Paros

Late spring and early autumn are the best times for most visitors. Days are warm, the sea is swimmable and the island is less crowded. July and August are hot and dry, with strong north winds that cool the beaches and suit wind sports. Many hotels, restaurants and boats close in winter, and ferries run less often.

The biggest event is the Assumption holiday on 15 August. Pilgrims and locals gather at the Church of Our Lady of a Hundred Doors in Parikia, and the island is very busy. Book rooms and ferries early if you travel then.

• Church of Our Lady of a Hundred Doors in Parikia is the island's most important church. Tradition says Saint Helen founded it in the 4th century, and the complex has chapels and a baptistery with a cross-shaped font. The name refers to a legend of a hidden hundredth door.
• Frankish Castle stands above the old harbour in Parikia. Its walls reuse ancient marble blocks, and it gives a good view over the town and the sea.
• Archaeological Museum Paros is close to the church. It holds a fragment of the Parian Chronicle, an ancient record of Greek history carved in marble.
• The Mycenaean acropolis is a hilltop settlement site near Koukounaries beach on the north coast. Walk up for the views over the bay.
• Golden Beach on the south-east coast is a long sandy beach. It is the main wind sport spot and is busy in summer.
• Kolymbithres Beach near Naousa has smooth rocks and shallow, clear bays. It is a good place for a swim and short walks along the coast.

Beyond this list, walk the lanes of Naousa and its small harbour, which has a Venetian fort. Visit the hill village of Lefkes, where white houses and a marble-paved path lead to the village of Prodromos.

• Watch the sunset from the old castle walls in Parikia, then walk the harbour front in the evening.
• Try windsurfing or kitesurfing at the south-east coast in the summer wind. Schools offer lessons for beginners.
• Take a boat trip from Naousa to the quiet bays and beaches on the north coast.
• Walk the old marble-paved path from Lefkes to Prodromos in spring or autumn.
• Visit a village feast in summer. Many villages hold a church festival with music, dancing and food.

Several islands are easy to reach by ferry or boat. Always check current timetables, as services change by season.

• Antiparos: a short boat or car-ferry crossing from Parikia or from Pounta, south of Parikia. It has a quiet main village, beaches and a cave.
• Naxos: a short ferry ride away. It has a large old town, the unfinished temple gate and long beaches.
• Syros: the Cyclades capital, with elegant neoclassical streets. It is a longer trip and works best on a direct sailing.

Paros sits in the middle of the Cyclades, so it works well for island hopping.

• Nearby: Antiparos and Naxos.
• Famous party and resort islands: Mykonos, Ios and Santorini.
• Quieter islands: Sifnos, Milos and Tinos.

• By ferry: Parikia is the main port and has several sailings a day to Piraeus (Athens). Fast boats are quicker and conventional ferries are slower and cheaper, so the trip takes roughly 3 to 5 hours. Links also run to Heraklion on Crete and to many Cyclades islands.
• By air: Paros National Airport is on the south-west side of the island, about 10 km from Parikia. Olympic Air and Sky Express fly to Athens, and there are some seasonal international flights. A bus or taxi takes you to Parikia.

Buy ferry tickets in advance in July and August, and check the departure port. Visit Greece has general travel information.

• Public buses: KTEL buses link Parikia with Naousa, Lefkes, the airport and the main beaches. Service is frequent in summer and limited in winter. Check current timetables locally.
• Taxi: taxis are few in summer, so book ahead for early flights and ferries.
• Rental car, scooter or ATV: most visitors rent one to reach the beaches and villages.
• On foot: the old towns are car-free and small.

• Is a car worth it? Yes if you want to visit several beaches and villages. For a stay in Parikia or Naousa only, buses and taxis are enough.
• Parking: parking is tight in Parikia and Naousa in summer. Use the car parks at the edge of the old towns.
• Roads: many roads are narrow and winding, and drivers on scooters and quads are common. Drive slowly and avoid unpaved tracks after rain.

Paros food is simple and based on local ingredients. Look for fresh fish in the harbour towns, local cheeses and vegetable dishes in village tavernas. Honey, capers and sweet pastries are also part of island cooking.

For a good evening meal, walk the harbour front in Naousa for fish tavernas, or the lanes of Parikia old town. In Lefkes and other villages, small tavernas around the main square serve home-style dishes.

Paros is very safe for visitors. Petty theft is rare, but keep valuables out of sight on beaches and in rental cars.

• Roads: accidents with rental scooters and quad bikes are the main danger. Wear a helmet and do not ride without experience.
• Sea and wind: strong summer winds create rough seas and rip currents on exposed beaches. Swim at beaches with calm water on windy days.
• Sun and heat: summer sun is strong. Carry water and use sun protection.
• Water: tap water is often not pleasant to drink. Most visitors buy bottled water.
• Health care: Parikia has a health centre for basic care. Serious cases go by air or ferry to Athens. Dial 112 in an emergency.

People lived on Paros in the Bronze Age, and the island became rich from its white marble. Ancient sculptors prized Parian marble, and quarries were worked on the slopes of Mount Marathi for centuries. The Archaeological Museum Paros shows finds from the island's history.

In the Middle Ages the island was ruled by Venetian lords in the Duchy of the Archipelago. They built the Frankish Castle in Parikia, using ancient marble from earlier temples. Later the island came under Ottoman rule, and it joined the Greek state in the 19th century.

Church of Our Lady of a Hundred Doors ties these periods together. It is a pilgrimage church that has been rebuilt and restored many times.

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