Paros

Cyclades Islands

Paros has always been famous for its marble, which was transported throughout Greece in Classical times as being the raw material that the finest sculptors and architects all wanted to work with. The Venus de Milo, for example, is made of Parian marble, as is the Winged Victory of Samothraki, two of the star exhibits in the Louvre in Paris.

As a result of this natural bounty, and the fact that it is an abundantly fertile island supporting many vineyards and olive groves, Paros has always been prosperous and has had no need to court tourism to the extent of some of its neighbours. It remains much more Greek in feel than, say, Mykonos and Ios.

This is not to say that it doesn’t get busy, especially at the height of the summer when the strong winds that blow over the island attract windsurfers from all over the world. The best surfing, and the best beaches, are in the north of the island, with Langeri almost at the northern tip a popular windsurfing resort.

Paros Town

Paros Town, also known as Parikia, is in a sheltered harbour on the west coast and is a focal point for ferry services around the Cyclades. Its port is a bustling place with all the activity, bars and restaurants that you would expect when ferries are arriving and leaving daily. Further inland, the typical Cycladic streets and houses can be found, and although they are packed with people in July and August, when the souvenir sellers appear in abundance, for much of the rest of the year they remain a peaceful retreat from the waterfront below.

The Byzantine Cathedral of the Panagia Ekatondapiliani is a splendid example of a building made from the fine local marble, and dates to the 10th century, when it replaced a church originally built on this spot in the 6th century. Next to it is the Archaeological Museum, which naturally has more work in Parian marble on display, and a unique fragment from a manuscript known as the Parian Chronicle. It may sound like a daily newspaper and that’s not too far from the truth. It is a record of the history of Ancient Greece from the 16th century BC through to the year 264BC, carved on marble.

Paros is also home to the Aegean Center for the Fine Arts, which offers courses in writing, singing, photography, painting, and other arts and crafts.

Cycladic Folklore Art Museum
In the village of Aliki, near the airport, is the Cycladic Folklore Art Museum. This is a remarkable collection of work by a fisherman turned artist, who calls his work large miniatures. They are scale models of an amazing variety of things, including ships from warships to fishing boats, monasteries, castles, lighthouses and even the terrace of lions on Delos.

Antiparos

Taking a day trip to the neighbouring little island of Antiparos is highly recommended.

Where to Stay on Paros

Getting to Paros

Flights to Paros
Paros has its own small airport and in season there are several direct flights each day to and from Athens with Olympic Air, with a journey time of about 45 minutes.

Ferries to Paros
Ferries to Paros from the mainland depart from Piraeus in Athens with one or two ferries a day and a journey time of 4-5 hours. There are also ferries to most of the other Cyclades islands, including the nearest big island, Naxos, with one or two ferries a day and a journey time of about 45 minutes.

Ferries in Greece

Ferries in Greece has an excellent and very thorough website where, in addition to checking ferry schedules and times, you can also book tickets and get lots of useful information about travelling by ferry in Greece.

You might like these

  • Antiparos

    Travel information about Antiparos near Paros in the Cyclades Islands of Greece from the Greece Travel Secrets website.

  • Andros in the Cyclades Islands of Greece

    The island of Andros in the Cyclades has fast ferries from Rafina. There are some good beaches and the main town has two interesting museums.

  • Anafi in the Cyclades islands of Greece

    Travel advice and information on Anafi in the Greek Cyclades islands with good beaches, walking, accommodation, tavernas.

Latest Posts

RSS

  1. Air France Launches Paris-Thessaloniki Summer Route

    Air France has launched a direct route connecting the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki with Paris in France with three flights per week. Part of Air France’s 2020 summer program, the route began on…

    Read More

  2. Greece Inaugurates New Peloponnese Rail Line

    Greek Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis inaugurated this week the 71km Kiato – Diakofto – Aigio suburban railway (Proastiakos) serving the Northern Peloponnese. The new double line includes station…

    Read More

  3. Lufthansa Group: 152 Weekly Flights to Greek Destinations

    The Lufthansa Group has enhanced its schedule for Greece and is now offering a great number of weekly flights to popular destinations in the country including Athens, Thessaloniki and the Greek island…

    Read More

  4. Greece Mulls Plan B in View of Rising Covid-19 Cases

    Greek authorities said they were examining the possible implementation of an alternative action plan should “imported” coronavirus cases continue to rise. The government’s Plan B may include stricter…

    Read More

  5. Greece Now Allows Direct Flights from the UK

    Greece on Wednesday, July 15, opened its skies to the United Kingdom and is now allowing direct flights from the country, following the lifting of a travel ban taken to limit the further spread of the…

    Read More

  6. Best Beaches on Skiathos

    The best beaches on Skiathos are the best in the Sporades, and some of the best in the Greek islands, ranging from busy and crowded to quiet and remote beaches.

    Read More

  7. 8 Best Museums in Greece to Visit

    Greece is one of those countries that people flock to year after year from all over the world. They come with the basic idea that they want to experience some of the magic that makes this country so g…

    Read More

  8. Greece Bans Local ‘Panigyria’ Festivals Until End of July

    All local village festivals in Greece, known as “panigyria”, have been officially canceled until the end of July. Following a spike of coronavirus cases in the country, the government on Monday reques…

    Read More

  9. Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens Announces Reopening

    Hotel Grande Bretagne, a historic hotel in Athens, has announced that it will reopen its doors on July 15, after remaining closed for four months due to the Covid-19 health crisis.

    Read More

  10. What You Need to Know About Greek Ouzo

    Ouzo is an apéritif that is consumed extensively throughout Greece. This anise-flavored drink tastes like raki, pastis, arak, and sambuca. If you’re looking for a drink that will give you a taste of G…

    Read More