Paxi Sightseeing

Gaios
The capital and main port of the island is the settlement of Gaios. Between Gaios and the islet of Agios Nikolaos, which protects the port just like the islet of Panagia, a natural canal with calm waters is formed giving the impression of being in a lake or fiord. Gaios took its name from the homonymous Apostle who, along with Apostle Crispos, visited the island in the 1st century A.D. Gaios is an interesting and picturesque settlement whose buildings and structures reflect the beautiful and harmonic influences of the Venetian architecture. It is worth visiting the English Governor building, the Museum of Paxi and the Church of the Ascension.

Lakka
On the northern part of Paxi the settlement and natural port of Lakka is found. People from Souli who were chased by the Turks of Ali Pasha settled there and formed this settlement. At Lakka the highlight is a unique lighthouse made of stone in 1832 with a height of 36 metres, standing almost 108 metres from sea level. The place is popular as it has to offer a lot of facilities like taverns, shops, bars and accommodation options.

Longos
Longos is a small picturesque fishing village and harbour, located on the north-eastern coast of the island at about 7km north from Gaios. It is a wonderful preserved traditional and tranquil settlement surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. You will also find there some taverns and bars, mini markets and rooms to let.

Western coast
The western coast of the island of Paxi is extremely steep with vertical rocks ascending many metres above sea level and creating cliffs, sea caves and stony arcs. Except for the astonishing cliffs and caves on the western part a lot of beaches are found most of which are absolutely secluded due to the island's geomorphology and, thus, they are best accessed by boat.

Cisterns
Despite the climate which brings remarkable rainfalls, the geomorphology of the ground does not favour the reserve of water, so the locals carved a lot of cisterns in the rocks to hold the precious resource and supply the wells they built themselves. The most important cisterns are encountered above the church of Agia Eleousa, at Boikatika village and the biggest of all is found at the path after Fanariotika village.

Sanative springs (spa)
Since the ancient years sanative sulphur springs have been gushing from the ground of Paxi and pouring into the sea. In Ozias, Giannas and Glyfada the most important springs are found and, as such, pools have been constructed there in order to provide treatments of skin and rheumatic diseases.

Antipaxi
The island has a few inhabitants but it is very famous for its two magnificent and of unique beauty beaches called "Voutoumi" and "Vrika". Although small the island has lush vegetation and many vineyards that produce a delicious dark red wine. On it is also found the church of Saint Emilianos and an English water reservoir which dates from 1833.

Historic Folklore Museum of Paxi
The Museum was founded in 1996 by the Cultural Club of the island and is housed in a neoclassical building constructed in 1906 in Gaios. Its exhibition includes findings from the Prehistoric Period, the Classical Period until the Second World War. Also among its valuable exhibits are the Decree of the Ionian Parliament for the union with the Greek State in 1864 and the book of the Austrian Archduke Lewis Salvator where he describes in detail Paxi islands during his visit in 1884-1885. The visitor can also admire a distinctively reconstructed room which represents a house of the early 20th century.


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