Why the island of Paxos is a painter’s paradise

Paxos can be found just nine miles from Corfu. This tiny island is only eight miles long by three miles wide. Being able to revel in its easy pace and gentle charm, it’s hardly surprising that many visitors of Paxos return year after year to re-acquaint themselves with its unique qualities.

Photographers, and particularly artists find Paxos a constant source of inspiration, from its dramatic western coastline with craggy cliffs to the bays and unspoilt villages of the east coast. The hilly island’s interior is covered in olive groves and carpeted with flowers during the months of spring through to autumn, whilst overhead you can watch flocks of migrating birds. Paxos is perhaps one of the greenest of the Greek islands, even during the height of summer.

The brilliant clear light lends itself to setting up your easel and trying to record the beauty that is around just about every corner. It is such a popular destination for creative people that many courses and painting holidays have been organised to cater to the interest.

Having said that Paxos is not an island that caters to mass tourism, it only has three villages of note, Gaios, Lakka and Loggos, and they all retain a traditional charm. The roads are not clogged with cars, and it is fun to take the local buses.

You will find great places to refresh yourself and also partake in traditional Greek dishes. Only in the peak season will you start to see tourists in greater numbers, but even then there is room to find quiet beautiful secluded spots, perfect for resting your easel.

South of Paxos is the tiny island of Anti Paxos, which you can get to by boat. Anti Paxos is just one mile wide and two miles long. Nobody lives there permanently, but it does have great beaches of white sand, said to be equal to those in the Caribbean.

An artist could paint all day in Anti Paxos and possibly not encounter another soul.