Gaios, Paxos, Greece...

Gaios is named after the saint that brought Christianity to the island and is the capital of Paxos.

Gaios is a charming large village that surrounds a crescent-shaped port that serves as the principal travel hub of the island. It is at Gaios that the hydrofoil ferries as well as the ferries from Igoumenitsa from Corfu dock and also where the the sea-plane service from Corfu has it's terminal. As such, the pretty and picturesque harbour at Gaios is the first place that many visitors to the island see.

This vision of Gaios is a sight that stays with you long after your visit to Paxos has ended.

Gaios is the largest and liveliest of the three main villages on Paxos, with a good selection of restaurants, tavernas, coffee bars and shops to be found in the many streets that lead from the Venetian main square. The tourist shops in Gaios stock a wide range of surprisingly high quality goods, including pottery and jewellery.

Situated on the east coast of Paxos, Gaios has a wonderfully picturesque harbour that is a very popular place for yachts and motor cruisers to moor for the night.

There are two small islands in Gaios harbour; the island at the mouth of the harbour is called Panayia (which means Virgin Mary). Situated on this island is a small white monastery. The second island is called Agios Nikalaos (St Nicholas). This island forms a natural breakwater that provides shelter for boats passing through to the pretty inlet of Gaios harbour.

On St Nicholas island the two churches of St Nicholas and St Ioannis can be found, as well as an old Venetian fort that was built in 1423. It was this fort that defended the island for many years through the Venetian period. To visit the island you need to have a permit from the local authority (Tel: +30 26620 32100).

Also worth viewing is the Church Of Agios Apostoli that is situated behind the main bus stop in the village. The church boasts many fine icons as well as an ancient cistern. Gaios Folk Museum, in the old school on the waterfront, houses artefacts from the rich and varied history of Paxos and makes for an interesting visit.

Gaios Accommodation

Gaios offers visitors to Paxos a wide range of accommodation, including:

• Private villas: Many villas are available for rent in Gaios, with the majority of them boasting private swimming pools. It is best to book prior to your trip to Paxos.
• Hotels: There are two hotels near Gaios - the Paxos Beach Hotel and the Paxos Club Hotel.
• Rooms to Rent: Several landlords in Gaios offer rooms to rent. Most are bookable and payable locally, though availability can be scarce during the peak holiday season.
• Apartments: Many tour operators to Paxos have apartments available for rent in Gaios. As with villa accommodation in Gaios, it is best to book your apartment prior to your trip to Paxos.

Gaios Facilities

• Supermarkets: There are many supermarkets in Gaios which all stock a wide range of groceries.
• Shopping: Tourist shops prevail in Gaios, though there are a good range of other shops selling clothes, household goods etc...
• Pharmacy: There is an English speaking pharmacy in Gaios.
• Tavernas and Restaurants: Located primarily in the main square and along the front, Gaios boasts a large selection of places to eat.
• Banking: There is a bank and several ATM machines in Gaios. Most of the local businesses accept credit card payments.
• Churches: There is an Orthodox church in Gaios in the main square as well as a number of other churches around the rest of the village.
• Water sports: Boat hire is available from several places along the water-front.
• Beaches: There is a town beach in Gaios, though most people hire a boat to access the beaches on Anti-Paxos or elsewhere around the island.
• Car hire: There are several places to hire a car, moped or scooter in Gaios.
• Yacht mooring: The harbour in Gaios provides very safe mooring for all types of yachts and motor boats. Water and fuel supply vehicles service the harbour daily. Regulations and payment information can be obtained from the Port Authority (Tel: +30 26620 32259).