Paxos and Antipaxos Islands

Paxos is a small island of approximately 25 square kilometres located approximately 13 kilometres south of Corfu in the Ionian Sea, and together with its tiny neighbor Antipaxos — separated by a narrow channel of around 2 kilometres — forms one of the most distinctive island destinations in the Ionian Islands of Greece. Paxos has a permanent population of around 2,500 people, primarily concentrated in the three villages of Gaios (the capital), Lakka, and Loggos, each built around a natural harbor.

The interior of Paxos is covered almost entirely by ancient olive groves — the island has approximately 300,000 olive trees, many of them hundreds of years old with gnarled trunks of considerable girth. The oil produced is considered among the finest in Greece. Walking trails thread through the groves between the villages, and the combination of dappled olive-grove shade and glimpses of the sea through the trees is one of the defining landscape experiences of the island. The western coastline of Paxos is characterized by dramatic sea caves and vertical limestone cliffs, including the Tripitos natural arch and the Erimitis cliffs, both accessible by boat.

Antipaxos covers only around 5 square kilometres and has a permanent population of fewer than 50 people. The island's two beaches, Vrika and Voutoumi, are regarded as among the finest in Greece: fine white sand and water of an almost Caribbean turquoise, sheltered by limestone headlands and served by a handful of seasonal tavernas. The island also produces a small quantity of wine from ancient vineyards that is consumed almost entirely on the island and rarely exported. Day trips to Antipaxos by boat from Gaios take around 20 minutes.

Access to Paxos is by ferry from Corfu (around two hours), Igoumenitsa (one hour), or by day-trip boat from Corfu, Lefkada, and Preveza. Private boat rental is widely available from Gaios harbor.