Paxos, the smallest of the Ionian Islands, is a cluster of small islands and rocky islets, the largest of which are Paxos and Antipaxos.
They are located 7 miles south of Corfu, at a distance of 8 miles from the coast of Epirus in north-western Greece and 12 miles from the town of Parga. Both Paxos and Antipaxos have a lizard-like, long and narrow shape. The islands cover an area of 20 square kilometers and 3 square kilometers respectively.
Paxos is an island of endless olive groves and Antipaxos one large vineyard. The eastern coastlines of the islands are smooth, while the west coasts are bold and abrupt, with remarkable natural formations: caves, arches, dome-shaped forms, sheer cliffs… The capital of Paxos is Gaios, a picturesque village built around a port which is protected by two small islands, Agios Nikolaos and Panagia. On the northern side of the island sits Lakka and on the east coast the charming village of Loggos. Today, Paxos has a permanent population of approximately 2,450 inhabitants. During summer months the island welcomes more than 200,000 visitors.
The inhabitants of Paxos are warm and extremely hospitable people who love tradition but also embrace all developments of contemporary Europe. As a result, the island was proclaimed Cultural Village of Europe for the year 2004, an institution which aims to make known and preserve villages across Europe. As part of the celebrations in honor of being a Cultural Village of Europe, Paxos became and remains a centre for many cultural events as well as pan-European meetings.