Paxos Greece | tourist holiday travel guide to Paxi

Paxos or Paxi is one of the smallest of the Ionian chain of Greek islands that run down the western coast of mainland Greece. It is also one of the smallest islands to feature on the tourist map at just 8km long by 3km wide. It feels like an island in miniature too with dinky beaches, tiny toytown villages and small mountains. It is a very pretty island, oozing charm and covered in dense olive groves that are renowned for producing the best olive oil in Greece.
Being small, with just three main resorts, it can sometimes feel crowded, especially when the Italian arrives for their summer break. It is also a favourite with yacht flotillas and a boat is the only way to it as there is no airport. Beaches are small and stony. Though not in the package tour brochures it is one of the most sought after holiday destinations among independent travellers - not so much a place to see as to be seen. In high season it can get crammed with day trippers from nearby Corfu and for much of the it is a siren call to the yachting set whose floating egos pack the island's three tiny harbours.

Overview

Paxos is a Greek island in miniature. Tiny villages, tiny beaches and tiny hills - a bit like a trip to Legoland but with a tad more charm.
Abundant flora and fauna make Paxos a favourite with amateur botanists and ornithologists, especially in spring. Home to a quarter of a million olive trees, it is also reputed to give the best olive oil in the world - though other islands might dispute the claim.
The endless ranks of olive trees can make walks on inland Paxos hillsides pretty but monotonous. The ancient trees are rarely sprayed and each family has its own grove; the result is a golden oil that has snaffled a clutch of international medals.
The bane of Paxos is it popularity with day trippers. Boats disgorge them in droves and it is not unknown for ferries to queue to tie up. With just three resorts the visitor can, expect crowded tavernas and higher than average prices.
Paxos has only three main resorts with Gaios the biggest and busiest.

Just south of Loggos is a beautiful shingle beach at LEVERICHO with has a beach taverna, unusual for Paxos. The beaches' proximity to Loggos means it gets busier than most, though that is not saying too much on quiet little Paxos.
The road curls inland here so it requires a walk to get to the shingle beaches of KIPOS and MARMARI. the latter set in a very pretty bay with the advantage of shade from the olive trees that grow right down to the shoreline. There are many small coves in the area for those who like a spot to themselves, though many can only be reached by boat.
Further still is POUNDA which is served by a track from the main road. The track branches south and down a very steep track to the long pebble beach at KIPIADI, a favourite spot for yachts to anchor offshore. Recent road improvements could mean this beach is about to get a lot more popular.