INTERNATIONAL TOUR OPERATOR
Since 1985

PAROS

Map of Paros bulletGeneral Information
bulletParikia
bulletNaoussa
bulletAntiparos
bulletHow to get there
bulletUseful Telephones
bulletWhat to buy


Area: 209 sq. km
Distance from Piraeus: 95 nautical miles
Distance from Rafina: 82 nautical miles

Paros, the third largest of Cyclades after Naxos and Andros has developed into an important center of tourism in recent years.

Gently rolling hills surround the center and south-east of the island which is predominately agricultural and is occupied by endless vineyards, and lock within themselves the famous Parian marble.

The coastline is indented, with numerous small inlets and two large bays, those of Naoussa in the north and Parikia in the west. Paros has been inhabited since very ancient times, and was one of the centers of the Cycladic civilization.

Parikia

  • Parikia (or Paros), the island capital and port, stands on the site of an ancient city. There is a picturesque and ruinous Venetian castle and the courtyards of the houses of the town -all of them painted white- are full of pots of basil and hung with jasmine and honeysuckle. A broad paved avenue leads to the church of Ekantondapiliani or Katapoliani, one of the most important Byzantine monuments in the whole of Greece and a place that figures largely in legend. It is dedicated to the Dormition of our Lady, and on her feast day (15 August) there is a great celebration on the sea-front with fireworks and songs of the sea.


  • Other interesting local evens take place on the island during the summer

    Statues found at various sites on Paros are on display in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens.

    Naoussa

  • Naoussa, one of the prettiest villages in Cyclades, with white washed houses, narrow paved alleys, arches and tiny chapels can also offer a range of excellent beaches and attracts many visitors each summer.
    Among the beaches near Naoussa, special mention should be made of Kolibithres, where huge rocks eroded into strange shapes remind the visitors of sculptures embedded in the sand.
  • The chapels and monasteries of Paros are famed for their picturesqueness; among the most characteristic are the monastery of Zoodohos Pigi 'Longovarda' and that of Christ of the Forest (Hristos tou Dassous).

  • Marpissa is an attractive large village with a Venetian castle and beautiful churches. Among the best swimming beaches are Livadia, Krios, Agios Fokas, (at Parikia), Mikro Piperi and Megalo Piperi, Limnes, Kolimbithres (at Naoussa), Agii Anargiri, Langeri, Aliki, (with an interesting exhibition of traditional crafts), Santa Maria, Ambelas, Pisso Livadi, and Drios (on the eastern side).


  • Paros is an ideal destination for those in search of cosmopolitan bustle and for lovers of solitude alike. It has a full range tourist amenities.

    Antiparos

    Area 35 sq. km.
    Distance from Paros (Pounda) 1 nautical mile.
    Distance from Paros (Parikia) 4.5 nautical miles.

    Antiparos and Paros are divided by a narrow channel. The island is notable for its golden, sandy beaches and for its authentic natural beauty. The capital, Antiparos or Kastro, stands around the original nucleus of the medieval castle. Among the principal attractions of Antiparos is the famous cave of stalactites on Agios Ioannis hill. There is a chapel to St. John of the Cave (Agios Ioannis Spiliotis) at the mouth of the cavern. Antiparos has a number of beaches with golden sand and blue-green water. Every year, more and more visitors come to Antiparos, and as a result the hotels and limited number of rooms to rent have difficulty in meeting demand at peak periods. All around Antiparos are scores of tiny islands, like guards posted out at sea, inhabited only by wild rabbits and pigeons. Archaeologists have investigated two of these islets: Despotiko produced traces of tombs of the Early Cycladic period, and Saliangos has the ruins of a Neolithic settlement.

    How to get there

  • By ferry from Piraeus
    Information: Piraeus Port Authority, tel: 01/4226000

    From Rafina
    Information: Rafina Port Authority, tel: 0294/22300

    How to get to Antiparos

    By ferry from Paros (Pounda)
    By caique from Paros (Parikia)

  • Useful telephone numbers

  • Automatic dialing code : 0284
    Police tel: 23333
    Municipal Offices : 21222
    Port authority : 21240
    Municipality of Parikia (information bureau) : 22078
    Archaeological Museum : 21281
    Antiparos Police: 61202 & Commune Offices: tel.: 61218.
  • Things to buy

  • Ornamental pottery in Naoussa, elegant silver jewelry.