EGEO
Villa boutique
Paros
The island of Paros
Paros, the third-largest island in the Cyclades, is located in the heart of the archipelago, an island with a thousand facets.
We love it for its diversity and beauty. In antiquity, it owed its reputation to its white marble, which was used to sculpt the most famous masterpieces, such as the Venus de Milo.
Gentle hills, valleys sometimes planted with vineyards, sometimes with olive groves, alternate with charming villages with winding, flower-filled streets, and seductive coastlines along which golden sandy beaches and numerous coves with crystal-clear waters are hidden.
This island harmoniously combines quiet spots, sports activities, nature, and a lively atmosphere. Even in summer, it is possible to step aside and discover a more authentic island, off the beaten path.
There is something for everyone, of all ages!
Sun, sea, relaxation, water sports, shopping, but also history, culture, museums, churches, beautiful landscapes, quiet little villages... You never get bored in Paros.
The beaches
Paros is an island renowned for its numerous beautiful sandy beaches. Indeed, you could spend a week on vacation there and visit a different beach each day! Whether you prefer wild beaches or beach clubs, long stretches of fine sand, rocky shores, or small secluded coves, there is something for everyone. And no matter the wind direction, you can always find a protected and peaceful beach.
There are many beaches, but here are our favorites:
The most famous and largest is undoubtedly Golden Beach, just 3 km away from us.
If you love windsurfing or scuba diving, or if you're looking for a beautiful beach and/or nice beach clubs to enjoy the sun, the water is magnificent there, and the conditions are ideal for windsurfers.
For rentals, our favorite is Force 7, immediately to the left when you arrive at the beach. Spiros, the rental owner, is charming and very willing to help!
It's also the perfect place to sail away on a sailboat or boat and discover the hidden coasts and beaches of the island, but beware of the wind; it's not always possible, so it's important to get informed beforehand.
We also love Lolantonis, a charming little beach 800m down from us, with fine sand in the shade of tamarisk trees.
Farangas is a chic and pleasant beach club with clear water. It has a very good beach restaurant. One of our favorites.
Glyfa Beach, located further south, has several trees providing shady spots to lay down your towel!
Drios is a narrow beach of sand and pebbles, shaded by a few tamarisk trees. The water is clear, and you can enjoy meals at the tavernas just above.
Santa Maria, a beach frequented by windsurfers, and Mikri Santa Maria for those who prefer to relax.
Lageri, right next door, is a beach reserved for naturists. It is also the gay beach of Paros.
Agia Irini: a beach accessible by a dirt road. Calm and charming with its tiny blue and white chapel by the water. Along the sea, there is a thin strip of sand bordered by tamarisk trees and a few palm trees. Slightly set back, you will find sunbeds, umbrellas, and a taverna. The place is quiet.
Kalogeros Beach Clay: upon entering the beach, turn right, and you will find grey clay at the very end. Some walls can also be scraped to get green clay. Capture the laughs, watch people covered in clay, and head towards those areas!
Kolimpithres Beach, a beach reminiscent of the Seychelles in a cove decorated with many smooth rocks, similar to those found in the Indian Ocean. Enjoy the delicious turquoise water and a unique setting to cool off before hiking in Paros Park.
Paros is also known as a paradise for water sports enthusiasts: kitesurfing, windsurfing... the wind (meltem) blows strongly on certain days, making it a real delight on the water.
Pounta is a beach exclusively dedicated to kitesurfing enthusiasts (and therefore not suitable for swimming). Even if you don't practice kitesurfing, this beach is worth a visit to admire the spectacle of dozens of colorful sails floating in the sky and to have a drink!
The villages
In Paros, you absolutely must visit Parikia, the island's capital, and Naoussa, the Greek St. Tropez!
Parikia is one of the two largest villages on the island. We love the old town with its pretty, well-maintained white houses, its many narrow streets, its simple and fascinating atmosphere, its shops, and its unique Byzantine church, Panagia Ekatontapiliani (the Church of 100 Doors). Also, check out its beautiful Catholic church located nearby. The nicest spot is the old Venetian Kastro, which crowns the waterfront.
Located 10 km north of Parikia, Naoussa is trendier and more sophisticated but has plenty of charm. It is built in an amphitheater style, with a church at the top of the hill overlooking the bay and its very picturesque fishing port, which is known to be one of the most beautiful. Strolling through Naoussa in the evening is a visual delight. The streets are reminiscent of those in Mykonos, but they are less crowded and have a slightly more upscale feel. Shops are generally open until midnight, and the restaurants at the foot of the port are quite expensive.
In 1537, the island was destroyed by raids led by the Barbary pirates, with the pirate Barbarossa arriving in Naoussa. The people of Paros continued to live in fear of the Barbary pirates. Later, they submitted to the rule of the Ottoman Turks. This marked the beginning of the construction of new villages (Lefkes, Kostos, Marmara). Then came the Russians in 1774 until Greece's independence in 1830, when Paros finally became part of the newly formed free Hellenic state.
On our side, we recommend dining at the tavern Palia Agor. There may be people waiting outside; announce yourself and wait patiently—it usually goes pretty quickly!
If you are looking for a slightly more upscale restaurant, we highly recommend dining at Daverona. The prices remain reasonable for a restaurant of this quality (around 50€ for two). Make sure to book in advance, as it is popular among food connoisseurs.
Naoussa and its port are also the perfect starting point if you want to explore the surrounding areas of the island by boat.
Perched on a promontory to avoid pirate raids in the past and once the capital of the island, discover the fabulous mountain village of Lefkes with its maze of streets, squares, and the marble bell towers of the church.
Often, when people want to visit Paros quickly, they forget the southern part of the island. It would be a shame to miss the beautiful coastal village of Drios. With many trees, this village is also called the garden of Paros. Park your car and walk towards the coast—this is the most interesting part of the village!
Marpissa is a pretty village with 582 inhabitants; almost every street has its church and chapel. Overlooked by the beautiful Agios Antonios Monastery, it is authentic and less touristy but deserves more recognition! Stop by the beautiful coastal village of Piso Livadi right next door, and take the opportunity to watch the fishing boats and the coastal road that connects to Logaras Beach in a 5-minute walk. The old establishment Fyssilanis offers affordable food and free sunbeds with the first purchase... hard to beat! Piso Livadi is a favorite spot for Greek families on vacation.
And of course, there's Aliki, our favorite, a charming little fishing port nestled in a bay, with a small beach in its center, where we love to have a drink or dine with our feet in the sand at sunset. A must-see!
The wildlife
It's not well known, but the wildlife of Paros, especially the birdlife, is particularly rich. There are more than 200 species of birds and no fewer than 5,000 species of fish recorded. In season, make sure to visit the Valley of the Butterflies!
The museums
The island is home to several museums worth a visit.
In Parikia: The Archaeological Museum houses some treasures, particularly the "Large Lady of Saliagos" (5000 BC), which is considered one of the earliest sculpted human figures. Also on display are remnants of the Mycenaean palace and various statues.
The Ecclesiastical Museum, located within the Ekatontapiliani Church, showcases a collection of icons and ecclesiastical objects.
In Naoussa: The Archaeological Museum features finds from the region as well as numerous ancient objects that illustrate daily life in the past, including the Byzantine icon collection from the Agios Nikolaos Mostratos Monastery.
In Marpissa: The new Sculpture Museum "Perandinos," named after N. Perantinos, a sculptor from Paros, with 192 of his works on display.
In Lefkes: The Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions.
In Aliki: The Skorpios Museum, a fascinating museum where the owner has created miniature models of Cycladic heritage.
Hiking trails
There is an extensive network of hiking trails. We suggest you explore them through a brochure published by the Paros municipality.
For example: from Lefkes to Prodromos: the Byzantine Road. We recommend this very easy short hike!
This ancient route dates back a millennium (1000 AD) and connects the beautiful village of Lefkes with the equally picturesque village of Prodromos. Don’t wake up too late to enjoy the fresh morning air! Once in Lefkes, park your car, go down the stairs across the road, and have a snack after strolling through the village. You are now ready for the Byzantine Road. The walk is about 6 km (allow 2 hours round trip), and you can see the sea and the island of Naxos in the distance. During your walk, look at the ground, often strewn with marble slabs from the Byzantine era. This marble was extracted from the Lakkoi quarry on Paros.
Stop halfway to have lunch at Byzantino in Prodromos (very warm welcome and delicious dishes; try their incredible imam and orange cake). Or, if it's still too early, wander around Prodromos and then walk to the neighboring village of Marmara and stop at Family Taverna. You will find excellent dishes at incredibly low prices.
Alternatively, there is a longer route of 19 km (6 hours): Parikia – Marathi – Lefkes – Prodromos – Marpissa – Agios Antonios – Piso Livadi. This route constitutes the "Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Road" of the island, linking the capital to mountain villages.
You can also take the 10 km (3 hours) route: Lefkes – Lagkada – Aspro Chorio/Drios.
Hiking in Paros allows you to discover the island from a different perspective. Along the trails, you'll encounter wells and springs, ancient olive groves, traditional houses, windmills... in a natural environment rich in scents and colors.
Paros Park and the sunset at the Paros Lighthouse: located in the northwest of the island, this is an ideal spot after Kolimpithres Beach to admire the surrounding nature. The walks are easy but not shaded. Wait until 7 PM to go, or you'll be very hot. Head towards the lighthouse; the path is fairly well-marked. The lighthouse is at the end, and stay there until the sun sets.
Les églises, chapelles et monastèreses
Impossible d’aller à Paros sans visiter la superbe Eglise Panagia Ekatontapiliani à Parikia. C’est une merveille, l’une des plus belles églises des Cyclades. La légende raconte que cette église aurait quatre-vingt-dix-neuf portes visibles. Et que la centième ne deviendra visible que le jour où les Grecs conquerront la ville de Constantinople (Istanbul).
Il y a aussi un peu partout sur l’île de nombreux monastères, églises et chapelles.