The tiny neighbouring island of Daskalia has a secluded beach with stunning views of the mountains of Lefkas.
The MOORING place for charter yachts: Lakka, Loggos and Ozia
WATER SPORTS in Paxoi Island
In Lakka you can find Jerrys Waters Sports Club for all kind of activities (Tel. 6977 000348).
SCUBA DIVING in Paxoi Island
In Paxoi, you can find Oasi-Sub Diving centre in Gaios (Tel. +30 6972111995).
HISTORY Information for Paxoi Island
According to tradition, Paxos was once joined to Corfu. Frequent tempests, provoked by Poseidon and Aiolos, gods of the sea and the winds, caused the land to sunder, and from then on Paxos continued to move further away to the south. Paxos’ history is very similar to that of Corfu. The period of Venetian rule between the 14th and 18th century, decisively changed the face of Paxos. During that time the land was planted with olive trees. The houses and streets and the fortress, on the small isle of Agios Nikolaos, built by Venetians, nowadays offer visitors a chance to witness some fine architectural examples from the past.
MUSEUMS AND other interesting SITES in Paxoi Island
Worth visiting is the Museum of Paxos (Tel. 26620 32566) in Gaios, also guarding the mouth of the natural harbour of Gaios are two islands: The more distant island, with a lighthouse and pilgrimage church is that of the Monastery of Panagia (Virgin Mary) and St Nicholas Island, which forms a natural breakwater leading to the inlet of Gaios harbour. On St Nicholas Island there are two small churches, St Nicholas and St Ioannis, and an old Venetian fortress that was built in1423 (permission to visit the fortress must be obtained by the municipal authority Tel. 26620 32100). Just outside the village of Magazia, you can also visit the Olive Press museum. The museum is open from 11.00 to 14.00
LOCAL THINGS & STUFF to check or BUY in Paxoi Island
In Paxoi, you can find handmade olivewood designs, gold and silver jewellery and fine pottery. Loggos 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. AntiPaxoi wine can be bought in the local shops in Paxos or can be sampled in the tavernas on Anti Paxos and Paxos. It?s well worth tasting.