Discover Paxos: Beaches, Hiking Trails and Island Culture

On Paxos, clear coves and greenery reaching down to the water’s edge meet paths through ancient olive groves and a rich island history. You can shape your holiday in many different ways: with days at the beach, a boat trip to the sea caves, or a hike between settlements. You can also choose your holiday apartment according to which of these experiences matter most for your trip.

Beaches, Sea Caves and a Natural Stone Arch

The beaches of Paxos are known for clear water, secluded coves and greenery reaching down to the water’s edge. Most beaches are easy to reach via the road network. This lets you weigh up beach outings and other island experiences when planning your days, without every day on the coast having to be the same.

The sea caves of Paxi are different: they can only be reached by sea. A boat trip departs from Gaios and includes the large Ypapanti Cave and the Achai cave system. If you want to experience these coastal formations, you can make a boat trip a focus of your itinerary. Trypitos offers another striking landscape: its natural stone arch resembles a bridge over the Ionian Sea.

Hiking Through Olive Groves

An excellent network of paths runs through dense, ancient olive groves and connects picturesque settlements. There are different routes to choose from when planning your day. The hiking route from Lakka to Gaios is about 12 km long, takes around 2.5 hours and reaches a maximum elevation of 241 m. Despite the elevation gain, it is considered relatively easy.

The route from Loggos via Orkos Beach to Lakka is shorter, at about 5 km, and has a moderate elevation difference of 162 m. This information allows for a concrete comparison of the two routes described: for one, the length, approximate duration and maximum elevation are given; for the other, the approximate length and elevation difference. Choose according to which route and locations best suit your planned hiking day.

History and Cultural Heritage

The island’s history can also be seen in different places and forms. Construction of Saint Nicholas Castle began in 1423, carried out by Adam II San Ippolyto with the approval of Venice. The castle was intended to protect residents from pirates. The Saint Spyridon Church is listed in Paxos’s first church register, dating from 1686. The Paxos Folklore Museum was founded in 1996 by the Paxos Cultural Association to preserve the island’s cultural heritage.

On Panagia Islet, the Church and Monastery of Panagia Vellianiton were probably built in the early 17th century. A high, whitewashed wall surrounds the complex. Together with the museum and historic churches, these sites make it possible to plan a trip that leaves room for history and cultural heritage as well as scenery and activity.

Gaios as a Base for Experiences

The Neroladia Festival is held annually in Gaios, usually in late July. The boat trip to the sea caves described above also departs from there. If you want to focus on these experiences, Gaios is a specific location to consider when planning your holiday. For hiking, by contrast, the routes linked to Lakka and Loggos take centre stage. These different priorities can help you decide which location to prefer when looking for a holiday apartment.

For the route from Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” via Corfu Airport and by ferry to Paxi (Gaios), the flight takes 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes; the ferry crossing takes 55 minutes. Allow for both legs when planning your journey.

Discover More Island Destinations

More island destinations: Corfu, Ithaki, Lefkada, Zakynthos and Kefalonia.

Back to the main travel overview: Ionian Islands.