Greek Guide


Paros Beaches Greece Greek Holiday Destinations

Paros offers a wealth of different beaches to choose from whether you're into windsurfing, all day partying, snorkelling or nudism you'll find something to suit you along the island's coastline.

The port of Parikia, where the majority of the island's holiday accommodation is centred, has a fairly uninspiring town beach but there are some excellent beaches within easy reach to the north across the bay and south west along the coast. The local caiques (water taxis) run up and down this stretch of coastline regularly during high season connecting the port with nearby beaches. Livadia Beach is just five minutes walk from the town, beyond the yacht marina and fishing harbour. Krios Beach across the bay and quieter Kaminia are less pebbly and more attractive.

Pasaporos Beach, about three kilometres south of the town, is a small, sheltered and attractively landscaped beach near the remains of an ancient temple. You can reach it via one of the hourly buses which run from Parikia to Pounta.

Pounta itself is about six kilometres south west of Parikia and is only really worth visiting to catch an excursion boat over to the nearby island of Antiparos.

Alyiki, in the south west corner of the island, suffers from ongoing construction work and noise disturbance from the nearby airport. But it's worth a visit on August 6th when the annual religious festival takes place with fireworks, live music, fresh fish and plentiful wine for all present.

The cosmopolitan seaside resort of Naoussa in the north of the island is a picturesque fishing harbour with a unique breakwater built within the ruins of a semi sunken Venetian castle. The fishermen's nets line the quayside waiting for repair while their owners while away their spare time in the local ouzeri and chic tourists dine on some of the best fresh fish dishes to be found anywhere in the Cyclades.

Pop along to the Naoussa Paros Sailing Centre for all day trips to the islands of Naxos, Delos and Iraklia or half day tours and yacht charters.

One of the island's best stretches of coastline is at Kolimithres about an hour's walk west of Naoussa. It'll only take you 10 minutes on a moped or catch a caique in high season. The name Kolimithres means "basins" or "fonts" and refers to the huge rocks which have been weathered by the wind and sea into the shape of baptismal fonts. The rocks divide the golden sand here into several small coves served by watersports, luxury hotels and some good tavernas.

Caiques also go to Lageri Beach, a long sandy stretch flanked by dunes, two and a half kilometres north east of Naoussa. There's a popular nudist beach nearby. Santa Maria at the far north eastern tip of the island, is one of the most beautiful beaches of all and boasts some of the best windsurfing conditions. The Santa Maria Surf Club offers equipment and lessons by the hour.

The island's most famous beach is Chrissi Akti (Golden Beach) in the south east corner of Paros a one kilometre stretch of fine gold sand awash with tavernas, holiday complexes and watersports. The beach has hosted the World Cup Windsurfing Championships since 1983 and is home to the Fanatic Fun Club which offers a wealth of watersports including water ski ing, wind and kite surfing and catamaran sailing. Nearby Pounda Beach is small in size but big on partying it's an all day clubbing venue with a huge swimming pool, sea and sand games, a music bar and a host of activities designed to appeal to the young and energetic.