Greece - Cyclades islands - Paros gorgeous villa rentals
Language Lesson—What’s the Greek word for “aaaah…”? Paros!
Bask on a beach. Amble through an ancient town. Learn to windsurf. Savor simple pleasures. Come to Paros and do it all from your villa rental!
Oh My God!
One of Mykonos’ sister islands in the Cyclades archipelago, laidback Paros is a great destination for recharging after you’ve enjoyed the party scene on Mykonos or navigated the crowds in bustling Athens. Visitors come here for the slow pace, gorgeous beaches, and picturesque villages. There’s nightlife and organized beaches when you want them and lots of mellow places in between. Dock your yacht here if you want to truly unwind and get away…
Geographically, Paros is a rural island with meandering hillside villages that extend down from its 2,375’ peak, and end at seaside towns and long sections of breathtaking coastline. It’s scorching hot and dry in the summer so you’ll alternate between beach time and rounds of ouzo or the popular sweetened coffee drinks meticulously layered parfait-style.
As in much of Greece, fresh seafood is a staple and served cold or cooked on beachside grills. While octopus and souvlaki are on every tourist menu, specialties like salatouri (stingray salad), and caravels (snail casserole) accent meals with an exotic flavor.
Aside from the many restaurants and tavernas, you’ll also come across charming impromptu cafes created with large white canvases strung over wooden frames and outdoor seating—friendly locals can point the way. Just remember to wave goodbye with your fist instead of your open palm or they’ll consider it an insult. Who knew?
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Getting There
From the U.S., Athens is the gateway to Paros and other Cycladic islands. Check out this site for flight options from your city to Athens: Paros Flight
Greece relies heavily on sea travel between its islands, which depart from two ports outside of Athens: Piraeus (closest to central Athens), and Rafina (closer to Athens Airport and less frantic than Piraeus).
You can choose between a slow ferry (4 hours) or a high-speed ferry or catamaran (2 ½ hours). High winds can change schedules, so you’ll want to confirm sailing times. This website does a nice job of explaining the intricacies of getting to Paros by boat: Paros Boats
If you’re really in a hurry to get there, you can also take a 35-minute flight. However, know that you’ll be competing with loads of other folks who coincidently have this same great idea and tickets can be tricky to get.
Beaches
Nearly 40 beaches ring Paros’ stunning coastline. You’ll find small golden beaches with private coves, shoreline rimmed with smooth boulders, long stretches of satiny soft white sand, scalding desert landscapes, and shady nooks. Many beaches are free but a small fee will secure an umbrella and lounge chair at those that are organized, which often have refreshments and water sports equipment too.
Insider’s tip: rent an ATV so you can avoid the crowds and access remote beaches beyond rocky sections outside tourists’ radar. Ask the staff for advice and seek out those magical spots where your only company are seabirds and boats bobbing offshore. If you prefer, hop on a scooter to tour the island. The ever accommodating locals will even deliver it to your door.
Peruse these popular destinations for a taste of Paros’ diverse beaches:
• Kolimbithres—A collection of smooth boulders cascade in elaborate formations along the gorgeous turquoise water’s edge This natural architecture creates lovely little pools and inlets, and also acts as a wind and current barrier and make the sea calm here. You’ll see babes in bikinis making their own elaborate formations on the rocks, and families and older couples enjoying the expansive shallow bay. Inner-tubing, water-skiing, and kayaking can be arranged at the water sports center, and nearby restaurants makes lunch easy. Know also that this is a hugely popular beach in the summer and you’ll be part of a crowd if you come here then.
• New Golden Beach (Tserdakia) —Located on the east coast along the strait between Paros and Naxos, the meltemi (north winds) rip through year round creating spectacular conditions for wind and kite surfing. Indeed, world-class windsurfers come here to complete at the World Windsurfing Championship, held seven times thus far. If you’re a thrill-seeker, rent a board and try it yourself. If you’d rather get a secondhand thrill, kick back on the shore with a Mythos (a Greek lager) and watch the sea of colorful surfers blast by…
• Kalogiras—At this pretty little beach, you may do a double-take as you notice people slathering their entire bodies with wet sand. Local lore holds that the shimmering sand here has healing properties because it contains the clay-like argillite from the surrounding rocks. If it doesn’t cure what ails you, all that exfoliating should make your skin feel softer. It’s a novelty you can try before jumping into the sea for a relaxing swim.
• Punda—Bungee jump, anyone? How about a little dancing? This diminutive bay is big on fun—music, extreme sports, bars, restaurants, and even a swimming pool are yours to enjoy as thumping resort-driven music promotes a party atmosphere. Crowded with the young and playful, come here to enjoy a wild time and make some crazy memories.
• Mesada—If you’re a fan of the all-over tan, come to this spot to bask in your birthday suit. It’s a small, sandy stretch that’s quiet and well known in the nudist community as a nice place to lounge.
Villages to Visit
In the traditional style, crisp white buildings embellished with blue trim and bright pink bougainvillea create a standard from one village to the next. Streets and alleys flail out in various directions like octopus tentacles each grasping for a different clam, making a maze and mystery around each turn.
The heat and serpentine paths will help you slow down and enjoy the treasures that appear along the way. Follow a cat (of which there are many) and see where he leads you!
Here are some highlights of seaside Parikia and Naossa, hillside Lefkes, and tiny Antiparos island.
Parikia—Sited at its eastern shore, this lovely and busy port city is Paros’ capital and where you’ll arrive if you come by ferry. The remains of a 15th century Venetian fortress protrude from the sea along the shoreline here, and add color to its interesting landscape. Pirates and warships were once spotted from this partially submerged watchtower and in Naossa, just a bit north, residents re-enact pirate mayhem during a festival every August 23rd.
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Another architectural sight is the ancient Panagia Ekatontatliani, “church of the 100 doors”, which anchors the village center. Built in 326 AD, this church has a rough beauty with its stone construction, arches, checkerboard flooring and ornate light fixtures, ceiling, and painted embellishments. If you visit on August 15th, you can experience a festival here dedicated to the “Dormition of Our Lady” (the Virgin Mary’s feast day), celebrated with fireworks and music.
There are loads of restaurants, jewelry shops, galleries, bars, ice cream and coffee shops, and unique stores with warm locals who make you feel truly welcomed. Wander through the old part of town through the winding streets and take it all in…
Naossa—Just 10 miles north of Parikia is stunning Naossa. The scenery at this little fishing harbor almost feels staged. You’ll see rows of colorful fishing boats, fishermen repairing nets, mackerel (gouna) sun-drying on tables, and octopus oozing over door frames as they too dry before being grilled over charcoal at beachside shacks.
The bay is expansive and beautiful here, and the area less pressured than Parikia. Come in the morning to photograph these picturesque scenes before the tourists arrive.
Beyond this traditional port, a square with ouzeries (ouzo bars), nightclubs, and little fisherman bars join ranks with galleries, cafes, and tourist services. Come here also for spectacular beaches, such as Kolimbithres, which was introduced above.
Lefkes—Stay near the beach but be sure to take a day trip to Lefkes for the gracious flavor of local life without the obvious influences of tourism.
Nestled in the hills about six miles inland from Parikia, sweeping bay views peak out from the ancient Byzantine foot path, that carves its way down the steep slope through town. On the hills, aromatic stands of herbs and orange trees scent the surrounding area.
In this car-free village, every turn down the labyrinthine streets seems to open onto something picture-worthy. Quiet squares with art galleries, shops, and shady outdoor tavernas invite visitors to slow down. Relax with a glass of Paros Moraitis (a dry white wine), or try an ice cold glass of souma, the traditional liquor distilled from grape pomace (skin and seeds).
This sleepy town is blazing hot on summer afternoons and the streets become eerily still while folks are hidden away cooling off. Consider hiring a guide to uncover Lefkes’ history, decode its culture, and learn what’s up with all those cats!
Antiparos—Take a ferry to this tiny island, just over a mile off Paros’ southern tip at Pounda, to immerse yourself even deeper in an authentic Cyclades way of life. There’s one central settlement with traditional architecture and meandering cobblestone streets, a Venetian Castle on the bay, and an interesting cave you can visit where Alexander the Great’s generals and Lord Byron are said to have etched graffiti.
Neolithic people lived here, the goddess Artemis was worshipped here, and a Catholic mass was even held here in the 1600s. Lighting, handrails, and other support structures were added to make the cave more visitor friendly, and the pretty little Church of St. John welcomes you at the entrance.
And finally, Antiparos has a small folklore museum and more than a dozen beaches to explore.
Whether you yacht in for a night, rest here after a wild time on Mykonos, or plan to stay a full week or more, Paros will charm you… Come see for yourself!
