Logaras Beachįurther south you’ll find Pounda Beach, which attracts partygoers day and night thanks to its beach bar/club, and other beaches including New Golden Beach (Tserdakia), Golden Beach (Chrisi Akti), Drios Beach and Lolandonis Beach. One of my favorites was Logaras Beach (just south of the port town Piso Livadi) with its long stretch of golden sand lined with welcoming tavernas. In addition to the beaches in the north that are assessable via Naoussa, some of the most popular beaches are located along the island’s east coast. Most people come to the Greek islands in search of sand and sun and you’ll have no problem finding just that all around Paros. When you’re ready to return, catch the bus 200 meters up the road at the bus terminal parking lot (just past a playground). Naoussa is a 20 minute bus ride from Parikia, which drops you off right in the main square near the bridge. The town itself feels slightly more polished than Parikia but boasts the same whitewashed pedestrian streets with restaurants, bars and shops that stay open late – perfect for after dinner browsing.ĭuring the day you can also take a water taxi from the harbor to several nearby beaches including Kolimbithres, Monastiri, Laggeri and Santa Maria for 6 euros round trip. We ended up eating a little up the road at the lovely Karina All Day Taverna. It’s particularly nice in the evenings when the golden sunset washes over the docked boats and ruins of a former Venetian fortress. Picture-perfect tavernas with outdoor seating line the harbor and the fresh catches of the day are on full display. We stayed at the adorable Panorama Hotel about a 15 minute walk from the port.įor at least one meal head north to the charming fishing village of Naoussa. The island’s main bus station is here too just west of the port (weekly schedules are posted online and at the little yellow and white kiosk), making Parikia a convent home base. The streets will eventually lead you to the main road where you find windmills and a ton of tavernas and cafes lining the waterfront, an area that may appear sleepy during the day as old Greek men gather to sip coffee to pass the time, but comes alive at night as crowds spill out onto the streets. This Byzantine church was built by Constantine in 328 and its name comes from a legend that 99 of its doors have been found and the 100 th will be discovered when Constantinople is Greek again. You’ll also find a handful of other sights in Parikia including an archeological museum, the remains of the former Frankish Castle built during Venetian rule in the 13 th century and the Panagia Ekatontapiliani, known as the Church of 100 Doors. These cobblestone streets are made for wandering, as well as browsing adorable shops like Aithra for beautiful Greek-inspired jewelry, the quirky concept store Melissa across the street with everything from decorative items to playful accessories and Kamara for antiques and distinctive handmade jewelry, run by Petros and his wife Lydia (who cheerfully made us some custom bracelets on the spot). Stroll through its maze of whitewashed lanes, bursting with bright pink bougainvillea flowers, equally colorful doors and the more-than-occasional cat. This port town has all of the elements of a typical Cycladic village and then some. If you’re arriving in Paros by ferry, then Parikia will be your first introduction to the island. So if you’re planning a visit to Greece, here are 5 things to see and do that helped make Paros my favorite island. Paros is not too big and not too small, which makes it just right. Yet Paros isn’t just another beautiful blue and white island in the Cyclades, and its under-the-radar status actually works out to your advantage (translation: less crowds and all of the touristy craziness that comes with it). Think of this Greek island as the unassuming middle sister of glamourous Santorini and fun-loving Mykonos. The fact that may people don’t know about Paros is probably a good thing.
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