Paxos Island
Distance:
92.3
km
Estimated driving time:
4
min
Paxos Island is quite small and belongs to the Ionian islands. According to mythology, Poseidon abstracted Paxos Island from Corfu to use it as a love shelter. Gaios is the capital and the port of the island, which meets a quite big touristic flow. Every year lots of yachts dock to its bay. Gaios preserves the traditional intense colours. By entering the capital, anyone can admire the picturesque dwellings, the narrow lanes and the small churches. Island’s nature beauty is appreciable. Virgin seashores and isolated precipitous beaches consist island’s beauty. Warm sun illuminates its leafy vegetation. Underwater caves appeal every day sea lovers, who desire to discover them. However, an excursion to Paxos Island would not be a complete excursion day without visiting Antipaxos Island. Therefore, every day touristic agencies organise excursions to Paxos Island much like to Antipaxos Island.
Related Places
Agios Gordios is a small settlement on the West of the island, 20km away from the centre. The beach is quite long and consists of very soft, golden sand. The notorious waters are clean and crystal like but also shallow. The scenery consists of a very green mountain with grey rocks behind the beach. One of its famous sights is Ortholithi, a large rock that sticks out of the water. The beach is organized and contains all the comforts and the possibility for all kinds of water sports.
Sidari is a relatively new resort in Northern Corfu, approximately 35km from the capital. There are three sandy beaches in Sidari with waters of a distinct yellowish color. One of them is the famed Canal d ' amour, one of the most popular attractions in the island. A beautiful organized beach stretches along the main road beneath the resort. This beach is wide and sandy, and has cool and fairly shallow waters. There is also a port with boats leaving to the Diapontian Islands for day trips. The third beach is located on a small bay with interesting rock formations right across it. Shops, bars, restaurants and places to try water sports can be found in the area.
The new port of Corfu is located on the west side of the old port, in the city of Corfu. The new port serves ferries and cruise ships, while the old port sailboats and yachts. It can be accessed easily both on day and night, with ferry connections to Igoumenitsa and Italy. Corfu port offers an array of services to pleasure crafts. There are also many boats starting from the new port reaching other capes of the island. There are four bus lines that connect the city centre and the airport, with buses scheduled frequently. The second port of Corfu is in Lefkimmi, on the South side of the island.
Corfu airport (CFU) is named after the first Governor of Greece, Corfiot IoannisKapodistrias. It is located about 3km on the south of Corfu Town, half a kilometre north of Pontikonisi. There are flights scheduled by Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines all year round, but there are also many charter flights, coming from aboard, especially in summer. The airport can be accessed very easily as well as by rental car. Outside the airport building there are taxis and bus stops that connect the airport to all over the island. There are also buses starting from Corfu Town reaching the airport.
Acharavi is a hamlet in the northern part of the island and approximately 37km from the city centre. The area has low abundant vegetation and is located at the rear of the mount Pantokrator. The beach of Acharavi is the largest of the island, as it stretches for 3km. The long sandy beach has some parts covered with small pebbles. Quiet with shallow waters, it is considered one of the safest beaches on the island, ideal for families. In certain parts tourists can even try out water sports while there are also restaurants, taverns, cafes and bars for better relaxation.
Kalami is located on the northeast coast of Corfu, just 30km from the main town. The area is known for its natural beauty and its picturesque village. Kalami is a quiet pebbly beach surrounded by pines and cypresses. The pebbles on the beach are small and round and the clear waters are fairly shallow. Visitors can try water sports or eat at the restaurants found in the area. Exploring the various coastal paths surrounding the beach, is also recommended. On the edge of the beach, the home of writer Lawrence Durrell, now a tourist accommodation, can be found.
Barbati is located on the northeast coast of the island, just 20km from Corfu Town. The village is built at the foothills of Pantocrator and there are many shops, bars and taverns around the area. Barbati beach is quite wide, armoured with white, round pebbles, ideal for those who dislike sand. There are crystallized waters that are pleasantly cool, while on the southern side there are trees with a perfect shade. Various activities are also available such as water sports. One of the most popular activities among tourists is snorkeling.
Ipsos village is located 14km away from Corfu Town, in the northeaster part of the island. Behind the village Mount Pantokrator stands, the highest mountain in Corfu. Just across the sea, the rocky Albanian mountains are visible. Ipsos is known for its lively nightlife due to its many night clubs and bars. Ipsos beach is in a very large bay with the whole village stretching along it. Ipsos is an organized pebbly beach with crystal clear waters and many options for water sports offered. The sea is considered to be very clean and it deepens slowly.
Glyfada beach is only 11km away from the city centre. It is a social beach, which extends beyond the Pelekashill. Greek nature’s beauty is combined to its whole with a colour feast. The leafy hills are mirrored upon its deep blue, peaceful waters. Its golden sandy coast gently hugs sunset’s orange colours. Although the beach is organised, there are a lot of isolated spots on its far south part. There are beach bars, restaurants and hotels built upon the hills. However, none of the above stands as an obstacle to the landscape’s beauty. Anyone can access it easily by car and it is suitable for every age and preference.
Halikounas beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches over the island. It is situated in the southwest side of Corfu, next to Korission Lagoon. The landscape is full of contradictions. Rocky hills rise on one side, which towards the seaside are converting into a 3km golden beach. The beach is easily accessible through a wooden bridge, which connects lagoon to the sea. The beach is surrounded by a thick juniper forest, which complements landscape’s beauty. A spectacular sunset reflecting upon the deep blue waters is to be admired. Even though Halikounas beach is not one of the most popular beaches on the island, it is considered as a diamond of nature’s beauty as well as a landmark to the Ionian Sea. Halikounas has also a beach bar. It is a beach ideal for those who love kite surfing due to the winds.
