Paros Tourism Information
Paros , Cyclades Islands.

Paros is one of the Cyclades islands in the central Aegean Sea situated 90 nautical miles south east of Piraeus and west of Naxos island. The municipality of Paros includes many uninhabited islands and the nearest island of Antiparos and covers a total area of 196,300 square km of land. The area of Paros itself is 165 square km, a coastline of 120km and its greatest length from NE to SW is 13 miles. The population of the island is 10,000 inhabitants; it has a round shape and a single mountain. A small channel separates Paros from its neighbour Antiparos which at its narrowest point is less than 2km wide. Parikia is the capital and the main harbour of the island and is characterised by both modern and traditional architecture. In Paros is the famous church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani one of Greece’s most important Byzantine monuments.

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The island of Paros has become a cosmopolitan resort with many luxurious hotels and a very well developed tourist infrastructure. The roads are very good and the distances are quiet small. As it is in the heart of the Cyclades Paros is linked not only with Piraeus but also with the Dodecanese, Crete, Samos, all the islands in the Cyclades and Thessaloniki.
Some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece can be found in Paros organised or secluded. The organised beaches offer all the facilities and few of them are famous worldwide for their surfing conditions like Golden beach where the Windsurfing World Cup takes place every year. Visitors can explore Paros touring around the quiet villages of Dryos, Aliki and Piso Livadi, the mountain villages of Lefkes and Marpissa, the beautiful capital of Parikia, the popular resort of Naoussa, the beachside resort of Punda and the exquisite beaches around the island with the azure crystal clear waters.
Paros hosts two festivals: The Fishermen’s Festival in July where fresh fish and delicacies are offered to the participants and the Reenactment of the Pirate’s Raid on August.
Paros is one of the most beautiful islands in Greece and is a popular tourist destination as it has many things to offer to visitors: impressive landscapes with fertile valleys, picturesque white villages, archaeological sites from the land’s rich ancient past, exciting nightlife, exquisite sandy beaches and the ideal weather conditions for windsurfing. All these along with the warm Greek hospitality and the rich cultural life have made Paros the destination of your dreams.

According to archaeological findings on the island of Saliagos, located between Paros and Antiparos, Paros was inhabited since the early Cycladic period (3200-2700 BC). The two islands probably formed one during ancient times. The first settlers to Paros came from Minoan Crete and the first king Alkaios built a city where Parikia is today naming it Minoa. Minoa became a naval station as it had a strategic position in the middle of the Cyclades. Later the Arcadians led by Parios occupied the island and gave it its definite name. The Arcadians were followed by Ionians and during their time Paros flourished as it became a maritime power and created a colony on the island of Thassos. Paros was famous during ancient times for its high quality marble found at the Marathi Quarries. This fine marble was used to create masterpieces existing until our days such as the Venus of Milos in Louvre, the statue of Hermes Praxiteles at Olympia, the Temple of Apollo on Delos and many more.

During the Persian war Paros sided with the Persians and was defeated by the Athenians. In 338 BC Paros became a part of the Macedonian Empire and then it was occupied by Mithridates and the Roman Empire and later the Byzantine Empire. During this period Christianity came to the island and many churches and monasteries were built with the most famous the church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani. In 1207 Paros was occupied by the Venetians and was part of the Duchy of Naxos. In 1537 Paros was conquered by the Ottoman Empire which remained until the Greek War of Independence in 1821. For the first time in 1839 Paros became part with the rest of Cyclades islands of the New Greek state.

Many notable people were born in Paros like the lyric poet Archilochus (680-645BC), the sculptor and architect Scopas (395-350BC), the sculptor Thrasymedes (4th century BC). The heroin of Greek War of Independence Manto Mavrogenous who had financed and fought in the war came to Paros and stayed until her death. Her house is a historical monument today.

The church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani (church of a hundred gates): is the most famous and treasured monument of Paros located in Parikia and the only church that is not white. It is an important Byzantine monument built by Saint Helen, the mother of Constantine the Great, when she was forced to stop in Paros because of a storm on her way to Holy Land at the end of the 4th century. Saint Helen died before it was finished and her son completed it as a wooden roof basilica. Two centuries later the church was rebuilt with a dome and suffered many catastrophes during the centuries. In the 10th century the church was given the shape of the cross. The church has no bell tower; the bells are hanging from a tree outside. On the 15th of August is the feast day dedicated to the Virgin Mary and many pilgrims arrive in Paros as the church is believed to be miraculous.

Inside the church the Byzantine museum is housed featuring inscriptions, wood carvings, silver and metal objects etc.

Archaeological Museum: is located in Parikia next to the High School. It is one of the most interesting Museums of the Aegean islands with a collection of findings from the Neolithic and Bronze period to the Hellenistic one. Parts of the Parian Chronicle dated from the 13th century can be seen in the museum.
Ancient cemetery of Parikia: is located near the port of Parikia. It covered a large area and it was in use from the 8th century BC until the 2nd century AD. This fact gave us information about burials in different eras. The most impressive was a mass grave from the Geometric period. The excavations started in 1983 and proved very difficult as the whole area had to be drained with the use of pipes but brought to light one of the most important cemeteries of the Aegean islands. The sight has turned to an archaeological park and it can be seen from all sides.
The Frankish castle (Kastro): it is located at the highest point of Parikia in the centre of the traditional settlement, built during the 13th century by the Duke of Naxos Marco Sanudo. Today only a part of the wall and a tower still exist but the splendid architecture must be admired closely.   
Marble Quarries at ‘Marathi’: are located in Marathi, a small village in the centre of the island. Here is where the finest marble, every sculpture’s dream, was found responsible for 75% of ancient sculptures. The Parian marble was used to create some of the greatest masterpieces like Venus de Milo (Louvre in Paris), Hermes of Praxiteles (Archaeological museum in Olympia), the temple of Apollo in Delphi, the Temple of Zeus in Olympia, the Temple of Apollo in Delos and as said the legendary Temple of Solomon. In 1844 the Parian marble was used for constructing Napoleon’s Tomb. The Marathi Quarries are full of ancient tunnels marble paved waiting to be explored.
The butterfly valley (petaloudes valley): is a natural site in Psycopiana 6km south of Parikia. From May to August the fragrance of the trees attracts large number of Jersey Tiger moths creating a wonderful natural phenomenon. These butterflies can be found only in Paros and Rhodes in Greece and a couple of other places in Europe. The valley is a biotope of lush vegetation and running waters lying at the foot of a hill. The valley can be explored on the back of a donkey and the butterflies can be admired in their amazing shapes and colours as they camouflage themselves between the leaves. Visitors can go to the valley with organised tours from Parikia and Naoussa or by bus.
On top of the hill of the valley is Moni Christou tou Dasous built during the 18th century with excellent view of Antiparos. Entrance is allowed only to women.
The monastery of Loggovardas: is located 6km from Parikia and was found in 1638 by the monk Paleologos. It’s the largest monastery of the island and houses a library with rare manuscripts. In the monastery icons and frescoes of great interest can be found. Entrance is allowed only to men.

           

Parikia (Chora): is the capital and the main port of Paros situated on the west coast where the ancient city used to be. Parikia is built amphitheatrically around a sheltered bay and at the entrance of the port is an imposing windmill which is the trademark of Paros. The old town surrounds the Venetian Castle (Kastro) and some of the houses are attached to the walls of the Kastro and others built on the road. The architecture is traditional Cycladic with whitewashed two-storey houses, blue windows and doors, balconies and pebbled narrow alleys leading to ancient monuments and all kind of shops selling local traditional products. Around Kastro are many little churches such as the Church of Saint Helen, the church of the Virgin of September and of course the jewel of Cyclades, the church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani.

Paros has an airport 11 km southwest of Parikia. Paros can be reached by any International airport via Athens. The duration of the flying time from Athens to Paros is 35 minutes. Paros is connected daily by Olympic Airways with Athens. All the main airlines fly to Athens with scheduled flights (Olympic Airways from all over the world to Athens, Hellas Jet from London/Manchester/Brussels/Paris, British Airways from the UK, Easyjet from Luton/Gatwick, Iberia from Spain, AirFrance from France, Lufthansa and German Wings from Germany, Austrian Airlines from Austria, Snowfflake from Sweden and Denmark, Virgin Express from Brussels, KLM from Holland and via Amsterdam, South African Airways from South Africa, Alitalia from Italy, Qantas from Australia, Japanese Airlines from Japan)or charter flights from all European countries. There are also flights direct from European countries to Mykonos and Santorini and from there a ferry to Paros. Air Sea Lines offers seaplanes starting from April with flights from/to Athens and from/to Paros and daily connection between Paros, Mykonos, Santorini and Ios and from the port of Lavrion to Paros.
            Paros is connected daily with the ports of Piraeus and Rafina and with the islands of Mykonos, Santorini, Naxos, Ios and several times through the week with Crete, Amorgos, Koufonisia, Sifnos, Kos, Rhodes, Sikinos, Ikaria, Samos, Tinos, Syros and Thessaloniki. The trip from Piraeus is about five hours with normal ferries and 2.45 with the High Speed Catamaran. The ferry lines departing from Piraeus to Paros are Blue Star ferries, GA ferries, Hellenic Sea Ways, Minoan Lines and Nel Lines.   
            From the airport and the port of Paros there are taxis and a frequent bus service to all the destinations on the island. Car and motorbike rental agencies can be found in the airport and port area.

                        Antiparos is easily reached from Parikia from the port of Punda (5 min) with regular boat schedules or the main port (30 min). Buses on Antiparos take visitors to the cave and Soros and Agios Georgios beaches. Car and motorbike agencies are also available in Antiparos.Antiparos is easily reached from Parikia from the port of Punda (5 min) with regular boat schedules or the main port (30 min). Buses on Antiparos take visitors to the cave and Soros and Agios Georgios beaches. Car and motorbike agencies are also available in Antiparos.

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