Geographically, Paros and Antiparos find themselves right in the epicenter of the most beautiful archipelago in the world.
Paros has been quarrying marble since the Bronze Age. Other Greek islands such as Naxos and Ios tried to compete in the race for marble supremacy but Paros’ marble was of superior quality and easy to carve. It is estimated that 70% of the sculptures excavated in the Aegean islands are made from Parian marble. Notably it was used for the Venus de Milo, the Victory of Samothrace and for the construction of the Acropolis, the Temple of Zeus in Olympia, and the Temple of Apollo in Delphi.
‘Life is nothing but sleep, swim, eat and read’ wrote British fashion photographer Cecil Beaton about Paros in 1958.
Geographically, Paros and Antiparos find themselves right in the epicenter of the most beautiful archipelago in the world. Sixty years on, they are fortuitously still the islands of sun, sea and serenity described by Beaton.
Let us help you discover the secrets beneath the dazzling marble as you travel Greece. Wander winding cobbled streets of bright white marble in search of ancient relics, head off for wonderful walks through rural villages, and hit the water for windsurfing, kite-surfing and scuba-diving.
Naoussa is regarded as one of the most beautiful villages in the whole of the Cyclades. The charming village of Naoussa is built amphitheatrically around a picturesque fishing port, where small fishing boats called “caiques” moor. From the port, you can see the ruins of an old Venetian castle. The town itself is a labyrinth of beautiful paved stone streets where you can find wonderful boutique shops and quirky bars.
Parikia is the island capital, the main harbor, and is a great place to base yourself if you fancy easy walking access to great beaches, a number of excellent eateries, fun nightlife, and boutique shopping. when you are not soaking up the sunset in one of the bars along the waterfront, make sure you check out the Frankish castle, the open- cinema, and the famous Byzantine Panagia Ekatontapiliani church, which was built back in the 4th century.
The soul of Paros lies hidden away inland in its characterful medieval villages. Lefkes is a beautiful little village, the former capital of Paros, hidden between the mountains, perfect for escaping the loud tourist areas by the sea. Lefkes is full of narrow stone streets where you can find traditional restaurants, shops, cafes and a classical Byzantine church dating back to the 15th century. Lefkes is perfect for visiting after a long day at the beach to watch the sun set behind the mountains.
The Moraitis Winery is located in Naoussa. It was founded in 1910 and has since been passed from generation to generation of the Moraitis family. The winery produces an average of 300,000 bottles a year. About 30% is exported to the USA, Canada, England and Germany while the rest remains in Greece for you to enjoy while you travel Greece. Either try the wine at a restaurant around the island or make a visit to the winery itself for great wines, great food, great hosts and a beautiful venue.
For a Greek island we love because of its chilled out vibes (there is even a theory that this phenomenon is due to the marble – several Parian residents are adamant that our bodies contain the same water content as the Parian marble, so we feel relaxed on Paros because we are ‘in tune’ with the island), there are a whole hosts of wonderful bars. Some of our favourites in Parikia include Yaya (with our favourite Glaswegian bartender Karen!), Nemo Bar, Pirate Bar and Koukoutsi Zen Cocktail Bar.
Our favourite beer to sip while enjoying a beautiful Paros sunset is the delicious 56 Isles Pilsner produced by Paros Microbrewery in the heart of the “56 Isles” of the Cyclades. The use of barley grown on the island gives a special flavour to the beer due to the microclimate of the area. The saltiness of the sea, the radiant sunshine and the quality of the raw materials used all add to the flavour.
There are many wonderful restaurants such as Siparos in Naoussa and Levantis in Parikia which serve Paros’ flavours with a creative, contemporary twist. For the perfect treat lunch on your trip to Greece, we have a soft spot for the amazing Nick’s Burgers in Parikia, where Nick has been operating his delicious one man burger-making machine for the last 30 years. ‘Open most days about 9 or 10, occasionally as early as 7 and some days as late as 12 or 1’.
What we love about Paros’ beaches is that they are so varied. Kolymbithres, on the north of the island, is famous for bizarre rock formations rubbed so smooth by the sand that they’re almost lunar. Chrissi Atki, on the south-eastern side is known as something of a kitesurfing haven where you can either try it yourself, or while away hours watching the kiteboarders’ colourful sails fly across the sky.
Kokou Horse Riding school is a wonderful place to try horseriding as you travel Greece. At Epicure Greece, we are big fans of embracing a sunrise and we highly recommend the sunrise tour – a beautiful experience exploring Paros in the quiet of the morning sun before the rest of the island wakes up. The best part is taking the horses into the sea for a relaxing swim!
Would you like to find out more about this destination or speak with one of our Epicureans about the best options in Greece? Reach out to one of our experts who can tailor an unforgettable experience that will be the envy of your friends.