Paros will charm you from the first moment, like the most beautiful Greek sculptures of antiquity that were sculpted in its famous transparent marble.
It is no coincidence that anyone who visits it is captivated by the wonderful landscapes, the picturesque Cycladic architecture, the crystal clear waters and especially its refreshing aura.
It does not matter what you are looking for in your vacation as Paros has everything to offer you.
Traditional but also cosmopolitan, picturesque and at the same time modern, serene but also first at the party is an ideal destination for everyone!
The capital of Paros is the secular Parikia.
Full of Cycladic houses, neoclassical mansions and Byzantine monuments, it dominates next to the pine forest and the hill of Agia Anna with its two characteristic mills.
In the center you will find the Venetian castle of the 13th century and one of the largest orthodox pilgrimages in Greece, Panagia Ekatontapyliani of the 6th c. AD, which according to tradition has 99 open doors and a secret.
The picturesque Naoussa is the second largest settlement of Paros and keeps its island character unchanged.
Take a walk in the alleys and the port and you will meet visitors and locals flocking to the shops, restaurants and bars of the island that are full of life!
In Paros you will find wonderful villages that are real attractions.
On the slope of a mountain are Lefkes with its whitewashed houses, Ottonian and neoclassical buildings and the amphitheater view. While in the interior of the island it is worth visiting Prodromos and Marpissa, two traditional villages with special architectural elements, windmills, old churches and hospitable inhabitants.
On the beaches of Paros you will find clear blue waters, golden beaches and natural landscapes of incomparable beauty.
Apart from these, however, the Parian beaches offer a variety of facilities such as taverns, beach bars for endless fun and infrastructure for water sports. Choose what you prefer and get started!
In the enchanting Kolimbithres you will be impressed with the rocks carved by the sea and the wind, in the Golden coast with the velvety sand and in the cosmopolitan Pounta you will indulge in water sports and in Santa Maria near Naoussa the crystal clear waters and the music will take you away sense.
Equally organized and beautiful are the beaches of Monastiri, Marcelo, the windless Farangas and the popular Logaras with the impressive seabed that is suitable for snorkeling!
If you are still looking for peace and relaxation, we recommend the exotic Laggeri, Alyki and Kalogeros where before diving in its turquoise waters you can take advantage of the clay sand and feel its beneficial properties in an unforgettable “sand bath”.
And if you choose the beautiful Paros for your holidays, do not forget to take the boat for her little sister, Antiparos! This little paradise is the perfect excursion for those who visit the popular Paros.
Activities
Paros is the queen of water sports in the Cyclades.
Its western beaches are considered worldwide as the ideal areas for windsurfing and kitesurfing! In Pounta, Santa Maria, Chrysi Akti and Nea Chrysi Akti, Kolimbithres and the Monastery you will ride the waves of the Aegean with the help of the wind and believe us the experience will be unforgettable.
If you want to discover the underwater Paros that holds well-hidden treasures, then visit the diving schools in Chrysi Akti, Aliki and Santa Maria!
You can turn Paros in a lot of ways. If you love hiking, follow the paths that will lead you to places with beautiful nature, pigeon houses, houses and chapels.
You can do the same with a bike by choosing routes of milder difficulty or if your experience allows it, mountain routes for a special type of cycling. You can also discover western Paros on horseback.
Live a dream riding on sandy beaches and paths of the island! Finally, if the sea is your weakness you can rent a boat and go around Paros exploring inaccessible beaches and caves.
If despite all this extreme sports do not impress you and you are looking for an experience that will bring you closer to the culture of the island, you can attend cooking classes to learn from the locals the materials of the Parian land and how to manage them!
Sights
Landmark of Paros is the Church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani or Katapoliani in Parikia.
It is one of the most important temples in Greece and its grandeur arouses the awe of the visitor.
Inside you will find the oldest Baptistery of the Orthodox East while if you want to admire the church relics of the church visit the Byzantine Museum of Parikia.
Paros is a place with a long history.
Archaeological remains will be admired everywhere on the island while the most important are the temple of Delios Apollo and Artemis, the Sanctuary of Asclepius and Pythian Apollo and the pottery and sculpture workshop that has been found at Tholos, near Parikia.
The ancient cemetery near the port with its marble sarcophagi is also very interesting. Finds from all the excavations of the island, among which impressive sculptures in Parian marble, you will find on display at the Archaeological Museum of Paros.
Folklore museums, to get to know the daily life of the locals in the past, you can visit Marpissa, Lefkes and near Naoussa.
The Museums of Cycladic Folklore and Popular Culture of the Aegean also host special collections, while if you are an art lover, you should definitely take a walk from the Perantinos Sculpture Museum, on the hill of Marpissa, where works by the famous Greek sculptor Nikos Perantinos are exhibited!
Aphrodite of Milos, Hermes of Praxiteles and the Victory of Samothrace, the most popular Greek statues all have one thing in common.
The Parian marble! The extraction of the lamp, as it is called, took place in the quarries near the settlement of Marathi, just outside Parikia. The area is visitable and we highly recommend it.
We kept the best for you for the end!
In an oasis southwest of Parikia is a fairytale place, the valley of butterflies. Carobs, plane trees, cypresses and myriad Tiger moth butterflies compose every summer a scene that looks like it was taken from a painting.
Keep quiet so as not to disturb the populations of the orange-brown butterfly and live a dreamy walk in nature!
In Paros you will enjoy food and taste amazing local products!
Try the local cheeses such as toulomotyri, ladotyri and xynomyzithra.
Choose salads with capers and caper leaves that grow in abundance on the island and do not forget to sweeten with “samota”, Parian figs and thyme honey of exceptional quality.
From the dishes of the local cuisine we suggest you to try the chickpeas that are roasted all night in a wood oven, the snail yahni and the caramelia skordalia with the special taste.
From fish appetizers, if you go to Paros, definitely choose the sun-dried fur, it is a salted-sun-dried mackerel that combines the salt of the sea with the hot Cycladic sun. Combine the above with string beans or salad with garlic and welcome to a journey of unprecedented flavors.
Wine lovers will find their paradise in Paros as the famous Parian vineyards produce intoxicating varieties such as Monemvasia, Mantilaria, Vaftra and the black Aidani.
What else to drink in Paros? Of course the “suma”, the local raki, to accompany your appetizers in the picturesque taverns of the island.
To close your meal in Paros, do not hesitate to try the sweets of the spoon, the famous pastellaria and especially the traditional sugar baklavades!
