Paxos island, Ionian Sea, cruises, photos, where to stay, hotels, sights

Paxos island, the jewel of Ionian Sea

Paxos, with an area of 19 sq. km, is the largest of the complexes of the small islands and atolls south of Corfu, in just 7 miles. The coasts of Epirus are about 8 miles and of Parga 12 miles.

Hotels and rooms to let in Paxos island

The extraordinary colors of the waters, the traditional villages, the steep shores of the western side with the great caves, the beautiful beaches and the picturesque little harbors of coastal villages will be forever etched in the memory of every visitor.

Make your own “tsitsimpira”

Tsitsimpira is a sparkling refreshment of lemon, sugar and ginger (“tzentzero” in the local dialect). Although very tasty, it has now been overtaken from the market-only one factory in Corfu has been left, the Cheimarios. Previously there was Paxos’s tsitsimpira, of Spyridon Mitsialis craft. We met Nick Mitsialis, Mitsialis's son, at the cafe of Bournaou, who directed the factory until it closed, and he gave us his recipe of tsitsimpira. It is a soft beverage that is easy prepared at home.

The recipe

1 glass of lemon juice
2 glasses of sugar
35 grams of crushed ginger
4-5 grains of rice
Put the ginger to boil 3-4 times with a half glass of water. Let it cool and wrap it in tulle. Take a large clay pot, measure 13 cups of water and pour it in, along with the water left over from boiling the ginger. First add the sugar and since is melted add the lemon juice and the 4-5 grains of rice. Hang in the ginger with the tulle, cover the pan with a cloth and leave it for 24 hours for the fermentation (that it is caused by the grains of rice). Pack it in small bottles, which must be closed properly (with screw cap), so that the refreshment do not lose its fizz. Keep it in the refrigerator.

Yannis Ntrenogiannis from “EXPLORE GREECE”

It has been described as the youngest of the Ionian Islands, with majestic and peaceful atmosphere, despite the fact that in recent years it has become a very popular destination, it has retained unaltered the beauty and its character, offering all the modern comforts and amenities.
The villages are very picturesque and almost all seaside, beautiful with the typical architecture of the Ionian Islands and the Venetian influences.

It is an earthly paradise, an ideal destination for a relaxing holiday.

The capital of the island is the idyllic Gaios with its two islands, Panagia and Agios Nikolaos, which are standing like guardians of the harbor, protecting it from the bad weather.

Lakka is located in the northern part and at the east coast is the scenic Loggos.
Among them and to the interior of the island there are the settlements of Magazia, Bellianitika, Mpogdanitika, Mastorakika, Manesatika etc. At the coastal village of Ozia, you will be stunned by the rocks with the wind-holes.
Today, Paxos island complex has about 2300 residents, while, in the summer, is being visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists, not only from Greece but also from around the world.

The people are friendly and very hospitable, lovers of tradition, engaged in farming and mainly in tourism.

The most beaches (spiatzes) are small in size, with pebbles and crystal clear waters. Most important is Yanna, Soulanenas, Balos, Agia Marina, Moggonisi, Cloni, Gouli, Kamini, Kaki Lagkada, Alati, Kipiadi, Marmaria, Levrechio, Glyfada, Monodentri, Arkoudaki, Orkos, Canoni, Harami (beach), Achai, Avlaki , Galazio.

It is considered necessary to visit the underwater caves with the impressive domes, about 40 in number, along the west coast.

Why is Paxos so named?
There are many theories about the etymology of the word Paxos.

According to Strabo, the name was delivered by the Phoenician word 'paks' meaning the geometrical "trapeze", i.e. island with trapezoidal shape, as seen from the sea.
Another theory says that a part of the inhabitants of the Sicilian Paxountos, by necessity or from a raid, it was expatriated and settled in Paxos, giving to the island the name of their homeland.
Metropolitan of Paramythia, Athenagoras, justifies that the name of Paxos originates from the plates of Paxos that were exported. The composition of the word Pax = plate and ai = island give us the name of the island of plates.
Moustoxidis considers that the name of the islands originates from the adjective “paktos” (Doric type of jellied).
The treasure of Greek etymology of Henry Stephens says that the name has come from the ancient verb "congeal" (pignio) and indeed from its future tense (pixo).
It is also possible to be derived from the phrase “πακσώσας θύρας” (closed doors) because the port of Gai is "closed".
John Doikas believes that the word PAX-peace is the one that would fit on the peaceful island of Paxos.

Information: Municipality of Paxos

Accommodation
For your stay in Paxos, you can book a room in one of the hotels and Bed & Breakfast inns.
In Gaios, as well as in many other areas of the island, there are hotels and accommodations of various categories and types (rooms to let, residences, Bed & Breakfast inns, studios, hostels, guesthouses and furnished apartments) that can satisfy every visitor's demands and needs for a pleasant and enjoyable stay.
You will find wonderful hotels, rooms and apartments to let of all categories and price ranges.

Access
You can access Paxos by car through Igoumenitsa.

The best way to explore the area is to have your own car and is worth visiting places that are not accesible by the local public transport and tours.
The distances on the island are short and can be covered by public means of transport.

Daily ferry routes are scheduled from and towards Igoumenitsa to Paxos (Gaios) and Corfu via Igoumenitsa.

See details for Access, Useful information, Transportation

For your convenience, you can use the route map on the field “Διαδρομές” with information about the mileage, the time you need and the route you will follow, selecting the points of interest.