Paros

A Cycladic island of whitewashed fishing harbours, with Naoussa's harbourside nightlife, Parikia's charming Church of a Hundred Doors, the unique rock formations of Kolymbithres Beach, and boat trips to Antiparos.

Paros lies at the centre of the Cyclades in Greece's Aegean Sea, with Naxos to the east and Antiparos across a narrow strait to the west, covering about 196 km². Famed in antiquity across the Mediterranean for its translucent white marble, the island combines lively fishing harbours, peaceful hill villages and a variety of beaches. More laid-back than Santorini or Mykonos, it is a popular hub for island hopping.

The island has three main areas. On the west coast, the capital and main port of Parikia has the Church of a Hundred Doors (Panagia Ekatontapiliani), the Frankish castle, the Archaeological Museum and a sunset waterfront. On the north coast, Naoussa is the island's most photogenic resort town, surrounded by Kolymbithres Beach with its sculpted rocks, Monastiri and Paros Park, and Santa Maria Beach. The centre and east hold the mountain village of Lefkes, the Byzantine Path, Marpissa and the fishing harbour of Piso Livadi, while Golden Beach on the southeast coast is a hub for windsurfing and kitesurfing. From Pounta in the southwest, a 7-minute car ferry takes you to Antiparos, where you can visit the stalactite cave and take a boat to the Sanctuary of Apollo on Despotiko.

The best season is Jun–Sep, while May and October are quieter with pleasant temperatures. In Jul–Aug the strong northerly meltemi wind whips up waves on the north coast, ferries and accommodation must be booked ahead, and the south-coast beaches are more sheltered. Getting there: ferries from Piraeus or Rafina near Athens take about 3–5 hours, and Paros's domestic airport has flights from Athens; ferries run frequently to Naxos, Santorini and Mykonos. Island buses radiate from Parikia, but renting a car or ATV gives more flexibility. Allow 3–4 days, including a day on Antiparos. Cover shoulders and knees when visiting monasteries and churches.

Top sights

• Naoussa – Paros' most photogenic fishing village, with colourful fishing boats, the ruins of a Venetian castle and a harbour of restaurants that is e…
• Parikia Old Town – The capital and main port of Paros, with whitewashed lanes, windmills and seafront sunset bars. It is the island's main hub for transport a…
• Panagia Ekatontapiliani – One of Greece's best-preserved early Christian churches, believed to date from the 4th century, said to have 99 visible doors.
• Kolymbithres Beach – Granite eroded by wind and waves into bathtub-like rock formations that enclose small sandy coves, making it Paros's most distinctive beach.
• Frankish Castle of Parikia – Remains of a 13th-century castle built by the Venetians from marble taken from ancient temples, with ancient columns and carved fragments v…
• Archaeological Museum of Paros – Displays Parian marble statues, Cycladic figurines, and fragments of the Parian Marble Chronicle.
• Ancient Cemetery of Parikia – An open-air archaeological site beside the port preserving graves from the 8th century BCE through the Roman period, lit at night.
• Lefkes – The former mountain capital of Paros, with white lanes built into the hillside, the Holy Trinity Cathedral, and peaceful views over the val…
• Byzantine Road (Lefkes–Prodromos) – A marble-paved ancient path about a thousand years old, linking Lefkes and Prodromos, descending gently through the countryside.
• Golden Beach (Chrysi Akti) – A golden sandy beach about 700 m long on the southeast coast, home to a windsurfing World Cup venue and water sports center.
• Antiparos Town & Kastro – A relaxed main town on the small island across from Paros, where the 15th-century Venetian Kastro is ringed by white houses.
• Cave of Antiparos – One of Europe's oldest show caves, with more than 400 steps descending into a huge stalactite hall, its walls covered in inscriptions left…
• Ancient Marble Quarries of Marathi – Ancient underground galleries that produced translucent Parian marble, the stone source for famous works such as the Venus de Milo.
• Santa Maria Beach – A long sandy beach about 5 km east of Naoussa, where dunes and shallow bays connect, with lively beach bars and water sports.
• Monastiri Beach & Paros Park – A sheltered bay at the north end of Naoussa Bay and a peninsula park with trails, a lighthouse, a small monastery, and an open-air cinema.
• Piso Livadi – A quiet east-coast fishing harbor lined with seafood tavernas, and a transit town for Lefkes and Golden Beach.
• Marpissa – A traditional Cycladic mountain village in eastern Paros, with a row of old windmills at its entrance and white lanes dotted with churches…
• Petaloudes (Valley of the Butterflies) – A shady, spring-fed private estate valley where thousands of Jersey tiger moths gather in summer, a rare patch of greenery on the island.
• Aliki – A quiet fishing village on Paros's south coast near the airport, with a calm bay, seafood tavernas by the water and a small private museum…
• Farangas Beach – A turquoise bay at the end of a canyon on the south coast, with fine sand, clear water, and a beach bar that stays calm even on windy days.
• Longovarda Monastery – A 17th-century Orthodox men's monastery built on a hillside, famous for its icon-painting workshop and library, with an eye-catching white…
• Despotiko (Sanctuary of Apollo) – An ancient Archaic-period Sanctuary of Apollo on an uninhabited islet southwest of Antiparos, still under excavation, with very clear surro…
• Agios Antonios Monastery (Kefalos Hill) – A 17th-century monastery atop Kefalos Hill, south of Marpissa village, with the remains of a Venetian castle nearby and 360-degree views ov…

Where to eat

• Levantis – A charming courtyard restaurant under a grape arbor in Parikia's Old Town, serving modern interpretations of traditiona…
• Ouzeri Halaris – A family-run seafood taverna in Piso Livadi, serving fresh daily catches from their own fishing boat, famous for seafoo…
• Yemeni Wine Restaurant – A family-run taverna tucked away in the alleys of Naoussa's Old Town, renowned for its rustic Greek dishes and an outst…
• Siparos Seaside Restaurant – A seaside restaurant on the road from Naoussa to Santa Maria Beach, famous for its fresh seafood and stunning sunset vi…
• Souvlakia Kargas – A budget-friendly souvlaki joint in the alleys of Naoussa with long queues, highly praised for its pork and chicken pit…

Itineraries

• Cyclades Island Hopping: Paros, Naxos & Santorini – Depart from Athens and hop through Paros, Naxos, and Santorini on a one-way southward route with no backtracking.