Paxos
Paxos is the smallest of the main Ionian Islands, just 25 square kilometres, 7 nautical miles south of Corfu. Green with ancient olive groves, said to have been planted by the Venetians, it has a gentle east coast with the port towns of Gaios, Lakka and Loggos, and a dramatic west coast of sheer white limestone cliffs, sea caves and blue water like Tripitos Arch and Erimitis.
With only about 2,300 permanent residents, Paxos is quiet and upscale, known for its clear water, small pebbly beaches such as Marmari and Kipiadi, and as a sailing hub in the Ionian. It has no airport — you reach it by ferry or water taxi from Corfu — and retains a laid-back, Italian-influenced feel with no large resorts.
The olive-covered speck south of Corfu
Paxos, also spelled Paxoi or Paxi, is the smallest main Ionian island, located 7 miles south of Corfu, about 10 to 11 kilometres south, and 12 kilometres from the coast of Epirus and 8 miles from Epirus in northwestern Greece, 12 miles from Parga. It is a cluster of small islands and rocky islets, the largest Paxi and Antipaxos, with lizard-like long narrow shape created by Poseidon according to legend so he and wife Amphitrite could have peace.
The island covers just 12 square miles, also listed as 18 sq km or 7 sq miles with 2,500 residents, 19 sq km in another guide, 30.121 sq km making it smallest of major Ionian Islands, and 76 sq km in one travel guide — but all agree it is tiny, about 10km long and 4km across, 12km long and 4km wide, six miles long and two miles wide, seven miles long and three miles wide, small enough to be walked across in a day with network of paths through olive groves. It is very green full of olive trees and pines, with 75,000 olive trees noted elsewhere, Mediterranean cypress, kermes oak, wild olive, impressive white cliffs at Eremitis, sea caves and about 30 beaches around periphery. Three villages only: Loggos on northeast coast, Lakka north, and Gaios main harbour with maze of narrow streets and bar-lined harbour.
This is for you if you want quiet, laid-back Ionian life directly in touch with traditions, swimming from quiet beaches and walking olive groves, contrasting bigger busier Corfu. It is not for airports or large resorts — Paxos has no airport helping maintain authentic character.
How to get there & around
Paxos can only be reached by boat from Corfu — it has no airport. Direct ferries depart from Port of Corfu and Port of Lefkimmi in south Corfu to Port of Paxos Gaios. Distance 54 kilometres. Operators include Kerkyra Lines, Kamelia Lines, Joy Cruises. Timings: Kamelia 09:00 arriving 09:45 for 45 minutes everyday, Kerkyra 15:00 arriving 16:45 for 1h45 everyday, Joy Cruises 15:30 arriving 16:25 for 55 minutes, Paxos Island II 16:30 arriving 17:25 for 55 minutes, NINEMIA 17:30 arriving 18:50 for 1h20. Return from Paxos 07:45 arriving 08:35 for 50 minutes, 15:00 arriving 15:55 for 55 minutes, 18:00 arriving 18:55 for 55 minutes. Fares from €15 to €19. The island is tiny so you explore on foot, motorbike or bicycle.
Sources
- https://ontheworldmap.com/greece/paxos/ | Paxos also spelled Paxoi smallest main Ionian island located 7 miles south Corfu island covers just 12 square miles permanent population approximately 2300
- https://www.greeceguide.co.uk/ionian/paxos | Paxos Antipaxos two small islands south Corfu west Greek mainland Epirus Paxos covers area 18 sq kilometers 7 sq miles about 2.5k permanent residents very green island full olive trees pines sea caves traditional villages quiet beaches located about ten kilometers Corfu 12 kilometers coast Epirus
- https://www.thethinkingtraveller.com/Portals/0/Greece/Paxos-Antipaxos-Guide | larger two islands covering just 76 square kilometres one smallest inhabited Greek islands sister Antipaxos 5 sq km
- https://www.greekisland.co.uk/paxos/paxos-geography.html | small total area just 30.121 square kilometres smallest major Ionian Islands diverse landscapes impressive white cliffs Eremitis lush olive groves
- https://greece-travel-secrets.com/paxos/ | speck island 11km south Corfu three main villages small enough walked across single day only 10km long 4km across network paths olive groves contrast bigger busier neighbour quieter laid-back directly in touch traditions
- https://www.omio.com/ferries/corfu/paxos-island | Port Lefkimmi 4:00PM 0h45 4:45PM Port Paxos Kerkyra Lines 03:00PM 04:45PM 1h45 Everyday KAMELIA LINES 09:00AM 09:45AM 0h45 Everyday Joy Cruises 03:30PM 04:25PM 0h55
Back to all Greek islands
The Greek Island Directory is a project of passion where a love of Crete, Data Integrity and Directories converge to create something truly special for users: Learn More.
Last Updated on August 31, 2026 by admin