Paros

Introduction

Wind Mill

© clintonb

Paros is a Greek island, part of the Cyclades group of islands and located in the central Aegean Sea. It's just 8 kilometres west of Naxos and a popular tourist destinations in summer. Roughly 13,000 people live on a surfact of about 65 square kilometres.

Cities

• Paroikia is the capital
• Naoussa - For many, Naoussa has the most beautiful and picturesque small port of the Aegean Sea. For others its the heart of the islands nightlife. Some others though are satisfied with the simple charm of a walk through its narrow paved streets. The only thing for certain is that all kinds of people have a reason to visit Naoussa again and again.
• Ambelas - Ambelas is a small fishing village with a small harbour located 3 kilometres away from Naoussa. There are many beautiful hotels and deluxe villas in this region.
• MarathiI - Marathi is only 7 kilometres from the capital and 4 kilometres from Kostos. It has around 250 residents and is located in the centre of Paros and 7 kilometres away from the main town of Paroikia. Discover ancient marble quarries, mines and the statue of the Nymph at the entrance of one of the many caves. They have been saved for 3,000 years, 5 kilometres out from Paroikia on the road to Lefkes. Parian marbles are still a point of research and international wonder. You should also see the monastery of Agio Mina and the convent of the Panayia Theofanou.
• Kostos - Kostos is located in the centre of the island approximately 8 kilometres southeast of Paroikia. It is the smallest village of Paros and is located at the road that connects Paroikia with Lefkes.
• Lefkes - As you go southeast leaving Kostos behind you will find the beautiful Lefkes at 250 metres altitude. Lefkes was founded in the 16th century A.D. probably from refugees who abandoned Crete and the Peloponnesian.
• Promodos - At a distance of 5 kilometres from Lefkes you will find the picturesque Prodromos with the white houses and the beautiful churches. It owes its name to the parish church of Aghios Ioannis Prodromos (17th century A.D.), while during the Medieval Times it was known as Dragoulas or Tragoulas. A walk through the whitewashed streets is enough for you to enjoy the hospitality of Paros in the traditional cafes and the taverns of the village.
• Marmara - Close to Prodromos, you will find the small village Marmara which owes its name to the marbles (marmara) that were used for the decoration of mansions and churches of the village. Admire the architecture of the Aegean as you walk through the narrow whitewashed streets. it is worth making a stop at the significant churches of the village (Koimisi of Theotokos with the wooden dome and the tomb of the 17th century A.D., Aghios Savvas with its astonishing campanile of 1606 etc.).
• Marpissa - As you go southeast leaving Marmara behind you will find Marpissa, 17 kilometres away from Paroikia. Marpissa is amphitheatric ally built over a hill at 40 metres altitude and was founded during the 15th century A.D.
• Piso Livadi - Piso Livadi is a beautiful coastal settlement 4 kilometres away from Marpissa and is recommended for family excursions as it has a very good tourism infrastructure (hotels, lodgings, fish taverns, cafes, bars). Walk along the picturesque port where many fish boats are moored, swim into the clean, sandy sea and enjoy m Greek mezedes with ouzo while sitting on the beach. It also serves as the port to the lesser Cycladic islands south of Naxos.
• Dryos - As you leave Piso Livadi behind and after you pass through the beaches of Logaras, Pounda beach, Tserdakia (Nea Chrissi Akti) and Chrisi akti, you will reach Dryos, a green coastal village with running waters that is 25 kilometers away from Paroikia. Despite the fact that the village has tourism infrastructure, it has kept its traditional Cycladic colour and it is a wise choice for those who wish to avoid cosmopolitan holidays. The beach of Dryos with its thin pebbles is ideal for you to enjoy swimming and avoid big crowds.
• Aliki - Further south to the southwesterly tip of the island, you'll find Aliki, another coastal settlement which is ideal for relaxed family vacations. Aliki is built very close to the magnificent sandy beach where you may eat delicious food in one of its traditional taverns. There you will also find a few bars to enjoy your drink once the sun begins to set.
• Angeria - As you continue the road from Aliki you will find Angeria on your left. Angeria is 12 kilometres away from Paroikia and keeps its traditional character to the up most. If you love trekking follow the two trekking routes, the first one leads to the monastery of Aghioi Theodoroi, which is located in an ideal spot with a view to the endless blue of the Aegean and the second route leads to the monastery of Aghios Yiannis Spiliotis.
• Pounda - Pounda is located 8 kilometres south of Paroikia and is a coastal resort settlement. Ferry boats depart regularly to Antiparos from the picturesque small port of Pounda. Pounda is only one nautical mile away from Antiparos so you can enjoy the view of the whole of the North-eastern coast of Antiparos from the beautiful beach located in Pounda or from one of the traditional restaurants or taverns. In Pounda you will find all the modern tourist comforts (taverns, hotels, cafe, mini markets) while modern scuba diving schools and surf clubs operate at its beaches.

Sights and Activities

• Parikia town with it whitewashed walls and blue doors and windows
• Archaeological museum
• Bay of Naoussa
• The peaceful mountain village of Lefkes
• Beaches and nightlife

Paroikia and the Frankish Castle
Paroikia is the capital and the main port of the island and a highly touristic town, where you can find many shops, cafes, restaurants and bars, but it gets very busy in the summer. The most beautiful spot of Paroikia is the Frankish Castle, which was built in 1260 by the Venetians. Parts of an ancient temple were used for its construction, and there are also remnants of ancient residents. Today, it is a picturesque quarter.

Naoussa
Naousa is the second town of Paros and one of the best-preserved towns in Cyclades. Despite its cosmopolitan atmosphere and the vivid nightlife, Naousa has managed to keep its traditional and romantic character. Whitewashed houses, small churches, labyrinth-like pebbled streets and the tiny port with colourful fishing boats make the scenery amazing. Naousa is the centre of the nightlife of the island, and you will see there many young people partying until the dawn.

The Monastery of Panagia Ekatontapiliani
Panagia Ekatontapiliani Cathedral is dedicated to Virgin Mary and is located in Paroikia. It is one of the best-preserved Paleo-Christian monuments in Greece. The main church was constructed in the 4th century A.D., but during the Byzantine Period, were performed many reformations to the church. Today, it is a complex of Paleo-Christian, Byzantine and post-Byzantine elements.

Top museums
On Paros, there are many interesting museums that can offer you perfect cultural vacations. In Paroikia, you will find the Archaeological Museum and the Byzantine Museum, in Naousa, the Wine Museum, in Lefkes, the Folklore Art Museum, and in Marpissa, the Sculpture Museum.

The best beaches
Kolympithres is the most famous beach of Paros in the area of Naousa. The beach is known for its crystal waters and its rock formations. Pounda Beach is also very popular thanks to its beach bar with its famous parties. On this beach, there are water-sports amenities. Water sports, diving and windsurfing are also available on the beaches of Santa Maria, Golden Beach and Parasporos, which are beautiful, organised and have the astonishing deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea.

Cycling tour
If you want to stay in Paros and explore every corner of the island, the cycling tour is the best option. You will keep fit during your vacations in an entertaining way and also visit inaccessible beaches, distant cliffs and churches at the edge of the island.

Beach tour around the island
A nice way to explore the wonderful beaches of Paros is the beach tour around the island. Every day, usually early in the morning, boats from Parikia Town (Paros) and Naousa Paros start the tours around Paros. You will admire the astonishing coastline of the island, enjoy your meal inside the boat and spend a whole day taming the waves.

Antiparos
Antiparos is a small island near Paros, where you can go by boat in only 15 minutes from Pounda Port. Antiparos is perfect for a day-trip, but you can visit the island also at night as the boat to Antiparos operates 24/7. Antiparos has nice, sandy beaches and a typical Cycladic Chora, but you will be impressed by the positive vibes of the island that make you feel relaxed and happy. Antiparos is the perfect island to meet new people and have fun. If you visit it at night, don't forget to have a drink in La Luna disco, an after-bar that is the most famous disco in Cyclades.

Delos-Mykonos
The excursion to the archaeological site of Delos is one of the best excursions from Mykonos. Thanks to the close distance of Paros to Mykonos, you can visit this impressive ancient town from Paros as well. Afterwards you can combine this excursion with a stop in Mykonos. In only one day and one excursion, you will have the opportunity to admire a significant monument, swim in the stunning beaches of Mykonos and explore the popular Cycladic island.

Naxos and Small Cyclades
Another island, which is located very close to Paros, is Naxos. But if you want to visit a calmer and smaller island, away from the crowds, you can choose one of the Small Cyclades, like Koufonisi or Amorgos.

Weather

Paros, like most of the region, has a great Mediterranean climate with warm, dry and sunny summers and mild but wet winters. Summer lasts from June to September with mostly daytime temperatures between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius and well above 20 degrees at night. Winters from December to February are mostly around 15 degrees Celsius during the day and about 10 degrees at night. Most rain falls in this period, especially in December and January.

Getting There

By Plane

Olympic Airlines is the only carrier, offering flights between Paros National Airport and Athens.

By Boat

There are around six boats daily to Piraeus (five hours) and Naxos (one hour), and three daily to Ios (2½ hours) and Santorini (three to four hours). There are daily services to Mykonos (1¾ hours), Syros (1½ hours), Tinos (2½ hours) and Amorgos (three to 4½ hours). Six weekly go to Koufonisia (4½ hours); three weekly go to Sikinos (three to four hours) and Anafi (six hours), and four weekly go to Astypalea in the Dodecanese (six hours).
There are three ferries weekly to Folegandros (5¾ hours). There are two ferries weekly to Serifos (2½ hours), Sifnos (two hours), Milos (six hours), Kimolos (seven hours), Schinousa (2¼ hours) and Donousa (two to four hours).
There is one boat weekly to Thessaloniki (15 to 16 hours), Crete (seven to eight hours), Skiathos (10 hours), Rhodes (12 to 15 hours) and Kalymnos (8¾ hours).

Check the Greek Travel Pages for an impression about companies, schedules and prices, as the choice is very wide. Or check the Greek Ferries website or another one about Ferries between islands in Greece.

There are also more expenive fast boats and catamarans:
There are three services daily to Piraeus (2½ hours) and one a day to Rafina (2½ hours). There are also at least two daily to Naxos (30 minutes), Tinos (1¼ hours), Syros (45 minutes), Mykonos (one hour), Ios (1½ hours), Santorini (2¼ hours) and Amorgos (1½ to two hours). There is also one service daily to Heraklion on Crete (four hours), and to Folegandros (three hours and 50 minutes).

Sleep

Keep Connected

Internet

Internet access is widely available throughout the country. Almost all hotels provide internet access, either free or paid. Local coffee shops usually offer free Wi-Fi access, as many other public places do. Feel free to ask for the password, if the network is locked. Internet cafes however tend to be expensive, about €1.5-2 per hour.

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

The cheapest way to call someone abroad is to use a pre-paid calling card and call from a land line anywhere (also from your hotel room). Pre-paid calling cards are sold in many shops and kiosks. The calling card is not much more than a phone number and a pin code, which you dial prior to dialing the usual phone number. If you want to call internationally, ask for an international calling card. For one euro you can call for about 45 minutes, so buy a card in the cheapest value (which is about €3). Calling someone for half an hour is cheaper than sending one email from an internet café. Cards expire usually 90 days after first use. You can also use this pre-paid calling card at public phone boxes, which are widely available.

Mobile phones are prevalent in Greek's communication, and if you need to talk with your co-travelers it is advised that you buy a local prepaid plan instead of using roaming, as it is far cheaper. There are at least three mobile carriers, Cosmote, Wind and Vodafone all of which require by law presenting some form of identification in order to activate your prepaid plan. Choose whichever has better reception in your area, keeping in mind that GSM 900, GSM 1800 and UMTS 2100 bands are supported. Data usage is cheap, costing about €3 per 100 MB. Ask the mobile carrier for more information.

Post

Hellenic Post is the Greek postal service. On their website you find more information about options to send letters, postcards and parcels and there is a search function regarding post offices and post boxes. It also has information on services like paying bills, transferring money, financial products etc. Greek post codes are five digits long and are usually written as follows; 123 45. The first three digits are used to identify the city, municipality or prefecture, for example the digits between 100 and 180 relate to the city of Athens. The last two digits identify a street or part of a street. Most post offices are open Monday to Friday from 07:30-14:00, although the largers ones usually have longer opening hours. For sending packages, you can also use international courier services like DHL, UPS or TNT.