If you wander through the narrow alleys of the town, you'll find the Church of the Holy Apostles. According to tradition, it is said that Gaios was buried under the Holy Altar. In the town, you'll find taverns and Mediterranean cuisine restaurants, cafés, bars, and various shops. From here, as well as from Lakka, you can catch water taxis and speedboats for multi-hour cruises to the beaches of Paxos and Antipaxos.

The well-preserved walls of the 15th-century Venetian castle on the pine-covered islet of Saint Nicholas in the port of Gaios/ Photo: Shutterstock

The Castle of Saint Nicholas

The Castle of Saint Nicholas is the most important historical monument of Paxos and has been declared a preserved monument. It is located on the islet of the same name in the bay of Gaios. Its construction began in 1423 by Baron Adam II San Ippolito. In 1510, it was reconstructed and became smaller. As revealed by Robert Venieri, an architecture professor at the University of Innsbruck and a friend of Paxos, this reconstruction was based on a design by Leonardo da Vinci, which was discovered in the Venetian Archives. Inside the castle, there are two cisterns, a guard tower (watchtower), a gunpowder magazine, and the barracks. The islet is covered with pine trees and stone pines.

The Island of Panagia

Located at the entrance of the port of Gaios, it is known for the Monastery of Panagia of Vellianites, built in 1550 by the Vellianites, who arrived here from Velliane (modern-day Chrysafti) in Paramythia, fleeing from the Turks. Another impressive sight is the Panagia Lighthouse, built in 1825, standing on an ancient watchtower.

Loggos

For many, the fishing village of Loggos, located in the cove of a lush green bay on the island's eastern coastline, is the most beautiful on the island. At one end, the mansion of the Anemogiannis family stands proudly on a hill. At the other end is the impressive olive oil and soap factory of Anemogiannis. The factory ceased operations in 1980 and has been abandoned ever since. Next to it, a short trail leads to the ruined windmills of Anemogiannis and Kouera. The narrow coastal road of Loggos, lined with tavernas and cafés, offers idyllic moments. Don’t miss the chance to visit Loukas’s bakery, known for making the best bread on Paxos. Built in 1902, it’s fueled by olive wood.

Lakka

Lakka is the second port of Paxos, located at the northern end of the island. It resembles Loggos, but everything here is larger – both the settlement and the bay with its crystal-clear turquoise waters. It’s built in a landscape full of cypress trees and olive groves, and it’s a popular anchorage for sailors. The town itself doesn’t offer much in terms of sightseeing, but the seaside road, with its shops, bars, and taverns, is well worth a visit. At night, the illuminated Syggros School adds a splash of color to the harbor.

Magazia

A small village in the island’s center, Magazia has become a local landmark because of Burnau’s café. In operation since 1953 (it was a wine shop before), it is a classic meeting point for the locals. Across from the café stands the Church of the Archangels, with a 1853 altar and frescoes from 1650 and 1900. In the old school building of Magazia, you’ll find the Historical Archive of Paxos and the island’s Philharmonic, "Poseidon."

The Paxos Olive Grove

Walking through the olive groves on the island feels like visiting an open-air museum. Ancient trees, with centuries-old marks on their trunks, offer dense shade, blocking the sun. The endless kilometers of dry stone walls, works of art and labor from centuries of toil, delineate paths and olive groves, even running across steep slopes. The idea of cultivating olive trees and producing oil on Paxos came from the Venetians, who took control of the island in 1386. The most common variety is the "Lianolia," which produces small but highly productive olives.

The Cisterns

The soil of Paxos is limestone and does not retain water. However, the locals solved this problem by constructing cisterns in many parts of the island. The most characteristic one is located in Gaios, behind the Church of the Holy Apostles. Built by the British between 1825 and 1846, it has been declared a preserved monument.

The Wild Western Coastline of Paxos

The western coastline of Paxos can be reached by small boats from Gaios or Loggos, or, of course, by private boat. It is wild, full of cliffs and caves, known as "graves." The landscapes and dives into the crystal-clear waters will leave you with unforgettable memories. Near the cape of Loukos is the cave where the submarine Papanikolis took refuge during World War II. At the entrance of the cave is the small islet of Katergo. In the protected bay of Achai, there are secluded beaches and impressive caves. Ortholithos, a massive menhir-shaped rock, stands upright, as if pinned in the sea just off the coast.

The Blue Beach is one of the island’s most beautiful, with deep blue waters and a cliff rising dozens of meters behind it, making land access impossible. It’s perfect for isolation, but it can be windy. The three small Blue Caves connect to each other and are ideal for exploration. The Kamara, a significant landmark on the western coastline, is a large rock where the wind and waves have sculpted a huge stone arch. At Erimitis, the impressive beach created in 2008 after a landslide, it’s worth staying late because the sunset is breathtaking.

Antipaxos

A tiny paradise, just 3 square kilometers, located south of Paxos, famous for its two beaches—Vrika and Voutoumi. The impenetrable vegetation, the transparent turquoise waters, and the fine white sand give the islet an exotic look. A narrow road crosses Antipaxos from the port of Agrapidia to the impressive lighthouse at the southernmost point and the steep limestone cliff to the north. Trails lead to secluded, almost forgotten, pebble beaches such as Sarakino and Rodovani. They are perfect alternatives when Vrika and Voutoumi get crowded. In addition to fruit trees, Antipaxos is home to several vineyards where locals once produced—and some still do—"black" Antipaxos wine for household use.