Saliagos

Island Neolithic islet with early Aegean archaeological remains

Between Paros and Antiparos, Saliagos holds Neolithic ruins and pottery fragments-the earliest known settlement in the Cyclades; visitors arrive by boat to inspect exposed foundations and loose finds.

Saliagos is a small uninhabited islet in the South Aegean, located between Paros and Antiparos in the Cyclades. It is an important prehistoric archaeological site with Neolithic and Early Bronze Age remains.

Excavations have revealed stone foundations, structural remains and portable finds including marble artefacts and pottery, demonstrating a settled community on the islet in the 5th and 4th millennia BCE. The site is cited as one of the earliest known permanent settlements in the Cyclades.

Archaeological material recovered from Saliagos is held in regional museums and has been central to study of early Aegean island settlement patterns. The islet itself is uninhabited and visited mainly by researchers and small boat excursions.

Saliagos sits in the channel between Paros and Antiparos in the Cyclades, within easy boat reach of both islands and visible from nearby shores.

Very early settlement: Contains the earliest known permanent settlement evidence in the central Cyclades, with Neolithic occupation dating to the fourth and fifth millennia BCE.
Museum collections: Finds from the excavations are conserved and displayed in regional archaeological collections, notably the Archaeological Museum of Paros.

How to Get to Saliagos #

Saliagos is a small islet between Paros and Antiparos and is only accessible by sea. Reach Paros or Antiparos by ferry from Piraeus or other Cycladic islands, then join a local boat trip or hire a small boat from nearby harbours (Antiparos or the Pounta area of Paros) for a short outing to the islet.

Tips for Visiting Saliagos #

Access Saliagos only via licensed boats from Paros or Antiparos and confirm landing is permitted on the day - the islet is an important archaeological site and excursions follow strict conservation rules.
Visit early in the day when sea conditions are calmer and there are fewer excursion boats; note that there are no facilities on the islet, so plan your timing and return accordingly.