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Paros Island

- Cosmopolitan with Greek atmosphere
Kolymbithres in Naoussa Gulf, Paros Greece

Paros Island, the third largest island in cyclades, is dominated by its picturesque villages, beautiful beaches and the Greek island atmosphere. Although the island attracts thousands of visitors each summer, due to its size, is never becoming overcrowded. Paros has been inhabited since very ancient times and was famous for the quality of its marbles.

Panagia Ekantotapyliani Church in Paros Paros' capital Paroikia (Parikia), is another beautiful cluster of whitewashed houses, tiny streets and arches. It is an ideal island for those seeking the cosmopolitan bustle as well as the Greek atmosphere, the simple life of the fishing villages.

Paros is well known among the windsurfing professionals all over the world. The Professional Windsurfing Association has been organizing the world cup for many years now on the eastern side of the island. The location of the island, the variety of winds and the location of the beaches make Paros Island ideal place for professional and amateurs water sports lovers.

  • Getting There

    Paros' harbour claims to be one of the busiest in the Aegean.
    There are frequent ferry connections from / to Piraeus (4.5 hours by ferry, 3 hours by catamaran), Naxos, Ios, Santorini, Syros, Mykonos, Crete, Antiparos and most of Cyclades Islands

    There are flights with Olympic Airways from/to Athens International Airport.

  • Getting Around

    There is a frequent bus service. Buses are connecting Paroikia with Naoussa, Piso Livadi, Drios, Punta and Aliki. In the Summer, there is a boat service (some of the day cruises from Naxos call at Paros) from Paros Piso Livadi to Agia Anna In Naxos. There is also a boat service to some of the beaches. Cars, bikes and bicycles are available for hire in Paroikia and bikes and motorbikes are available for hire in Naoussa. Taxis are also available.

Paros Beaches

Paros Map Agia Anna, fine golden sandy beach
Agios Georgios (Saint George), fine sand - in Naxos Town
Agios Prokopios, marvellous golden sand
Agiassos, long bay with fine sand
Alyko, bay with fine sand, well protected from north winds
Amitis, fine sand, exposed to north winds
Apollon, wide pebble beach, plus a small sandy bay in the village
Glyfada, south of Kastraki & before Alyko, excellent fine sand, beautiful when wheather is calm
Kastraki, fine almost white sand, very long
Mikri Vigla (Parthena), the north part of Mikri Vigla, fine golden sand
Mikri Vigla (Limanaki), the south part of Mikri Vigla, fine white sand
Moutsouna, beautiful, fine sand coves
Orkos, fine sand, just next to Plaka beach
Panermos, remote & isolated, beautiful fine sand, well protected from north winds
Plaka, fine golden sandy beach, the longest in Naxos - 4 kilometers long
Pyrgaki, three coves with excellent fine golden sandy beaches - the last one is the best

Excursions, Places of Interest

Lefkes (the medieval capital) and Marpissa are two pretty mainland villages worth for a trip. Naoussa, the second port of the island, with the excellent beaches, the ruins of a Venetian castle and the Byzantine Museum. Chrysi Akti, 800m golden sand beach is the best of the island. Psycopiani or Petaloudes with swarms of tiger moths setup house keeping (July - August). In Paroikia the Byzantine Cathedral Church of Panagia Ekatondapyliani (Church of a hundred doors), the Archaeological Museum, the ruins of a Venetian castle.

The Butterfly Valley in Paros

In the heart of the summer, the Butterflies Valley in Paros is filled with colours that makes a magic feeling of nature. Visit the valley to admire swarms of butterflies that live all summer long in a cool and shady place, on foliage and tree trunks that densely covered by ivy leaves.
Location:West of Parikia (7 km), near the Monastery of Christos in Dasos (Agios Arsenios).
Open: June to September - Admission: Small fee
Tel: +30 22840 91554, +30 22840 91211 - Web: www.parosbutterflies.gr

Touring Paros Island

Parikia
At Parikia, Paros Paros' capital, is a lovely town, with whitewashed houses and a maze of narrow streets. The best part of it, is away from the sea in the heart of the old village. Around the coastline there are beautiful safe sandy beaches.

The history of Parikia goes back the centuries, as the archaeological finds, which are many, confirm. Parikia has been inhabited for almost 4,500 years and as a result of that there are many ruins in the area.

The Church of Ekatondapyliani or Katopoliani (picture on the right) is one of the most important Byzantine monuments and one of the finest churches in Greece. It is dominated to the Dormition of Our Lady and according to the tradition was founded by Santa Helen, the mother of the Emperor Constantine. On the Assumption of Virgin Mary day, 15th of August, there is a great celebration on the seafront.

In the Archaeological Museum a fragment of the Parian Chronicle is exhibited, which is an inscription of the history of Greece from 1500BC to 264BC. The chronicle found in 1627 is caved in marble tablets and the remaining of it is now in Ashmolean Museum in Oxford (UK).

For beaches, Livadia is the beach in town. Agios Fokas and Krios are beautiful sandy beaches accessed by boats which run frequently from morning till late.

Aliki
is a the southernmost village of the island. It is a small (but busy during the summer) fishing village, with an attractive sandy beach. The most famous beaches in the area are Aliki, Pisso Aliki, Saint Nikolas, Pigadaki and Tripiti. All offer a wide choice from sands filled with umbrellas to quiet deserted beaches.

Chrissi Akti
is one of the most popular beaches in Paros and probably the best one. It is 800 in length, with golden sand and water sports. In Chrissi Akti there are tavernas and hotels. Chrissi Akti was the venue for the World Windsurfing Championships in 1993.

Dryos
is the most fertile area in Paros Island. It has streams and a lovely crystal clear beach. It is ideal for family and quiet holidays. Nearby is the unexplored cave of Kalabaki. North of Drios is the Monastery of Agios Georgios (Saint George), a fine monument of archtectural art. Boudari bay is the nearby and it is a beautiful sandy bay ideal for those looking for a pieceful place for swimming.

Lefkes
is the most beautiful village in Paros on amphitheatric location on the hills, with whitewashed houses, old churches and monasteries. Lefkes was the island's capital during the period of Ottoman rule. It is worth visiting Agia Triada Church constructed out of white marble.

Logaras
is further south of Piso Livadi. It has a long sandy beach shaded by trees and it is ideal for swimming. Accommodation, restaurants, shops are available

Marpissa
is another beautiful village with windmills, the ruins of a 15th century Venetian fortress, the Metamorphosis church with 17th century frescoes, the Ag Antonios monastery which is situated on hill.

Naoussa
Naoussa Paros Greece is situated on the north side of the island and (11 km from Paroikia) has one of the most picturesque harbours in Cyclades. It is a lovely fishing village with tiny streets and beautiful churches (Panagia Pantanassa, Ag. Ioannis), the ruins of the Venetian castle.

The settlement around the port of Naoussa was closed off with a protective wall from the Northern side. This wall ended in Kasteli and it was a barricade made by Venetians. Part of this construction which is from the Byzantine and post-Byzantine period, still exists today. Marks of Byzantine and post-Byzantine period can also still be seen onto the houses and churches of both the village and the wider area.

Among the beaches close to Naoussa, Kolimbithres is a nice sand beach with wind-sculpted rocks. Lageri is a good beach (nudist) which can be approached by caique from Naoussa. Santa Maria is pretty beach on the open sea.

Piso Livadi
with sandy beach, is one of the largest holiday communities in Paros.

Pounta (west coast)
is a nice place to visit with a beach. From Pounta you can cross to Antiparos.

Useful Info

Population: 7,000
Distance from Piraeus Port: 95 Nautical Miles
Medical Center (Parikia): 22843 60000
Medical Center (Naoussa): 22840 52304
Police (Parikia): 22840 23333
Tourist Police: 22840 21673
Port Police: 22840 21240
Bus Station: 22840 21395