Paros

Paros is a Greek island in the central Cyclades, in the South Aegean, known for its fine Parian marble and popular seaside towns. The island covers roughly 196 square kilometres and combines beaches, traditional villages and small archaeological sites.

The island’s highlights include the port town of Parikia with its waterfront and archaeology, the picturesque fishing harbour of Naoussa, and inland villages such as Lefkes. Visitors also seek granite rock formations and sheltered coves at Kolimbithres, and beach stretches favored by windsurfers and swimmers.

Paros has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was an important source of Parian marble in antiquity, used by classical sculptors. Over the centuries it was ruled by various regional powers and evolved into a tourism and fishing economy in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Geographically it sits in the central Aegean Sea, between Naxos and Antiparos, with ferry connections to Piraeus and nearby islands. The island’s main settlements cluster around natural harbors on the western and northern coasts.

• Size and location: Covers about 196 square kilometres and is in the central Cyclades between Naxos and Antiparos.
• Windsports: Golden Beach and Pounda are noted windsurfing and kitesurfing areas because of reliable Meltemi winds in summer.

What to See #

• Parikia: Main port and administrative centre on the west coast, with ferry links to Piraeus and nearby Cycladic islands. The town contains the island's main archaeological museum and the 18th-19th century Frankish quarter.
• Naoussa: Traditional fishing village and harbour on the north coast, known for preserved Cycladic architecture, seafood restaurants and nightlife.
• Lefkes: Inland village set on a ridge, offering panoramic views across the island and the Aegean; traditional narrow streets and a Byzantine-era church.
• Kolimbithres: Coastal area on the north coast with distinctive granite rock formations and small sandy coves popular for photography and swimming.