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Where to Stay in Paxos: A Village-by-Village Guide
Paxos is small — just over 10 km long — but its villages each have a very different character. Choosing where to stay genuinely shapes the kind of holiday you'll have: some travellers want village life and shopping, others prefer a quiet, intimate harbour, and some want to stay further out among the olive groves.
Here's our honest guide to the island's main villages, to help you choose the right base for your stay.
Lakka — The Most Beautiful Natural Harbour in the Ionian
Best for: Peace and quiet, couples, families, swimming and walking
Lakka sits at the northern tip of Paxos, inside one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the Ionian Sea. The village itself is compact — pastel-coloured houses, sailing boats moored along the quay, waterfront tavernas — and everything is within walking distance. It's the natural starting point for the lighthouse walk, the northern beaches (Orkos, Monodendri, Glyfada) and boat trips to the sea caves and Antipaxos.
This is where Hotel Bastas is based, right in the village: a short walk from the harbour, the lighthouse path and the boat trip departure point. For anyone who wants a peaceful stay that's still central and walkable, Lakka is hard to beat.
📍 Atmosphere: Relaxed and intimate, with restaurants, a small supermarket and car/scooter hire. Don't expect nightlife.
Gaios — The Capital, for a Livelier Base
Best for: Shopping, dining, staying at the heart of the island's activity
Gaios is the capital of Paxos — a harbour town with a distinctly Venetian character, narrow lanes, neoclassical buildings and a bustling waterfront protected by the small islands of Agios Nikolaos and Panagia. Most of the island's shops, banks and services are here, along with the widest choice of restaurants and bars.
Staying in Gaios puts everything within easy reach, but with less peace and quiet than Lakka — it's the busiest village on Paxos, especially in high season.
📍 Distance from Lakka: ~10 km — approx. 20 min by car.
Loggos — The Most Intimate Fishing Village
Best for: A quieter atmosphere with excellent dining, romantic evenings
Smaller and quieter than Gaios, Loggos is a charming village built around a tiny harbour, home to some of the island's best-loved tavernas right on the water. It's close to the beautiful Levrechio beach, and a firm favourite with returning visitors to Paxos.
📍 Distance from Lakka: ~5–6 km — approx. 10 min by car.
The Countryside — For Maximum Privacy
Best for: Total peace and quiet, travellers with a rental car, longer stays
Inland Paxos, covered in centuries-old olive groves, is home to villas and traditional houses scattered away from the villages. It's the right choice for anyone after complete privacy who doesn't mind driving everywhere — beaches, restaurants, shops. Less practical without a rental vehicle.
📍 Getting around: Rent a car directly through Hotel Bastas →
Why So Many Guests Choose Lakka
Among Paxos's villages, Lakka is often the preferred choice for travellers looking for balance: enough amenities to be comfortable, without the traffic and crowds of Gaios. The sheltered bay keeps the water calm and family-friendly, and its position at the north of the island makes it the most natural base for the best beaches and boat trips to Antipaxos.
Hotel Bastas is based right here, with a pool, 42 rooms and a family-run feel that spans generations — just steps from the harbour and everything that makes Lakka special.
Tips for Choosing Where to Stay in Paxos
- Book well in advance — Paxos is small and rooms fill up quickly in high season
- Factor in transfers — Paxos has no airport, so you'll arrive by ferry from Corfu or the mainland
- Rent a car or scooter — useful wherever you stay, essential in the countryside
- Lakka for the sea, Gaios for village life — a good rule of thumb if you're undecided
- Ask locally — our team knows the island well and can help you plan trips and boat excursions
Hotel Bastas is based right in Lakka, in the ideal spot for exploring everything Paxos has to offer — from the harbour to the beaches, the sea caves and Antipaxos.