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Paros, the third largest island of the Cyclades, offers a perfect balance of natural beauty, historical heritage and authentic tradition. Famous since antiquity for its Parian marble used for masterpieces such as the Venus de Milo, this Cycladic island captivates visitors with its variety of attractions ranging from Byzantine monuments to picturesque traditional villages, from crystal-clear beaches to thousand-year-old archaeological sites.
The island manages to retain its authentic Greek character while offering modern tourist services, making it ideal for every type of traveller. Whether you are a lover of history, nature or simply looking to relax, Paros will surprise you with its many facets.
The capital of Paros, Parikia (Paroikia), is the historical and commercial heart of the island, where antiquity and modernity blend harmoniously. This charming harbour town welcomes visitors with its characteristic windmill at the entrance to the harbour and unfolds in a labyrinth of cobbled lanes that climb from the harbour area towards the hills.
The old town retains splendid examples of Cycladic architecture with whitewashed houses, blue-domed churches and courtyards shaded by bougainvilleas. The waterfront offers a pleasant stroll at sunset, while the Market Street (ancient agora) retains its commercial function with craft shops, traditional cafés and restaurants serving local specialities.
The Church of the Hundred Gates is the architectural jewel of Parikia and one of the most important early Christian monuments in Greece. Built in 326 AD, according to legend it was founded by St Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, during her pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
The complex comprises three separate religious buildings: the main church of Agios Nikolas decorated with beautiful Parian marble columns, the elegant Church of Our Lady and the ancient 4th century Baptistery. Inside, mosaics from the 6th to 7th century are preserved and the Byzantine Museum exhibits priceless icons and sacred art objects.
This charming fishing village on the northern coast is the chic heart of Paros. The picturesque harbour is still bustling with colourful fishing boats (caiques) and the old fishermen’s warehouses have been converted into elegant tavernas overlooking the sea.
The whitewashed alleys of Naoussa ‘s centre wind their way past exclusive boutiques, art galleries and quaint cafés, while the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin dominates the village from the highest point. The Historical and Folklore Museum houses exhibits from the Mycenaean Acropolis and objects of local tradition.
The ancient capital of Paros lies at an altitude of 250 metres in the centre of the island, surrounded by greenery and far from mass tourism routes. This medieval village retains traditional Cycladic architecture with white cubic houses and cobbled streets.
The Church of Agia Triada, with its twin bell towers, is the spiritual heart of the village. From Lefkes starts the famous Byzantine path that connects the village to Prodromos via ancient mountain paths used as safe routes away from the pirate-ridden coast.
This unique beach owes its fame to granite rock formations sculpted by the wind and sea waves over millennia. The rocks create small natural pools with turquoise waters that make Kolimbithres one of the most photographed locations in the Cyclades.
The beach is located on the north-eastern coast, easily accessible by boat from the port of Naoussa or by land via a scenic road. The area offers services and restaurants, while maintaining a natural and wild appearance.
The remains of the Venetian fortress of Parikia, built in 1260 by Duke Marco Sanudo on the remains of the ancient acropolis, offer an extraordinary view of the town and harbour. The walls incorporate marbles from the 6th century B.C. Temple of Athena, creating a fascinating historical palimpsest.
A walk through the castle ruins reveals the remains of ancient temples dedicated to Athena and Apollo, while small Byzantine churches built within the walls (such as Agios Konstantinos) testify to the cultural stratification of the island. The site is particularly impressive at sunset.
The small twin island of Paros, separated by a narrow arm of the sea, is easily reached by ferry from Parikia or Pounda. Antiparos offers an even more relaxed and authentic atmosphere than the main island.
The big attraction are the stalactite caves with monumental stalactites and stalagmites that are an extraordinary natural spectacle. The cave contains one of the oldest stalagmites in Europe, formed over 45 million years ago. The main village retains its traditional Cycladic character with unspoilt beaches along the coast.
Petaloudes (Valley of the Butterflies) is located between Parikia and Pounda, near the Monastery of Christo Dasous. This natural oasis is famous for the presence of the Panaxia Quadripunctaria, a species of moth with distinctive white, black and orange wing patterns.
The best time to visit is from May to July and September, when the butterflies are most active. The valley is surrounded by dense vegetation among plane trees, ivy, cypresses and fruit trees, offering a pleasant refuge from the summer heat and a unique experience especially for families with children.
The ancient marble quarries of Marathi, on the road from Parikia to Naoussa, testify to the economic importance of the island in antiquity. From these quarries came the valuable Parian marble used for masterpieces such as the Venus de Milo, the Caryatids of the Acropolis and Praxiteles’ Hermes.
The quarries, active mainly until 1881, still show signs of ancient quarrying activity. Some local families continue to work the marble more for passion than for business, keeping alive a thousand-year-old tradition that made Paros famous throughout the ancient world.
These inland villages represent the most authentic soul of Paros, far from mass tourism. Prodromos10, one of the oldest settlements on the island, preserves houses that communicate with each other through common gates, used as escape routes during pirate raids.
Marpissa11 it is amphitheatre-shaped on the hill of Kefalos and is famous for the most photographed ‘pink gate’ on Paros. The village, 14 kilometres from Parikia, takes its name from the ancient marbles found in the area and used to build houses and local churches.
The Golden Beach on the south-east coast is a paradise for water sports, especially windsurfing. This long stretch of fine golden sand is exposed to the Meltemi (the Aegean wind) and hosts the annual Windsurfing World Cup.
The beach offers crystal-clear waters, gradual seabed ideal for families, and a full complement of beach bars, restaurants and windsurfing schools. The surrounding area offers excellent snorkelling opportunities due to its rich marine life, while sunsets from the western side of the island provide unforgettable sights.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
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