Paxos Island Travel Guide / Where to stay in Paxos
Where to stay in Paxos
Paxos is small enough to cross in about 20 minutes by car, but each corner of the island has its own character. Most visitors choose between its three harbour villages (Gaios, Lakka and Loggos) and the quiet, olive-covered hills in between, centred on Magazia. Here's how they compare, from the team who look after villas across Paxos.
The short answer
- First visit, or want to walk to dinner: Gaios
- Swimming bays and a relaxed harbour: Lakka
- Small, traditional and quiet: Loggos
- Privacy, space and a private pool: Magazia and the hills
- Antipaxos: a day trip, not a base
Gaios: the harbour capital
Gaios is where the ferries arrive and where island life is busiest. Its waterfront is lined with Venetian-era buildings, cafés and tavernas, and the square fills up in the evenings. It's the most practical base on the island: you can walk to restaurants, shops and the port, and the southern bays, including Mongonisi, are a short drive away.
Stay here if: you want everything on your doorstep, you'll be without a car for part of your stay, or it's your first time on Paxos.
Where to eat: Taka Taka, Piazza Masa on the square and Mediterraneo on the harbour.
Villas & stays in Gaios →
Lakka: bays and boats in the north
Lakka sits on a deep, sheltered bay at the northern tip of the island, with some of the clearest swimming on Paxos. Monodendri and Harami beaches are close by, and the lighthouse walk above them is one of the best short hikes on the island. It's also well placed for boat trips to the Blue Caves on the north coast.
Stay here if: swimming comes first, you like a harbour with a slower evening rhythm, or you're planning days on the water.
Where to eat: Akis Restaurant & Bar.
Villas & stays in Lakka →
Loggos: the smallest harbour
Loggos is a tiny fishing village on the east coast, its harbour ringed by tavernas and bars at the water's edge. It's the most intimate of the three villages, with the beaches of Levrechio and Marmari a short walk away.
Stay here if: you want a traditional village atmosphere, waterfront dinners and beaches within walking distance.
Where to eat: Vassilis on Loggos harbour.
Villas & stays in Loggos →
Magazia and the hills: privacy and space
Inland, between the harbours, the island turns green: olive groves, dry-stone walls and small hamlets. This is where many of our villas with private pools sit, often with sea views from the hillside. Magazia lies at the centre, a short drive from the Erimitis cliffs on the west coast and from all three harbours.
Stay here if: privacy, space and a pool matter more than walking to dinner. You'll want a car.
Where to eat: Averto and Erimitis Bar & Restaurant.
Villas in Magazia →Do I need a car?
Outside the village centres, yes. Paxos has no public transport to speak of, and the island's best beaches and restaurants are spread out. In Gaios, Lakka or Loggos you can manage on foot for much of your stay and hire a car or a boat for a few days. All of our villas have private parking, and our team can arrange car hire.
What about Antipaxos?
Antipaxos, the small island just south of Paxos, is best enjoyed as a day trip. Its twin beaches, Voutoumi and Vrika, are reached only by boat, with pale sand, turquoise water and a couple of tavernas on the sand. Take a boat from Gaios or hire your own for the day. More ideas in Things to do on Paxos.
At a glance
| Area | Feel | Best for | Walk to tavernas | Beaches nearby |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaios | Lively harbour capital | First visits, walking everywhere | Yes | Southern bays and Mongonisi, a short drive |
| Lakka | Relaxed harbour on a northern bay | Swimmers and boat days | Yes | Monodendri, Harami |
| Loggos | Small fishing village | Village atmosphere | Yes | Levrechio, Marmari |
| Magazia and the hills | Green, quiet, private | Space, pools and privacy | Mostly by car | Any beach on the island by car |
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Found your corner of the island? Browse all villas in Paxos or explore stays in Gaios, Lakka, Loggos and Magazia.