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Δευτέρα 14 Ιανουαρίου 2013

Paxos Travel Guide


Yacht moored in the bay of Lakka. Lakka Villas in background overlooking the bay of Lakka.

Paxos can be found 14 kilometres south of Corfu, 20 kilometres to the east is Parga on the mainland of Greece. Paxos covers an area of some 19 square kilometres and is one of a cluster of picturesque small islands set in the Ionian Sea. Paxos has no airport, can only be reached by ferry boat and therefore, has been able to protect itself from the strain of modern tourism. Paxos is an island of endless olive groves and Anti Paxos one large vineyard. The eastern coastline of the islands are gentle compared to the west coast which are bold and abrupt, with caves, arches and shear cliffs. The capital of Paxos is Gaios a picturesque village built around a port which is protected by two small islands Agios Nikolas and Panagia. On the Northern side is the village of Lakka and on the east side is the very charming village of Loggos. You will find the pace is still unhurried, very relaxing with genuine friendly Greek hospitality at its best. Paxos has a permanent population of approximately 2,300 inhabitants.

How To Get to Paxos

Between the months of May until late October you can fly direct to Corfu from most European air ports but between November to April it's necessary to fly to Athens and then onto Corfu. If you fly Olympic Airways from the UK they will arrange for your luggage to be transferred direct to the onward journey.
On arriving at Corfu airport you take a taxi to the New Port. There are usually several taxis available, just ask the driver to take you to the New Port for the boat to Paxos, they all know where to take you. It's helpful to give them the name of your particular ferry boat or sea taxi. The journey to the New Port will take about 10 minutes and cost between 10 and 15 Euros.

Travelling over land from Northern Greece is now very much easier and quicker with the new Egnatia motorway taking you straight to the Portof Igoumenitsa.



From Igoumenitsa in the Prefecture of Thesprotia to Kipi in the Prefecture of Evros


If you are travelling overland by car you have several departure ports in Italy - Venice, Ancona, Bari and Brindisi from where main shipping lines sail to Corfu and Igoumenitsa. Igoumenitsa is on the main land of Greece opposite Corfu and can be reached by ferry from Patras. If you travel to Brindisi ( bottom of Italy), the Agoudimos Lines will take you to Corfu. When you arrive at the port of Corfu or Igoumenitsa, you will take the local car ferry to Paxos:


The KERKYRA LINES run a ferry for vehicles and foot passengers . They leave from Corfu's New Port and sail to Paxos via Igoumenitsa and takes about 3hours 15mins. For sailing times contact the Corfu agent Tel 00 30 26610 23874 / 23876 or telephone the Paxos Agent 00 30 26620 32269 /32440.
Please Note During the winter months and early spring time tables for these ferries can change by the hour and therefore it is not possible to provide reliable ferry times. For those wishing to travel to Paxos by ferry boat you should telephone the Port Authority on 00 30 26610 3265

Passenger Ferries Only To Paxos From Corfu
The Dolphini hydrofoils carry approx 150 passengers and leave the New Port in Corfu for Paxos most days (in the summer) The crossing to Paxos takes about one hour Arriving in Paxos the boat will dock at the Gaios New Port where the local taxis and Hire Cars will be waiting for you. The cost of a one way boat ticket from Corfu to Paxos is about 15Euro.


Paxos Sea Taxis



If your arrival is delayed and you miss your intended ferry or flight to Paxos, or you arrive in the early hours of the morning don't worry call a sea taxi.


Gaios is a charming port town and spreads itself along the waterfront. You can enter Gaios from a northerly or southerly direction passing two small islands, the first at the mouth of Gaios harbour is called Panayia (Virgin Mary) on which there is a splendid white monastery. On the 15th August, Assumption Day the gates the monastery are open and everyone travels across by boat to the monastery to pay homage. Gaios harbour and the approaching inlet is very safe for overnight mooring for all types of boats. Water and fuel vehicles patrol on a daily basis. Payment for mooring and regulations can be obtained from the Port Authorities Tel.

Gaios Inlet from the North
Gaios Town


Lakka is the northern port of Paxos set gorgeous horse shoe shaped bay and flanked by high ground covered in olive and cypresses trees. The bay which is almost completely sheltered from the open sea is excellent for swimming, water sports and for mooring boats including overnight.

Lakka Bay
Harami Beach
Plani Beach West Coast of Lakka

Sea plane view of Lakka. Note the amazing colour of the sea caused by the soft white sand underneath.
Loggos is a small fishing village on the east coast of Paxos just around the corner from Lakka. Tavernas and bars surround the harbour, a very pleasant place to sit and while away the hours. There are three mini-markets and a baker's shop which have a good selection of produce, fresh fruit and vegetables are brought in from mainland Greece on a regular basis. Loggos is on the main bus route and is well serviced by the local friendly taxis service.
To Taxidi & Roxi Bars

Loggos Beach


Only 2 kilometers or so south of Paxos is Anti Paxos even smaller and almost uninhabited, instead of the olive groves there are many small vineyards looked after by the Paxos families, some of them also have houses on Anti Paxos. Anti Paxos 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. Excursion boats from Paxos to Anti Paxos run frequently in the summer, the trip takes about 15 minutes and you can spend the whole day there if you like.


Anti Paxos  Bay
Anti Paxos
Voutoumi Beach
Anti Paxos Voutoumi Beach


voutoumi by antipaxous 
Map by Google Earth


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