Marble Villages and Fishing Harbours
Paros is a Greek island in the central Cyclades, in the Aegean Sea, known for its whitewashed villages, golden beaches, ancient marble and a relaxed mix of traditional life and quiet style. Parikia, the main port and capital, has an old town of narrow lanes and a Venetian castle, while Naoussa, on the north coast, is a small fishing harbour with a ruined Venetian fortress, boutiques and waterside tavernas. The island's marble, prized since antiquity, was used for some of the most celebrated sculpture of the ancient world.
Heritage is close to hand. The Church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani, or Church of One Hundred Doors, in Parikia is one of the great Byzantine monuments of the Aegean, with origins in the fourth century. In the hills, Lefkes is a marble-paved mountain village, linked to Prodromos by a Byzantine path that is a favourite walk. Together these places show why Paros appeals to travellers who want culture as well as beaches, and who may already know Mykonos and want a calmer, more traditional alternative.
Golden Beach, Antiparos and Island Tables
The coast offers plenty of choice. Golden Beach and Piso Livadi on the east are known for wind and kitesurfing, Kolymbithres in the north has sculpted granite rocks around sheltered coves, and Santa Maria is a long, easy beach with watersports. A short boat ride leads to Antiparos, a small island with a lively harbour village and a large cave of stalactites, while the quiet waters between the two are ideal for sailing and kayaking.
Food is straightforward and delicious: fresh fish, octopus drying in the sun, local cheeses, sweet pies with honey and sesame, and vegetables from island gardens, often served at tables set in whitewashed courtyards or right at the water's edge. The mix of stays, from village guesthouses to design-led boutique hotels and beach resorts, gives a hotel group plenty to promote. For a quieter and more cliff-edge Cycladic alternative, Folegandros lies a short sea journey away.
Read the full Paros guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitParos.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.