Sail Away to Your Perfect Retirement on the Island of Paxos, Greece

Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Live and Invest Overseas.

They say that happiness is inversely proportional to the size of your house.

If this saying can also be applied to the size of an island, then you stand to be a very happy person if you move to Paxos, the smallest of Greece’s Ionian Islands.

At only six miles long and about two miles wide, Paxos truly qualifies as tiny. But while its geographic area is limited, its natural beauty, local charm, and culinary creativity are boundless.

Paxos’ peaks and valleys are heavily forested by Mediterranean cypresses, kermes oak, and wild olive trees. Because it’s so small, Paxos can easily be discovered on foot or motorbike (or bicycle if you don’t mind the hills).

The call of the sea

A trip around the island reveals a scattering of colorful villages that are home to a surprisingly wide selection of bars, restaurants, and cafes.

It also reveals Paxos’ many hidden coves of cerulean waters and white-pebble beaches … as well as shocking geographic anomalies, like Tripitos Arch, a naturally formed rock sculpture that acts as a window to the sea, or the white cliffs of Erimitis Bay.

But to get the very best out of Paxos, you have to take to the sea.

The real appeal of life here for so many expats is the boating lifestyle it affords … whether it’s island-hopping on a no-frills motorboat or cruising around on a luxury yacht on a mission to see and be seen. Paxos lends itself well to the high-end way of life, if that’s what you’re after.

Culture and communication

But it’s also traditional at its core, with Greek cultural values — family, hospitality, religion, and so on — felt strongly.

The local language on Paxos is Greek, but many locals speak at least enough English for you to be able to go about day-to-day life without learning Greek. Things like ordering food in a restaurant, buying groceries, interacting with real estate agents, filling up the gas tank, etc. can be done easily and successfully in English.

The best way to connect with Paxos’s culture is through its cuisine. There’s no shortage of excellent places to eat and drink here. Eating out is an inexpensive indulgence, and the service is caring and professional.

From laid-back Greek tavernas to Italian restaurants serving homemade pasta, burger joints to high-end gastronomic experiences, gourmet ice cream shops to craft beers and happy hour cocktails … the options in Paxos are enough to keep any foodie happy.

Paxos is a favorite destination for yachters and boaters. You notice this from the moment you arrive. Its coves and bays are dotted with big white yachts, catamarans, and sailboats.

Upscale cafes and restaurants cater to the yachters, who mostly have posh British accents and wear white linen clothing and boat shoes. If you’re a fan of the boating or yachting lifestyle, Paxos could be perfect for you.

Though small in size, Paxos is big with potential for a life full of peace, serenity, and Mediterranean bliss.