Paros - What About Beaches ?
Sun-drenched beaches, like Chrissí Aktí, Santa Maria and Poúnda, welcome sun-loving visitors who want to enjoy the crystal clear sea, the sun or even their favourite water sports! Every year Chrissí Aktí is the venue for the Windsurfing World Championship. On the sea bed at Alykí beach, to the southwest, you can explore the ruins of an ancient town!
Don’t miss the opportunity to live experience an exhilarating touring all around the coast of the island by canoe or kayak! Enjoy the unusual natural landscape with impressive white rock formations on Kolymbithres beach. The beach of Kalogeros, surrounded by red and green clay rocks offers a really effective spa for free! Cover your body with clay and let it dry in the sun; after a while rinse yourself in the sea and your body will feel softer than ever!
Discover the island’s stunning beauty by hiking! Walk along “strates”, the trails created by farmers to help them cross the island and transport their goods. It’s like stepping back into history. Here are two itineraries you might like to try:
The Byzantine Lefkes-Prodromos trail, paved with marble paving stones most of the way, takes an hour to walk. It starts from the verdant village of Lefkes and crosses slopes with cultivated terraces and a small Byzantine bridge. The final destination is to the beautiful village of Prodromos with its impressive maze-like alleys.
Starting from the village of Marpissa, with its Byzantine churches, 17th century houses and quaint windmills, walk towards Kefalos Hill and Agios Antonios Monastery. Going uphill along the cobblestone path, you will come across the ruins of the Venetian town of Kefalos and the Castle. At the top, enjoy the view over the eastern part of the island and visit the Monastery of Agios Antonios with its gold-leaf wood-carved iconostasis.
Alternatively, you can discover the island on horseback! There are two horse-riding centres, one by the sea, at Ambelas, and one at Ysterni. Ride around the coast, along the sandy beaches or take a detour inland – a great way to see for yourself some of the most beautiful spots on the island!
Religious festivals are the perfect occasion for many types of festivities! If you find yourself in such an event, don’t forget to taste the sweet smelling wines produced in the island’s vineyards. Paros is in fact one of the oldest Mediterranean wine-making areas, with its own protected designation of origin wines! Another perfect occasion to visit the island is during the celebrations on August 15th, when cultural events are organised around the church of Panayia Ekatontapyliani. Easter celebrations are quite impressive, especially in the villages of Marpissa, Marmara and Prodromos. In autumn the locals pay tribute to their “rakidia” a locally made spirit and celebrations culminate in the Feast of Agios Georgios Methistis, when the new wine made that year is uncorked for the very first time.
Extra tip: Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the small islet of Antiparos, lying southwest of Paros, which can easily be reached from Pounda or Parikia by boat. The Hora (Main Town) of Antiparos is built around a 15th century Venetian castle. The stone paved streets, the whitewashed alleys, the houses decorated with thriving pink and purple bougainvilleas and the central square in the shade of eucalyptus trees create an enchanting atmosphere. On Agios Ioannis Hill lies the cave of Antiparos, distinctive for its marvellous stalagmite and stalactite formations whereas sun-kissed beaches will offer you unforgettable moments of serenity.
Text & images copyright "Visit Greece".
