Paros is full of excellent activities, gorgeous beaches, rich history,
and a variety of excursions, including to the neighboring islands of Antiparos and
Naxos. There's much more detailed information about each of these suggestions on our things
to do in post page. Let's take a deeper look at each of them.
Paros Park is an 800-acre park at the northwestern tip of the island.
It features three hiking trails, lively and secluded beaches, a picturesque lighthouse,
an all day cafe, a historic monastery, an ancient amphitheater, and an open air
cinema. The main beach, Monastiri, has sunbeds and umbrellas for rent during
the summer. And there's a lifeguard during July and August. The park is free to enter
and open 24 hours a day all year long. Paros' best known natural wonder is Kolimbithres Beach
with its moonlight granite rock formations sculpted over millennia by the wind and sea.
Kolimbithres is naturally divided into two main beaches, with rocks further breaking up these
beaches into even smaller sections. There are wind surfing and small sail boat rentals and lessons,
and kayaks and stand up paddle boards for rent. The church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani,
also known as the Church of 100 Doors, is among the most important churches in all of Greece.
The church complex has been well-kept over the centuries and showcases art and
architecture from the Paelochristian, Byzantine and post-Byzantine eras,
with many of its construction materials sourced from the marble ruins of even older
temples. The small Byzantine Museum of Paros is located inside the complex with rare icons,
relics and ecclesiastical items, mostly dating to the 17th and 18th centuries.
Naousa blends Cycladic tradition with worldly sophistication in a compact walkable space,
dotted with beaches in a natural bay. Fishing boats bob in the sea next to the half-sunken
Venetian castle in its charming old port, the village's main attraction. The port sits in a
gorgeous natural bay with fishing boats docked in the marinas and a wide esplanade lined with
open air restaurants and cafes. Inside the village, a warren of cobblestone lanes brims
with top-tier restaurants, stylish cocktail bars, all-night dance clubs, luxury boutiques,
and picturesque dome churches. Being a popular vacation spot for Athenians, Naousa has managed
to hang strong to its Greek identity despite its glamorous international reputation.
Parikia is the capital and largest village on Paros. Most travelers to the island will arrive
and depart from the ferry port here. Parikia has the majority of Paros' most important landmarks,
plus amazing restaurants, craft workshops, boutiques, and lively bars, many with sunset
views over the sea. As in Naousa, Parikia's port is flanked with beaches on both sides.
Architecture is a mix of tidy whitewashed Cycladic homes and centuries old neo-classical,
mansions a style favored by descendants of the Venetians who once ran the island.
Karlogeros is a quiet beach set in a small cove beneath towering rocks on Paros' west coast.
Its sand and pebble shore and crystal blue water are similar to many other beaches here, but what
sets Karlogeros apart is the cliffs on its eastern edge. The great cliffs are made of a special clay
with softening and exfoliating properties. Break off a handful, mix with seawater to make mud,
slather it on and let it dry. Jump in the sea to rinse off for super smooth skin. Karlogeros
is an unorganized beach with no restaurants or sunbed rentals so bring your own snacks and gear.
Paros' beaches are famous for their striking landscape and unusual features, but Santa Maria
Beach is the all around best for its simplicity. A long wide stretch of soft golden white sand,
fantastic swimming in calm, clear aquamarine water and views of Naxos Island to the east. Swimming,
snorkeling, diving and windsurfing are available here, along with low key beach
clubs and delicious tavernas. Nearby, Mikri Santa Maria Beach is another great
option in a protected cove sheltered from the breeze. Mikri Santa Maria has a dive center,
a beach club with sunbed and umbrella rentals, and two lovely tavernas nearby.
Like most islands in the Cyclades, Paros catches the strong Meltemi winds coming from the north,
but its proximity to Naxos Island boosts these winds, making this one of the best
wind surfing and kite surfing spots in the world. The best wind surfing beaches are on
Paros' southeast coast, especially, Chrissi Akti, or Golden Beach, and Nea Chryssi Akti,
or New Golden Beach. Both of these sandy beaches have water sports centers with
equipment rentals and lessons, plus dive centers, beach clubs, and wonderful tavernas.
The postcard-perfect Lefkes is the highest elevated mountain village in the most fertile part
of Paros. Located near the center of the Island, many points in the village offer panoramic views
over the land, sea and the nearby island of Naxos. As the ancient agricultural hub of the island,
the village boasts a well-preserved stone pathway known as the Byzantine Road and there are several
popular hikes in the area. For a glimpse of local life, relaxed beaches and outstanding seafood,
visit one of the islands fishing villages. The most charming are Aliki and Piso Livadi. Aliki
is the largest and most popular of the fishing villages with three small beaches and is great
for families. Piso Livadi is a historic port town with a bustling marina filled with fishing boats,
small ferries and pleasure boats for day cruises. There's a strip of amazing
restaurants and bars next to the main beach, all owned by local fishermen.
Paros offers excellent nightlife for all occasions. The vast majority of the islands,
bars and clubs are in Parikia and Naousa, though there are a handful of beach parties and casual
bars open late in the fishing villages. Naousa is the main nightlife hub with sophisticated
cocktail bars overlooking the waterfront and old port and lively dance clubs and after party spots
in the heart of the village. Parikia offers a more casual nightlife scene than Naousa,
with a string of rooftop bars offering direct sunset sea views and small bars inside the village
with live bands. And Paros has no shortage of great restaurants serving fresh cod seafood,
hardy Greek comfort foods and contemporary hot cuisine. Just a 10-minute ferry ride away,
Antiparos Island makes for a perfect day trip.
Antiparos offers a relaxed atmosphere and has traditional villages, charming marinas filled
with fishing boats, idyllic beaches, and authentic Greek tavernas. Ferries arrive
at the harbor of the main village, Antiparos Town, with its whitewashed blocky houses and
Bougainvillea-lined pathways. There are excellent beaches near town between 5 and 15 minutes walk,
but the best beaches on Antiparos are farther south at Soros in the St. George area.
The largest Cycladic island, Naxos, is a great day trip from Paros. Only a 40-minute ferry away and
offering a rustic contrast to Paros' cosmopolitan vibe. The island is filled with farms, dairies,
olive groves, ancient ruins, and marble quarries. Traditional villages are scattered through its
mountainous interior, many connected by hiking trails that pass by some of the
islands over 200 Byzantine churches. Its coastline is wrapped in dreamy,
sandy beaches lined with fresh seafood tavernas. The main village, Naxos Town,
where the ferry port is, is built like a maze at the base of a 13th century Venetian castle
with many boutiques, bars and tavernas. The ruins of an ancient temple devoted to
Apollo sit on a small islet accessible by a raised foot path over the sea.
Naxos has stunning sunset sea views over the marina and temple from one of the many rooftop,
or balcony, restaurants or bars. Check out our Paros travel guide for more detailed information,
including where to stay, what to do, the best hotels, restaurants, beaches,
and lots of useful maps. We've also got other great travel guides and content for popular
destinations around Greece and the world at SantoriniDave.com. Thanks for watching.