Paxos: History, Coastlines and Trails

Trypitos is a natural stone arch that resembles a bridge over the Ionian Sea. The beaches of Paxos bring together clear water, greenery reaching down to the shore and secluded coves. The trails also shape the character of the island: the network runs through dense, ancient olive groves and connects picturesque settlements. You can get to know Paxos by taking in the coastal views, hiking and visiting its historic sites.

History and Religious Heritage

Construction of Saint Nicholas Castle began in 1423. Adam II San Ippolyto had it built with the approval of Venice to protect residents from pirates. The Church of Saint Spyridon is among the island’s earliest written references: it is listed in Paxos’s first church register, dating from 1686.

Religious history and a distinctive architectural feature also come together on Panagia Islet. The Church and Monastery of Panagia Vellianiton were probably built in the early 17th century. A tall, whitewashed wall surrounds the complex. The Paxos Folklore Museum was founded in 1996 by the Paxos Cultural Association to preserve the island’s cultural heritage. Together, these places show different facets of Paxos’s history and cultural heritage.

Beaches, Sea Caves and Trypitos

For your planning, it is worth considering the different ways to get there: most of Paxos’s beaches are easily accessible via the road network. The sea caves of Paxi, however, can only be reached by sea. A boat tour departs from Gaios and includes the large Ypapanti Cave and the Achai cave system. This makes Gaios a practical starting point if a trip to the caves is part of your plans.

Trypitos offers another perspective on the coastal landscape: the natural stone arch looks like a bridge over the Ionian Sea. The beaches, meanwhile, are described as having clear water, greenery reaching down to the shore and secluded coves. These different landscapes give you a range of reasons to plan time by the sea.

Hiking Trails Through Olive Groves

The trail network on Paxos connects picturesque settlements and runs through dense, ancient olive groves. The route from Lakka to Gaios is about 12 kilometres long, takes around two and a half hours and reaches a maximum elevation of 241 metres. Despite the elevation gain, it is considered relatively easy. Another described route runs from Loggos via Orkos Beach to Lakka: it is about 5 kilometres long and has a moderate elevation change of 162 metres.

For an initial comparison, you can consider the route lengths: at around 12 kilometres, the Lakka–Gaios route is considerably longer than the approximately 5-kilometre route from Loggos via Orkos Beach to Lakka. The first route also comes with an estimated time of around two and a half hours; for the second, the moderate elevation change is specified. These details can help you choose a hike suited to your preferred distance and route profile.

Gaios, the Festival and Getting There

The Neroladia Festival takes place annually in Gaios, usually in late July. If you are planning to attend the festival or take a boat tour to the sea caves, Gaios is a useful reference point when choosing where to stay. The exact festival dates may vary; check the dates for your travel period.

One described itinerary goes from Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” via Corfu Airport and then by ferry to Paxi (Gaios). The flight takes between one hour and one hour 15 minutes, and the ferry crossing takes 55 minutes. Check current ferry times and connections for your travel dates, as schedules and operators may change. This can help you plan your journey around the activities that interest you most on Paxos.

Discover more destinations: Lefkada, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Corfu, Ithaca.

Go to the main travel overview: Ionian Islands.