Right in the heart of Cyclades, Paros Island is a popular vacation spot with its quirky beaches and cute Cycladic villages with snow-white houses. Parikia, the main port is a knot of winding streets underneath a reused marble castle from an ancient temple, while the small fishing port in Naoussa is one of the most beautiful of Cyclades. Paros is synonymous with the high-quality marble quarried here in ancient times, used for the Parthenon’s tiled roofs and iconic sculptures like Nike of Samothrace and Medici Venus. The beaches in Paros are almost too fantastic, bathed in shallow waters of shades ranging from turquoise to royal blue. In the capital is a wonder of early Christianity, the Panagia Ekatontapiliani Church was founded 1,700 years ago by St Helen. Let’s explore the best things to do in Paros with us in the post below.
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Explore Parikia
Parikia is the capital and central town of Paros. It retains all its old-world charm while you explore the by lanes and roads snaking through the city.
This is also the main tourist hub of the island and is great for staying during your vacation. With various quaint cafes and restaurants lined up on the street, you can also try authentic Greek food. The ancient windmills and famous church stated above are also present on this very part of the island along with other architectural marvels.
Visit Lefkes
This quaint little town cradled near the mountains of Naousa is one of the best places to visit. It has a myriad of colors sprayed around owing to the white-colored houses, deep blue seas, and bright pink bougainvillea growing everywhere.
It can also be great to stay if you want to cut down on expenses since there are many cheap Airbnb houses available. Enjoy some natural organic foods like figs and honey which are sold as roadside snacks here.
Go around Marcello Beach
Ten minutes around the bay from Parikia is what most people agree is the best beach on the island.
With a crescent of white sand, pool-like waters, and full waiter service, it’s a mystery why Marcello isn’t busier. The sea is so tranquil that the only thing that musters more than a ripple in the wake caused by ferries entering and leaving Parikia’s harbor in the distance.
Children will have the time of their lives playing in these safe waters while parents and couples will be spellbound by the vistas over the glimmering sea, back to Parikia and its mountainous backdrop. As ever front row sun loungers cost a little extra, and you may need to arrive early for a good spot in summer.
Naoussa Venetian Castle
The small circular tower standing there now and burrowed with casemates were built in the first decades of the 16th century, just before Paros fell to the Ottomans under the command of Barbarossa.
You can get to the fort on foot via a mole from the harbour and can peer through the firing positions for a beautiful perspective of Naoussa’s white and blue seafront.
Relax on the Kolymbithres beach
This can be done immediately after spending some time at Naoussa since it’s just ten minutes away. Take the local public ferry from Naoussa and you are sorted.
It’s great for a family vacation as the children build sandcastles and you laze on the rocks. You can find many people sunbathing on the smooth granite rocks on the shore. Various sandy coves and rocky formations chiseled by strong winds and the sea make for great backdrops to get the perfect Instagram Picture.
Hiking & Swimming in Paros Park
The natural park on St. Ioannis Detis peninsula near Naoussa offers a wide range of activities: hiking to the lighthouse or a cave, discovering the headquarters of the Russian fleet, water sports at its finest, or relaxing at the small Monastiri beach…
This remote beach is protected from the winds and is equipped with sunbeds for 3,50 € per day and has a beach bar offering light healthy food.
At night you can watch a movie at the open-air cinema, or if you’re lucky to see a concert at the open-air theatre. All of this right next to the beach and respecting the idea of cultural and sustainable tourism.
Wander Around Lefkes Village
Lefkes is not just our favorite village in Paros. Lefkes tops the list of places we love the most in Greece. Why? Because Lefkes is undoubtedly one of the prettiest villages in the country.
Built on a mountain slope for fear of pirate invasions, Lefkes resembles an island in a sea of pine trees and magnificent olive trees. A stroll along the village’s main street is enough to make you fall in love with Lefkes before you even decide to get lost in the labyrinth of smaller streets that will literally take your breath away.
Apart from walking around and admiring the village’s gorgeous traditional architecture, you should definitely make time to sit at one or more of the quaint cafés which are scattered across Lefkes. These cafés look as though they’re period movie sets come to life. In fact, one of them was actually featured in a Coca-Cola commercial in the past.
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