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| Paxos | ||
| prefecture | Corfu | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 2.300 () | |
| height | 248 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Paxi is an archipelago of Ionian islands in Greece.
background
Paxi is the smallest group of islands within the Ionian Islands. It consists of the inhabited islands of Paxos or Paxi and Andipaxos or Andipaxi as well as numerous other uninhabited islets and rocks. With around 3000 inhabitants, they are one of the least touristic islands and are particularly popular with sailors and motorboat enthusiasts. The west coast is characterized by steep white, calcareous cliffs that are heavily eroded at sea level and house many "blue caves" that can be found on excursions Gaios can be explored. Much of the landscape is still covered by olive groves. These extend from Lakka, the port municipality in the north, via Magazia to Gaios, the capital. Paxos is about 10 kilometers long and only a few places wider than two kilometers. The highest point of the approximately 19 square kilometer island is 248 meters high. On Paxos there are no permanent water-bearing streams and hardly any springs. The east of the island is rather flat and rich in very beautiful bathing bays, the west coast drops in abruptly steep drops and cliffs to the sea. There are also some grottos and towering monoliths slightly off the coast, such as the Ortholithos.
getting there
By plane
There is no airport on Paxi. The nearest airport is on the neighboring island Corfuwhich has regular domestic flights from Athens and Thessaloniki all year round. In summer there are also many charter and cheap flights from various European airports to Corfu. After arriving in Corfu by plane, visitors can reach Paxi by ferry.
By boat
The only way to get to Paxi is by ferry. Ferries to Paxi depart from Corfu and Igoumenitsa. Ferries from Corfu Town to Paxi are hydrofoils, which means they are faster and can only carry passengers, not vehicles. The ferry time from Corfu to Paxi is 30 minutes, the ferries from Igoumenitsa to Paxi are large and run once a day. You can transport both passengers and vehicles and the journey takes 1 hour 30 minutes.
mobility
Since the island is small, you can hike to the interesting destinations (Gaios-Lakka: 10km, Gaios-Loggos: 7km). Otherwise you can also rent mopeds in the 3 main towns, cars are hardly worthwhile because of the short distances. Even taxis are inexpensive over the short distances.
Tourist Attractions
Paxos
- 1 Lakka (Λάκκα Παξών).
The second largest place on Paxos with many restaurants, banks, pharmacies, supermarkets, bakery, car and moped rental companies and many nice accommodations. As in Gaios, the beautiful bay of Lakka is a popular anchorage for many yachts. Hence, there are some more expensive restaurants for the more affluent yacht owners. The beaches around Lakka are also popular with wind surfers. - 2 Longos (Λογγός Παξών).is a small fishing village with a number of good taverns, cafes, a supermarket, a bakery and many nice accommodations. It is much quieter and more contemplative here than in Gaios.
- 3 Gaios (Γάιος Παξών).Main town and ferry port with about 1500 inhabitants. Life mainly takes place in the cafes and taverns around the harbor. There are many good accommodations, shops, restaurants, cafes and at the harbor providers for boat trips to the neighboring islands and blue grottos. The small museum in town is also worth a visit.
- 1 Agion Nikolaos island. The bay of the Hautptort Gaios is protected by the small, now uninhabited island of Agios Nikolaos, on which the ruins of a Venetian castle are located. Paxoi was occupied by the Venetians in 1381. Until then it belonged to the Kingdom of Naples. In 1423 the local Venetian prince Adam II. San Ippolito asked the Venetian Senate for permission to build a castle at their own expense to protect the small island complex from piracy. Permission was given and the castle built. The castle ensured peace on the island and a long period of prosperity followed, the main characteristic of which was olive oil production. The Venetians stayed until 1797 and were replaced by the French. After a few troubled decades, Paxoi was occupied by the British in 1814. The castle of Agios Nicolaos was conquered without a fight. The Greek national hero Theodoros Kolokotronis took part in the operation as an officer (major) in the British Army under the command of the Philellenen Richard Church. What remains of the castle today are some parts of the walls, a water tank, the arsenal, a watchtower and some cannons. There are also two very pretty churches: Agiou Ioanni and Agios Nicholas. Both are worth a visit.
- 2 Panagia Island (Παναγία Παξών).On the small island there is a lovely chapel of the same name with a beautiful view. The chapel probably stands on the ruins of an older fortress.
- 3 Klatsonisi Island (Καλτσονήσι)..On the now uninhabited island, the chapel of the same name is worth seeing. On the tip of the island there are ruins of a settlement or a fortification.
- 4 Tripitos Arch. Less than three kilometers south of Gaios is one of the most beautiful natural monuments on the island. The way is a little difficult, but short, as you have to drive on an unpaved dirt road through olive groves to the parking lot. From there you walk a short, steep path to the natural bridge, an arch in the rock on the coast. The arch is the remnant of a collapsed sea cave and is located 20 meters above the water at its highest point. You can cross it on foot like on a bridge, as it is wider than it appears. The Tripitos Arch can also be viewed from the water on one of the tours to the Blue Caves.
- 5 Blue Caves. The Blue Caves can only be seen by boat and are so large that many ships can pass through. Excursion boats stop so you can swim through the caves and climb a few of the smaller ledges.
- 6 Ortholithos & Pappanikoli cave. towering, very photogenic monolith in front of the coast and a sea grotto with turquoise to blue water.
- 7 Ypapanti's Cave. beautiful sea grotto, only accessible by boat.
- 8 Old Greek Cistern (Sterna Elliniki). The landscape in the west of Paxos is wilder than in the east, with high cliffs. The cistern can be reached via a footpath. The view from here is beautiful and unspoiled. From this vantage point you can see the cliffs and hidden bays to the north and south, which can only be reached by boat. The cistern is a great picnic spot outside of the hot season (there is no shade) or a place to watch the sunset that is neither commercial nor crowded.
- 9 Mongonisi Cave. beautiful cave on the cliffs of Mongonisi island.
- 10 Church of hypapanti (Εκκλησία της Υπαπαντής). beautifully situated small church with a bell tower, from which one has a wonderful view.
- 11 Ozia bay. Beautiful bay with a lot of boats, popular anchorage, many restaurants.
Antipaxos
The small green island is known for its picturesque beaches and bays. You can reach them by taxi boat from Gaios on Paxos. There are no sights apart from the wonderful beaches.
- 1 Mesovrika Beach. Very nice beach with crystal clear water. Popular with excursion boats and sailors as an anchor bay.
- 2 Voutoumi beach. wonderful beach and also a destination for excursion boats and sailors.
- 3 Bay Antipaxos. gorgeous bay that can only be reached by boat.
- 4 Vrika Beach. White sand beach with clear turquoise waters in a Caribbean style. Flat and therefore also very popular with families. With taverns and cafes.
activities
- hike: There are a number of nicer Hiking trails and also good hiking maps, but mostly in English.
- Boat tours to the caves and Antipaxos are offered in large numbers on the promenades of the 3 places.
- Diving and snorkeling
beaches
Paxos has almost no sandy beaches. The west coast is mostly made up of sheer cliffs, but the east coast is full of small pebble coves. The clear, blue water around Paxos is ideal for swimming, surfing, diving and snorkeling.
- 5 Lakka beach. Pebble beach in a beautiful bay with changing shades of turquoise water and a beautiful view of the bay with its many yachts. You should arrive early to get a sheltered anchorage.
- 6 Orkos beach. Wonderful beach, not managed, accessible via a path of approx. 15 minutes through a pine forest, quite steep, but pleasantly shaded at all times. The vegetation on the beach is wonderful. Popular anchor bay.
- 7 Lakkos Beach. Not overcrowded pebble beach in a beautiful landscape, a little more difficult to reach.
- 8 Monodendri Beach. With a beach bar and restaurant, loungers, parasols, family-friendly, pebble beach.
- 9 Marmari Beach. Quiet clean pebble beach without many people with blue water. The olive trees that are close to the water provide pleasant shade.
- 10 Kipiadi beach. Secluded, unorganized pebble beach in a beautiful bay, which is very popular as an anchorage for yachts.
- 11 Balos beach. Quiet beach, small stone, clear water, idyllic.
- 12 Galazio Beach. Wonderful beach only accessible by boat.
- 13 Avlaki Beach. Coarse pebble beach in a fjord-like bay. Wonderful for snorkeling.
- 14 Erimitis Bay Beach. one of the most beautiful beaches (gravel-sand) on the island, slightly more difficult access.
- 15 Plani beach. Beautiful wild beach. You have to be a little careful because of the many stones in the sea and stronger waves. Beach shoes recommended, no shade in the afternoon.
shop
In each of the 3 main places there are all things for daily and tourist needs, whereby the offer in Gaios is by far the best.
kitchen
Paxos is not a "student destination", but has many, rather wealthy, older guests, such as the crews of the yachts. As a result, the price and quality level of the customers has been adjusted, at least around the popular anchor bays. If you are a bit off the beaten track, you can eat out cheaper. The number of restaurants is very high in the 3 main towns.
nightlife
The small island is not a "party island", but rather calm, adapted to the more sedate crowd. The nightlife takes place mainly in the restaurants and cafes on the promenades of the towns. Some beach bars also organize beach parties, which are announced in notices. This also applies to Greek for live music and Greek evenings for tourists.
accommodation
You hardly ever find large hotel complexes, but small hotels and a particularly large number of holiday apartments and rooms that are listed and rated in the common booking portals. In the high season the island is very popular, and in August it is almost full of (especially) Italian families. Accommodation is scarce if you haven't booked your stay well in advance. The relatively rich British and Italians and the number of sailors make the island anything but cheap. This applies to both food and accommodation. Even if the island seems pretty quiet in June and September, it is still expensive compared to most of the islands.
health
There are pharmacies in the towns, as well as a small number of doctors. There is only one health center at Gaios, but no hospital. You have to go for that Corfu or Igoumenitsa with the ferry.
Practical advice
- Internet: almost all restaurants, cafes and hotels have free internet for their guests. Mobile internet from e.g. Germany / Austria also works in Greece. You can also get a Greek prepaid sim card from e.g. Cosmote get if you want to be mobile online and need larger data volumes.
trips
- Corfu: the large neighboring island and one of the main tourist destinations in Greece.
literature
- Most travel guides about Corfu also have a section on Paxi.
